A Tale of Two (Make that Three) Drummers
“Please, if you would be so kind. I want to ask you a bit of an unusual question. Why do you bother to get up in the morning after all you have seen and experienced? I have known many people who have simply given up after seeing what their lives had become. They are playing out the string, doing next to nothing as they wait for The Great Escape. You, though, are different. You seem as eager as ever to attack the world. Why is that?”
Buford Lister paused. He then took off the bandana that was wrapped around his head and slowly unwrapped it. I must say that I was a bit confused by his actions. I had no idea what was going on until he took the white, faded bandana and wiped the tears from his eyes.
“Scientists often say that language fails them when they try to discuss deep topics. The people working in quantum physics are particularly guilty of this. I believe that there are other realms of experience that can also be classified as equally problematic. To be left speechless, to know that there is no formal way to express yourself, to know that no words exist to properly relate your experience, those are the situations I live for. Of course, you can never know when you will be faced with such a dilemma. These experiences come out of the ether to taunt us every once in a great while. You are young, so maybe you have never experienced such a thing. I have only come face to face with such emotions a couple times in my life. That is the only reason I get up. I know there is a chance I will be set upon by something beautiful, something unexplainable, perhaps sublime. Even at my advanced age, I know I can be fundamentally changed by something I never considered. That is why I get up.”
Buford Lister (this excerpt was taken from an unpublished interview by students from the Cultural Studies Department at Reederstock University four years ago).
*****
I have a favorite drummer, do you? I have long thought that Charlie Watts was the perfect drummer for The Rolling Stones. Along with Bill Wyman on bass, they formed the backbone for one of the greatest rock and roll bands we have ever seen. They both played just enough to keep the beat and let the other members of the band shine.
Who was cooler than Watts? Name someone, anyone, and I will take the side of Charlie, and you can argue the other side. I will be happy to stand for Charlie, a man I always saw as a reluctant rock star. He had a style and substance that is unusual for a rock and roll drummer; he played his instrument in an understated fashion, he kept time so the others could ascend to their musical heights. He was the best.
I was surprised to hear that Charlie Watts passed on the other day. I knew he was sick and that he would miss the Stones’ upcoming tour, but I, like most people, had no idea how sick he was.
Many of you might not know that Watts was a jazz musician at heart. It seems pretty clear to me that he loved jazz more than rock and roll. He formed jazz bands, and he would take them on tour. My impression of him is that he was more at home playing jazz. He was one of those rare people who mastered his instrument, and jazz might have challenged him a bit more than rock. I am sure he found it more interesting. What a fascinating man; I am sad that he is gone.
*****
Author’s Note: Some years ago, I wrote a book of essays called The Athena Chapters. The identity of Athena remains shrouded in mystery, and I will take the secret of her identity to my grave. The night that I met her, I went to see another band, a group of traveling minstrels that were my favorite musical group for a long, long time. She changed all of that. The reasons for that band’s demotion are complicated and due entirely to her. I guess I can’t listen to them anymore unless it is in terms of Athena, and I don’t like that. I don’t need to be reminded of her; I have enough crap to deal with on a daily basis.
I include this lengthy “Author’s Note” because the driving force of the band that used to be my favorite was their bass player and drummer, my second favorite combo behind Watts and Wyman. The two guys in the unnamed band were sublime. One night, after a concert, I cornered the bass player and told him exactly what I thought of him. As I remember, he wouldn’t let go of my hand. He was genuinely happy with what I had to say. He was immensely appreciative, and I sensed him getting emotional as I went on about his playing. I remember him telling me that his bass coach told him that if he played correctly, no one would know that he played at all. That was the essence of his sound. He and the drummer were a perfect match. Just like Watts and Wyman, they were born to play together. As I turned to leave, one of the roadies rang up the drummer to tell him what I had said. It was an excellent night. I left feeling good about myself, after all, I had done a good deed, and I had been entirely truthful.
*****
For the last year or so, I have been following the drum battle between Dave Grohl, a 50ish white man living in Los Angeles, and Nandi Bushell, a mixed-race 11-year-old girl from England. Of course, you should know who Grohl is, he is one of the most famous musicians alive. He is a two-time inductee into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a member of the seminal band Nirvana and again as the leader of Foo Fighters. I have always admired Grohl; I have long thought he is one of the most interesting musicians alive.
As for Nandi, she is a badass rock star. I still can’t believe what I have seen from that young lady. This I know, Nandi and Grohl, by virtue of their unusual and unexpected relationship, have managed to spread love and joy across the world for the last year or so. That is not hyperbole; search around on the internet if you are skeptical.
Their story has been well documented; even The New York Times did a piece on the relationship between the two unlikely rock stars. Nandi, then 10, made a video challenging her hero, the mighty Dave Grohl, to a drum-off. I urge you to search out the clips. They offer nothing other than pure joy. I am not sure I have ever seen anything like it. She bashed the kit into oblivion, all the while keeping time like the human metronome that she is. Grohl never stood a chance. Of course, he was forced to concede defeat.
A few days ago, I was surprised to see clips of a Foo Fighters concert showing up on YouTube. They played at the LA Forum, and they ended the show with an appearance by a special guest. Guess who showed up to blow the doors off the arena. Go ahead, guess before you click the link. Just a word of warning, some people might find a couple of words questionable, so I would consider the following clip NSFW.
I have long been a fan of Dave Grohl; I now declare myself a lifelong fan of Nandi Bushell. She couldn’t have picked a better mentor. I look forward with great interest to see what the future holds for both of them. I must say, I am struck by the timing of this. Shortly after my favorite drummer passes away, his replacement comes out of the ether in the form of a girl 70 years younger than him. Truly astonishing.
In my more sentimental moments, I think that their relationship offers hope to all of us. The world would be a better place if everyone could feel what I do when watching that clip. And yes, I only wish I had the words to express what I truly feel.
Epilogue
I have written extensively about the hope my colleagues and I had for the burgeoning internet when I was at Harvard University in the 80s and early 90s. Up until now, I have only commented on what a cesspool the entire enterprise has become. As you know, you can easily find any form of hate and intolerance you want with just a few clicks. I can’t help but think that the drum-off between Dave and Nandi was what we all had in mind when we thought about the possibilities for the internet. The interaction between those two highlights the original promise of the internet. Perhaps more importantly, it gives me real hope for the future.
