Born to Drum: The Truth About the World's Greatest Drummers--from John Bonham and Keith Moon to Sheila E. and Dave Grohl

by Tony Barrell

“An engaging journey into the wild and wonderful world of drumming.”—CLEM BURKE, Blondie To have a great band you need a great drummer. For the first time, Tony Barrell shines a long-overdue spotlight on these musicians, offering an exciting look into their world, their art, and their personalities. In Born to Drum , he interviews some of the most famous, revered, and influential drummers of our time—including Chad Smith, Ginger Baker, Clem Burke, Sheila E., Phil Collins, Nick Mason, Patty Schemel, Butch Vig, and Omar Hakim—who share astonishing truths about their work and lives. He investigates the stories of late, great drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, analyzes many of the greatest drum tracks ever recorded, and introduces us to the world’s fastest and loudest drummers, as well as the first musician to pilot a “flying drum kit” onstage. Filled with fascinating insights into the trade and little-known details about the greats, Born to Drum elevates drummers and their achievements to their rightful place in music lore and pop culture. “As Born to Drum proves, there’s a lot more to be told about drums and drumming than the Rolls-Royce in the swimming pool and the pyro beneath the bass drum.”—NICK MASON, Pink Floyd “Everyone should read this book—especially if you’re not a drummer. A great insight into a great sport.”—Joey Kramer, Aerosmith

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2015

About the author

Since 1997, Tony Barrell has contributed regular features to The Sunday Times on pop music, modern art and popular culture. Topics have included The Beatles, Abbey Road Studios, the longest songs ever recorded, the history of tribute bands, the world’s strangest concert venues, and the exercise music used by celebrities. Tony has also interviewed and profiled many music stars, such as Ronnie Wood, Jimmy Page, Shirley Manson, Joan Baez, Alison Goldfrapp, Celine Dion and Mike Oldfield.

Reviews

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born to Drum takes an inside look at the history, artists, instruments, and culture of drummers.

This book was deeply fascinating to read even though I didn't recognize many names in this book. That is one thing I found quite peculiar that I knew of many bands and never knew the drummer's name. I started reading this book thinking that hopefully I would about Phil Collins and Roger Taylor (of Queen, not Duran Duran) and I got what I wished for and so much more. There was so much information here, anecdotes, interesting theories (no not all the drummers are batshit crazy like Keith Moon lol) and I learned a lot. It was interesting to read about women who drums, a subject I knew very, very little about and as I'm a bit morbid did I like reading about drummers that died or almost died because of drugs and alcohol. Don't take drugs and drive if you are a drummer btw!

Another thing I found very interesting besides everything I learned in this book is how I listen to music while and after I read the book, suddenly I'm listening to drums in a whole new way. I have always liked drums, but now old songs feel like new songs when I listen to the drums...

I recommend this book to all music nerds out there!

I received this copy from the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you want to know about drummers? Why they chose the instrument? Personality quirks? Technical tips? Famous (and not-so-famous) drummers?

This book has it all, and then some. As an aspiring drummer myself, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Only a few little quibbles kept me from giving it a five-star review:

Yes, female drummers are comparatively rare compared to male drummers, but I would have preferred not to have a separate chapter about female drummers, but rather have had them integrated into the rest of the book as appropriate.

The other quibble was just a bit too much emphasis on the gossipy anecdotes surrounding many of the more famous drummers.

However, the librarian in me appreciates that Tony Barrell, the author, provided an excellent bibliography of his sources. He frequently cites where he gets some of the information, and the list at the back of the book has given me some new things to put on my reading list.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read about what it takes to be an active drummer in a rock band. Lots of crazy silly stories. Generally amusing

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to get this book since I love drums although I don't play them. They are primitive yet beautiful in their simplicity while the beat reminds you of the beat of the world. Drums are timeless bridging the world between the ancient and the modern times while being able to speak their piece when all other things tend to try to drown them out.

Anyway this book was okay for me. There was a bunch of drummers that were mentioned as well as bands that I hadn't heard of before so in that aspect it was educational. For those that I had heard before they were often casually mentioned almost in passing while not much was looked into their lives.

