Love Over Gold

I've been away... for a long time... I'm back. And I'm still playing drums. In fact, thanks to the musicians I play with, I suspect that I'm generally drumming my best so far.

I'm lucky too to have the trusty DW kit which has now many times over repaid the major investment that it represented. No, I'm not going to say how much it cost...

Some drummers are not so reticent about mentioning the value of their gear.

Mick Fleetwood (above) - a seriously under-rated drummer who has always been a master timekeeper and band-driver - also plays DW drums. But they sound as though they are a tad more expensive than mine.

"All of my drum kits are coated in 18-carat gold," he explained in a recent interview. And he has a new kit made up by DW every time he tours. The end result, apparently, is a warehouse full of gold-plated drums and stands.

Much as I love Fleetwood's playing, I find it difficult to get my head round the need for such excess.

Why so many kits? And why the gold?

One perfect Collector's Series DW kit is enough for a lifetime, I reckon. 

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Rhythm Twins

Why do some rhythm sections endure? And which is the longest-serving rhythm section in the business? My first thought was of Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar (above), but they've been together a mere 37 years.

That's nowhere near as long as Mez and I (then-and-now pictures, below), rhythm section with Russ Payne and the Shark Dentists, who have been playing for 44 years — although we have had a few years off here and there.

Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker first played together in 1963 and for the last time in 2008, so that adds up to 45 years. But they've probably had more time apart than Mez and I have — and certainly more fights. I can't even find a picture of just the two of them together.

So I think the rhythm section outstanding achievement award has to go to John McVie and Mick Fleetwood (below) who have clocked up 45 years (and spent most of that time playing together amicably). Unless someone out there knows better...