Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie is the first and only full-time professional classical percussion soloist. To see Evelyn play is a wonder. This "thrilling, hyperkinetic, wild woman" bangs, caresses, shakes, strokes, strikes, scrapes, and generally beats the tar out of a huge array of all kinds of percussion instruments; congas, vibes, cowbells, cymbals, marimba, her own instrument creations, up to about 60 instruments in any given show (she travels with up to two TONS of gear). By playing barefoot, Evelyn is able to experience the music fully. Her attacks contain a controlled ferocity or an astounding delicacy; her ultra-speed and accuracy can barely be described.

Much media attention has been given to the fact that Evelyn is a deaf musician. Without dwelling on the subject, Drummergirl would like to sum up an essay from Evelyn's site: the general understanding of "deaf" is incorrect. Evelyn is profoundly deaf, and she doesn't feel the need to make a big deal about it. After she lost her hearing when she was young, Evelyn spent a lot of time with her percussion teacher Ron Forbes, refining her ability to detect vibration. She can distinguish the rough pitch of notes by associating where on her body she feels the sound. Truth be told, Evelyn's hearing is something that bothers other people far more than it bothers her. Since she is one of the world's top international musicians, it must not make much of a difference to the orchestras, conductors, or venues.

http://www.drummergirl.co...lennie.htm

Can't believe we've got to page 3 of the thread and no-one yet has mentioned the legendary Tony Allen from Fela Kuti's bands..... genius!

Roger Taylor from Queen ...not DD...
Charlie Watts from The Stones...
and Steven Adler from the original Guns N Roses lineup

John Bonham,Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick,Joey Kramer from Aerosmith,Prince,John Blackwell,Lars Ulrich,Alex Van Halen,Matt Cameron,Jason Bonham,Michael Lee (who played with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant on their reuion tours)Carter Beauford,Adrien Young,too many others to list.