Tag Archives: Gretsch

Playing Drums in Jacket and Tie?

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Six years ago I wrote about drum photos as drum lessons. As a pre-internet kid, opportunities to see well-known drummers live were rare. Studying every detail of a great photo could command hours of my attention. The fine … Continue reading →

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Joe LaBarbera: My Gretsch Set-Up with Chuck Mangione

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: In the early 1970s Joe LaBarbera was recording and performing with Chuck Mangione. The group released three excellent albums with Mr. LaBarbera: Land of Make Believe (Mercury, 1973), Bellavia (A&M, 1975), and Chase the Clouds Away (A&M, 1975). … Continue reading →

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Louis Bellson’s 1940s Gretsch Kit in ‘A Song is Born’ Movie

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: There’s quite a cast of jazz greats in this A Song is Born 1948 movie clip including a very young Louis Bellson on his original mid-1940s Gretsch double-bass drum set. Some wonderful footage of Louis. Watch for his … Continue reading →

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Carl Palmer Gretsch Identity Crisis Ad (1979)

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: World class drums (Gretsch) and a world class drummer (Carl Palmer). The first time I saw this magazine ad (1979) I was puzzled. Gretsch set the advertising photo bar very, very high with the company’s 1960s black-and-white ads … Continue reading →

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Mel Lewis – Best Beat of a Lifetime

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: This 1968 Gretsch drum ad with Mel Lewis — and other great drummers in the series — need to be kept in the public eye, IMO. As I’ve said before, pre-internet, these ads gave young drummers one our … Continue reading →

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