Suffolk County Music Educators Association

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, I got to meet, hear and hang out with Gregg Bissonette, one of my drumming heroes. The experience totally kicked ass!!! Gregg showcased his drum clinic for the Day of Percussion 2012 held at the Sayville High School in Sayville, NY, by the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) and co-sponsored by The Original Long Island Drum Center.

Drummers Casey Gobbi and Gregg Bissonette hanging loose

Gregg rocked out his drumming styles for the intimate crowd. The kids totally dug it, and so did I as he explained his drumming techniques, the music business and how to earn a living with drumsticks. He mentioned that his father was a drummer as well. Gregg is a technically trained drummer and can play from his heart and soul, which I personally prefer. He reads and composes music for movie scores and television as well as playing with bands. He really enjoys making a living at playing the drums, and why wouldn’t you? What is super cool is that he still has and plays his old Pearl large drum kit in jet black finish with white hardware from the 80s. Gregg is an all-around great drummer and most importantly he is an all-around great guy. Thanks Gregg, you ROCK, literally!

Gregg played drums with one of the best front men in Rock ‘n’ Roll, David Lee Roth and the amazing guitarists Steve Vai, and is currently playing drums for Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band.

I have been fortunate enough to seen and most importantly heard all of my childhood favorite drummers and deejays play live and am very lucky to be able to say that. I am still waiting to see Bill Ward of Black Sabbath, Rick Allen (aka ‘The Thunder God’) of Def Leppard, Rikki Rockett of Poison and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran play live. I was also fortunate enough to personally meet my drumming heros, Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe, along with Charles Benetti of Anthrax, Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction and Infectious Grooves, Omar Hakim of Sting and now the great Gregg Bissonette, and even Jam Master Jay of Run of Run-DMC; how cool is that kids!