Gerald Heyward

[min_amw]

None of this matters. Nobody was dissin' his style when cats all over the globe were trying to learn all of his licks. Nobody was dissin' his style when he was killing with James Hall, Mary J. Blige, Blackstreet, Hezekiah Walker (for those fortunate enough to see him on that hit), Beyonce', and Destiny's Child. Why? Because like everybody else, they were too busy bobbin' their heads. Gerald has made his mark (notice how he's the topic and not anyone else here?). Make your mark. Blaze your own trail. Get in the game and get off the bench. Not directed at any single person. Howeever, if the shoes fit, buy 2 pair and wear 'em proud. If you don't like the shoes, find a STYLE that fits U!

[bigblackdrummer]

Im bothered by the disrespect for the guy!!! Its just funny to me how some of you can diss the guy and say he's washed up and players all the same old licks but then turn around and say Steve Gadd, Vinny Colaiuta and Buddy Rich are drum gods! Gerald did the same thing those guys did but he did it for gospel and hip hop/ r&b!!!! These cats today (I wont name names because some get so immature and will start with the hater crap) can not tie the guys shoes when it comes to feel and groove!!!! And trust me half of you were still peeing your diapers and missed out on seeing Gerald when he was crazy!!!!! He did things Im still trying to lift!!! I have videos from 1989 both bootleg I have to find a way to get some of it on youtube so you can see what you missed!!!!!

The Bible says respect your elders! There's a reason for that!!!! That's why some of you have fast hands but cant hold a steady pocket!!!!!

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

Im bothered by the disrespect for the guy!!! Its just funny to me how some of you can diss the guy and say he's washed up and players all the same old licks but then turn around and say Steve Gadd, Vinny Colaiuta and Buddy Rich are drum gods! Gerald did the same thing those guys did but he did it for gospel and hip hop/ r&b!!!! These cats today (I wont name names because some get so immature and will start with the hater crap) can not tie the guys shoes when it comes to feel and groove!!!! And trust me half of you were still peeing your diapers and missed out on seeing Gerald when he was crazy!!!!! He did things Im still trying to lift!!! I have videos from 1989 both bootleg I have to find a way to get some of it on youtube so you can see what you missed!!!!!

The Bible says respect your elders! There's a reason for that!!!! That's why some of you have fast hands but cant hold a steady pocket!!!!!

Very true Sir.  He also played for R&B group Silk back in 1992.  I know those guys very well as I grew up with Lil' G the lead singer.  His resume speaks volumes.  People who are "washed up" and "past their prime" don't work anymore.  He seems to still be a first call cat.  Like I said before, he has gotten all of the gigs that I wanted.  He even had the Janet Jackson gig for a sec, but he broke his leg or something like that and I believe that's when Jonathan Mofett got the chair.  how many of you know about THAT cat.  Know that's a guy that is an underrated legend. 

   

[dude-on-drums]

Lol you all keep measuring a guy's greatness by the gig he holds...that's so shallow...

[TorontosFinest]

Im bothered by the disrespect for the guy!!! Its just funny to me how some of you can diss the guy and say he's washed up and players all the same old licks but then turn around and say Steve Gadd, Vinny Colaiuta and Buddy Rich are drum gods! Gerald did the same thing those guys did but he did it for gospel and hip hop/ r&b!!!! These cats today (I wont name names because some get so immature and will start with the hater crap) can not tie the guys shoes when it comes to feel and groove!!!! And trust me half of you were still peeing your diapers and missed out on seeing Gerald when he was crazy!!!!! He did things Im still trying to lift!!! I have videos from 1989 both bootleg I have to find a way to get some of it on youtube so you can see what you missed!!!!!

The Bible says respect your elders! There's a reason for that!!!! That's why some of you have fast hands but cant hold a steady pocket!!!!!

Totally agree with you BBD.  I have that video that Gerald played in 1989 and what he was doing then, some ppl are just learning now.  He was and is a great influence to most of the drummers of today, and those who say that he is not an influence to them, then he influenced the drummers that you grew up on.  Once I get that video converted and put in on You Tube, you will all see what I am talking about.  This guy was light years before his time.

