The first gig I ever went to was Blondie on their Parallel Lines tour. Clem Burke's drumming blew me away... and I was sat up in the balcony!
I was too young to have sent them in their heyday, too disinterested in their reunion years. However, Clem was an amazing drummer. He was effectively old-fashioned, channeling Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich--isn’t Dreaming essentially Sing, Sing, Sing? But it sounded so fresh.
I recommend Kathy Valentine's autobiography, which really shows what an upstanding man he was.
A friend posted this Sly link on our Franks APA Facebook page which you might enjoy. The opening jam is really fun. Sly & Family host Midnight Special. There are other interesting acts too.
Really sad to hear that Ralph Towner passed. So many times his music has been my refuge. When I went to Big Ears back in 2019, I got to hear him perform in this beautiful church... vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, and afternoon sunlight pouring in through stained glass windows. It's a memory that I return to fondly from time to time.
Comments
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/clem-burke-dead/
Dave Allen
I recommend Kathy Valentine's autobiography, which really shows what an upstanding man he was.
Jill Sobule
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Derringer
https://abcnews.go.com/world-news-tonight-with-david-muirT/video/rick-derringer-legendary-rock-artist-music-icon-dead-122250050
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jun/10/sly-stone-cause-of-death-funk-music
A friend posted this Sly link on our Franks APA Facebook page which you might enjoy. The opening jam is really fun. Sly & Family host Midnight Special. There are other interesting acts too.
https://pitchfork.com/news/the-beach-boys-brian-wilson-dies-at-82/
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/oct/12/john-lodge-obituary
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-lodge-mn0000236228#biography
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/27/nx-s1-5587549/jack-dejohnette-obituary
Here is one of the most sensitive drum solos ever.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly95x9qe4ko
https://bobweir.net/bobby/
"Sugar Magnolia" from the album "American Beauty". The song that many regard as Bob's greatest.