Liberty Devitto PREVIEW - behindthenotes.com

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[@agilblom]

The man that turned me into a musician fifteen years ago, thanks Lib.

[@JoeNocella]

Liberty - If you read this, please know that when I recently took my 9 yr old to a Billy Joel concert at MSG, he IMMEDIATELY heard the major difference in the drumming and said to me he didn't like the different drummer that was playing. He said it sounded slower and not as good. Even a nine year old could hear the obvious difference in the music. Chuck just plays what is necessary and doesn't break a sweat. Hope to see you in the band again someday! I'll take my son to a REAL rock N roll show!

[@AndysMagic1959]

This video should be on the required watching list of EVERY drummer. The stuff about playing the song etc is SO, SO important!

[@mindawgybr]

I had the pleasure of recording this guy the other day. amazing drummer and amazing style and feel to his playing. truly talented

[@gwonya]

I can recall the Turnstiles show (?74 or 75) at Massey Hall/Toronto - total respect for Liberty ever since. Amazing performance by him that night.

[@jofujenkins]

i REALLY like this guy's philosophy toward playing for the song and playing within the band. there are many, many kids today who are fixated upon playing blazing double bass drum phrases and could learn VOLUMES from mr. Devitto.

[@robertnobody]

Legendary drummer that helped make Billy Joel's music the success that it became. It is unbelievable that Billy Joel would fire him and replace him with a Broadway show drummer. I hope they can resolve their differences and work together again sometime soon.

[@stevehaack3310]

Without Liberty Billy would only be half of what he is today! Its so sad that people don't understand music to see it for what it really is! Liberty is awesome!

[@sgtpepper1138]

yeah, imagine that helping/inspiring others, what a concept! just because he's not with Billy anymore and doesn't do mega tours doesn't mean what he's doing is any less important, he's recorded many important songs (to me and many others)

[@qqwlyd]

i met him in a percussion camp 3 weeks ago. hes really nice!

[@shecklermusic]

also conclude that he was an uncredited arranger for those projects and should receive credit as an arranger. He never claims to have written the songs. His claim is one of a producer/arranger who shapes and frames the music. Such people get a cut of the royalties. This same situation happened between the members of The Band.

[@geoffk51]

I am a DRUMMER of 40 years! Liberty DeVitto is a World Class Drummer as is. He did NOT write the MUSIC or indeed the LYRICS. What he did do should not be dismissed - syncopation, drive, light and shade, time changes, lightness, aggression, impact, BALLS. This ONLY COMES from Drummers. Words and Music are Billy Joel's - the the Grammar / Punctuation / Full Stops / Commas / Fills / Bridge / not to MENTION LIVE STAGE presentation - anyone looking at a Concert Footage sees a SHOW.

[@elki49]

Yes he has, he does college tours and speacks with young percussion students.

[@shecklermusic]

As the situation is read, it seem that he is not looking for songwriting credit, but rather a producer credit which, considering his influence in the studio while songs were being written, is more than plausible. Many bands have done such credits in the past in various forms. The very fact that he was the longest tenured member with Billy Joel and the Billy Joel hasn't recorded an album or written any new tunes shows that the depature of LD was a considerable impact on the music. He could...

[@fess04]

love it . Liberty=Groove nuff said

[@iamjezuzchrist]

Ive always wanted to be Liberty!!! God I love this man (pause)

[@drummer78]

Damn good drummer he is. Great feel.

[@scottdevito1]

WATCHING THIS MAKES ME WANT TO BUY DRUMS. LIKE GOING TO A CONCERT MAKES ME WANT TO GO HOME AND WRITE SONGS AND PLAY GUITAR.

[@drummer78]

He's kind of not saying that. Soloing and playing various rhythms is music but drums are really at their best when they support other instruments.

[@mickeymarquez]

The First two frases of this video totally chamge my life as a Musician (i mean it), some day i will write him in his myspace profile and give him the thanks.

[@bparker3872]

Billy would have made it without Lib, but not the same way. There is no way another drummer would have had the same influence on the ultimate sound of his music.

[@MFGood2000]

inspirational

[@ThomasMetal75]

At the end of the video it said Liberty was using Mapex Drums, but he was actually playing on Sonor Drums. What gives man?

[@shecklermusic]

Well, that isn't really true. Many Songs were written for or around LD. Only the Good Die Young is a prime example of a song that changed and became a hit because of the suggestions by LD. Same with I go to extremes, Get it right the first time and many others. In fact, only one "hit" was recorded before LD was in the band and Piano Man was a modest hit at best. It wasn't until Turnstiles that Joel began making hits. Before you comment on his character vs Billy Joel look into his dismissal

[@paradidd]

Dude He;s not a hack..Come on, playing soft ain't his thing...I can play soft, I can play Jazz, big deal, I still dig the guys spirit and feel....That's all that matters in the end...Plus he's a very cool guy...

[@sgtpepper1138]

@robertnobody no doubt, I saw Billy in Nov. of 07. AMAZING show (plus I won the tickets off the radio) and his new drummer is a fine drummer........but c'mon, it's not the hard hitting Liberty. he's a monster on the drums. I think i'll do a drum cover of Angry Young Man tomorrow (if I get around to it)

[@onionsandsuch]

big man on mulberry street, the bridge, '86

[@jpcohen1978]

Billy shouldn't have gotten rid of Liberty!!

[@hatfez]

People give Liberty way too much credit for the success of Billy Joel. I like Liberty's style, but I bought a stack of Billy Joel CD's not to hear him, but to hear Billy Joel's songs and his voice. Taylor Hawkins is great, so is Chester Thompson, so is Mike Portnoy. Drummers, like all band members, often come and go. Liberty probably blew his money and wants far more credit for his part in the BAND that he deserves. Why isn't he in another band earning a living and stop complaining?

[@luvzpalin1]

interesting

[@hatfez]

"...taking any credit what so ever." Taking credit is one thing, taking Billiy Joel to court to sue him over rights to songs is quite another. I know how music works. I also know about facts. Google "Liberty devitto sues Billy Joel" if you want the facts.

[@shecklermusic]

I think you are underestimating the power of influence. This man was with Billy Joel for all but his first record. And I don't hear him taking any credit what so ever. I don't see him taking any song writing credit. He is talking about making music like any good studio drummer does. Learn how music works before making a statement like that.

[@deanwest2000]

Big Man on Mulberry Street.

[@hatfez]

Well, Jon, I guess we will have to agree to disagree. Billy Joel is the talent, while the other band members are the supporting cast. I dig LD's style, but he is not the reason I bought the albums/CD's. I guess that we can agree that the music is great! Be well, my friend

[@sgtpepper1138]

well shit, his "now ex" wife is younger then me, and I'm only 29.

[@hatfez]

That's all well and good, however, LD was paid to perform as a member of the band, which he did. If he felt that he was entitled to "producer/arranger" credit and more money, then he should have worked that out a long time before, not wait years later, trying like everyone else to stick his hand in Bill Joel's pockets. If you look at Billy's most popular songs, you will find very little of LD's influence. I like LD 's style as a drummer, but as to his character, I find him lacking.

[@bsew64]

billy Joel wouldn't of made it with out liberty Period!

[@TheTechHead]

nope...prelude/angry young man :-)