[dude-on-drums]

I'm gonna say this and then I'm done.  Thomas Pridgen, Chris Dave, Vinnie and Dave Weckl all have something in common.  They have all fluently crossed genres throughout the years and they still sound fresh and innovative.  You do not have to dig back 20 years to show their greatness.  To tell you the truth, there are too many proficient and sound  drummers to care about what anyone sounded like 20 years ago lol.  Why would anyone care?  What do you sound like today?  Who's the flavor of the week?  That is the realistic attitude of drumming fans...and don't say who cares what other drummers think cause we all do (hence all the defensiveness in this thread) lol.  Some people have been in the game so long that their veteran status and political relationships can land them gigs alone, even though they may be washed up lol.  That's why you cannot measure a drummer's greatness by how much money he makes and how many big gigs he can hold.  You better know that Chris Dave doesn't make as much money and may not appear on tv as much as Teddy Campbell but...aw forget it.  The 3ft pool is open all day in this thread and its free for everyone lol!  Enjoy!  Lol!!!

[fLaT-fIfTh]

I graduated school in 1989... middle school.

God bless

[TheyCryWhenIPlay]

Pass around the collection plate...

...and give it all to Sheen.

[lockslie1]

Pass around the collection plate...

...and give it all to Sheen.

 

The 3ft pool is open all day in this thread and its free for everyone lol!  Enjoy!  Lol!!!

  Sheen for LGM Drum Forum Mayor!!!!  Dude you are too much!! 

[bigblackdrummer]

Very true Sir.  He also played for R&B group Silk back in 1992.  I know those guys very well as I grew up with Lil' G the lead singer.  His resume speaks volumes.  People who are "washed up" and "past their prime" don't work anymore.  He seems to still be a first call cat.  Like I said before, he has gotten all of the gigs that I wanted.  He even had the Janet Jackson gig for a sec, but he broke his leg or something like that and I believe that's when Jonathan Mofett got the chair.  how many of you know about THAT cat.  Know that's a guy that is an underrated legend. 

   

He broke his hand.

[bigblackdrummer]

Lol you all keep measuring a guy's greatness by the gig he holds...that's so shallow...

Wrong! Im measuring his greatness on the trail he blazed and originated (any lick you did that you got off of him was called a Gerald) The number of cats who state Gerald as one of their biggest influences and his first call status that hes held for almost 20 years! Weather its Gospel or R&B.

[juSe]

Ok...

I've followed this thread from the begining, just kinda taking things in...

I guess I'll add my 2 Abe Lincolns.

I respect Gerald and his contributions to the Craft, but to say that his conributions to the overall landscape of drumming are Gadd-like, Vinnie-esque, or Weckl-minded is a bit of a reach.  I say that because Gerald's stuff is applicable to a small sector of the overall musical landscape.  The stuff that Vinnie and Dave did/do translates across genere lines.  Yes, I was relatively young when Gerald was in his prime, conversely I was probably barely alive (if at all) when Dave and Vinnie were hot in the 80's.  I KNOW I wasn't around when Gadd burst on the scene in the 70's.  I 100% respect what he brings to the table, honestly his stuff is a little dated.  In the "what have you done for me lately?" world that we live in, it is tough to deal with a cat that one must dig back 20 years to find the best offerings of a particular player.  I do not, however, think that it is disrespectful of cats to ask the question of why for it is simply a question.  

I hope we can finally put our sticks down and quit hitting this dead horse.

[bigblackdrummer]

I'm gonna say this and then I'm done.  Thomas Pridgen, Chris Dave, Vinnie and Dave Weckl all have something in common.  They have all fluently crossed genres throughout the years and they still sound fresh and innovative.  You do not have to dig back 20 years to show their greatness.  To tell you the truth, there are too many proficient and sound  drummers to care about what anyone sounded like 20 years ago lol.  Why would anyone care?  What do you sound like today?  Who's the flavor of the week?  That is the realistic attitude of drumming fans...and don't say who cares what other drummers think cause we all do (hence all the defensiveness in this thread) lol.  Some people have been in the game so long that their veteran status and political relationships can land them gigs alone, even though they may be washed up lol.  That's why you cannot measure a drummer's greatness by how much money he makes and how many big gigs he can hold.  You better know that Chris Dave doesn't make as much money and may not appear on tv as much as Teddy Campbell but...aw forget it.  The 3ft pool is open all day in this thread and its free for everyone lol!  Enjoy!  Lol!!!

I see what youre saying and youre right. BUT, I think we are looking at two different things and using the same name for it.

