But I think that any young drummer starting out today should get himself a great teacher and learn all there is to know about the instrument that he wants to play.

There are only two types of music.good and bad.

And, well of course, Count Basie, and I think all of the black bands of the late thirties and early forties, bands with real players. They had an influence on everybody, not just drummers.

I consider every drummer that ever played before me an influence, in every way.

I play a percussion instrument, not a musical saw; it needs no amplification. Where it's needed, they put a microphone in front of the bass drum. But, I don't think it's necessary to play that way every night.

I mean, I think I liked every band I ever played in because each band was different, each band had a different concept, and each band leader was different... different personalities and musical tastes.

I can think of a lot better things to do with my hands than to cut them up on the rim of a drum.