Category Archives: Backgrounder Interviews

I did a number of backgrounder interviews in the early 1980s for a five-part feature series I wrote for Modern Drummer magazine called, “The History of Rock Drumming.” These interviews were never published until now. This blog category is set up so Life Beyond the Cymbals readers can have access to all the backgrounder interviews in one place.

Alan Dawson – MD 10th Anniversary Interview Pt 1

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: In 1985, freelance writing again for Modern Drummer magazine, I was asked to contribute two drummer interviews to MD‘s upcoming January 1986 10th Anniversary issue: Neil Peart and Alan Dawson. Unlike MD‘s other feature interviews, 10th Anniversary interviewees … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Backgrounder Interviews, SKF Blog | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Alan Dawson – MD 10th Anniversary Interview Pt 1

Benny Benjamin’s Unbeatable Timing

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Piecing together for my History of Rock Drumming series the mystery that was Motown‘s drummers, I called Motown’s offices for help, and Brian Holland spoke with me! I didn’t ask to speak with Mr. Holland. I imagine the … Continue reading →

Posted in Backgrounder Interviews, SKF Blog | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Benny Benjamin’s Unbeatable Timing

Odie Payne, Jr. – I Like Melody

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: In the early 1980’s, when I set out to write what became a five-part feature series for Modern Drummer called, The History of Rock Drumming, I thought it would be mostly a cut-and-paste project. That is, I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Backgrounder Interviews, SKF Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Odie Payne, Jr. – I Like Melody

Ron Spagnardi – Taking a Chance on Fish

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: This post was first published November 30, 2018. It was my 99th Piscataquis Observer newspaper column. Looking back almost forty years I can’t imagine not crossing paths with Ron Spagnardi, founder and publisher of Modern Drummer magazine. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Backgrounder Interviews, Revisiting My Life in Music, SKF Blog | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ron Spagnardi – Taking a Chance on Fish

Jim Gordon – Full Interview – Tape A Side B

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: If you’re coming to this Tape A Side B before my posting of Jim Gordon – Full Interview – Tape A Side A, the rest of the info in this post is the same as the info in … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Backgrounder Interviews | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Jim Gordon – Full Interview – Tape A Side B