[j_kay]

I hope we can finally put our sticks down and quit hitting this dead horse.

 

Just a 'lil comic relief...

[drumzalicious]

I'm honestly kind of surprised at the amount of people that are down talking/disrespecting Gerald. IMO Gerald will always be one of the greatest and if his playing is that bad and washed up then why everytime you turn on your TV he's playing with a Top Billboard Artist? The reason is because he knows how to play pocket when needed and when to play out on a gig. His placement is amazing, which is something that can't be said for alot of us that are younger. He may not do as crazy of chops as Aaron on the gig but he gets it done well enough to keep those gigs and to make the audience happy because half the time the audience could care less if there were any fills or not they just wanna hear the hook of the song.

The problem is that everyone judges you on your chops. Sure Gerald uses some of the same licks but listning to his stuff now and from back then you do hear some differences/adaptations. I dont think some people realize where all this evolution in chops comes from. It started from somewhere and a bit of it came from Gerald. That's why you hear alot of cats like Aaron and such tell you that they studied Gerald and any person that is good at what they do eventually will take what they have studied and make it their own. Thats why even now you got people who have studied Aaron and Spanky sounding similar but different cause they have taken it to new places.

Now im sure if Gerald, Aaron, Spanky and all the other "Big Name" drummers could sit in their basements and shed like some of us can all day then they would still be breaking walls down but as we all know once you REALLY start workin and getting busy you have no time to shed. Especially when you have a family/kids or just a woman.

Thats just my 2cents

[bobby1361]

Just my 1 cent. I am from NY. Im 43 years old and played the drums until I was 13 and then moved on to the organ. Let me state this and be very clear! In 1981 the Triboro Mass Choir made a record with a 10 year old Gerald Heyward  playing on the Congas! YES I sad 10 years old! Maybe 11 but he could have not been older than that! I heard this man playing as a teenager still in high school in like 1983 playing for the Hit makers the Institutional Radio Choir out of Broklyn, NY. yes he was a teenager playing on their albums and for them on their 10:30 Sunday Night Live Radio Broadcast! HE WAS A BEAST! and he wasnt even 16 years old! He is a ledgend indeed!
I said all that to give you the true resume of of Gerald Heyward. He is a most humble and quiet guy who has taken his talent and used it to bless thousands of drummers across this country and the world! He himself and his style changed the game in the sound of R&B drummers.  And Gospel? Man Please Gereald blew many dudes out the water and wasnt even trying.  You have never and will never hear him lift himself up but he stays humble amongst all that God has blessed him with!
Yea just my one cent! 

[dude-on-drums]

Hey bobby1361 stop the panic.  The water is only 3ft.  Simply stand up or re-read my post and be rescued on the boat of truth.  :-)

[Audiocr381ve]

Hey bobby1361 stop the panic.  The water is only 3ft.  Simply stand up or re-read my post and be rescued on the boat of truth.  :-)

This brotha just slapped a 43 year old man from New York! OH SNAPZ!

[TheyCryWhenIPlay]

Just my 1 cent. I am from NY. Im 43 years old and played the drums until I was 13 and then moved on to the organ. Let me state this and be very clear! In 1981 the Triboro Mass Choir made a record with a 10 year old Gerald Heyward  playing on the Congas! YES I sad 10 years old! Maybe 11 but he could have not been older than that! I heard this man playing as a teenager still in high school in like 1983 playing for the Hit makers the Institutional Radio Choir out of Broklyn, NY. yes he was a teenager playing on their albums and for them on their 10:30 Sunday Night Live Radio Broadcast! HE WAS A BEAST! and he wasnt even 16 years old! He is a ledgend indeed!
I said all that to give you the true resume of of Gerald Heyward. He is a most humble and quiet guy who has taken his talent and used it to bless thousands of drummers across this country and the world! He himself and his style changed the game in the sound of R&B drummers.  And Gospel? Man Please Gereald blew many dudes out the water and wasnt even trying.  You have never and will never hear him lift himself up but he stays humble amongst all that God has blessed him with!
Yea just my one cent! 

Your post really does nothing more than bolster what those you are speaking to have been saying.

[ojay16]

Hey bobby1361 stop the panic.  The water is only 3ft.  Simply stand up or re-read my post and be rescued on the boat of truth.  :-)

LOLOLOLOLOL! DOD...you're too funny man!