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Filmed in the 80's. A one song demo video put together by Dale Latullipe at a local studio. Dale was a New England Rock Drummer who was killed in the station fire. I thought many of his friends would like to see Dale again doing what he loved.
If you knew Dale, leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.
We miss him greatly. Godspeed Dale.
EXTENDED BIO....
Dale was a student of the "old school". Studies? "Rock 101" obviously! His style was born out of a simple passion for one genre of music. Dale believed in "do one thing and do it well". This reinforced every part of his life, particularly his drumming.
Dale often pointed out that many drummers allowed too many varied influences into their playing. A "Mish-mash" of styles that often looked like one jumbled mess behind the kit. Dale believed in "one deliberate style". Dale knew he wanted to be a straight ahead rock drummer. Nothing more, nothing less. (Born in "Rockland MA" (swear) it was obvious which path he would take!)
We each can appreciate a "do all" drummer like Vinnie Colaiuta, but there is also something just as satisfying when you watch a guy like Tommy Aldridge. Mastery of one style is a rare achievement.
"Flash and balls" -- good drummers have one or the other, the greats have both. Dale learned this early as a drummer. He was a huge fan of Gene Krupa. Perhaps his first real influence, Krupa had STYLE which left an impression on him. Dale was a performer, he knew that entertaining the crowd was just as important as what he was playing. Dale came prepared, he knew every wrinkle of his clothes when he got on stage.
"Balls" was just as important. Dale admired powerful drummers like Bonham, Billy Cobham, and Cozy Powell . When Dale played you couldn't help but watch. In fact, it was hard to take your eyes off him.
Dale cut his teeth on Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and early Zeppelin. He would be forever faithful to the "b-boom-DA-b-boom" drummers as we jokingly called them. John Bonham and Carmine came first in his world. Other drummers that Dale respected and admired included Ian Paice, Michael Derosier, Tommy Aldridge, Denny Carmassi, Lenny Haze, Bobby Rondinelli, Mick Tucker and bands like Thunder and Y&T.
Dale played 26" bass drums for nearly all of his life. Big drums were part of his image. I always thought that these kits never showcased his real talent. Dale had great hand speed and chops that would often be lost (as in this video) playing sometimes ridiculously large drums. Most drummers could never play his sets -- they were awkward and clumsy to a traditional player. (Note that Dale often plays open handed out of necessity)
In the end it would be Bonham as Dale's strongest influence. Dale would mimic as much as he could. You can note how Dale pays close attention to the guitars in this video (double-handed hi-hat work following the rhythm guitar during the verses). It established a groove that the listener could easily lock on to. This was a big part of Bonhams playing. Dale's too.
This video looks a bit contrived to those who knew Dale -- he played so naturally, and spontaneously and much of that is lost in this well rehearsed demo video. I don't have much footage of Dale playing with Bands, but that is where he shined.
Dale was a dynamo of energy and laughter. Everything was "Mint" to Dale and if something bothered him it was only his closest friends who could tell. He tried to make everybody happy. Drums and smiles came naturally to him and it's the two things he enjoyed his whole life.
Boston writer and vintage drum collector John Cohan (Star Sets) met Dale on many occasions. He always said he envied Dales passion well into his 40's. If John named a rock and roll song - no matter how obscure -- Dale would immediately air drum it with vocal drum sounds so perfectly that you would think the stereo was playing.
Dale had many high moments in his career -- and many lows. But he never quit. One high moment I recall is when he played Mama Kins in Boston, opening for Godsmack at their record release party. Dale was "on" that night. He pulled out all the old school "rock tricks" -- pouring water all over his snare drum head then opening the first song with a crushing open stroke roll to spray droplets into the air, lit by the stage lights. The crowd ate him up.
The next day, the Boston newspapers that reported the record release event all noted that, "the drummer in the opening act stole the show". Their words exactly.
Dale opened for many acts including James Brown. He would remain however, a Local Hero here in New England. He had thousands of friends, and 10 times that many great stories. Dale was killed in the station fire, Thursday February 20th, 2003.