Extreme Music Presents: Vinnie Colaiuta's Descent Into Madness

[@southamericanescapes]

Not only a great musician but one of the nicest classmates that I had at Berklee. Very kind and sweet person.

[@chrishaughey648]

Yeah he seems like a great guy

[@terrystowers6085]

Your experience at Berkeley must’ve been fairly exciting! Several of your classmates went on to worldwide fame. Some have even reached the status of “legendary”, and “among the greatest performers in the history of music”! I should think that it would be a source of inner pride for you to have earned a place at such a prestigious institution. Congratulations! Vinnie and Steve Smith come to mind readily as superlative drummers /percussionists/scholars/innovators in the art of drumming. Steve Smith has an incredible body of scholastic achievements and accomplishments. His studies with the great masters of Indian drumming history, including the inimitable Trilok Gurtu, are stunning enough, but he’s also a foremost player, technician, innovator, educator and on and on...his body of work with Journey, Vital Information are worthy of immortality, but he’s done so much more than that. He’s become an ambassador for the art worldwide, and has influenced millions, I should think. The same can be said of Vinnie Colaiuta. His humility belies his accomplishments as a drummer who has literally spawned a distinctive style of playing. He’s achieved a level so recognizable that all a drummer has to say is “Vinnie”, and it’s immediately understood who, what, when, where and why. I don’t think anyone really knows the “how”. He’s a singularly unique force and voice on the drums. He represents the pinnacle of achievement in technical facility, creativity, scholastic aptitude and even urban legend. His story about how he won and maintained his position with Frank Zappa’s band will always be amazing. His work with Sting is just as remarkable in my opinion. I can listen to Ten Summoner’s Tales a hundred times in a row and not be bored with it. Yet, he’s so humble and non-assuming. Some years ago he won an award from Modern Drummer Magazine and played with his band Karizma. You can see on his face at the end of the performance that he’s nervous, maybe a bit apprehensive, like, “was that okay?” People in the audience left their jaws permanently on the floor due to his unbelievably powerful improvisational and technical skills. He’s so astonishing that way that people become dazed, but for him it’s like, “I hope I played well for them....” Yeah, you went to school with some pretty special people. I hope you’re well, thanks for sharing your experience, and I apologize for writing a novel. Free of charge, how’s that...lol...👍🥁🕺

[@antoinepaine8097]

@@terrystowers6085 beautiful comment! :)

[@stephenbaluran3298]

"I wanted to be heard, not seen." - That's a musician right there.

[@mejsjalv]

Until YT came about, I did not have an idea of what Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta or Anthony Jackson looked like, eventhough I heard them and had some records featuring them that I bought in the mid late 90's. But no pics.

[@MusicFed]

Steve Vai on Vinnie Colaiuta So, I was having conversations in a thread about best Zappa drum parts, and I remembered this old snippet from an interview with Steve Vai I heard once. It's Vai talking about how insanely good Vinnie was. Enjoy! "He's one of the most amazing sight-readers that ever existed on the instrument. One day we were in a Frank rehearsal, this was early '80s, and Frank brought in this piece of music called "Mo 'N Herb's Vacation." Just unbelievably complex. All the drums were written out, just like "The Black Page" except even more complex. There were these runs of like 17 over 3 and every drumhead is notated differently. And there were a whole bunch of people there, I think Bozzio was there. Vinnie had this piece of music on the stand to his right. To his left he had another music stand with a plate of sushi on it, okay? Now the tempo of the piece was very slow, like "The Black Page." And then the first riff came in, [mimics bizarre Zappa-esque drum rhythm patterns] with all these choking of cymbals, and hi-hat, riffs, spinning of rototoms and all this crazy stuff. And I saw Vinnie reading this thing. Now, Vinnie has this habit of pushing his glasses up with the middle finger of his right hand. Well I saw him look at this one bar of music, it was the last bar of music on the page. He started to play it as he was turning the page with one hand, and then once the page was turned he continued playing the riff with his right hand, as he reached over with his left hand, grabbed a piece of sushi and put it in his mouth, continued the riff with his left hand and feet, pushed his glasses up, and then played the remaining part of the bar. It was the slickest thing I have ever seen. Frank threw his music up in the air. Bozzio turned around and walked away. I just started laughing."

[@timothydillow3160]

I love that story. The greatest drummer's favorite drummer.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

@@timothydillow3160 Since Zappa wrote the drums, one can assume he was an insane drummer too? You can't write drum parts in your head unless your «hear» them first.

[@timothydillow3160]

@@hugolafhugolaf and you have to be able to read those little black dots and stuff his synapses are just firing quicker than most.

