SHOWDOWN: Steve Gadd - Dave Weckl - Vinnie Colaiuta - THE LEGENDARY DRUM BATTLE

Buddy Rich Memorial Concert 1989 - Los Angeles - rebrushed in the Schnitterweg Studios Switzerland -
#stevegadd #daveweckl #vinniecolaiuta #drummerworld

[@derrickbadenhorst7329]

This is still one of the best drum showdowns. As much as I love Buddy Rich and as much as I love the younger, "athletic drummers" that come up with insane stuff, THIS right here is still the best one for me.

[@tonykart31]

I'm sure you didn't mean it to come out that way but Buddy Rich is an athletic drummer

[@johnnychua6738]

Wrong. THE BEST. not 1 of the best.

[@mikeelu6503]

Agree and there’s just so many great drummers and there will be more to come. All three old school offset love it. Sends chills through my body.

[@mikeelu6503]

So now at 69 years old I wish I stuck with my drumming not that I could imagine that I would have been this good. But had some much joy playing.

[@almo9004]

My favorite comment from the old video upload: "Three great drummers of course, but Steve Gadd really hits this one out of the park! He may not fire as many rounds per second as Vinnie or Weckl, but the depth of the pocket, the groove, the power, the sound, the ferociousness, the clarity. While Weckl and Colaiuta are aiming for the stars, Gadd is digging deep to the center of the earth!" - KZbin user Sean McMorris

[@ER-me1ii]

Ha! I remember that comment too ! Sean knocked it out of the park in the comments section. Watching this for the I don’t know how many times I’m struck with this. I’ll preface that Dave and Vinny are all time gods of drums however in agreement with the quoted comment there is something about Steve’s playing that I think had Vinny and Dave possibly panic a little bit? Like “oh shit how am I going to surpass what Steve laid down?” It’s almost like they were trying to shoot their entire load and to me Steve came across as the most confident drummer this round.

[@2earache]

@@ER-me1iiW and C were most definitely ‘shooting their technique load’ with headache-grabbing emphasis on single, double, five and all other stroke rolls hoping, like mud thrown at a wall, that they’ll stick!! Gadd, on the other hand, defeats the duo with his stress and accentuation on the ‘musicality’ of his approach! The winner takes all of course. But remembering that both Weckl and Colaiuta too have become significant contributors to the world of professional drummers to this point in time!

[@ER-me1ii]

@@2earache those 2 guys especially Vinnie are all time favorites of mine. In fact on my list I would have ranked them above Gadd but head to head we know what actually happened. Steve was the patient bull that got all the cows.

[@e-drummer2479]

DW: smooth. VC: Metal. SG: Groove. There is no “better” in that league.

[@miraclestudio9167]

Steve Gadd's cow bell should be in Museum. Hope every generation can see one day.

[@joneslt]

Dave Weckl’s opening was my favorite part of this

[@thenarrowlife2018]

He was smooth with it tho

[@syanhc]

Me too and this is my version of the me too movement.

[@Lehmann108]

I love Gadd, but Weckl's opening was incredible

[@DavisSchulz]

best drum battle ever, love it

[@chegalhavara1981]

Steve Gadd hit those drums like they owe him money.. Jeeesus.. Amazing show from 3 great drummers!

[@23ograin53]

Weckl's style just does it for me. So many colors, layers; all the subdivisions, syncopation, etc. Magic.

[@bosstrading928]

I'm in the same boat, he has everything. 😊

[@kieranbrain3733]

I agree. I love Vinnie and gadd,but weckls complex but smooth free flowing groove gets me every time. There all masters though 👏

[@bosstrading928]

​@@kieranbrain3733 Yeah, sometimes listening to both Vinnie and Gadd, it can be hard to make the argument who really is the greatest, but gun to my head, 100% it's Weckle. ❤

[@adamashforthdrums]

That’s funny I always remember thinking W got dominated in this battle. No insult to him (or your opinions) - just goes to show you how subjective drumming (and music) is!

[@jeremychurch5683]

I really think he's the best drummer out there, I watch so many people and when I come back to him it just feels like no one can touch the stuff he can do.

[@zombenut]

What makes me laugh is when you see these polls of the 10 best drummers, and these guys and Simon Phillips are never on it. Billy Cobham too.

[@MrDaveangelo1]

every now and then I come back to this video as a little treat to brighten up my day

[@michaelschneider-]

Oh,,, Copy that. .. had to have watched the entirety ten times. ..

[@CHABIEPORTNOY]

Weckl starts with a cymbal driven solo with rapid doubles Vinnie plays tom driven fast singles Steve Gadd be like: Here’s something for you kids

[@vinnienaccarato280]

spot on

[@JoEsp]

well, Vinnie's & Weckl's opening solos were improvised while Gadd's not. I've heard him played that a lot. It's called "Crazy Army".

