Featured drummer Floyd Sneed - Three Dog Night - Featured drummer #16 of 100 – Floyd Sneed – Three Dog Night – 4/23/71 (Eddie Graham Sports Stadium) aka (Orlando Sports Stadium -
Notes from an “Old” Drummer
Featured drummer #16 of 100 – Floyd Sneed – Three Dog Night – 4/23/71 (Eddie Graham Sports Stadium) aka (Orlando Sports Stadium
Notes from an Old Drummer – Michael Welch
1971 was a very special period in my experience to witness and hear several influential groups. These concerts all happened at a venue called The Eddie Graham Sports Stadium. It was also known as Orlando Sports Stadium. The venue was opened in 1967 and hosted major acts from all genre including Elvis, Bob Dylan, Beach Boys, Deep Purple.
My first concert took place 4/23/1971. The band was Three Dog Night. I attended this event with my friend Louie Simmons. My interest to see and hear Three Dog Night wasn’t a priority on my band list at the time.
I was familiar with Three Dog Night. Every lounge lizard group played “Joy To The World” (aka Jeremiah was a bull frog) This tune was released on the 1970 album Naturally. I liked the album jacket, looking at the bands instruments.
I don’t remember (who it was) or if there was an opening act.
The seating at Eddie Graham’s Sports Stadium was always open standing on the floor of the arena. There were wooden plank bench seats stage left and right, from what I can remember. The place was not air-conditioned. My spot was on the concrete floor in front of the stage. It was always one price (general admission)
I was impressed and enjoyed Thee Dog Night. (One thing I liked was that) they seemed to be regular blue-collar musicians that had success as recording artist. I also like the 4-piece band nightclub traditional instrumentation. The group’s sound was based on a rhythm section of guitar, bass, drums and electric piano/ Hammond B3 organ.
Eventually, Three Dog Night’s record jackets only included photos of the 3 singers. I always thought that was a typical record label deployment. (“In my opinion” that rhythm section created the sound for the 3 singers.) The later LP photos present 3 singers and anonymous (no photo) musician sidemen. “JIVE”
Floyd Sneed created and played some classic grooves on those Three Dog Night tunes. Again, as always, in my opinion, he was one of the originators of a unique drum sound and style. The tune “Black and White” is the first time I heard a drummer play the (and of 1-2-3 and 4) off the high hat or ride cymbal with the snare still playing the backbeat. Billy Cobham was the next drummer I heard play that groove. This was on the first Dreams record. (Beat Club video)
Floyd Sneed was also the first to popularize the visual double bass drum sound for that type of commercial music. (Yes, there was Ginger and Keith) Floyd Sneed was the template for other drummers: Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, Carter Beauford and Dennis Chambers. This is only my opinion.
When I saw Floyd Sneed, he was playing the Zicko's Clear double bass drum kit. His playing was always controlled, relaxed and clean. His grooves and presence “drove the rhythm section”
Three Dog Night’s tune “One” is a rhythmic 3 against two shuffle. Floyd’s drum part is the foundation for the arrangement.
Three Dog Night brought Blue-Eyed Soul to popular music with “Try A Little Tenderness” and their original song list. (Beat Club Video) Floyd plays the traditional side stick groove like Al Jackson Jr.
Three Dog Night always performed with confident tempos (BPM’s) in
the pocket. Tempos were never rushed.
I always liked the recorded sound of the bass. Between Floyd and bassist Joe Schermie, keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon and Michael Allsup on guitar. This rhythm section had a Booker T and The MG’s sound.
Cory Wells, Danny Hutton and Chuck Negron were all great vocalist. “Eli’s Coming” is a demonstration of their equally shared ability as a vocal ensemble.
Three Dog Night created a complete original style during the 70’s music scene.
Floyd Sneed and Chuck Negron continue to perform together. Cory Wells and Danny Sutton have passed.
As mentioned in my opening, I didn’t anticipate being as impressed or interested to see and hear Three Dog Night. Looking back 50 years, I really appreciate the talent and musicianship from this group.
I won’t even go into auto-tune vocals and drum machine grooves. What happened to the soul of music?
My next 100 drummer feature is Bill Ward – Black Sabbath – (7/3/1971) another concert at Eddie Graham’s Sports Stadium.