Ricky Lawson Throwback Thursday From the MI Vault 8/9/2007

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[@kristinbrown8460]

What a phenomenal drummer! Michael always had an eye out for great musicians. Ricky was one of them! Rest in Peace Ricky!

[@NikkiStixx86]

I miss Ricky Lawson!!!

[@-SpiderBrown-]

You can see hapiness in his face while playing, he's probably resting in the ''Drummer's Heaven'' right now!

[@noelghallager4672]

The stuff he did with Anita Baker will live in my heart forever. RIP to a guy with one of the greatest groove's ever... we love you RIcky

[@nordicsonofeurope5078]

I knew this man personally, and he is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met in my life! RIP Ricky

[@BiteMyShinyMetal4ss]

The sound of his drums in Michael Jackson's Dangerous tour in Bucharest is legendary! Especially that snare, I've never heard such a crisp snare with so much punch.

[@leontama5916]

Absolutely. That Snare sounded Unreal I can only imagine what it sounded like Live and through that Massive P.A🤘

[@grooveclinic]

We all miss you, Ricky.... 🙏

[@DJThePrince]

I do

[@james12erby43]

He played like he instinctively knew what every artist, group, or band needed the most .. R.I.P Ricky Lawson probably the greatest well rounded R&B drummer of all time, in my book!

[@dmgsoultogetherness6667]

Legend...whitney drummer too and a million others rest in peace brother

[@AndweleHarris]

Take notes kids. This is a man who could play any fill, any lick you could think of... but he's not overplaying in the start of thriller. He's playing what is required.

[@IAmKillEveryone]

Dude knows how to captivate a crowd and how to play FOR THE SONG, not for himself. Class.

[@djbullets5850]

ricky was a close friend of mine.miss him so much.god bless u buddy ❤️🤘

[@gcrichards1]

Proper drum clinic from a master player, always playing for the music. Not just a chop fest like they seem to be these days.

[@janetremsing6988]

R.I.P. Ricky Lawson.. Fantastic drummer!!!

[@edoardozampetti4601]

a fine class drummer Ricky Lawson...

[@nickwilton6822]

Pure musical taste on the outro. The bell cymbal pattern , the flam chops are brilliant

[@hermanmelville3871]

I studied with Fred Dinkins while at MI in the early 2000's. He spoke the world of Ricky and made me a lifelong fan in the process. Tragic loss to the music community.

[@biffdorkinton555]

Bless your memory, Ricky Lawson.

[@TheBrotherALJ]

As A Drummer, 1 Of The Highlights Of My Life Was Spying Ricky Lawson Out By The Concession StandsTalking 2 Someone He Knew As He Was The Drummer 4 The Steely Dan Tour In NJ. I Interrupted Him 2 Tell Him How Much I Appreciated His Skills & How I've Been Down With Him Since He Played On The Ubiquity Album Xspecially The Song "Midnight After Dark!!!" He Was Amazed I Even Knew This Record & Graciously Took Me & My Friend Will Backstage 2 Check Out His Setup & Speak With His Drum Tech Who Was Fine Tuning The Set 4 The Gig!!! He Signed Our Tickets, Gave Us Each A Set Of HIs Signature Sticks, Was Genuinely Interested In What Kind Of Stuff I Was Doing, Who I Was Into, & Quite Frankly Made My Day!!! Then He Saw Us Waving Furiously 2 Our Wives Who Had Spied Us Onstage & COULD NOT Figure Out How We Got There!!! This Man Said, "Let's Go Meet Them!!!" He Walked Offstage 2 Our Seats, Greeted Our Wives, & Treated Us Like We Were Long Lost Family!!! WHAT SOOPASTAR DOES THAT??? I Am 4ever & A Day Indebted 2 His Gratitude 2 Us & As Great A Drummer As He Was..., He Was A Far Greater Human Being!!! R.I.P. 2 This Rhythm King!!! He Was On Fire During This Show Delivering A Blazing Solo & I Still CANNOT Get Enuff Of His Live Performance Clips Playing With Michael Jackson!!! Just A Great All Around Man!!!

[@BBT609]

What a story! Honestly, Ricky is that person I would love to become and strive to be. Selflessness was a MAIN part of his character.

