Kenney Jones - #19 of 100 Drummers I’ve seen “Live and in Person” (1966-present)
I saw Kenney Jones at the Orlando Sports Stadium. This venue was also called the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium. In my series, I’ve authored 3 previous featured drummers Floyd Sneed / Three Dog Night – Bill Ward / Black Sabbath and John Bonham / Led Zeppelin on 8/31/1971. (All Orlando Sports Stadium gigs)
My string of concerts at this venue was extraordinary. I think ? my 3 previous concert dates are in chronological order. I have this Kenney Jones feature and 2 more Sports Stadium events to cover, but I’m not sure which order they took place. It’s been 50 years. I’m pretty good with this, but a few things about these three are vague.
My next featured drummer #20 is Ginger Baker. I’ll end with Bobby Ramirez playing with Edgar Winter White Trash. That event has quite a few interesting facts/incidents. #21 will conclude my Orlando Sports Stadium aka Eddie Graham Sports Stadium concert events.
Back to the great drummer Kenney Jones.
It was The Faces…it was Rod Stewart singing. Ron Wood was playing guitar. From my Youtube and Wikipedia research, this seems to be the lineup for that time period.
I remember being on the concrete floor, in front of the stage for Zeppelin, Three Dog Night and The Faces. I was in the bleachers for Sabbath, Edgar Winter and Ginger Baker Air Force. Yes, this is all very trivial, but important to me.
Today I joined a couple Facebook, Orlando music groups that may enlighten me to these actual dates. There’s a Facebook group titled…..”I was at the Orlando Sports Stadium” Enough of the bla-bla-sorry……..
Again, back to Kenney Jones. I first heard the drumming of Kenney Jones on the (Small Faces) Itchycoo Park record. That tune got a lot of radio play. Written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane. It had that cool flanging effect on the drums, very unique at the time. (1967-1968)
When Steve Marriott left The Small Faces, they recruited Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. They had been in The Jeff Beck Group, another favorite record of mine. The Small Faces became The Faces. It’s this group that convinces me it was Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood in the band, as Marriott had departed in 1969. (Enough about my memory recollection.
I’ve never met Kenney Jones, but I’ve seen him on various music interviews. He comes across as a genuine, real, trustworthy human being.
I’ve admired the playing, sound and feel of the great British drummers including Kenney, Cozy Powell, John Bonham, Simon Kirke, Mitch Mitchell, Ginger Baker, Bobby Elliott, Jim Capaldi, Aynsley Dunbar, Ian Paice, Jon Hiseman, Bobby Graham, Michael Giles, Steve Ferrone, Ringo, Charlie and others…since the British Invasion.
Kenney Jones early drum brand of choice was Ludwig. Like Bonham and others, those years of Ludwig drums are the greatest of all time. (Imo) Drum Geek – terminology ….they were 3 or 5 ply combinations of maple, mahogany and poplar. You can listen to Joe Morello on the Brubeck – Take Five record and hear the quality. Those mentioned Ludwig brand drummers got a similar sound.
Kenney Jones rendition on the live/Youtube video of Faces playing…I’m Losing You, says it all. That’s the sound and feel, I remember from the Sports Stadium concert.
Kenney’s interpretation of the quarter and straight eighth note rock n roll groove is fantastic. He also had the triplet and conversational foot pedal-(bass drum) Tom fills well under control. Those blond maple Ludwig with a deep shell (Supra-phonic snare) is the classic sound.
The Faces playing of…Stay With Me…is another favorite…the group is great.
I should also say a few things about Rod Stewart. I first heard him on the Jeff Beck (TRUTH) record, The Jeff Beck Group. I was in Biloxi in 1968, I’ve written about this in my book (Notes of a “YOUNG” drummer 1966-1969)
That group was Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart-vocals, Ronnie Wood-bass and Micky Waller-drums. The tunes they recorded…all favorites of mine. Morning Dew, Shapes of Things, You Shook Me…all fantastic. In 1968, hearing this record for the first time…I recognized Ol Man River. A classic American standard Rod was reimagining. (1927 music by Jerome Kern - lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Micky Waller is also the drummer on the 1971 hit, Maggie May, by Rod Stewart.
Kenney Jones style and approach changed for…The Who…gig, it had to. For me, it was impossible to replace the feel and attitude left by Keith Moon.
I guess…it was a prerequisite…he would need a multiple tom-double bass drum kit for The Who gig. Kenney and The Who “Won’t Get Fooled Again” live in Seattle 1982, is well played.
Nobody played like Keith. Keith’s phrasing and attitude was totally unique. Some say he was sloppy, that’s total BS.
When Kenney was offered—-The Who—-gig, after the death of Keith, he declined.
Kenney eloquently tells his story in a Youtube interview. Pete Townsend was the convincer for Kenney to…join the band.
(This was formalized with Kenney letting them know…he could and would not copy Keith Moon)
(The Who have always been a mysterious fascinating group)
For me, they were there in the beginning with…My Generation. The variety of styles they composed is amazing. Their musicianship has matured and they grew to become better on their instruments. Especially, Pete Townsend. His talent as a songwriter, producer, singer and guitarist is second to zero.
The Kids Are Alright (1979) film is a great documentary.
Kenney Jones is a great example for drummers to follow. His playing and attitude is admirable. He worked in The Who for 10 years. Kenney’s original drum track and playing on The Who tune…Eminence Front is superb. His feel and sound is more like his years with The Faces. The tempo and groove is really solid. It’s a funky sound and groove for The Who. Kenney and Keith were close friends. I never saw The Who live in person. I’m glad I got the chance to see and hear Kenney Jones.
Notes from an “OLD” drummer