Beato meets Bissonette

Philly_Q · May 2022

I don't often watch Rick Beato videos. I really like his child-like enthusiasm about music, but on the other hand he talks about lots of technical stuff which is way beyond me and it makes me feel, frankly, a bit depressed because I'll never understand it.

But for some reason I started watching this interview with Gregg Bissonette. I know nothing about guitar, I know less than nothing about drums, but what an unbelievably likeable, joyful guy! He's 62 but he couldn't be more energetic if he was 22.

stratman3142 · May 2022

Very entertaining and interesting interview.

Great band with clips on their website http://thereddcoats.com/. Love the clean production. Rich growly bass tone, great drum sounds/playing, plus superb guitar parts from Andy Timmons. Sort of a poppy Steely Dan thing going on. The start of 'Just Gimme The News' has shades of Mike Stern's Chromazone. Inspired me to buy the album.

axisus · May 2022

You're right, Gregg is a delight in the video! Interesting that Ringo is his fave drummer, I always thought that he wasn't supposed to be that good? I guess I subconsciously based my opinion on that quote of "he's not even the best drummer in the Beatles"

Philly_Q · May 2022

axisus said:

Your right, Gregg is a delight in the video! Interesting that Ringo is his fave drummer, I always thought that he wasn't supposed to be that good? I guess I subconsciously based my opinion on that quote of "he's not even the best drummer in the Beatles"

That has certainly become "received wisdom". Poor old Ringo, he's had to go through 50-odd years of the general public thinking he's a crap drummer and the funny-but-least-talented Beatle.

Interesting to hear a drummer's perspective, although it's very clear that Gregg is a Beatles fan and a music fan rather than a "drum geek".

EricTheWeary · May 2022

I think Gregg mentions something about putting it in the context of the time. Roughly speaking in the mid sixties we had jazz drummers doing all sorts of technical stuff and pop drummers doing straight 4:4. And Ringo went another way by not having jazz chops but using creativity. In many ways that's the story of The Beatles so that fits right in. From what Gregg says Ringo was a left handed drummer using a right handed kit so he did all sorts of things that are seen as technically incorrect.

Kebabkid · May 2022

That was a fun interview and he has the energy of Phil X. Imagine those 2 in a band!!!

One thing he didn't mention was that he was the drummer on all the sessions for the cool background/link music for Friends. Yep, the entire 10 series and picks up handsome royalty cheques for that.