I've been a drummer my whole life because Gene Krupa was a close friend to my mother's family, whom he would faithfully visit whenever he performed in their city.Gene even attended my mother's 16th birthday party, giving her a sepia publicity photo on which he wrote a kind and personal note in silver ink. That photo from the 1930s is one of my most treasured possessions.....a connection to greatness which inspired me as a youth. In 1973, only a few months before his death, Gene came to perform nearby and I went with my mother , my aunt, and Uncle to see him......I had never seen him in person, or, met him before. While entering the facility, a door opposite ours opened and coincidentally we ran smack into Gene Krupa !!! I was stunned at how immediately he recognized all of us...except me ! He was so happy to see my mom and family that he personally spent almost the whole evening, when not playing, with US !! When he learned that I was a young and aspiring drummer, he told me he regretted not having played with a symphony orchestra....that I should do that !! He was so nice, and I was so glad to meet my hero....especially since he had little time left on this earth. Gene was a real star, the man who made drums a " solo instrument" and who set the stage for others like Buddy Rich to follow. As great as Buddy and others were, they all respected Gene and were inspired by him. No one, no matter how good a drummer they became, was ever a bigger star than Gene Krupa !!!......a real star and first class gentleman.
Dom... You are not only a dear friend but a constant inspiration to me and everyone that is fortunate to be able to hear your wisdom and great anecdotes like the one you told here. So... thank you for YOU!
Excellent presentation, t hank you ! I was so close and I had no idea ! I lived in Bellerose, not far from Sanford Moeller, I hung out at the Metropole, I never made the connections. Bill P.
Hi Dom , I literally watched 2 videos of jim today on TH-cam and within a couple of hours I’m playing the cleanest singles Iv ever played and at double the speed, I actually can’t believe it, I intend to watch everything I can find that he has done.
Ah Dom! I never get enough of these stories! I was lucky to hear many of them ‘live’ , still vibrant in my memory from the time at the OMDC in Poland! Love this story! And it fits you to document them like this because all the passion you have and your great storytelling wouldn’t shine as much on paper!
I studied with a guy in the 70s named ralph razzi. I met him through joe pocaro who had brought ralph to a drum seminar at Dick Grove's music. Ralph had been a student of Jim Chapin and taught me stick control and tried to get me to learn how to read music better.... reading ehhh I didn't get, but he taught me Chapin's technique on how to hit the drum and bounce back and a few other things. I used to see joe and occasionally ralph at MI because I was MI's "printer" for over 20 years both good guys. btw ralph told me he used to rehearse the buddy rich band when they had new arrangements and then buddy would come in and watch ralph go through the tunes a few times and would then sit down and play... buddy didn't read music (or at least not very well).
A CLOCKWORK DRUMMER that’s a great memory - i’ve heard about your dad, I was friendly with Bill FInegan when he was quite elderly. You had to be an absolute monster player to be in the Sauter-Finegan Orch.
Dom Famularo Wow Dom, thanks for replying back personally. I know a guy like you is probably really busy to do that so it’s much appreciated. I first met you in 1975 or ’76 in San Francisco at Guitar Center where you and Billy Cobham gave a clinic. I’ve since gotten your books: It’s Your Move, The Weaker Hans, Open Handed Playing. I view your Sessions Panel program, a wonderful platform for getting to know some of my favorite drummers. God bless the work of your hands and feet, bro!
By the time I went to the Metropole Club in NYC, it was the late 70's. It was a topless bar. Then I found out it's history, and that Krupa had played there many years before. That stage was on the left behind the bar, only there were naked women on there. How sad.
Dom Famularo Wow! I remember your story about deciding to play open-handed after reading Einstein on a flight on your way to do a "Drummer Day" type of event, and you decided you were just going to dive in, and the looks of surprise that you received while setting up (I need a hacksaw to cut the hi-hat pullrod!) Awesome. I started playing open at the very beginning, and now lead with mainly my right hand, but open is great-it gives me options!
I've been a drummer my whole life because Gene Krupa was a close friend to my mother's family, whom he would faithfully visit whenever he performed in their city.Gene even attended my mother's 16th birthday party, giving her a sepia publicity photo on which he wrote a kind and personal note in silver ink. That photo from the 1930s is one of my most treasured possessions.....a connection to greatness which inspired me as a youth. In 1973, only a few months before his death, Gene came to perform nearby and I went with my mother , my aunt, and Uncle to see him......I had never seen him in person, or, met him before. While entering the facility, a door opposite ours opened and coincidentally we ran smack into Gene Krupa !!! I was stunned at how immediately he recognized all of us...except me ! He was so happy to see my mom and family that he personally spent almost the whole evening, when not playing, with US !! When he learned that I was a young and aspiring drummer, he told me he regretted not having played with a symphony orchestra....that I should do that !! He was so nice, and I was so glad to meet my hero....especially since he had little time left on this earth. Gene was a real star, the man who made drums a " solo instrument" and who set the stage for others like Buddy Rich to follow. As great as Buddy and others were, they all respected Gene and were inspired by him. No one, no matter how good a drummer they became, was ever a bigger star than Gene Krupa !!!......a real star and first class gentleman.
