Tag Archives: Fred Below

Fred Below: You’ve Got to Know What Each Sound Is

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: From my July 9, 1982 phone interview with pioneering drummer Fred Below. In this excerpt, Fred Below gives us his thoughts on the characteristics of great drummers, starting with knowing how to play with dynamics.

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Fred Below on Backing Singers (Audio) July 9, 1982

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Fred Below was always on my short list of drummers to interview, who, as far as I knew, had never shared their stories for posterity. My first chance to right that wrong came while I was at Modern … Continue reading →

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Fred Below: The Beatles Wouldn’t Have Been The Beatles

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: This interview with Fred Below took place in 1982. I dated the typed transcript March 17, 1982 — so this interview happened on or near that date. My feature interview with Fred Below was published in Modern Drummer September … Continue reading →

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Fred Below: They Didn’t Teach Blues Music in School

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: This is another in my series of Modern Drummer backgrounder interviews. I wrote on the transcript that I edited this interview on June 11, 1981 for use in the Blues Drummers segment of my History of Rock Drumming. … Continue reading →

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Fred Below: The Drum is a Beautiful Instrument if Played Correctly

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: This is an excerpt from my interview with drummer Fred Below, arguably the father of Chicago electric blues drumming. Mr. Below recorded with Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, The Aces, Little Walter, Chuck Berry, and other pivotal blues … Continue reading →

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