Liberty DeVitto: GETTING OVER his ANGER at BILLY JOEL

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for listening! Subscribe & check out the rest of our interviews here: kzbin.info 🎶 💥 🎸

[@JuiceGuruInstitute]

Billy Joel's band is never and WILL NEVER be the same (or as good) without LIberty on drums.

[@jamespierson59]

There's no punch in the band now. Billy should bring him back!

[@tomgorman748]

I remember going to see Billy for the first time on the Nylon Curtain when I was 19. My greatest takeaway was home much I enjoyed the drummer. When I heard Liberty was no longer in Billy’s band, I have not been back to see him.

[@WalterSobchak1000]

That late 70s/early 80s Joel line up was for me one of the best ever backing bands. Liberty, Russell Javors, Doug Stegmeyer, David Brown, Mark Rivera and Dave Lebolt. Just a brilliant group of musicians. Thanks for the interview

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on WalterSobchak1000, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻

[@chasingforeverbb]

im about to turn 30 and liberty is in my top 5 drummers, across all genres that i have studied. Its great to see these interviews.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed the interview @chasingforever6619, and thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !

[@tomgorman748]

It’s a shame he’s NEVER mentioned in any drummer lists

[@spidgeb3292]

Watching and listening to Liberty is a unique experience. He was as much fun to watch as to hear. Great addition to any stage.

[@williambeatty7781]

What a great guy and such a great drummer! I will never look at Billy Joel the same way again.

[@loriallen9237]

Yeah, but have you heard the other side of that story?

[@janetives5470]

There are always two sides.

[@patton303]

I grew up to be a pro touring drummer partly because of this guy. Stewart Copeland was my other fav. Similar hard hitting styles. But it was the Billy Joel Live From Long Island video that made me say, "I want to do THAT". Liberty was killing it in that video. I also played for Tama and got to hang with him at various events. I tried to be cool and act like he wasn't one of my all time heroes. Lol. We still keep in touch on the Facebook thing. He is just one of the best dudes on this planet. Thanks for the great interview.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words patton303 and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫

[@davidbusby2550]

Lib is awesome. Glad things are patched between Billy and Lib. Fun interview.

[@RickJames-n4d]

One of the greatest of all time. Love ya Lib!!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @user-rm5il4uh3i! 🎉🔥😇

[@kellyyacco6934]

Greattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt interview. I absolutely love Liberty.

[@GlennTwiddle1]

"Always be nice!!!" Perfect, just perfect !!

[@neiltosolini2465]

Great Show last night at the Suffolk Theater, still a beast in his 70's, best wishes and continued success from a Highland Falls local.

[@xtctrader1467]

I recently saw the music video for Billy Joel's Matter of Trust and almost immediately I was captivated by the drummer (Liberty). If fact I commented that "for some reason I find the drummer an interesting character". Well without knowing, I'd say I was correct.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on @xtctrader1467, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻

[@MrDaveaccord]

Just read Lib's book and it's outstanding.

[@leemanhamptons]

I remember when Bekka Bramlett was briefly with Billy. Billy had also had tried out Bobby King in the touring band as well who sang on Bruce Springsteen's album Human Touch. My wife was Billy's personal assistant at the time and remember you guys rehearsing for the tour in Sag Harbor at the Bay Street Theater. You came to my sister's restaurant for dinner during the time of the rehearsals where I had Bekka and Tommy getting really wasted at my bar. It was great seeing you live on that tour Liberty!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Very cool, thanks for sharing that, @leemanhamptons 🙌🏻 💥 🎉

[@jimmyaudiophreak1671]

Bekka is great, a superb singer and she did a great job in 98 with Billy Joel. There's a video of her duetting with him in Philly on Until the Night. It's stupendously good!

[@ianwatkins6202]

I had the pleasure of meeting Liberty in Pennsylvania back in 2019😃 Nice guy!