[@cbro777]

He played so crisp and flawless.

[@ItsBriiiiii]

sounds crisp and flawless.

[@speedoflite1]

relaxed neck 'n shoulders throughout, is not as ez as it looks. seriously

[@james12erby43]

He played like he instinctively knew what every artist, group, or band needed the most .. R.I.P Ricky Lawson probably the greatest well rounded R&B drummer of all time, in my book!

[@AndweleHarris]

8:00 when he was talking about what his uncle arranged, I lifted my hat

[@eddy71454]

His drumming on the first few Yellow jackets albums and Steely Dans Two Against Nature album were some of his best playing.

[@josiway]

He’ll always have a place in my heart.

[@AlbertoOlivieri]

what a Great Man and Drummer! R.i.p. Master..you will never be forgotten....

[@sticktrik]

You can see here how people gravitated to Ricky.. His personality was warm & charismatic! He played what was required for the music!! I can see why so many artists hired him!!!!

[@dannyboy1731]

so true also I love how he plays...he doesn't over play so to speak he just does what necessary

[@rhythmsaint73]

Ricky was dear friend of mine miss him everyday

[@DaGretschguy]

What a beautiful guy and player! Why did I not watch him until now?! What a tragic loss only 6 years later. I’m impressed that he actually discussed how much money he made with the various artists he played with.

[@wpochert]

Now THIS is a real drummer.. what a massive talent he was .. RIP

[@aridematos3555]

What a loss for the Music Industry.... What a beautiful soul with great musicianship. How humble a person with the highest pay in the industry can be admitting he knew he wasn't the best drummer

[@matyimolnardrums]

The drummer who tracking Sting's Fragile at drum clinic. There's no unnecessary chops, only music. Outstanding musician and amazing human being He was! Biggest inspiration.

[@hermanmelville3871]

+Matyi Molnár And the irony is that he had all the chops in the world.

[@DaGretschguy]

Matyi Molnár Agreed!!

[@lorenzmuller3542]

Did he record the song for the album LIVE?? :O

[@rachelguidacan9518]

@@hermanmelville3871 He was my neighbor...& The BEST DRUMMER IN THE WORLD.

[@stevenwilliams9425]

#1 of my top 3 fav drummers

[@DREWSKIBOY1]

Drummer for Michael Jackson live in Bucharest. One of the best DVDS on the planet

[@mjmaestro8891]

Actually He Was Drummer For Michael Jackson’s Bad World Tour And Dangerous World Tour

[@AndweleHarris]

@@mjmaestro8891 I was just about to say

[@herocinco5138]

Don't forget Wembley '88 also is one of the best

[@Matsi990]

@@mjmaestro8891 And he also played the drums in Mj and Paul’s song: Say Say Say, and was in Mj and friends in 1999. In my opinion I like more Ricky than Johnatan, but both are good ones!

[@mjmaestro8891]

@@Matsi990 Oh Yes You Can Tell Because On The Back Of His Bass Drum Head Was A Custom Remo Head Remo I C K Y

I worked at a hotel in New Jersey in 1988 and the Michael Jackson Bad Tour Band stayed at my hotel. I met Ricky and he was extremely nice and easy to talk to. He was a regular person who talked to strangers like they were his long lost friends. It's a shame he passed and he is missed.

[@stacyplant9327]

Ricky was one of a kind, monster player and so humble

[@raulrichards412]

The First time I became aware of Ricky Lawson, I was listening to WBGO 88.3FM in New York, they were playing "Regular Folks" by The Yellow Jackets.♫♪♫.♫ And I Remember the DJ, saying: That was from some not so Regular Forks... Russell Ferrante, Mark Russo, Jimmy Haslip, and Ricky Lawson.! better known as The Yellow Jackets.!!! Hook on them since(1985)./// Mark Russo and Jimmy Haslip left the Band.♣ And Ricky Lawson, pass-on (R.I.P.) ♪♪♪ Saturday, January 23rd.,2021 ♥

[@kingjoshua6775]

He was such a Great, beautiful, and precise drummer... unfortunately he's no more,,may his soul rest in peace.

[@lesvg87]

Go Ricky! Absolute genius

[@MeisterMusic71]

Great insights and a lot of groove, groove, groove!

