Performance Spotlight: Steve Smith

[@Procyon58]

As a metal head and a drummer, this literally changed my way to approach to drums and inspired me deeply.

[@marshall221000]

RIP VIC FIRTH. I came here when I heard the very sad news- the opening section is a beautiful tribute to the man. Beautiful sounding drums, flawless french timpani grip.

[@CamerOneiric]

His snare chops and flow from rudiment to rudiment is so seamless and dynamically fluid.

[@alexandremello6913]

One of the most technical drummers ever. And his respect for jazz and tradition is beautiful and inspirational.

[@ericmetzger7004]

How does he make the drums sound so good with those Remo Black Dots?! I'm amazed. Truly one of the greatest drummers of all time.

[@joesantamaria5874]

Eric Metzger those heads are on more classic records than you can count.

[@adan2374]

The groove he plays at 7:05 along with the rest of them is one of the main reasons advanced jazz is probably the hardest style of music to play (well) on drums in terms of skill. It takes so much time and effort along with hours upon hours of practice. Literally all four ligaments can be doing something completely different and in various time signatures simultaneously. I have so much respect for Steve Smith that guy is simply a master at what he does!

[@adityatyagi4009]

What's also great about Steve Smith is that he explores how to apply Indian rhythm concepts to the drumset. I don't think any other drummer is doing that.

[@adityatyagi4009]

Also check out Pete Lockett. If you have not heard of him, PL is one of the world's most amazing percussionists and quite literally plays everything. Steve Smith holds him in the highest regard. In fact, SS takes lessons from him!

[@EthanTheGoalie]

***** Danny Carey, drummer from tool does it to some degree.

[@adityatyagi4009]

Yes, Danny Carey does somewhat. He has studied tabla and Indian rhythms with Alok Dutta.

[@adan2374]

***** Speaking of Indian rhythms are you familiar with Trilok Gurtu?

[@joesantamaria5874]

I love the way he smiles broadly when he gets a riff he’s been practicing right. He nails it, then smiles.

[@blanno1]

Steve Smith... Now that's huge... Two words easy to say, almost impossible to be that much awesome in drums!!! One of the best from all time!! I can get enough of this video!!

[@michaelmaier7262]

Steve Smith just exudes musicality. I don't know any drummer that demonstrates such smoothosity (yes, I make up words).

[@unclerhombus]

What an animal. Such a musical solo, executed with flawless technique.

[@yostich69]

I saw Steve and his band in Utica, NY a few years ago. I have been a fan of his drumming since the age of 12. Typically, I am typically a very outspoken person but that night, during the band's first break, Steve came over to sign autographs and speak with fans. He was standing right beside. I looked him directly in the eye and said nothing. I had a million things to say but I was struck dumb on the spot. I sure wish I had that moment back to let him know what an influence he has had on me.DUH!

[@wilsinhobatera]

This is the most beautiful one man drum solo I've ever heard. This is unique, My english is poor, I can't quite explain my tought on this act. It's just sublime. Stuff like this and "Two for one" from the Vital Tech Tones album are rare to find, and absolutly amazing to listen to.

[@MusicWorker]

Dear Steve... I love you, I started watching you here in Russia many ears ago - when I was a kid - and now I've noticed that we're all get old together... health to you!! you the gratest drummer in the world!

[@Taikomaniac]

Luv Steve's posture, grace and elegance of his strokes in his playing. The height of his Moeller and shoulder release is great. The mirror IS THE BEST FRIEND of any drummmer getting the greats technique down right

[@ricmmatias]

MAGESTIC! One of the few that holds you for 10min without making you wish they never had a snare in the first place!

[@ntfd125]

I'm going to watch these performance spotlights all night. Really enjoy them.

[@rhythmista7707]

I simply love loves when he just changes rhythms and goes into the shuffle.. superb..

[@TheLeafSurfboards]

This is the best drum solo i've ever heard! From the tuning of the kit to the absolute mastering of technique and the incredible phrasing and soulfulness ! Steve you're one my idols!

[@SixTenVisuals]

Steve has always been a excellent technical hitter with nice tom grooves that I've never heard anybody else do. Always a fan of his.

[@CalTalbot]

That was incredible Steve. Well, he likely doesn't answer or read these, "does he" ??? Steve Smith has been one of my favorite drummers for the past, well,..?...?...?..I guess about 30 yrs now. He is one of the first drummers I learned from because I have some videos of his drumming and interviews, etc. He is just "so" melodic and plays with such finesse, he's truly phenomenal on the kit. God Bless Steve, thanks for the solo. I am soaking it up like a sponge. Never too old to learn.

