BeatIt at NAMM 2017: A Live Performance by Gregg Bissonette and Jerry Gaskill
NAMM Show is the biggest and most important event of this type in the world. This concerns all musical instruments imaginable, PA systems, microphones, software or services, which obviously includes the drums. Each year in January, the immense Anaheim Convention Center becomes home to thousands of exhibitors operating in every branch of the music industry and tens of thousands visitors. This year was no exception.
Having limited ourselves and our reports solely to drum-related (which is only natural) we can still say that all the great companies operating in the drumming market, all those who count in this business and those ventures that wish to achieve such a status attended NAMM 2017 as exhibitors. Also, we must not forget the artists who were present in Anaheim this year. Those included the likes of Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Benny Greb, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Johnston, Marvin ‘Smitty’ Smith, Danny Carey, Nicko McBrain, John JR Robinson, Daru Jones, Gregg Bissonette, Rick Latham, Mikkey Dee and that’s just a tip of the iceberg.
An encounter with Dixon
One of the places which offered many attractions to the visitors was the DIXON booth. Such masters of the drumming crafts as John Mader, Gregg Bissonette or Jerry Gaskill were present there. On the second day of the event, there was a signing session enabling everyone to get their autograph, talk a bit, shake hands and take a pic. On Saturday the 21st of January, we witnessed an impromptu live performance by Gregg Bissonette and Jerry Gaskill, which we recorded for our viewers, of course. You are just about to see and hear for yourselves how two of the greatest drummers of our time are able to play music only with two drum kits at their disposal. Plus a lot of talent and personality.
From left to right: G. Bissonette, J. Gaskill
For your listening and viewing pleasure, here are Gregg Bissonette and Jerry Gaskill improvising together and performing a medley of rock standards with a little help from the audience. You will hear fragments of the following tunes: Led Zeppelin’s Rock And Roll, Wipeout by The Surfaris, Jimmy Hendix’s Manic Depression or Come Together by the Beatles.
