Rod Morgenstein: Game-Changing Moment
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ก.ค. 2013
- Rod recalls getting the opportunity to sit-in for a colleagues band which turned out to be the Dixie Dregs! While touring the country, Rod and the rest of the band stumble upon some good luck at a club in Nashville, TN!
Steve Morse drummer decided to go surfing and Rod Morgensteins life is forever changed. Wow!
Great story from a guy who deserved all the good that has come his way.
I was the sound man for the Dregs and was at the Roxy when all those monster players were there. The jam was memorable because of who all was up there playing, but the music was chaotic, as you might expect. Rod is such a wonderful guy in addition to being one of the all-time great drummers, and I'll never forget those days we were all young and crazy and trying to make it in music. Fortunately, I was able to make a career doing sound, and working for The Dregs helped me throughout those 36 years. Thanks to Rod, Steve Morse and the rest of you guys!
This guy is a monster drummer!!!
What an amazing story, and he for sure deserved to be on that stage with them ...World Class Drummer
One of my all time favorite drummers. Rod is truly amazing playing with, what I believe the greatest Jazz-Rock-Fusion-Bluegrass band ever! Listening to Steve Morse, the guitar player / song writer for the Dregs and one of the best guitarist of all times... Steve echoed the same story that Rod talks about when they first met. Rod is also special to me, since I also am a left-handed drummer and play the set reversed the same as Rod does.
I met him in Rome, more than 10 years ago, during a Winger tour. Fantastic man...we passed half an hour speaking about music, weight lifting and italian cuisine! I have the picture together in my living room. One of most talented and humble man i never met!
Great drummer and obviously a great guy!
absolutely!!!
I was fortunate in the mid 80's to have Master Classes with Rod in Nyack, NY. I was just a late teen then. Patafla-fla and the half time shuffle. Thanks Rod!
Rod was my teacher in Nyack, NY during the mid 1980's. I was 18 - very fortunate, grateful and blessed. Thank you Rod.
Hey Rod, I had the chance to open for Billy Cobham in 78. Jazz qurtett playing Chick corea, Herby handcock Standards, originals Lamert Hendricks & Ross etc. Got a picture of us playing, my little kit set up ifront of Bill's kit. Looked like drums and cymbals coming out of my head.. What a nice guy Bill Cbham was. I took my dad back stge to meet him. He told my dad, your son is a good drummer. Maybe he was being nice but I will never forget it. I saw you playing with Steve in Ft. Lauderdale @ the musicians exchange. I actually met you and we talked briefly. You were playing a Premier kit that had a brass or dark metal wrap. Never saw drums like that. Been a fan since the first Dregs albbum. God bless, William
"Rod really is underrated....most 'leftys' are unless your name is Phil Collins. Haven't seen many interviews with him over the years and this is great. His enthusiasm and appreciation for other musicians who came before him is admirable. I wonder if he still plays Premier drums."
Rod is so amazing as a man, and as a drummer and teacher. I met him many times and at clinics. This guy is one of the nicest, wam, kindest guy. And his drummer is criminally underrated in today’s musicians/ drummers
I was at the very first ever Modern Drummer Festival ever(1987 Monmouth, NJ) and Rod was one of the clinicians. I was amazed at his demeanor, poise and articulate presentation. I thought he was the most effective that day, a day which his peers included Steve Gadd, Alan Dawson, Kenny Aranoff and Dave Weckl. Rod is an incredible player as well.
Rod is, in my book, one of the true Jazz-Rock Fusion drummers of all time. His artistry cannot be denied. Saw him at a clinic in Milwaukee and he was so real and personable with everyone. Top 5 drummer in my mind.