[@regaltip8A]

Really nice to hear someone that is genuinely trying to help other drummers. Over the years I have emailed some of my favorite drummers some career related questions.....no answer. Yet the same drummers are the first to email their fans when they have a product to sell or raise funds on go fund me. RIP Ricky I highly doubt that you like that.

[@drummerboy1066]

Such a classy drummer, amazing pocket and a great guy. We miss you Ricky!

[@jasonbishop3097]

I had the privilege of working with Ricky on two tours and what he taught me lasts to this day. I miss Ricky so much! I have so many wonderful memories of him and his work ethic. We need more RL's in this World. LOVE YOU, Ricky!

[@cathyjordan6791]

Happy Birthday my brother. You will always be the BEST!!!!

[@juanvallejo8826]

RIP Ricky thank you for sharing your talent leaving your huge inspiration....

[@dhampex3631]

RIP Mr Yellowjacket and may you fly High!

[@llonia1]

AWESOME FEELING!!!

[@reneemickens3011]

Play those drums Ricky!!! You are so sorely missed. Your drumming legacy will be cherished forever. Gone to soon. RIP.......

[@permpress]

Ricky - taste, feel, execution...beautiful. Those drums sounded wonderful too. Ricky Lawson had it together for sure! Gone way too soon.

[@richardbrook3555]

I love this. A proper masterclass.

[@calebparker25]

I knew how great he was , but i had forgotten just how great he really was . He had everything . I would have loved to see him play hard rock . I'm serious . He was an innovator. His approach to me , was the key .

[@vincentatwood234]

The first time I heard of Ricky was when he was with the Yellow Jackets, R.I.P. Ricky.

[@brettnewmandrums]

Wonderful musician.... Incredible groove..... Legend

[@stephennagy6675]

Thank you for posting, Ricky was an amazing drummer and it's always interesting to here your favorite drummers talk, I always enjoyed watching him play with Michael Jackson and Phil Collins, he was always smiling when he played, long live Mr Lawson.

[@fess04]

Rickey is my hero......what class.....what genius!!!!

[@calvintrainer1212]

Talk about deep pocket with more than enough spare changes (chops when needed). I love it

[@celsoescobar9630]

If you do not have time to see everything, go directly to 44:55 to see his best solo.

[@MikeWalshDrums]

I could listen to him player over this Thriller Track all day!!! So musical and the feel is as good as it gets! He ain’t messin around there!

[@allisternaidoo3923]

Thanks for uploading. Always a pleasure watching Ricky....R.I.P Mr. Lawson......Thanks for all the great music.

[@Butt_naked_drummer]

Touch smooth as butter! Gah dam

[@BillyRamirez]

Rest in peace, Ricky!

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Seen this before but Made my day today!!!!!! bless you Ricky!!!!!

[@tobstobio]

Anita Baker brought me here! Man! What a cat! They don't make 'em like they used to. Cats like Ricky are treasures.

[@bluespig1]

RIP Soul man.

[@pa.laubel3696]

He is so humble. So empathic. Love his positive attitude to learning. All said he has perfect timing and a great feel.🙏

[@cookie135]

A true professional.

[@jonathanjuarez5707]

Thriller 😍

[@lucasbahia254]

Teacher Lawson!🙏🏼

[@JulianFernandez]

such a great feel

[@mezdrums]

Beautiful!

[@funklover24]

His playing is definitely extra-class. One of his best records is "Casino Lights" with Al Jarreau, Randy Crawford, Mike Mainieri, Robben Ford, David Sanborn, Neil Larsen and others, videos from that live-performance are on YT. RIP Ricky Lawson, we miss you.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

I first heard him on Robben Ford’s Inside Story. Great playing and chemistry. Yellowjackets as a logic movement and then on to the big gigs with Madonna and Michael Jackson. He had the biggest pocket And was a natural talent!

[@erikondrums]

This was sooo good!

[@user-tq4bu5ff3h]

So fluent so dynamic - floats

[@tomycavalera6748]

very beautiful drumming

[@andreafratini107]

this incredible beat

[@TheNelsonmonteiro]

Sting's Fragile was quite something!

[@langitrafi]

He can play so enjoy :)))))

[@psalmsurfer1]

THATS CALLED POCKET!

