Tag Archives: Modern Drummer

Fred Below: The Spiritual Side

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Fred Below is arguably the father of Chicago electric blues drumming. Any one who wants to know how to play drums in a Blues band needs to listen thoroughly to Fred Below. This July 9, 1982 interview was … Continue reading →

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Staying Sane as a Drummer

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Fred Below is arguably the father of Chicago electric blues drumming. Any one who wants to know how to play drums in a Blues band needs to listen thoroughly to Fred Below. This July 9, 1982 interview was … Continue reading →

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Blues v Jazz Drumming: No Difference

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Among my interviews with drummers, a few are the only known interviews – at least full length interviews – with a few drummers. Jim Gordon is one. Frankie Dunlop is another. And Fred Below is a third. Fred … Continue reading →

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Humbled by Mel Lewis

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: There was a time drummer-producer Paul T. Riddle and I decided to tape our phone conversations about drums and/or the music business. We both have in common love and great respect for the founding fathers of jazz drumming … Continue reading →

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Why I Stopped Writing Album Reviews

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Writing Modern Drummer music album reviews was not for me. Growing up, I enjoyed reading and learning from album reviews in music magazines, notably Down Beat. At first, reviewing albums for MD seemed a fun idea. List the … Continue reading →

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