How can you not love this guy?!
i am not a drummer, i just make noise on them when i not in the field, as a hobby and fo personal enjoyment i play them in the basement. when i was at ft benning in 1987, i had a chance to attend a drum seminar with him in atlanta that lasted about 4 hours and he was just a bundle of energy, incredible talent, and such a nice guy that I never forgot it, and have gone out of my way to enjoy his drumming ever since
I chuckled at the mention of the big-box-playing Jazz guitarists with the treble control rolled all the way down. I got to chat with Rod and Steve several times after their gigs. Nice people, humble, gracious and down to earth. They respect, and are gracious with and grateful to, their fans. I wish more musicians, indeed more everyday people, were like that!
I could listen to him telling stories all day long....much like listening to the Dregs. I was lucky enough to see them in Memphis at an outdoor festival back around 78 or 79. He and they, just blew me away. Note for note, just like the album. Man what a band.
A double-billed concert with Steve Morse Band and Dixie Dregs was one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. So much talent on stage.
Rod's video lesson, Putting it all together, was life-changing to me. Cannot thank him enough!
What a great interview! A brief but important piece of history, as I was a follower of the fusion era, following all the greats of that music, such as Billy Cobham (Spectrum, released in 1973, a classic must have album featuring Lee Sklar on bass, Tommy Bolin on guitar, Jan Hammer on synthesizers, Billy on drums). Saw the Dregs in 1975 at Burroughs Auditorium on the campus of Virginia Tech. They blew my socks off. Rod’s drumming was spectacular. As it was (and still is!) all through the years stretching from the release of “The Great Spectacular” through “Industry Standard” on through the reunion LP’s such as “Full Circle” , “Bring ‘em Back Alive”, and “California Screaming” to name a few. In all of them, Rod’s drumming is jaw-dropping amazing! Again, great interview, thanks for posting!
I was lucky enough to see the Dregs several times during their early years and yes, they were pure energy and very tight on stage. Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny were classmates of Steve Morse at UM. Pat Metheny said that when he first heard Steve Morse play, he just about had a heart attack and considered going home, thinking that the world was filled with guitarists of this caliber. As he noted in a latter interview, little did he know that he was seeing a one in a million talent. Jerry Goodman (violinist for Mahavishnu) joined the Dregs in their later tours. Twiggs Lyndon was the road manager for the Allman Brothers and he was the one who pushed Capricorn to sign the Dregs. He became the Dregs road manager and was good friends with Steve Morse. Steve was on the ground when Twiggs chute didn't open during a sky diving accident. Twiggs had one of Duane Allman's Les Pauls, which he acquired from Greg Allman and after Twiggs death Steve was entrusted with Duane Allman's "Dark Burst" Les Paul (one of the 3 that Duane used) to hold onto until his daughter was old enough to receive it. Steve was so afraid someone would steal it that he built a wall in his home and hid it in the wall.
I have met all members of the dixie dregs.and they all are really cool! Just good people.
Great story, amazingly talented and intuitive drummer. I'm lucky to have seen the Dregs at the Roxy myself - during the Night of the Living Dregs tour. They blew the roof off the place, of course.
Love Rod! Such a great guy. Wonderful person to be around and such beautiful soul. Oh and he's a great drummer too!
Its so cool to see a great musician be human and humble. The Dregs were amazing. I have all of their albums.
Wowowow... . What an amazing story. Me and a friend were actually there at the Roxy, for at least one of those shows. We were actually there to see Billy Cobham, and at the time had never heard of the Dregs. But they were truly amazing, and as a drummer, I particularly appreciated Rod Morgenstein's unique playing style. He's been on my "drummer's radar" ever since. That appearance is what made me run out and buy my first Dregs LP. How awesome to hear the history and context surrounding that appearance! Thanks, VF!
WHAT A LOVELY STORY; WHAT A LOVELY GUY ! ! ALL THE BEST FOR YOU ROD !
His enthusiasm is infectious :-)
Well put!