[@larrybutler8965]

What you don’t when you first hear the songs and many years afterwards. I was hearing the story told Greg Phillinganes and he told Ricky being his friend growing up in Detroit. Ricky was going to try out for Stevie Wonders band and wanted Greg to record something on tape. Greg got the gig but Ricky didn’t so Roy Ayers wanted him.. What a great story of how these two came together.. Love these stories.. LB November 2021

[@pesqui9537]

Truly inspiring musician and human being. Anyone knows the song that he plays after Sting's one, I listen to it over and over again...thanks for share his music

[@alejandroavb]

Sencillo pero poderoso ese feeling

[@gelyukboodoo]

thank you for sharing this!

[@psalmsurfer1]

THriller melody almost had a southern baptist Church feel lol

[@Kritikateur]

God Bless Him.....Instead of Ricky Lawson I would rename this Legend: Ricky Awesome! RIP Ricky and God bless you for your Great Contribution to Art, Drumming and Inspiration to all drummers and to Music Industry. Carus Alambra :-(

[@andrewyka]

Sands good!!!

[@ValentineMJ]

Is there a higher quality recording of this anywhere?

[@xbeast666]

Ohhhh please

[@jrjr227]

r.i.p~2013,,,,,

[@johncollins5552]

I wrongly assumed it was Moffet that played these tight, slick Jackson tracks. Ricky was so great.

[@ValentineMJ]

Moffett played on the Destiny, Triumph, Victory and HIStory tours, he was supposed to be on This Is It.

[@vaughnchauncy8360]

I have 2 cds by him and friends..I had never heard of him at the time and didn't know he was a drummer til read musician credits on an anita baker album...how about that

[@ssandman1100]

Ricky IS dynamite. And I don't for get any equipment and I Am on Time!

[@Spuck1983]

Well at least he's a machine.

[@CoverCriticShane]

I wonder if he is just jamming to the tracks or if he has every beat memorized and can play the same exact thing twice. That would be pretty amazing.

[@sbconsult]

CoverCritic Shane OMHO... He knows the songs well and has probably played them before in some form. If not he'd be reading charts as he played them. With that in mind... he is jamming but with structure.... He knows what he wants to play but can change any and everything at a moments notice based on what he's feeling at the moment. Ricky will always be one amazing groove machine. Nobody was more fluid in feel, time and taste! :-)

[@CoverCriticShane]

sbconsult Was?

[@sbconsult]

CoverCritic Shane Sadly yes. He passed away December 23, 2013 from a brain aneurysm. A great loss musically and to humankind! But I find comfort when these losses happen by remembering the words of piano great Jos Zawinul of Weather Report regarding the passing of Jaco Pastorius... "Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it was!" www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/12/25/ricky-lawson-drummer-aneurysm/4198717/ If you want to see Ricky in action there's a wonderful documentary on Hulu of Nathan East creating his first solo album project ever. One of THE best bass players in the world chose two drummers for his first project ever... Vinnie Colaiuta and of course Ricky. That just about says it all in my book on how good Ricky's was. It's called "Nathan East: For the Record (2014)" It was free to view when I last checked... hope it still is.

[@jameshtj]

Does anybody know the title of the track he was playing around 37:00 ~ 39:00 ?

[@funklover24]

That's "Fragile" by Sting. Great song! The next song is "Curve Ball" by Rick Braun.

[@starlightsign8666]

Back in the day I remember well his and Francis’s drum duet! Ricky proved Francis could not keep time and all those chops meant nothing!

[@james12erby43]

Really wow ..

[@alvaroalpucheojeda3857]

Muchos conocemos a Ricky Lawson por ser el baterista de Michael Jackson en la Gira del Bad Tour

[@AndweleHarris]

Hey I'm a Jamaican who doesn't really understand band slangs (especially American ones)... Who/what are 'cats' ?

[@funklover24]

Excellent musicians. 😉

[@pputnam100]

Did he play with MIles ever?

[@brummittcameron1519]

But I thought Jonathan (Sugar Foot) Moffett was Michael's main session and concert drummer.

[@waynegordonhouk]

315

[@jims6274]

Needs more cowbell

[@RIKDDY]

the knowledge at 26:25