Drum History
A podcast all about the rich history of the drums - and how they became what they are today! Join Bart van der Zee as he speaks with experts about the curious journey of the ever-evolving drum set.
(The Vault) The Medal of Honor Drummer Boy with Marlene Targ Brill
Released 12/2020 - Orion was a 14 year old drummer boy in the Civil War when he earned the Medal of Honor for an extremely courageous act in battle. Marlene Shares his amazing story that begins when he enters the war at 12 years old through the rest of his life, and the lives of his musical family. We learn all about drummer boys and the role they played in the war, including Johnny Clem - the youngest noncommisioned officer in army history who began as a drummer.
Marlene wrote "Diary of a Drummer Boy" which is Orion's amazing true story written in a diary format. She provides a great perspective on these heroic young drummers and paints a great picture of what life was like for these boys, including playing games on the battle field and putting their lives in danger on a daily basis.
Enjoy!
Podcast Episodes
Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon with Joel Selvin
Jim Gordon went from being the first call drummer of his generation who played on hundreds of hit records, to becoming a victim of the chemicals in his brain that caused him to murder his mother in a schizophrenic episod…
Who is Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Drummer?
Did you know that Alfred Hitchcock used a drummer on the set of the 1963 classic thriller, 'The Birds'? The real question is: who is this mystery drummer, and how/why did Hitchcock employ a percussionist to perform durin…
A Look at Alex Van Halen's Gear (Part 2) with Kurt Ekstrom
(Part 2 Covers 1985-2015) Alex Van Halen is responsible for inspiring a generation of young drummers to pick up drumsticks because of his virtuosic playing and HUGE drum sets. Kurt Ekstrom joins us on the podcast to guid…
A Look at Alex Van Halen's Gear (Part 1) with Kurt Ekstrom
(Part 1 covers 1964-1984) Alex Van Halen is responsible for inspiring a generation of young drummers to pick up drumsticks because of his virtuosic playing and HUGE drum sets. Kurt Ekstrom joins us on the podcast to guid…
(The Vault) The History of Sabian Cymbals with Andy Zildjian
My wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy last week, so enjoy this classic episode from 2020 while I get caught up on next weeks episode! Andy Zildjian is the president of Sabian Cymbals and takes us on a very fun journey…
Designing a Mega Drum Set with Mike Mangini
Mike Mangini is famous for being an incredibly talented drummer and teacher, but also for creating some of the most elaborate and breathtaking drum sets of all time. He breaks down his first kit, which he used with Extre…
(The Vault) Ringo Starr's Life and Gear with Gary Astridge - New Video!
(From March 2020) Gary is a historian and expert on all things Ringo Starr. He has curated Ringo's collection of original Beatles drum kits and is full of great stories about Ringo that you won't hear from anyone else! W…
Exploring Silent Film Era Drums and Traps with Nick White
Nick White has the worlds largest collection of Silent Film Trap instruments, and he recently used them in the Martin Scorsese film, Killers of the Flower Moon. Nick shares some of his favorite instruments and sounds in…
How to Make a Career as a Drummer with Henrique De Almeida
Henrique has had a prolific drumming career as a performer, Berklee professor, author, studio musician, clinician, and business owner. In this episode, he teaches us a clear path to create a successful and fulfilling car…
(The Vault) The History of Keller Shells with Justin Owen
(4/30/2019) Keller has quietly made drum shells for many of the worlds greatest drum brands - learn about how the company got its start in 1946! I talk with Justin Owen, Special Accounts Manager at Keller Products, about…