[@marcomathamel6561]

It is impossible to decide the winner or the best. They are all 3 unique in their performance.

[@divad111352]

I still love Steve Gadd the most!

[@michaelschneider-]

Ditto ... And to think, sprung from an Army band. .. Vinny Colaiuta another one of the greats. .. "Crew Slut" .. Frank Zappa Band. ... / Jeff Beck Band. ..

[@bensinger6637]

I just love the way that guy yells: VI-NNAY!

[@moneybot646]

Vinnies toms are the best damn sound

[@burning4buddy639]

Got to love the Evans Hydraulic Heads. I have them on my Chrome over 9-Ply Maple original Slingerlands

[@jean-louishamid5285]

I really appreciate to watch this video now in better quality.

[@andreareverberi503]

All of them are incredible, but Gadd is stratospheric. He traces a path for the others!

[@Christopher-md7tf]

Only 8 minutes? I used to watch this all the time as a teenager and in my memory this thing was at least 15 mins long 😂

[@DaRenegade]

Same here bro lol. It’s like it never ended sometimes 😂

[@jeffe_77]

Vinnie killed it!

[@KMAN8599]

Steve is the time keeper..vinnie and dave fill the gaps ❤

[@MikeCeritto]

4:17 vinnies one hand tom drum kick a bomb 💣

[@Oddmoore]

One of the greatest displays of exquisite, otherworldly drumming. Absolute master's at their craft.

[@michaelschneider-]

+1. .. Copy That; "Exquisite" drumming.

[@powerbuilder1019]

I'm not a drummer, but I most definitely admire and prefer the guy with glasses and mullet on the farthest right side. (What's his name?) He has the best syncopation and the drum fills is simply mesmerizing, He's also the most technical of the three. You can also hear the "Ooohs and Ahhh" from the crowd after every time he finished his dazzling routine combo. What a drummer he is.🔥

[@yurobert3007]

His name is Vinny Colaiuta

[@powerbuilder1019]

@@yurobert3007 Thanks, Vinnie is the best!👌

[@RoccoSoundTube]

😏 This epic battle will never get old.

[@CNTIGS]

I used to watch this to death on VHS - incredible!!

[@JamesVandevanter]

That is a stunning jam.

[@ronaldopalamim3097]

TANKS DRUMMERWORLD... áudio, imagem, sem cortes no solo do Vinnie... sensacional

[@Eddie-hn5hp]

Weckl's Hair IS IN PEAK FORM IN THIS ONE

[@79steelymatt]

In my personal top 10 drummers all time

[@druzo26]

This video is the KZbin hall of fame!! A must watch!!

[@zendean5207]

I have to go with Dave Weckl on this one. Just so smooth. He plays his parts just a little smoother than the rest, yet with more speed and complexity.

[@jean-louishamid5285]

Wonderful dynamics!

[@dereckoneal5919]

I disagree. Dave couldn’t keep up with steve!

[@MidwestMiniatureGuy]

Each one playing Yamaha kits, Zildjian Cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks. Each with their own style, yet one amazing showdown. Butt Gadd was like, let me show you deep groove kids. Dang. What great performances from all three though.

[@Puesfale]

Maravilloso 👌👌

[@fp7106]

お三方共、YAMAHAでレギュラーグリップ！貴重な映像ですね。

[@user-fg5vg6hu3t]

しかも当時は三人ともシンバルがジルジャンという。

[@joechiocca8429]

I'm a guitar player, who has always wanted to play the drums as a kid, but it never happened. Now, thanks to hanging out with a very cool jazz drummer ( in our band), I got a practice pad, and am learning rudiments using the traditional grip. For me this is really powerful exhibition of the trad grip in action- wow! I have no fave here- all amazing and musical.😊😊

[@maynoldmoreno7888]

Damn!!! Vinnie 🥁🔥🔥🔥

[@robertoricci3393]

All of them are living legends but Vinnie's drum sound is the coolest

[@philiprea8340]

I know their all INCREDIBLE drummers but there`s something about Steve Gadd... just beautiful.

[@ronalddavidson9265]

Fabulous😊😮

[@RoryChapman]

Steve Gadd... Steve... Gadd.

[@divad111352]

Great drums

[@t3hgir]

I watched this entire video in a guitar lesson once. Didn't talk about guitar at all.

[@SamKoske]

Dave Weckl absolutely mogs here. Both inn terms of skill and musicality, just insane

[@johnnychua6738]

The 3 giant pillars of rhythm. Wish I could have the good fortune to see 'em live together.😢Sigh... only managed to see Mr odd time Vinnie thrice, Mr cool Gadd once. While they were in Singapore. I assume it must be electrifying to watch.

[@cazatalentos-vs7giCAZATALENTOS]

Stunning

[@streetsmartdrumming9567]

Vinnie !!! 🔥🔥🔥 Endless vision chops !!!