[@ViralDrums]

immense talent in this man, I never get bored of watching him play. that is the perfect example of great creativity.

[@drumstudio2000]

great tony' s reminiscences on the intro and on the heads...great solo!

[@danialdevostmusic]

i absolutely admire everything about steve smith. he is so melodic yet has amazing groove, technically masterful and makes his drums sound like some of the best in the world today

[@mdrumscarter]

Ok it's 2am here in Tampa....I can't stop watching this! Steve is such a master...been my favorite drummer since I 1st saw him in 1978. Thanks for all the great drumming Steve!

[@Taikomaniac]

For me Steve Smith is the greatest set drummer of all time. Not just on his versatility as a player or the personal level skill growth, physical endurance and intensity or even a great teacher. He's been a Rock Star a Big Band Leader, a Studio session Player, a clinic master,Global ethnic musician a businessman economically successful and a family guy. Not one single musician i could think of in all forms of music is respected the way Steve Smith is Family guy etc etc etc

[@santafejboy2]

Steve Smith is the greatest living drummer today - Flawless technique and great style!

[@TheLokart85]

The timing is as perfect as anything I've ever seen. It is a perfect example of what drummers should aspire to be

[@milesmilesmiles27]

Absolutely love this solo. I legitimately laughed the first time he hit his ride though. I just wasn't expecting it to sound quite like that.

[@BENNYB-ze4dw]

absolutely flawless. the drum rolls are just insane. Bravoo Mr. Smith

[@fgilmont]

his fluidity on the toms is just insane. and the patterns are so musical. love it.

[@naccibobacci]

Always a pleasure to watch Steve Smith play.

[@jhutton10]

I have loved the drums all my life and wish I could play them but then I see guys like this and think "why?". I would never ever come close to the skill set they have. Great solo!!

[@tdrum21]

You can see how much of an influence Tony was to Steve here. What a great solo and performance!

[@pawelmorrison]

Wow. I think i`ve just discovered a new meaning of "tastefull playing"

[@mrmogensen]

Paweł Morrison The "Enigmatic Ocean" (jean luc ponty) Album is for you then, Steve shines on that record

[@shaitesler8751]

After all the years that past i still cant belive this drum solo...

[@drummerherbert]

I just smile every time I watch this guy drum.

[@davidboatwright5701]

Journey and Juilliard and thousands of hours behind a set of drums. Steve has been a great drummer for many years

[@LinkMasterRated]

.........his double bass rolls....buzz...flam taps....i must go master the art of rudiments! i love you steve ! amazing!

[@tatusko]

The thing that is wonderful about watching Smith is that we're not watching a bunch of tricks, but music being made.

[@brenmangood]

Definitely some of the sickest drumming I've ever seen!!!

[@jmdrummer7]

Been a Steve Smith fan since the early 80's w/ Journey. Still have the 1st Vital Information record on vinyl.

[@StephenCoorlas]

Wonderful! Great spectrum of styles and sounds, A joy to listen to.

[@SkuddMudd]

Fantastic solo. And soothing apparently. My daughter finally fell asleep, thanks Steve !

[@2rkolle]

listening for 12x times.. thats fantastic!!!

[@drumdude46]

very nicely executed series of 'swiss triplet's..... moved around the tom surfaces. then he introduces a nice bass drum ostinato, complimenting the pulse he's laying down up top. steve smith: like a fine wine. eloquent. dynamic. tasteful. stunningly powerful, when he decides to unleash. this man is the hallmark, nay, the ambassador of drum style, etiquette, charm, understatement, and pure savvy.

[@matheusferreira7229]

Watching this is like having a full time lesson. Thanks Steve!

[@BackLooking]

The toms sound so beautiful!!!

[@vananon51]

Best solo I have ever seen!!!

[@felipemontoya7772]

One of my favorite drummer of all the time!!!...He´s a blessed man!!!

[@MrBeblis]

One of my favorite drummers, amazing stick control,, wow,

[@timsears6742]

One of my all -time fav drummers. Whether it be Rock,Jazz,Eastern Music whatever!! LOL!! the man is a flippin' genius!!!

[@FullContactDrummer]

ABSOLUTELY GENIUS!! Loving the swiss-triplets at the front and flam-taps at the end. This kids is why you learn rudiments!!

[@krazydruma1]

wow and he does it with ease....truly amazing !