What disappointed me a bit with the book and I know that the author was limited with space was the book only focused basically on rock and pop drummers. There was no mention of country drummers (it would have been amazing to learn more about drumming found in such songs like "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" where they play a predominant role) or even southern rock. Furthermore the writing is very dry while it drags in some places.

Otherwise I did like the formatting. Tony Barrell did a great job in trying to discover what makes a drummer a drummer. He starts off by putting forth stereotypes or theories but then in each consecutive chapter he disproves them while bringing in facts to back those or telling stories that relate. There is definitely a depth and love for the drums in the writing.

And the end itself is what got me. After digging through so much and exploring so much facets he comes up with a beautiful yet simple idea of what makes a drummer a drummer. I am up in the air about whether keeping this one just due to the ending or seeing if I can a much better loving home for those who may be interested in this type of drumming.

**Received this book as part of the Giveaway at Goodreads.com for free in exchange for a review**

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't quite know what to think of this book. It clearly is a treasure trove of information about drummers, an impressive collection of mini biographies. And interesting as they might be, this is also the books weakness.
The book is rarely more then strictly anecdotal. Claims about the uniqueness of drummers, as opposed to guitarist or singers, don't have much value if no attention is ever given to guitarists or singers: The author extensively argues how tattoos are something typical for drummers, but never gives any argument or proof that other musicians have less tattoos.
The cherry on the cake with this kind of shallow argumentation comes in the second half of the book where the author spends a chapter detailing how drumming is a calling. Many drummers got hooked on percussion from a very young age, eg. prepubescent childhood This chapter is followed by an entire chapter where he tries to argue that men start drumming as part of their search for sexual contacts. Which to me seems rather contradictory.
So, in conclusion, the book is filled to the rim with interesting information about individual drummers. But, with the exception of the chapter on female drummers, the analyses seem either shallow and/or far fetched.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me by holding my interest throughout. If you are a fan of rock music and the trivial nature of the characters that make up each band you will love this book. The book is well written and researched and dives deep into the world of drummers and drumming in novel and interesting ways. I would recommend the read if you are a fan of music and musicians.

[Eburd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly disappointed as I was hoping for more.The journey through this book, I was hoping for more depth but instead it's seems be to be a collection of magazine soundbites shmushed together.
I'm not sure if Barrell is a drummer (or even a passionate music lover) himself cos I'm not getting any sense of it here.

Details from various drummers are actually just snippets from (others?) interviews rather than choosing a chapter on a selected few famous, ground breaking artists.I think the writer was trying desperately trying to appeal to readers of as many music genres as possible (he did miss ALOT of other more relevant groundbreaking drummers out but that's what happens if you try to cover everybody).
One good thing is that Barrell wrote one whole chapter on female drummers! I just starting my drum playing journey so that pleasantly surprised me (as a guitar player myself) I've never read a guitarist book with female guitarists featured!

So I would say that this is a 'dip in, dip out' book. Not a 'so good I can't put it down' read. It reads like a throw away magazine.
The style of writing is very article-like and not book-like (I was a Bookseller for a very well known book company for many, many years so I've read alot of material)
Best to stick with actual drummer magazines as this book doesn't really educate even a beginner drummer.

[Anthony Tenaglier · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been awhile since my masters program reading a book from front to back. But I’m hooked again! This book shared some interesting insight about the stereotypes of drummers. It’s a relief to hear not everyone perceived drummers as dumb and reckless partying animals. Drumming has always been part of my song and dance in life. It allows me to continue to express my emotions in a medium that resonates with how I want to share them.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains lots of interesting anecdotes and a surprisingly good chapter on woman drummers. I don't think it comes to any brilliant conclusions but it strikes me as good quick read for people who enjoy the instrument, are beginning players, or maybe established players who could use a fun, motivating read on drumming. Drums were my first instrument and the author's enthusiasm for the subject was relatable.

[Eric Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! First book I had ever read on drummers, the who, what, and why of their unique breed and talents. As a drummer myself, I found I could related to many of the observations and interviews. It was encouraging to know I am not the only one to experience the attitudes and mindsets of drummers worldwide. Definitely a fun read if you are interested in the subject.

