Between Physical Graffiti and Presence, Led Zeppelin released their live document, The Song Remains The Same. While Robert Plant was asking the audience if they remembered laughter, John Bonham was composing his magnum opus. “Moby Dick” clocks in at nearly 13 minutes, and comes complete with Bonzo tossing down his sticks to beat the drums bare handed. “Moby Dick” was an endurance test of sorts. Only a true blue stoner could sit through it, patiently awaiting the finale of “Whole Lotta Love.”
For me, the last great Seventies double live LP drum solo was by Rush’s Neal Peart. All The World’s A Stage chronicled their 2112 tour, and his solo caps the era. I love Geddy Lee’s intro, “And now, the professor of the drum kit” and Peart, great drummer as he is, really does rock a great one.
The extended drum solo was as much a part of the double live LP as any FM radio “hits” were in the early 1970’s. By the time Frampton came alive, the moment had clearly passed.
But as a true child of the High Times magazine era, I miss one of the weirdest, and oh so Seventies-ish aspects of rock and roll. That endless, stoned, and basically pointless section of the show.
The drum solo.
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
Zach Hill happened to the drum solo, man.
2 - Greg Barbrick
Jordan--Drummers are like Rodney Dangerfield, they get no respect. Kudos to you for recognizing Hill's talent.
Greg
3 - El Bicho
What happened to Carl Palmer? No respect for him either, I guess
4 - Greg Barbrick
Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends should have been mentioned for it's title alone. Carl Palmer deserves an article of his own.
5 - Glen Boyd
The thing is Palmer could actually play, and "Tank" is a textbook example of how a drum solo should be done. Speaking of guys you missed though...remember Frosty? The guy who was the drums behind the two-man show with forgotten keyboardist Lee Michaels? Now, those were some epic drum solos.
-Glen
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
If this article is just a nod to the past then that's cool and my pick would have to be Buddy Rich. But, he was so damn good that he incorporated his solos into the song.
As for the Drum Solo being a separate entity, I know Mike Portnoy did plenty in the traditional sense,but, it seems that the really good drummers of today write their solos as a part of the song. Still, I'm sure their are plenty of bands that offer up a drum solo at their concerts. Of course I think it would have to be either a Metal,Jazz or Prog kind of band.
Personally, as a drummer, I still drool over Akira Jimbo. He is the true progression of Buddy Rich & he does plenty of drum solos. Actually, he's taken "solo" to a whole new level!
7 - Scott M. Deitche
Neil Peart's live drum solos have evolved (dare I say progressed) into a fusion of styles driven by core beats and rhythyms making them more enjoyable now than his 70s-era work.
8 - psf
no love for the grateful dead's dual "drumz" aka "bathroom break" followed by "space" aka "practicing scales on stage"?