[@iasibey1]

i finally understand this solo after watching ti the second time. great work steve

[@Cjzdrums]

Such a talented drummer !! God bless you Steve

[@filutze2112]

love the mallets Steve. I think I might listen to this again.

[@KennethKBBenson]

This why he is my Fav. Drummer!! Nobody can touch him!

[@KONAMAN100]

What a solo! Just fantasticamo. So original. Sticksman of the first order plus. I can only imagine what he could of done had he removed the draft excluder.

[@lyechoonkhoo2891]

Steve always has a way of dancing with his drums!

[@tor2112]

OMG! I think I am going to be sick! That was absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!!!

[@rothdrums]

that is amazing. very inspiring thank you

[@Snarician]

Dear God, that was unbelievably groovy and creative.

[@zappalniczka6306]

Another master class drummer. In his drumming listening melody, rhythm and a story. Listening it is like reading a book Mr. Smith can tel as a lot...

[@robwestndrumr7648]

Just amazing. Melodic AND technical.

[@agus0395]

lo mejor de lo mejor de lo mejor.. este tipo es lo mejor que le paso a mis ojos y oídos, por favor steve venite a argentina el sueño del pibe es poder verte en vivo

[@ash-plays-drums]

Apologies I think the start is awsome I love great Tom work watching videos like this is great an gives me a lot of ideas that I can take an use in my own playing

[@MrTheking19951]

One of my new favorite drummers now!!!!!

[@drumfanatik316]

It's awesome!!!! Ha, I'm kidding, I kid!!! Yeah right! I wish!!! Steve is the man, one of the greats, just flawless!!!

[@AquaAnim]

This is why I got into drumming, my favorite drummer!

[@enape42]

So musical. He make's it look effortless

[@MikeHoltackers]

his sound is just epic.. so natural

[@kallewille]

It's a shame I can only "like" this once.

[@bennyslope]

Steve Smith, Danny Carey, Gavin Harrison. If these three played together, I think the world would end. And I would love every second of it...

[@OffRoader1287]

bass drum alone is a drum set for steve. Marvelous!!

[@adan2374]

Haha yea and don't even get me started on his hi-hat solo. If you haven't seen it you need to. It makes me want to quit playing drums forever...

[@jimmylemessurier332]

awesome playing and always so musical, the man is a DON!!!

[@xposehu]

Awesome drummer! I saw him live some 20 years ago in Hungary, amazing!

[@bhuwansachdeva100]

brilliantly beautiful drumming...

[@cyclonewt]

Among the best technicians to hold sticks and among the best musicians to sit behind the kit

[@bennyslope]

Sonor's drums sound so beautiful to the point where it makes me not want to play on any other brand of kit. And the way Steve plays them just amplifies that

[@btsdrummer1]

He had said he started using them again because he always loved how Tony Williams drums sounded from using them. Big compliment to Tony.

[@BasicDrumTechniques]

Steve Smith truly defines the art of drumming.

[@rankest2390]

a monster!! amazing performance

[@musicof70s]

One word, INCREDIBLE !!!!!!!!!!

[@adamw.2864]

amazing! the kit sounds great too.

[@marsgvoxxsanchez8289]

steve is so impressive wd doubles, uses criss creoss paradiddles, to make an illusive linear like latin percussion, very illusive and most importantly clarity is his trademark

[@edgarmyers3854]

Always great!!

[@lucidcreamin]

one of the greatest

[@larkydozer]

Both of those ride cymbals sound amazing.

[@vananon51]

WOW!!! That was AMAZING!!!

[@ryanlindforsdrummer]

Johnny Rabb coined the pitch bend fulcrum roll. Steve does a great job as well! Awesome drummer.

[@СергейГорбачев-я3г]

The best solo I’ve ever heard

[@sixcliff]

this video had me in a trance. love it

[@EliezerMercado1975]

Definitely one of my favorite drummers.

[@weber247]

I'm glad he is touring with Journey, it's only right that he is getting some much deserved attention and he is speaking like a wise elder now, distinguished gentleman.

[@BassmanII]

Journey fans who've seen Steve's old style are being treated to his more fluid, musical approach to the drums today. Even his double kick Sonor SQ2s reflect that.

[@JamesLongPDX]

8:41 is just sick. For you drummers; this is what watching Allan Holdsworth feels like to us guitar players.

[@MEGAMIGA]

Excellent solo!

[@peaceandpocket]

Masterful

[@lordgiusti96]

an absolute genius!!

[@TheChrisYeah]

That snare drum sounds freaking incredible.