In late 1949 / early 1950, the top Blues and Rhythm record on many charts was FATS DOMINO's 'THE FAT MAN'. The drummer on the recording was EARL PALMER. In 1959, one of DJZigZag's favourite Rock 'n' Roll 45's (of all-time) - 'BAD BOY' by LARRY WILLIAMS - featured Mr. Palmer's drum kit. All of the most well-known LITTLE RICHARD singles and the many recordings by our New Orleans music heroes were the home territory of one E. PALMER. What is mind-blowingly amazing though, is the sheer volume of singles and albums that EARL PALMER added his joy to beyond the magic circle of New World African Music. The Beach Boys, Duane Eddy, Ricky Nelson, Doris Day, the Everly Brothers, Jan and Dean, Ritchie Valens, the Monkees, Willie Nelson, Jackie DeShannon, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Andy Williams, Bobby Vee, Bobby Darin. Frank Sinatra etc etc etc etc etc etc etc all benefited from the subtle artistry of the king of NEW ORLEANS R'n'B drummers.
Written by Mr. Tony Scherman with a foreward by Wynton Marsalis we would heartily recommend "Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story" as a two day 196 page (including index and discography) summer vacation read - which you can then pass on to spouse, kids or family members and friends - its a great finally-told story for everyone who loves popular American music.
WAGRadio Management
1 comment:
DJZZ - the session players are always the great unsung heroes that give our favourite songs the groove they need to do the job! Thanks for a capsule profile of yet another unknown musician who made the hits what they were!
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