Section one has the stories of ten drummers: Carmine Appice, Mick Avory, Johny Barbata, Dino Danelli, Jerry Edmonton, Bobby Elliot, Kenny Jones, Keith Moon, Sandy Nelson, and Michael Stuart-Ware. Each story has loads of biographical information but the most interesting reading is when Cianci just lets each drummer tell his own story. You'll learn what were the big breaks and what circumstances led to them and also some of the regrets all career musicians pick up along the way. I liked how each drummer's influence and creativity to the bands hit records is duly noted.

Section two is called Very Special Mentions and goes even deeper into the lives and careers of: Ginger Baker, Hal Blaine, Mitch Mitchell, Ringo Starr, and Charlie Watts. You'll see some seldom seen photos in this section along with the stories behind each of these drummers solo efforts and records made away from the bands normally associated with them.

Just cover any drummers left out, Cianci devotes a third section called Honorable Mentions--The Good, the Bad, and the missing In action.

These are a few paragraphs on many mostly not well-known drummers who, none-the-less, contributed significantly to the sound of the '60's bands they drummed for. Notable is Jim Gordon an L.A. session stalwart who played for Traffic, Bonnie and Delaney and others. He co-wrote "Layla" when he played with Eric Clapton in Derek and The Dominoes.

Great Rock Drummers of The Sixties from Hal Leonard is available for $19.95 and is available at music and bookstores nationwide, or through Music Dispatch at 800-637-2852 or www.musicdispatch.com


Great Rock Drummers of The Sixties