[Josh · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF — After 50 pages, I ran out of patience with this book. Reads like it was copied from Wikipedia interspersed with the author saying something along the lines of “ain’t drummers and rock stars crazy, eh?!” Great read if you were born yesterday or if you’re an alien who just arrived to earth and didn’t know what rock and roll is.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant first-person interviews, laterally thought chapters on Drummer as Sex Symbol, Female Drummer, Working-Class Drummer and Drummers with Mental Illnesses. Also tells you who plays drums on Billie Jean.

[Rusty Knorr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly vapid and surface level observations with little interest for professionals. Maybe interesting to the layman, but I was bored through most of it.

[abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love being a drummer

[Ben Roper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dumb. A few interesting flourishes amoungst an endless spiel of this, that and the other thing in which we learn probably less than we did before we began reading.

Basically just a big, ol' bundle of words.

[Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way in which Born to Drum is structured gives the reader the feeling of experiencing a documentary in that the book is more about motivation than technique (although there is sufficient technical background to give credence to the author’s familiarity with the subject). Why do drummers drum? What kind of person becomes a drummer? The number of familiar drummers Barrell interviewed (notably Nick Mason of The Pink Floyd and Blondie’s Clem Burke, both of whom are extensively quoted) colours the book nicely. Some general myths are dispelled and some legendary anecdotes are explored. Barrell is really good at weaving a seamless narrative out of a long stretch of pop music history, which makes Born to Drum such an engaging, enjoyable read.

[Kevin Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a drummer since the 4th grade which is why Born to Drum, by Tony Barrell interested me. I would most definitely recommend this to anybody who is a drummer or just interested in music/drumming.

The story goes over the author giving interviews to many different popular drummers such as: Roger Taylor (Queen), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ginger Baker (Cream), and about 40 more. The topics of the book vary from chapter to chapter between the most famous flashy drummers; Example: Keith Moon (The Who/ my favorite drummer) and a chapter about stereotypes that have come out from pop culture.

It covers many different stories from drummers lives such as Rick Allen (Def Leppard) who managed to keep his drumming career alive although he lost one of his arms in a car crash. It will cover many female drummers stories although society has brought them down with male drummers being the norm.

My only complaint with the whole book is the story that they try to add in about how the author must find out why someone would want to be a drummer. He sticks to a strong theme of don't believe everything that you hear. This part just kind of drags on and seems like a part of the book that doesn't necessarily have to be there; however with that being said there are many interesting stories and information that redeem the parts of the book that would drag on.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the first pages of the book. The author writes,"A band without a drummer is like a rocking chair that somebody cruelly bolted to the ground; while it may appear to rock it doesn't." With him saying this so early it immediately emphasizes how important a drummer can be for music in general. No matter what type of song it is there is most likely a drum beat somewhere in the book whether or not it's an actual drum set or a synthetic beat. This is something you should keep in mind when reading the book because it will come up fairly often.

Born to Drum is a book that will give you so much interesting information about drummers that will keep you reading until the end. Check it out if you feel you are interested in this topic.

[Isalts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously you need to have a strong interest in playing and or watching drummers to enjoy this book.
Barrel has some very interesting theories on the make up and mentalities of drummers in general and what makes them tick ( in time of course).
He generally makes good links between the music, lives and all the idiosyncrasies of the famous and not so famous drummers.
He doesn't just zero in and spend the whole book on the obvious main stream drummers (like Keith Moon, John Bonham etc).
Well worth a read.

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! Inside the drummer in the back, looking out! Lots of information you never knew, like who used to be a drummer before fame and fortune came along, and the hazards of drumming to your physical body. Written with a different perspective than the typical star struck baloney you normally get.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and informative read about some of the great drummers of the last century. I think this project might have benefited from some multimedia enhancement. Nonetheless, Barrell takes the reader on a fun journey through some of the stereotypes of drummers and the ways these stereotypes are increasingly being overturned.

[Niko05 · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars for those who play the drums.

[George · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unreadable, had to abandon. Utter nonsense, little tidbits and stories strung together so pretentiously, author needs to study statistics