SKF NOTE: Drummer Bill Goodwin wrote an endorsement of drum teacher Freddy Gruber on April 1, 1983 and mailed it to Modern Drummer Publisher Ron Spagnardi. The “article” Goodwin refers to was my upcoming interview with Gruber.

I was delighted yesterday to uncover in a box of papers, Goodwin’s handwritten letter and typed endorsement. Gruber can never have too many endorsers. Despite the first-hand accounts from Neil Peart, Jim Keltner, Jim Chapin, Steve Smith, and longtime Gruber student Neal Sausen, Gruber’s skeptics live on.

Goodwin’s experience with Gruber is almost exactly my experience with him while sitting at Buddy Rich’s kitchen table:

“Freddy came and sat with me and told me one thing about my left hand, a simple thumb position change. Well, all I can say is that he was right because that one thing was the key to all the progress of a technical nature that I achieved from that point on. I think he knows more about the physical, mechanical aspect of drumming than anyone. Also the spiritual aspect and the combination of the two which can create great music.”

Here’s a typewriter version of Goodwin’s letter for readers who may have trouble reading his script handwriting:

Dear Ron –

I understand that MD may do an article about FREDDY GRUBER so I wanted to contribute something for the same and also encourage you to do it. He has been an enormous influence on so many fine drummers.

I am currently director/president of OMNISOUND RECORDS as well as continuing as member of the Phil Woods Qt. / Phil Woods Big Band and my own group Bill Goodwin’s Solar Energy. I still enjoy reading MD too. Keep up the wonderful work.

Best,
BG

That’s it. Thank you, Bill Goodwin for your insightful addition to Freddy Gruber’s drumming legacy.