Just got back from a fantastic clinic John gave drum heads here in LA!

But I got there like half way through the thing. Like around 7:40 or something, it stared at 7pm. Please share what happened in the beginning if you were there! Or share you're whole experience!

I got there when he was taking questions from the audience. Right when he was talking about foot and pedal techniques, tightening up the pedal and stuff. Really interesting .

And then John put on a CD and jammed with an instrumental Jazz fusion song. I don't think it was a Prince song, could be though! It was really nice and had a Ballad of Dorothy Parker (Jazz version) like feel.

Then he did this super long drum solo, just fierce!

He did speak briefly about Prince after someone asked him how it was like working with Prince and Cameo and Larry, etc.

He said Prince doesn't take out the drum tracks and expects the drummer to be ON the beat, super tight timing. I'm working my timing. It's not easy.

John mentioned how Cameo required the timing to be perfect, if not, the drummer would be fired on the spot.

John also spoke about he came about placing a China crash/splash behind him. Even playing it during ballads with Patti LaBelle!

John was very relaxed and gave us all in the pro-audio section, where a small stage was setup, lot's of drum solo's and of course his stick tricks!

Some Prince heads did ask about, well...what John, or WHERE he was going to be in June...ehem...John refused to answer after someone yelled out "Celebration"!

He was polite and said that he didn't know if it was going to happen or if wasn't and that he can't say anyway if he did.

Like I said before, just chill, it'll happen if it happens. If it does, great! But if it doesn't, well, I'm sure Prince and friends will make it up, you'll see.

Anyway, I had a blast at the show. I didn't ask him any questions AFTER the show and Q & A, I did want to ask him about that song and other drum things, but I just kind of clammed up, but John's very approachable.

After the clinic Sabian gave out lot's of goodies, sticks, cymbals(!), drum heads, t-shirts, and I think even some Blackwell videos! I got a cool Sabian hat, nice.

The sound rocked, the drums sounded super tight and had great tone from where I was standing.

Oh and John did do 777-9311! And he did Everywhere(!) and explained how that song came about. Prince heard John doing this latin inspired beat and Prince recorded it and finished it up! And yes, he pretty much did Everywhere complete with the slow ending and that super cool fill!

He also did, a few Cameo songs, playing with a CD, and did Candy by Cameo with no CD, really super tight Funk! Made you grimace!

Thanks John!

thank you bro`, i was SO waiting for any kind of information about his clinics. i wish i had the opportunity to see one of them.
thank you.

Cool, Thanks for this in depth review of the clinic.

Just waiting for this to happen in Sydney next month (Keeping my ears open for where it is, Billy Hyde music?, Venue Music? - Wondering Wondering)

Are all his clinics at night?

Does he do signings? Or is it just a demo of his playing followed by a Q & A?

Hmmm, Interesting to hear that he was tight lipped about Celebration details for June (when he know's he'll be in Australia at the time), maybe he didn't want to incite a riot

dnaplaya said:

To answer some of your questions, yes, I think all his clinics are at night. It would be another good idea come to think of it if he did them mid-day so people could browse the stores, but here in LA at the Guitar Center mostly all clinics are at night.

Signings, the schedule normally is Perform > Clinic > Q&A (with technique perfromances, examples, etc.) > Signings. He was suppose to sign stuff after, but he hung out after the clinic by the drum set with store personel and sound people and buddies. I think he was going to go upstairs to the drum department but maybe the time was tight. They had closed the store up. But it was cool, I think John gave a little more performance at the end instead!

So if you wanted an autograph that would of have been possible. Just a very loose atmosphere. What was nice was that the area, which was the pro-audio and lighting section of the store was kept dark like a club in way. And while John was playing they had these mellow colorful lights behind him that added a nice mood to the clinic. (I know, I give these looong answers don't I... Heh!)

As for the Celebration, he was sincere about not knowing. He shrug his shoulders...he said he just didn't know, Prince might call him and he'd have to fly over to MPLS, but he just didn't know. I personally don't think it will happen. Maybe something else or at some other time, or maybe a special tour or something. We'll be suprised. I like the element of suprise!

TonyWilliams said:

No problem man!

I like to share experiences with all ya'lls. Hey! Isn't Tony Williams a drumming legend person?! Is that where you got your Org name?!