Steve Gadd (b-1945)
Thoroughbred Music hosted many drum clinics. I attended several of them when I was a Gretsch manufacturers representative and civilian. What can I say about Steve Gadd that hasn’t been said before? Or coarse that clinic was standing room only.
When he came on the scene in the 70s, I didn’t embrace that sound. I had my “jazz snob’ classic Max Roach, Elvin, Roy Haynes, Tony sound to imitate. I was playing in The Riddler Band when “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” came out. I don’t know why we didn’t work it up. Maybe it wasn’t right for our audience, mainly College, High School kids. I don’t think I’d heard Steve Gadd’s name or seen it on a record album, yet.
“The Leprechaun” (Chick Corea album) may be the first record I bought with Steve Gadd on it. I heard Aja at a friend’s house when it came out. There were many records in between that he played on.
(CTI - Joe Farrell / Bad Benson / Art Farmer / Concierto with Jim Hall – Any CTI record with Steve Gadd’s name on it recorded by Rudy Van Gelder)
I have many memories from that mid 70s period pertaining to my search for a sound. Evans Hydraulic Drum Heads became popular. I used them.
I had a new Gretsch Walnut kit---I tried to get a “Pop” sound on. The music I was playing wasn’t conducive to that “Great Gretsch Sound” I was playing Rock and Roll. (The sound was there. I missed the mark it worked for Charlie Watts)
In the early 70s, my sound was more geared towards that duck tape Al Green backbeat groove thing. (Make It Funky Now)
Steve Gadd invented himself and the global drumming world joined in. Yamaha Drums became very popular. (Recording Series) I was managing a well - stocked Orlando Drum shop in the 70s when it all exploded. Steve Gadd’s name sold product. It still does.
In 2023+ I’m a bigger fan than ever of his playing. I recognize things that were over my head decades ago. That’s the enlightening joy of getting old.
Drummers today have the advantage to see video of the greats. How they play everything about their physical set up, technique and approach towards a sound.
I became an advertiser in Modern Drummer in 1977 when they launched. Their path increased Drummers visibility and knowledge.
What I missed about Steve Gadd’s playing in those early days was how deep his groove is. In our/my immaturity - we/I looked for the licks.
With the Youtube videos of his many performances, I’ve been able to see the depth of his sound and groove. It was always on the records, but the physical action of it was missing from my understanding. I’ve watched many drum clinic excerpts where he describes certain fills and grooves. What he brings to the artist music is why he’s---first choice.
When he did the Thoroughbred Music Clinic, my highlight was his brush vocal rendition of Bye-Bye-Blackbird.
During and post pandemic, many drummers started podcasting and streaming content on social media platforms.
(My favorite is hosted by - John DeChristopher) “Live From My Drum Room”
His experience comes from decades in the music industry. He was Dean of Zildjian Artist Relations and Vice President of the company. Steve Gadd has been a guest on his show several times. -Entertaining and educational.