[@markburnham7512]

So great to see Lib behind the kit on BJ's 100th MSG special. And super sharp as always.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @markburnham7512! 🎉🔥😇

[@thomascuffari4670]

Very compelling! I’m buying Liberty’s book this afternoon. Great story telling Pisan

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @thomascuffari4670! 🎉🔥😇

[@vampyros1]

Really enjoyed this, but find myself asking 'What precipitated Liberty's ousting from Billy's band?'... An obvious question, no? Either way, thanks for posting -- you did ask some great questions, too!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Good question! If you listen to another interview I did, with Danny Kortchmar kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp_Kdpullp6ZgLc - you'll hear that he walked in to the studio and all of the band members were asleep and/or hung over... which led me to believe this was the beginning of the end for them all. Thank you for listening 🔥 🎶 🎸

[@NoClokk222]

One of the greatest drummers ever Liberty is a God on the drums…🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@tama2112]

Great interview. Loved Liberty for decades...however I don't buy the "Billy wasn't big on the west coast which is why the did the Billy/Elton tours" The first Billy/Elton tour was in 1994 and didn't come near the west coast...not to mention this was 15 yrs after winning Grammys in 1979 for record of the year and 1980 for album of the year.

[@DeliRevv]

I am just happy that Billy and Liberty have patched things up after all these years apart. It’s a shame that he’s not back on the kit behind him again but at the very least, they got their friendship back and that’s worth its weight in gold.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed the interview @DeliRevv, and thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !

[@danbarrale5457]

lib always supports the song....he listens to whats happening musically first ......god blessLib ..my inspiration to keep on drumming and playing live music

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening Dan Barrale! 🎉🔥😇 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe

[@Jamestele1]

"Music changes minds and hearts". Exactly - it may be THE thing that changes hearts and minds.

[@sergioponti22]

Liberty rules!!!!

[@GlennTwiddle1]

So glad U dug Australia so much mate. We love you too !!

[@TheSkirvo]

13:25 . Ron tutt played on piano man and streetlife not russ kunkel

[@xxcelr8rs]

Lee Oskar War Harp player."Travling Prayer"had cool drums. Noticed that as a kid.

[@MrUltraworld]

I just downloaded his book. Thank You

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on Fred Garvin, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe

[@MuzixMaker]

Great interview!

[@johnnymartines2118]

Great interview. Like most of yours top notch.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words Johnny, and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫

[@gracielaelisabarrios7108]

Divino total 🇦🇷💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Graciela, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶

[@RobTackettCovers]

In the small town we lived in (Casa Grande, Arizona)...the release of Turnstiles...that was a favorite record...in our high school choir room, there was this phonograph that had stereo speakers mounted on the wall, and a copy of Turnstiles was in there, and it would get a lot of play time before class started...songs like (going by memory here...I don't personally have that album) James, Say Goodbye to Hollywood, Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway...but that's not the title of that song...going to check online...Miami 2017...I've Loved These Days...there was also this Jamaican flavored tune on that album...but cannot think of the title...hate this, but have to look...All You Want To Do Is Dance...that album was definitely a big one for us that were in choir in high school...in our particular class year, which would be under class to the class that took to Turnstiles, was The Stranger album, with Movin' Out on it...our class took to that, but I liked Turnstiles way better for some reason...can't pinpoint why, but I absolutely did...maybe it's how a particular work makes you feel, it's lyrical content, it's selection of chord changes or musicality...regardless, I liked Turnstiles better, not to imply at all that The Stranger didn't have over the top brilliant moments, like the piano solo in Scenes From An Italian Restaurant...anyway, rambling on, here...thanks for the video, folks; hope you and yours are doing great.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @RobTackettCovers! 🎉🔥😇

[@colinwallace5286]

Thanks for answering part of my question about the car in “Movin’ Out”. Second part is, whose car was it, and WHAT was it? Is it still around somewhere? Great interview and great stories.😎😬

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @colinwallace5286! 🎉🔥😇

[@gmoney9794]

It was Lib’s car. He mentioned it on a Drumeo video posted 3 months ago. But I forgot what kind of car it was.

[@michaelg1060]

Russell Javors has no peer when it comes to rhythm guitar. Playing rhythm guitar on Billy Joel's songs are especially challenging. Lots of chord changes. "Don't Ask Me Why" is a song that a rhythm player can say, "I've now learned to play ASK ME WHY very well...I am now an accomplished rhythm guitar player." Mark Rivera fills in, so does Crystal, but if you're a musician, you can FEEL the VOID.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @michaelg1060! 🎉🔥😇

[@MrFury777]

Great interview

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Rick James, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶

[@richschmitt100]

I still don't understand, why did Billy Joel fire Liberty?

