Wednesday, May 1
Listen for selections from King Crimson’s 1995 release, Thrak, featuring the legendary progressive rock band’s “double trio” lineup with Bill Bruford and Pat Mastellotto on drums as well as music from the Spirit of the Stairs album Domesticated with the double drumming of Kody Ramsey and Kyle Hupp.
Thursday, May 2
Sheila Escovedo, better known as Sheila E. was already established as a studio musician before releasing her 1984 album The Glamourous Life but the Prince-produced effort catapulted her into the pop charts via the title song and “The Belle of St. Mark.” We’ll hear music from this recording as well as selections from the Velvet Underground’s 1968 release, White Light/White Heat featuring drumming from Maureen “Mo” Tucker.
Friday, May 3
It’s our New Month, New Music feature. We’ll hear selections from the latest by The Mountain Goats, In League with Dragons plus music from Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio as well as The Cavves’s latest, Venture Out.
Saturday, May 4
A founding member of the Oklahoma City-based group Traindodge, Rob Smith was also, for a period of time, a member of the St. Louis trio Riddle of Steel. We’ll hear selections from Traindodge’s Wolves as well as Riddle of Steel’s Got This Feeling.
Monday, May 6
Raised in Florida, Tommy Aldridge showed an early interest in drums but his disapproving father had other plans. Aldridge was able to conceal his passion for percussion throughout his teen years by practicing drums using only his hands. This technique became an integral part of his style and remains so after more than 40 years as a recording artist with acts such as Black Oak Arkansas, Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Travers and Whitesnake. We’ll hear some key selections from throughout his career as well as music from the 1970 self-titled debut from Cactus, featuring drums from Carmine Appice.
Tuesday, May 7
Keith Moon is considered one of the essential rock drummers. We’ll hear selections from the Who’s classic live album Live At Leeds as well as selections from Raven’s Live at the Inferno featuring Rob “Wacko” Hunter.
Wednesday, May 8
Since his debut in the 1970s as a member of the Canadian progressive rock outfit Rush Neil Peart has been recognized as one of the top names in the drumming world. We’ll hear selections from the Toronto trio’s 1991 LP Roll The Bones as well as music from the Peart-curated tribute to jazz legend Buddy Rich, Burnin’ For Buddy, featuring Steve Ferrone (Average White Band, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers) as well as Billy Cobham and Max Roach.
Thursday, May 9
Often eclipsed by the guitar prowess of his younger brother, Edward, Alex Van Halen is a widely-respected musician whose unmistakable style has graced numerous albums from the band Van Halen. We’ll hear selections from that outfit’s experimental 1981 effort Fair Warning as well as Journey’s 1977 jazz-fusion inflected effort, Next.
Friday, May 10
Part of a musical family, Jeff Porcaro, who died in 1992, is probably best remembered for his work with the supergroup Toto but he was also an in-demand session musician who appeared on numerous recordings throughout his career, including Joe Cocker and Steely Dan. Listen for Porcaro in various musical settings on this episode as well as music from Bill Bruford’s Earthworks.
Saturday, May 11
The son of comedian Soupy Sales, Hunt Sales dropped out of school to pursue his passion for drumming. That led to gigs with Todd Rundgren, David Bowie, and, perhaps most notably his work with Iggy Pop and the opening drum fill to Pop’s “Lust For Life.” We’ll hear several stops in Sales’ career, including music from his most recent recording, Get Your Sh*t Together, released as the Hunt Sales Memorial.
Monday, May 13
Often underestimated for his abilities, Ringo Starr remains a seminal rock ‘n’ roll drummer. Listen for selections for his work as a member of The Beatles and a solo artist. We’ll also hear from his contemporary, Charlie Watts.
Tuesday, May 14
Born in 1939, Peter “Ginger” Baker became one of the most influential rock drummers of all time despite his personal passion for jazz. We’ll hear music from Baker’s time as a member of Cream (with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce) as well with Ginger Baker’s Airforce.