[@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus]

@@hugolafhugolaf frank was a percussionist at heart. He very much understood percussion but early on realized he wasnt the best lol which he wanted/needed the best

[@drummermk88]

@@hugolafhugolaf From what I understand, Frank was a decent percussionist, though his greatest talent (despite his insane guitar skills) was composing. He didn't have to be as good at drums as any of his drummers throughout the years to be able to write challenging parts that suited the music. I love the idea, though, that secretly he was a better drummer than anyone he hired ;)

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

Beautiful. Vinnie is legend for a REASON. No one does it like him.

[@timothydillow3160]

" if you think about what you're doing, you're lost." - vc

[@Meiyor]

I admire this guy a lot from so so long! he is such an inspiration for so many many people!

[@woweffet]

If people like dennis chambers, dave weckl, jojo mayer, virgil donati, chris coleman, thomas lang, eric moore, gavin harrison, el negro hernandez, gergo borlai etc etc respect you, that means youre a giant and have done it all.

[@koshersalaami]

I love his attitude toward the music. It’s what I look for in other musicians. For me, an amateur musician in my sixties who sometimes plays out in bar gigs, I want to play with guys mature enough to worry more about serving the song than about showing off or playing for themselves by, for example, not watching their volume. I’ll amend that a bit, because my way of showing off is to serve the song really well, and I”m proud of it when I do, so I’ll say Worry more about serving the song than about being the center of attention. I get the biggest kick when most of the audience is ignoring me but one person is watching me very closely and smiling. Ultimately, the product isn’t my sound, it’s the group’s, and it you don’t understand that I’d rather not play with you.

[@heftyalan1152]

Descent into serious talent. Who else is recording with Frank Zappa, Sting and Megadeth. I can't think of anyone with a range like that. Peter Lorre with the snare accompanying those eyes, brilliant. One of the greatest drummers of all time.

[@Frisbieinstein]

Don't forget Jeff Beck, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, and John McLaughlin.

[@jjoneski2203]

Dudes need to lighten up with Zappa as a zenith reference. He just wasn't all that. Get real about him at least.

[@stratcat4450]

@@jjoneski2203 agree but if I said that I'd get hate for the entire year! I just never could relate to Zappa as some fantastic musician. I do remember when the hot rats album came out an I loved that. Along with the first 2 softmachine albums, early K.C mahavisu of course Jimi, and so much great progressive music back then. Saw the original dark side tour which was really it for me with P.F. Vinnie is truly a legend we still have to love.

[@jjoneski2203]

@@stratcat4450 Yeah I got to like Vinnie a bunch but he's not my hero drummer by any stretch. That would be Cobham Williams, Chambers BJ WIlson from Procol Harum Ian Paice. I'll take Weckyl over him too.

[@dg7952]

Everyone of you forget about the titan Allan Holdsworth !!!

[@magn8195]

This guys is my absolute Fave!

[@klank67]

Vinnie is such a musical drummer and he just told us why. That was a 3 minute masterclass right there!

[@trevorlindsey580]

The best drummer I have ever played with, and funny as can be. All these years later he is now working with my brother.

[@mgerrits3810]

Vinnie is not only one of de best drummers all time, also a big hero!

[@basiliskuku]

Tony Williams, Steve Gadd, Vinnie..thats all about drumming

[@jjoneski2203]

Tony Williams is miles above either of the other two. Miles.

[@pretorious700]

Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Bernard Purdie, the list goes on

[@another_aaron]

@@pretorious700 almost every popular drummer >>> buddy rich

[@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus]

@@pretorious700 purdie shuffle!

[@ShikataGaNai100]

A great drummer and a kind and gentle man.

[@kevindurden2880]

This is like...Premium Meat with the most pure seasoning of gratitude & humility. And the world feasts on such as this. Thank you Vinnie, for showing up and hanging in.

[@ShadesWade]

Kevin, you should check out the performance with Zappa "We Don't Mess Around". one of the songs is called EASY MEAT . lol

[@blickumblickumblick]

It's impossible to say who's the "best" drummer, but since Buddy Rich died, for all-around I'd have to give it to Vinnie. I saw him with Zappa and I'm still tying to recover.

[@Osnosis]

And, of course, with Jeff Beck.

[@DrumApe]

Vinnie is just the best. I grew up as a drummer trying to emulate his manners on the drums. This part: "I wanted to be heard, not to be seen" I can really relate to. Thanks for this video, can't wait to hear the album!

[@davidcurtis4478]

I hear ya Vinnie! God Bless You bro! Keep groovin'! 🤘🥁🤘

[@jonsmith848]

Have always enjoyed & respected his approach to Drums/Percussion

[@63Baggies]

He's a 100 % Musician.

[@birchply023]

Vinnie is a very classy creative drummer love it when he plays an unexpected fill that makes me smile , well what just happen , ok i'll just rewind that an see and end up watching it a few times an a another bunch of times to see how to break it down , wow :::

[@Ghoopty]

2:30 - if that’s a snippet of his new album, that sounds pretty fucking awesome.