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

He never really gave him one, that's why Lib was so pissed off, seemed to come out of nowhere - Lib's side of the story

[@janetives5470]

Sounded like some communication problems. I read that people talking and stirring things up. Friends should get clarification and talk about things. I also read that money was involved in the break up.

[@davegott8412]

Lib is second only to Keith moon , rock drummers ….plays according to syllables in lyrics

[@richschmitt100]

What is a "life coach"?

[@Historian212]

A life coach helps with practical stuff, with goal setting, helping clarify thinking, staying focused and staying on track, etc. Some coaches specialize in an area like health, business success, etc. Some are also therapists, but real life coaching is not therapy. If his coach officiated at his marriage, she may also be a chaplain or counselor, he didn’t mention. A life coach doesn’t give advice, they help people figure out how to help themselves. If they’re really coaching, not being therapists, mentors, or counselors.

[@pedrorocha9722]

For once, the term «life coach» didn't make me cringe. Liberty's huge amount of cred has something to do wih that.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed the interview @pedrorocha9722, and thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 ! And yes, I feel the same about that term!

[@jimmyaudiophreak1671]

Glad he is personally in a better place but the fact is the music business is just that/. billy Joel has the recording and publishing and any other contracts,. He is the writer, the singer, the guy everyone is interested in. He is the star and he is the workaholic. Band members are disposable. Any one who has worked with any signed solo artist in this biz knows that just because you land one or two big tours and / or recording dates, or whatever, that the ride could end at any minute. Its happens all the time. Look at guys who have worked with McCartney. He has often changed bands. Sting does it too when he needs new stimulation. They don't go around bitching or moaning after they get cut or he just decides he needs fresh players. Liberty has been going on about this for way too long. Sure he was a great drummer but there are heaps of great drummers. He was just a sideman at the end off the day and the music business is a business like any other. And like any industry when you play in the big leagues you get roughed up. I have seen it all before working in the biz in the UK and US for thirty years. That's the way it is.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

I agree with you - most sideman I've interviewed (well over 500) are well aware of this. I can understand him being upset about "how" he was cut, but not "that" he was cut. Thanks for listening!

[@TheUnamusic]

USSR 1987....0 not 86.

[@MustangRed1967]

He reconciled with Billy but did Billy reconcile with him? I thought what Billy did was atrocious in my opinion.

[@Historian212]

There’s no such thing as a one-way reconciliation. And since Billy agreed to write the Forward for Liberty’s book, then that’s a sign they’re good at this point.

[@anthonyvoisin7717]

Aways love his drumming but his comment about John Bonham i dont like Johns drumming was incredible orginal and so many wanted to admire him so what they wanted to do the things he did hes gone he cant say i never thought so many would want to play like me be original arent all drummers original ? To admire Carmine and not JB ? To each your own i guess

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

I agree with you for sure... I was thinking same thing, "To each their own..." Thanks for listening!

[@johnwinger2240]

lol. Jeff Carlisle

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Ha ha, yeah Jeff called me up after he saw this and told me that's actually a common mistake people make. Nevertheless.... 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@johnwinger2240]

@@EveryoneLovesGuitar I’m his biggest fan

[@KevinDanielMusic]

Thanks for posting! If you have a second, I posted a cover of Little Big Town. As a fellow music fan, I'd love if you'd check it out. It's on my page. Hope you like it!

[@johnrwalker53]

You're a good listener as an interviewer, but it seems like you're not prepared, because i'm thinking all these questions you could ask and you don't?

[@extraniceness]

Oh yeah? So why don’t you make a list and set up your own interview with Liberty there buddy 🤔

[@witzerdog]

Anyone over the age of 18 wearing a partially cocked, flat brimmed hat looks like a Make-a-Wish kid. I love Liberty though.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

LOL yes...

[@alvarotrystan5204]

I need boyfriend 💋💋💋💋💋💞💞💞💞