Roger's drumming at 46664

Yes, you're right Pim, I saw an add at the UK convention, this year. John still rules the world !!! :)

Huh? What's "Man In The Shadows"? Is that some solo thing with Roger? Sorry! I don't know his solo stuff that well but would LOVE to! I just haven't gotten the chance (or money yet too) but I intend to someday!

It's John Deacon's first solo album, released in 1998 (?). Some good tracks, my favorite is 'Birdman's Blues'.

I asked for an honest answer, and I got it, from most people. Yes, of course Roger doesn't play nearly as much as Neil Peart. However, if Rog wants to pass as a professional drummer, even if it's for an occasional gig, he's gotta practice a little. Otherwise, he'll just look like crap. All he did at the 46664 concert was keep simple 4/4 time. An 8 year old could do that.

Mr. Payne, why are you attacking me, and not the subject at hand? Sounds like you're getting a bit defensive here! Yes, although I'm a guitarist, I know plenty about the drums as well. Just watch the video of Toss The Feathers. There are several points where there are odd-beat/time cymbals that Roger just doesn't hit. He thinks about it for a second, and realizes it's too late to hit it at the right time. It's just like at the FM tribute concert during Innuendo, Rog missed a very important choked cymbal, which was probably due to a lack of practice. But back to TtF, as soon as the part with the intricate time signature passes by, he can jump right back into the 4/4 time, no problem. Rog has never played outside of 3/4 or 4/4 time in his life, and when TtF rolls around, he hasn't got a chance in nailing it, unless he totally memorizes the piece and practices very, very hard.

It was blatantly obvious that Roger didn't look comfortable on his kit. His singing is another story, of course. His performance on "Say It's Not True" was a definite highlight of the day, and is certainly one of his best tracks in recent years.

Speaking as a drummer, drumming is certainly one of the more physically challenging professions in a band. Yes, I'm sure that all professions within a band are equally challenging, but drumming is difficult and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Given that I didn't watch the concert, I won't comment on Roger's performance, but I'm certain that it's just the lack of drumming regularly. A similar problem occured with Keith Moon back in the mid-70s; as I'm sure most of you know, Moon was one of the most energetic, albeit erratic, drummers around. Unfortunately, his excessive lifestyle took precedence over fine-tuning (excuse the pun) his drumming, so he fell into a period of decline and never fully regained. If you listen to the last album he recorded with The Who ("Who Are You"), his drumming is pretty sluggish and uncharacteristic. And if you watch "The Kids Are Alright", for 'Baba O'Riley' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again' (taken from the last live performance The Who gave with Moon), he struggles to keep up.

So I'm sure that Roger is just out of practice, although he doesn't seem too concerned with it.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying, Lester. Thanks for being level-headed, and not having the need to resort to name-calling, like someone who's name I don't need to mention yet again.

Can anyone tell me what the hell Azmandaman was talking about?!

You actually read all that? I tried reading what he wrote once and gave up. I find it odd that one has to type with an accent.

Lol!

Interesting topic...

I respect Roger as great musician. I had the pleasure to attend one of his solo gigs in 1999 (Manchester), and it was great...

But...

- I also find Roger's drumming lazy these days. The Modena gig, The Jubilee and 46664 doesnt give the impression that he is a great drummer. The last time I remember some strong drumming was with the Foo Fighters in 1999 on Now I'm Here.

I think Roger can do much better. I mean, I'm a singer and I have learnes to play drums now that last 3 or 4 months. I'm not good, but when I get to the point that I realise that I can reproduce much of his drumming based on his live performances nowadays, something must be wrong.

And for those who slams us who think he does it pretty lame these days :

- Come on you got to admit that he is doing the things quite easy, look at his kit !!!

I have seen Dream Theater and seen HUGE kits, and I'm not comparing this to Queen. I just find the kit boring, and I'm not a drum freak who thinks the kit should be "that" big.

He is playing "sparesome", "less is better" is possibly his attitude these days... But with modificatinons I've to say...

Man in the Shadows is from 1996

Roger is obviously not as good on the drums as in his younger years. This is due to a combination of a lack of regular practice and a decrease in his stamina.
If Roger was to get in to proper shape, and practice for a tour than his drumming would definately improve as he becomes more familiar with the songs again.
As for his drumming at the 46664 concert, it was quite good - Show Must Go On was a great performace as was 'The Call' and 'Invincibe Hope'. There weren't any many mistakes during the Queen medley either so i'm sure people are just being over critical.

"Rog has never played outside of 3/4 or 4/4 time in his life"
Obviously forgetting We Are the Champions (6/8) and Innuendo (5/4)

Well if you watch the Led Zeppelin performance from Dutch t.v. on their latest d.v.d. release called "D.V.D." then you will someone (John Bonham) do more with a simple small drumset than most will do with a full one in my opinion. So I do not think that a small drumset neccesarily means that the drumming would or could not be great. Has Roger ever had a drumset that was that much bigger anyway?

The size of the drumset does not mean anything. I play drums for five years, and I saw people doing incredible things with only snare - HiHat and Bass Drum. Bigness of the kit is here to give various tones effects and good looking. A drummer can't be judged by the size of his drums. John Bonham is the perfect example.

A drummer can't be judged by the size of his drums.

now there's a bumper sticker or t shirt in the making for a drummer to have :)