[@donkkong5551]

One of my favorite Drummers..

[@ajadrew]

Another main man!! I recently just 'played' to film...no tempo, beats etc, just 'time' & It's unlike anything I've done before, so much more inspired & musical..;-))

[@farshimelt]

The idea isn't new but what Vinnie played was new. Not to put myself in his category but I did that in 1966. I set up my drums, they played the film, I responded, 1 take. It's all about being able to play what you see.

[@ajadrew]

@@farshimelt Hearing what you see...

[@KikoFreitasMusic]

Marvelous.

[@sickboynatural1431]

A legend. Right there.

[@davidcurtis4478]

Awesome Vinnie! Love ya man, hey I'm at ' Bluesville' heard Sting music and thought of you 🥁👊🏻👊🏻DC

[@mattfoley6082]

"Be heard and not seen." 99% of acts have it backward.

[@Monsterslag]

different times my friend. People don't buy music anymore. Musicians have to take it to the stage as much as possible to earn money with their music.

[@blickumblickumblick]

Nice.

[@mattfoley6082]

The worst are the singers with their chest pounding and phony emoting. Just sing the damn song and spare the cliches.

[@jjpopnfresh6822]

Amen Brother.

[@epsisphal]

This is his choice. That's all.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Whaaaaaaat?! Who? New album?!?...What just happened?!? 😵

[@barenreynolds8267]

Rob Brown I was thinking the same thing!lol off topic but your channel is so useful for me. Ain't even playin, I use your pad warmups every day. Lol

[@mapquest681]

Check out the direct to disk (according to Jeff Porcaro he's the one that turned the world on to it...) album by Bill Meyers. It's on Spotify. Entire album side was one take from beginning to end.

[@wrightguyz]

yeah that solo on the 3rd track...geeze...head spinning. I mentioned to Vinnie when he signed a CD for me it was 'the first time I heard him'

[@JulianFernandez]

Everyone´s favorite. That´s Vinnie.

[@nanmusha]

THE ONE AND ONLY !!!! MAESTRO !!!!

[@loucontino4804]

Vinnie is a rhythmic genius for sure. Doesn't have Gadd's feel but can play the crap out of odd times over straight like no one I ever heard. His best work to me was always Frank's live stuff on the Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar Box set. In fact, if you can score the out of print book by Steve Vai that has Vinnie's figures transcribed for the songs on that series, you will see what I mean. Anything else he's ever done has been, as he stated, song oriented. He was the man back in the day when he would take off into the stratosphere. You really have to know those albums to see what I mean.

[@Frank1979Zappa]

I‘m 100% with you. AND I have the Frank Zappa Guitar Book, he he...

[@farshimelt]

No one has anyone elses feel. If They did you could hire one drummer for everything.

[@markw9512]

Agreed. I’m a guitarist and was fortunate enough to hear a three song snippet from those albums (two of the title tracks and Soup ‘n’ Old Clothes) on the radio back in the day. First exposure to Zappa’s guitar playing, I felt as though I was hearing someone very eloquent in a foreign language. Fortunately since I knew enough about Zappa to know he had a great musical reputation, recorded that snippet, wore it out listening to it, then got the 3- cassette set and later bought my first CD player when I heard they were going to be released on CD. AMAZING set of recordings, brilliant interplay between Frank and Vinnie, just astonishing. If you’ve not had exposure to polyrhythms, this is a crash course. And the mix and sound on the Hammersmith Odeon recorded cuts is just heavenly. Zappa once said that his playing on those albums was very heavily influenced by Vinnie, and it was definitely his best in my opinion, they both brought out the best in each other. Definitely made me a lifelong fan of Frank and Vinnie!!! Thanks, Vinnie, for all of the magic in these recordings and for all of the other phenomenal work you’ve done over the years, you’re the crème de La crème, have enriched millions of people’s lives with your work, and are a great and classy guy on top of all of it. Salute!!!

[@weebgrinder-AIArtistPro]

There's a certain 3-part suite he played drums for live with Zappa's that I can't think of by name but it's amazing

[@smorrow]

Describe it

[@marciefree]

Such a great drummer Vinnie! Your one of my heroes!❤️❤️❤️ m xoxxo

[@robizoobi6016]

So good drummer 🔥

[@niwa957]

Vince is obsessed... in a positive way. Rich and Cobham were (or still are) drummers supreme and musicians. Vince is an artist.

[@stylex19]

Can someone PLEASE help me find the Steve Lukather & Vinnie Colaiuta song 'Liqueur' which has vocals in Japanese? I'm sorry, but that's all that I have to go on. I've been trying to find it again for more than a decade now.

[@alessandrorossini8704]

The Master.

[@satanjd666]

Legend

[@DrMabuse2010]

That was fucking chillin awesome

[@andersonmedina1503]

de los mejores 5 bateristas del mundo.....