Opened 2 shows for the guys in 79' in Macon, Ga. We, at the time, were a pretty big thing on the Puppy Chow circuit (no grave train LOL!) and busting curtains for big acts in major arenas. Our manager was shopping our originals and we had label interest from A&M. In the business I later learned that interest was not a check nor a guarantee. I later signed with another group in Florida to CBS. Anyhoot, we had a show pop up with guys in Macon and we had the pleasure of opening for them. Couldn't have been sweeter folks! I remember setting up the first day and Rod was backstage with a million piece drum set.....He was sitting cross legged on the floor piecing hardware together and I remember kidding by asking him if really needed all of that. He looked up and grinned and asked me if I was cutting out after our slot and I told him no. He told me to stick around, " I play everything here".
We finished a flawless set and really had the crowd going. At this point I have to tell you, I had never heard these guys before so I was very curious.. We shared a dressing room and there was about a 30 minute stage strike. They were warming up a little. We were high fiving each other and they all gave us a very flattering review! I liked them! Anyhoot, they were getting ready to walk and I told Rod that I would be behind the monitor board... he laughed.
The moment they blew into Cruise Control, the opening song I was gobsmacked. Their kind of dynamics, tightness and virtuosity were undeniable. Of course, the time in the show where Rod and Steve did the Zepplin thing and Rod took his nearly 20 minute solo it was of the chain. He used everything on his rig....I stopped counting. He grinning his ass off.
After the show, we were gathering our guitars. They just came off stage grinning with super energy. I just looked at them as they walked through and said "fuck". We were chatting when the theatre owner busts in and told us that they have turned away so many people that he could easily fill the place the next night. He looked as Steve who turned and looked at all of us and said, you all up for it? I was about to say "Hell No" when our band leader nodded.
I was miserable the next day knowing of the humiliation to come. I swear, I nearly quit music that night!
One of the best!❤️
What an incredible story. I actually wept.
Rod, hearing you for the first time on a Dregs album was a game changer for me. Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Wow that was a great story. Long Rod and Dixie Dregs fan, and a huge Billy Cobham fan. One more WOW!.
As a drummer rod has been my idol since i first heard NOLD in the mid 70’s. Thank you Rod and Steve for making my life musically better.
I had the honor and pleasure of sitting with Rod for private lessons back in the late eighties /nineties when he did a short stint at drummers collective in NYC. He is not only a great player but a great person and a great inspiration to all levels of players Love his playing , love his attitude . Rod you are the Mann !!
Simply the best
Been a Dregs/SMB fan since '83. First time I saw the Steve Morse Band, they opened for Rush late 1985 for their "Power Windows" tour.
Rush where humble to have some great opening acts before they started "An Evening Of Rush". 3 hour show with intermission.
Rod did a killer drum solo and all the little drummies were like "Rod is better, Neil is better... Blah, Blah, Blah.
Anyway way, I've seen every Rush tour from "Grace Under Pressure" to "R40" & seen every Dixie Dregs & Steve Morse Band from their Dregs reunion tour 1988 til "SMB" last March 24th 2023.
Fantastic story. MAN! Keep chasing what you love!
Saw him play 10 times with the Dixie Dregs, Dregs, and Steve Morse Band. One of the best drummers in the world.
Great Story !!
Great interview and one of the most musical drummers on the plant! Thanks for posting.
candid, honest, humble, transparent...I'm happy for this man....
LOVE the Dixie Dregs/Dregs. Rod is one of my favourite drummers! Take it off the top!!!
Love some Rob and my Dregs -,long may we wave. RockStars, Minus 1 -
Fun to watch Rod play. He always seems to enjoy it a much as we do.
Rod's 1,000kW smile and matching eyes are wonderful to watch as he tells his story. I wish I could have been there!
Brilliant drummer, absolutely love the Dixie Dregs stuff. Love the story, Steve Morse is on a whole other level of musicianship
I subscibe every thing you said!
rod you made it to tha top,with tha best;much love from augusta-....hoop
Incredible story!!!!
Seems like a genuine person. You can hear the passion in his voice.
