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They have a drummer?

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A short list of drummers who don't get enough credit


When Ola Brunkert, ABBA's tour drummer, died, I circulated the news around the office like a good music nerd. The overwhelming reaction to my macabre message was, "ABBA had a drummer?" Humorous, yes, but it made me think about the percussion profession. Drummers are that integral, yet often overlooked, member of a band whose position at the back of the stage belies his/her importance. This is most true in rock circles. Drummers for jazz and blues bands tend to receive a little more attention, i.e. the drum solo. But unless you are Rick Allen or Mo Tucker, or Animal, your role as percussionist may never be known past the liner notes.


Until now.


Continuing the selfless service on which we pride ourselves at Duck & Cover, here is a small list of (relatively) unknown drummers--or, here is a list of bands on whose mention you might say, "No shit. They have a drummer?":



  • Charlie Adams (Yanni) :: Quell your disbelief--Yanni has a drummer. It's not some one-off thing, either. Adams has been Yanni's concert drummer for nine tours. You know what's weird, though? They met in Minnesota. I know, I know: what the hell is Yanni doing in Minnesota?

  • Steve Barnard (Robbie Williams) :: This would kinda suck, I think. Knowing Williams's preference for repetitive beats, Barnard could probably just whack a few snares and symbols then hit "repeat."

  • Roger Andrew Taylor (Duran Duran) :: My older sister used to have a Duran Duran poster in her room during the 80s when I was just a wee lad. I'm quite sure there were only two of them.

  • Marty Beller, Brian Doherty (They Might Be Giants) :: And here I thought John and John just used a synthesizer to create their beats. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've never seen a drummer the few times I've seen them live.

  • Paddy Boom (Scissor Sisters) :: Besides having the perfect name for a drummer, he also has his own record label called--wait for it--"Boom Boom Records."

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