Tag Archives: Modern Drummer

Revisiting My Life in Music: First Meeting with MD Founder Ron Spagnardi

I first met Modern Drummer founder/publisher Ron Spagnardi probably in the summer of 1978. MD‘s office was the basement of the Spagnardi home at 47 Harrison Street, Nutley, NJ. MD was still a quarterly publication. Nothing fancy about the basement. … Continue reading →

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Fred Below: No Practicing Drums in the House Until You Could Play

SKF NOTE: This is the second 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 … Continue reading →

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Fred Below: Becoming a Professional Drummer

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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Why I Never Collected Famous People’s Autographs

As a freelance writer, and as Managing Editor of Modern Drummer magazine, every interview was an opportunity to ask a famous musician or music personality for his or her autograph. I didn’t do that because I felt that asking for … Continue reading →

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Alan Dawson: How Do You Sound vs How Do You Look

SKF NOTE: This exchange is from my interview with Alan Dawson for Modern Drummer’s January 1986 10th Anniversary Issue. The interview took place sometime in 1985 in Alan Dawson’s Massachusetts’ home living room. Alan Dawson: I’ve always admired the sound … Continue reading →

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