[@sixstarhorizon295]

This gets reposted a lot but I'm honestly okay with it

[@drumbar3790]

First comment! THE video that inspired me a lot since I first started learning drums! In different times of the journey I love different one of the three drum masters, currently everything about Steve Gadd!! XD

[@divad111352]

Steve Gadd is the bomb!

[@karmicprophecy4008]

Vinnie: a drum PhD drummers’ drummer Gadd: a bassists dream drummer Weckl: a poet’s drummer

[@MisanthropicAngler]

Important lesson in this video that you need not even pick up sticks to practice.

[@pepe7drum]

Vinnie is so different, he was ahead of his time

[@brotherdaryll1399]

My vibes are with my dude Steve Gadd...

[@harrisonrickit1308]

Simply the best

[@MrJacobThrall]

I'll never be able to play like any of these guys, obviously. The difference is that with Weckl and Colaiuta, I think "I can't play like that", but with Gadd, I think "I wish I could."

[@jamesrabic5380]

I love reading the debates and comments, it’s all personal preference because that’s 3 of top drummers on the planet in no particular order. But when this was recorded chops like this weren’t as common.

[@Lehmann108]

I think you need to be a drummer to truly appreciate the listening skills and profound musicality of these three "gods" of drumming.

[@james-p]

As a bass player (we spend an awful lot of time listening to drummers), I gotta go with Gadd. Man, that dude lays down a pocket that's a mile wide. Of course, I'd kill to play with any one of them. I couldn't argue with anybody who picks another as their favorite.

[@laurawitherington-om5re]

Big Big Weckl fan!

[@Project6.3]

I remeber first time seeing this video 13 years ago I went and got a pair of weckl signature sticks 😂

[@ChristianScott-hx1ut]

Zildjian and Yamaha were the D.W and Meinl of the day!😅 I think Gadd never changed endorsements, while Vinnie went on to Gretsch and Ludwig and back to Gretsch. Weckl into Sabian from Zildjian (closely related companies)But Steve stayed with Zildjian and Yamaha. I always find endorsements interesting, because, yes there is business involved, but the player needs to love his drums. They all have similar configurations (2 up, 2 down, 22 inch kicks) but heads and their identity shows how beautiful each player truly is. One of my favorite drum recordings on KZbin!

[@samuelmori3026]

Steve.....Gadd..... Groove Master!

[@michaelschneider-]

SMOKIN ...............

[@kieranbrain3733]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@catkeys6911]

Weckl, but only by a little smoother control.

[@syanhc]

It’s poetry. Still in this showdown - my money was on Weckl.

[@Wilem35]

I've always been pissed that I couldn't see Steve's snare. Curse the cameraman.

[@DREWSKIBOY1]

Opening solo from Vinnie is just vicious

[@yago23s17]

Does technique get much better than this? I'm not a drummer but I know these guys are some of the best.

[@bromasi]

Steve #1

[@bromasi]

Steve has more soul.

[@joaomatias4230]

100% TOP !!! 👍

[@FusionHowie]

Does this beyond incredible display inspire me or make me want to quit? WOW! This is when they were all baby monster drummers! WTF ??

[@shermanhatch2716]

Steve gadd one of the best!

[@GiuseppeCastro-so2zj]

😮

[@said7794]

Steve gadd ❤

[@marceopereira]

Those gentlemen proved to me that traditional grip can be played holding way back on the stick lol 😅

[@RB..1]

Gadd solos around rudiments.

[@anilkarahal4526]

Two virtuos 🔥 Vinnie and Weckl

[@pcworks3147]

Viinnie Colaiuta can play in the time signature of Pi

[@toddk8114]

Weckl by a mile. Of course the others are great but Weckl is the most gifted of the 3. Gadd by popularity and Vinnie is #2

[@MOHDHAZEWANBINABUHASSANHazewan]

Uncle Gadd.. the real gangster..

[@enjoyevan]

Weckl got him

[@GamingDrummer89]

All great, but my vote goes to Bill Lumbergh...er...Vinnie Colaiuta!

[@Gunnon1]

huono. oikeen huono.

[@Ryosuke324]

Final boss Carter Beauford

[@user-do3nd2jr5k]

Gadd is the only one playing music

[@charlieh7321]

gadd is easily the most lyrical, weckyl the grooviest and vinnie the most technically talented

[@soling3009]

Ничего не понятно но очень интересно 😂

[@MikeCeritto]

Does anybody know if Vinnie was using a double bass pedal there?

[@doctortubes5046]

I think i did not

[@RB..1]

Play those drums like you hate them.

[@slowneutron6163]

I need new underwear. Stat.

[@theavenger3363]

Weckl’s hair is as soulless as his playing ..

[@doctortubes5046]

...no sir, his style was and is the reference.

[@sandyfeetgore1405]

Even when I'm a big Vinnie Gadd fan ;-) and Buddy Rich imfluenced them obviously - Aaron Spears would have replaced them in one.