I didn't "discover" the Dregs until Industry Standard. After that i went out and bought all their previous releases. I've been to see them and The Steve Morse band numerous times....But IS remains my favourite Dregs album. I love the composition on that one....good tunes!
Saw the Dregs when I was at Georgia Tech in Atlanta in the early 70's.....blown away!
Phenomenal drummer, clinician, and person.
Holy cow what a nice guy and of coarse amazing talent.
thx rod ... many thx ... and still have fun with your bands ... with music ... greetings from germany ... koblenz :-))))
Rod is AWESOME!!!!
Saw the Dregs at the Boardwalk, Greensboro NC, supporting their 2nd record, What If. Like MO meets Kansas, but better lol. Later saw them frequently when I moved to Miami.
Like some of you, I've had the great opportunity of meeting, and talking quite a bit with, Rod. Truly one of the nicest people I've ever met who happens to be a world class drummer. One of my drum heroes - and on one occasion he introduced me to Ritchie Hayward, another of my heroes, and a crazy funny dude at that. I traveled many a mile to see The Dregs back in the day, loved this interview, and have fond memories of talking drums with him. BTW, I believe the teacher he referred to was a gentleman named Howie Mann, and Rod adored the guy.
WOW! Inpiring story and drummer!
Went to DDz show my senior year in hs been a fan ever since.
Got to see you in Winger too!
Your first instructional video I absorbed it told people i study with you.
rockin rod..nice story...sort of been there ..but one can only dream about your story...thank god you got the break...one of my all time favorite bands..THE DREGS..(and drummer) in fact I bought that same set you played a clinic on at Portland percussion in Maine..cost me 3000$ a set of premiers..black sparkle
Thanks for sharing the story Rod, love it!
Saw the Dregs in Santa Cruz on 4/17/18. It was a great show and Rod is still a beast.
Wow this is beautiful
Legend
Great story!
Rod is awesome. I bought a hi hat stand he used in a clinic. I totally relate to his story.
What a great story from a great drummer!
Mahavishnu was a game changer for me when I discovered them in the late 90s.
What a great story.
wow!!! great drummer and great humanity!
Seems 2b a good guy and amazing drummer of course !!!!!
love the enthusiasm...
they played AZ many times Rod always did a clinic at a music shop the day of the show
I met rod at the berklee percussion festival
Great Story
Absolutely one of my favorites drummers. I tried to play on my drums to the Dregs, forget it they and Rod were too talented. The 1% of 1% talented musicians.
My drumming Real hero with Lenny White a close second. Like myself, Lenny played a right H kit with an open handed left ride. That made my 7a's erect. I can still hear my grade school band teacher pleading for me to play "correctly" as a right hander. I could, but my inner Gene Krupa said: "If you swing better that way, why stop?" Rod is the Happiest and kindest drummer I've ever met. We spoke once and he was genuinely interested in my opinion... why, I don't know. He spilled his Lasagna on my autograph page and was horrified. "No sweat Rod, that makes it better". The Dixie Dregs were and always will be the shit.
Dude, I've known you for 36 years now....how come I never heard this story? It's a GOOD one tho!
About being on the road for what seems like forever, for shit money, there's this...."I drove 600 miles to play a 45 minute show/the promoter man, he said 'that's the way it goes'....[and] they got Cat Food Sandwiches waiting for me back stage! " David Lindley. A true story about getting food poisoning from bad backstage food!
Can you believe Joe Lynn Turner auditioned this man, turned him away, and said he was the worst drummer he'd ever heard? I was mind blown learning this! This was actually after the Dregs went their separate ways when Steve Morse got the Kansas gig in like 86. "Worst drummer he'd ever heard"?! Unfkingbelievable!!!!!! Joe Lynn Clueless
Is he from Winger?
Yes
+FLICKOFF1000 That was way later in his career.
Anyone would have said "YES" to that kind of money. I'm sure Rod made more with WInger than all other gigs combined.
I wonder who his teacher was?
And then Kip Winger called..............
Great story!