John Foster Well said. Thanks for sharing!
That put a consistent smile on my face. Thank You.
Thanks so much!
Delightful story- thanks.
Dom... You are not only a dear friend but a constant inspiration to me and everyone that is fortunate to be able to hear your wisdom and great anecdotes like the one you told here. So... thank you for YOU!
Andy Weis You are a great friend! Thanks so much!!!
Thanks for keeping these stories alive Dom! This was a great one.
Thanks so much!!! Stay safe!
Excellent presentation, t hank you !
I was so close and I had no idea !
I lived in Bellerose, not far from Sanford Moeller, I hung out at the Metropole, I never made the connections.
Bill P.
Hi Dom , I literally watched 2 videos of jim today on TH-cam and within a couple of hours I’m playing the cleanest singles Iv ever played and at double the speed, I actually can’t believe it, I intend to watch everything I can find that he has done.
Excellent! Pick up Jim's DVD on Alfred or download from www.hudsonmusic.com. You will be enlightened! Thanks!
Dom, this is incredibile. Top class storytelling, please don’t stop 😎
suonarelabatteria Thanks so much!!!
Ah Dom! I never get enough of these stories! I was lucky to hear many of them ‘live’ , still vibrant in my memory from the time at the OMDC in Poland! Love this story! And it fits you to document them like this because all the passion you have and your great storytelling wouldn’t shine as much on paper!
Ezravagant. com Thanks so much!!!
Dom you are a great inspiration for me. Thanks so much for that great story....by the way, what a humble and kind man Gene was...no ego at all.
dino de luca absolutely Thanks so much!!!
Dom, this is incredible! Subscribed.
Thanks so much!!! Stay safe!
What an awesome story! Please keep them coming! Dom you are a legend good to see you here on TH-cam!
domIJust Thanks so much!!!
I studied with a guy in the 70s named ralph razzi. I met him through joe pocaro who had brought ralph to a drum seminar at Dick Grove's music. Ralph had been a student of Jim Chapin and taught me stick control and tried to get me to learn how to read music better.... reading ehhh I didn't get, but he taught me Chapin's technique on how to hit the drum and bounce back and a few other things. I used to see joe and occasionally ralph at MI because I was MI's "printer" for over 20 years both good guys. btw ralph told me he used to rehearse the buddy rich band when they had new arrangements and then buddy would come in and watch ralph go through the tunes a few times and would then sit down and play... buddy didn't read music (or at least not very well).
Great Story ✌️🥁
classic..i use to sit on genes lap.my dad joe venuto knew gene and they did the percussion king album together..thanks dom
A CLOCKWORK DRUMMER fantastic thanks
A CLOCKWORK DRUMMER that’s a great memory - i’ve heard about your dad, I was friendly with Bill FInegan when he was quite elderly. You had to be an absolute monster player to be in the Sauter-Finegan Orch.
Excellent story.
Phaedra Backer Thanks so much!!!
Thank you Dom, fascinating turn of events.
rhythmantic - Sal D'Amato Thanks so much!!!
Dom Famularo
Wow Dom, thanks for replying back personally. I know a guy like you is probably really busy to do that so it’s much appreciated.
I first met you in 1975 or ’76 in San Francisco at Guitar Center where you and Billy Cobham gave a clinic. I’ve since gotten your books: It’s Your Move, The Weaker Hans, Open Handed Playing.
I view your Sessions Panel program, a wonderful platform for getting to know some of my favorite drummers.
God bless the work of your hands and feet, bro!
rhythmantic - Sal D'Amato That is nice...thanks!
Fantastic story! I remember you telling me that story at one of our lessons! Priceless!!
drumteacher43 Thanks so much!!!
What an incredible story Dom! I could only imagine Jim’s response to Gene. Wow! 🥁
Tony Cuscina Thanks so much!!!
By the time I went to the Metropole Club in NYC, it was the late 70's. It was a topless bar. Then I found out it's history, and that Krupa had played there many years before. That stage was on the left behind the bar, only there were naked women on there. How sad.
Very sad. How great it would have been to see Krupa on that stage!
Fantastic!
Paul Furtado Thanks so much!!!
Amazing!!!
Drummersfield Thanks so much!!!
Great story!
Did Gene remember Chapin running up to him in 1938?
Great question. Not sure.
Dom, can you confirm as to whether or not Jim Chapin was an open-handed drummer? Are there any videos out there that show him playing open-handed?
CCM Drummer Jim was able to play open handed. He talks about playing the ride with your left hand in his book.
Dom Famularo incredible!
DaGretschguy Jim was the one who suggested to me to play OH. I am sure there is video of him playing OH.
Dom Famularo Wow! I remember your story about deciding to play open-handed after reading Einstein on a flight on your way to do a "Drummer Day" type of event, and you decided you were just going to dive in, and the looks of surprise that you received while setting up (I need a hacksaw to cut the hi-hat pullrod!) Awesome. I started playing open at the very beginning, and now lead with mainly my right hand, but open is great-it gives me options!
Delete the background music. Jeez.
Roland Rodriguez Lol...!
@@GlobalDrumming My apologies. I liked the content though!
Roland Rodriguez Different strokes! Thanks