[@lemmystop]

WOW!!!

[@ryanboyce3365]

You can’t play drums any better than Mr Colaiuta.

[@DrumsTheWord]

A fucking legend...and the swearing is justified.

[@mirobartos3530]

king

[@Thomlistentoslayer]

The Seal calls🤣

[@06livefast]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug

[@hiddenmonday7361]

AWESOME! man ive gotta here this :)

[@semilivesixstringstrumist5595]

He is far out. Far out there.

[@themikefasano]

#RealVinnieTruth!

[@ninabatera]

❤️

[@thecoderofyoutube]

Zappa, Chaka Khan, Joni Mitchell, Sting... And Megadeth.

[@dsot_anemichogs3819]

using movie sync for inspiration while writing an album, wonder if he hid bits of movie audio in the album as well like Pink Floyd did with Wizard of Oz

[@МихаилКубочкин-ы8т]

Калаюта, е мое, да ты Великий музыкант !!!

[@rallokkcaz]

"Heard and not seen" being something you want is the sign of a real musicians musician, being seen isn't worth it most of the time.

[@hadleymanmusic]

Ive made my mind up I dont care to be seen.

[@timallbritton7329]

He’s a beast. Guys like him make me want to burn my drums.

[@pretorious700]

Insecurity is not a healthy musical place

[@timallbritton7329]

@@pretorious700 really?

[@TS-gn2wy]

I'm the opposite: guys like Vinnie inspire me to practice, try harder and stay true to my musical voice.

[@timallbritton7329]

Really, everyone, it was sarcasm. I don't really want to burn my drums - I want to keep getting better. Jeez already.

[@shawnhapney8784]

Vince Colaiuta

[@WillMurdockUSA]

Woulda been cool to hear Vinnie and Jaco lock up together.

[@jordancolucci7221]

What movie is he playing to at 2:30

[@frippertonics6421]

I believe the name of the film is "M"

[@torvald]

M by Fritz Lang. German, 1930

[@jordancolucci7221]

Thanks

[@zebonaut]

The unbelievable Peter Lorre..

[@powerserge4579]

Man of steel

[@odaydrums]

Antonio Sanchez did that amazingly with Birdman. And denied a Grammy BTW too "drummy" I guess?

[@garysnowdon1918]

His hi hi hat rhythms what can say

[@jacoblomas3251]

Father: Buddy Rich. Son: Vinnie Colaiuta. Josh Freese.

[@bdatony]

Your father ?

[@bigfootpegrande]

Best drummer to walk the Earth since the departure of venerable Tony Williams.

[@danlc95]

Ha! I hate being seen too....

[@dorian2112]

does he really have a huge belly now? bad cam angle? i hope so, regardless he kicks ass.

[@s1sters118]

Just one of the facts of life of getting old.... I think people forget he's 64..... and Gadd 75 and Cobham 76 !!! I think sometimes in our heads we still see that guy from the 70's and 80's and forget that was 30 or 40 years ago 🤔 ..... edit... ha ha 40 or 50 years ago , if I can't add up what chance have I of playing in 13 lol

[@machia0705]

“ Privilege to play for Obama “ Sorry Vinnie , I had to shut you off then . You’re a great drummer !

[@farshimelt]

It would be a privilege to play for any President, regardless of your politics. Grow up.

[@machia0705]

George Neidorf Really? Grow up? Any President? If you aren’t a hypocrite then ok.

[@Jacke7111]

Jesus is nr 1.

[@hiddenmonday7361]

Where do i get this!

[@homerinchinatown2]

The comments at the top include a link to extrememusic.com. I found it there...

[@papo1515]

bad'est cat that ever picked up sticks.........

[@latexsolarbeef4990]

...........Joe's Garage....end of story..........

[@administration8961]

barry obama?

[@lintelle2382]

Oh yah, and then there's Tal...

[@SwappingIsSaving]

If you didn't know he was a drummer, you could tell by his bent back right hand thumb. Dead giveaway.

[@eymerichinquisitore9022]

Play for Obama is not play on the moon but in the toilette

[@ikshields]

Eymerich Inquisitore - Ah, a dumb person.

[@laureanoalfaro9351]

Leaving politics aside, he clearly was proud of being in the White House while playing aside with those two fellas call Shorter and Hancock

[@TheAxe4Ever]

See folks. Even the best musicians have their low, depressing points in their career. I mean, having to play for Barack Obama! That’s really scraping the bottom of the barrel. Glad he bounced back though.

[@rhythmista7707]

Vinnie needs to lose some weight, or we may soon lose one of the greatest contemporary drummers in music history. I pray he goes on a diet.

[@farshimelt]

Lots of overweight drummers and people who live to an old age. Not healthy but there it is.

[@jamminbucy7781]

He ,,, over plays ,,,

[@PeterArndell]

❤