Steve Gadd plays legendary '50 Ways' drum groove

Steve Gadd turns 75 today (April 9, 2020), and we celebrate it with this unique footage of him playing his iconic groove of '50 Ways to Leave You Lover' and playing a drum solo over it.
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More Steve Gadd on Drummerszone:
Steve Gadd live at North Sea Jazz Festival 2019
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Steve Gadd explains 'Late in the Evening' groove with two drum solos
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Steve Gadd lays down a fundamental Disco groove
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Watch how Steve Gadd stays in shape with these flam exercises
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Watch Steve Gadd sing and play Bye Bye Blackbird
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Steve Gadd's new album and a drum solo from The DZ Vault
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The photos
Check Steve Gadd's artist page on Drummerszone for all the 85(!) photos from this evening:
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[@michaelandcolinspop]

Steve is such a master. The thing I’m always amazed by is how he can be just ripping through a sluffed fill, rest at an unexpected point, resume on a shifted beat, then do it again and arrive back on the original downbeat into a linear groove. It’s just cool.

[@stephenslater412]

The GOAT... every thing he played on was better because of him.

[@johnz4412]

Steve is proof that learning drum rudiments never goes out of date. He takes them to an amazing level, and always is SO in the pocket!

[@snorhyveln]

No one can trash out a groove in the way He does and like an atomic clock keeping it! Awesome!

[@rellis3940]

Great drummer's are born not made.

[@NotDingse]

@@rellis3940 that’s a real bad attitude, sir

[@rhythmista7707]

I never get tired of watching this man drum. He'll always show you something new even if he plays the same thing over and over.. Absolute master.

[@JamesM1868]

One of a kind. Yet another reminder of why he’ll always be one of my favorite drummers.

[@briansis1]

Greatest drum intro of all pop music. Hands down. And carries it like a fragile egg through the entirety. So softly, so gently, with such care and precision. Mind blowing.

[@funklover24]

Steve starts playing and immediatly there is a smile in my face. ❤

[@malcspring448]

Bloody amazing. Such an iconic drum part. Jawdropping.

[@drummerszone]

Thank you! It absolutely is. This one with Steve is from last year at the North Sea Jazz festival.... his own show, and where he just fully supports his own band - for the music. One of our favorite drum lessons to watch! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZzbnoxvqciof9E

[@rtanidean4931]

Mr flamadiddle. The groove master. Always humble watching him.

[@user-ox3pe2vr8k]

Professor!He's not knocking,he's playing drums!Great musician!Long live Steve!👻☮️

[@loslobos9461]

I recently learned from a Donald Fagan interview that apparently Paul Simon was recording Fifty Ways and was struggling with the drum part. Steve was at the same recording studio practicing this beat. Paul called him over and the rest is history.

[@stefan65]

Like them both !!

[@finlayhedges8855]

Learnt it in my drum lessons and that was the first thing my teacher said about it! Genius

[@mickavellian]

And Gadd was just doing this groove ? Just for the hell of it ???? you just do NOT come up with THAT groove. The likely story is that Gadd heard the melody and hung the groove under it. Serendipity does not work this way in music. This was a CLEAR collaboration

[@loslobos9461]

@@mickavellian I guess Donald Fagan's recollection is incorrect. lol

[@loslobos9461]

@@mickavellianSounds plausible.

[@NothingMaster]

No one could quite match the same sound on this tune, or anything else that he plays. LEGEND.

[@bobbysands6923]

This was one of those grooves that captured you immediately. I remember when I first heard it back in 1975. I was a junior in HS. I picked-up the album, not knowing this tune was on it, or who Steve Gadd was. I heard the riff I was hooked. I woodshedded it, and I remember finally being able to play it. It was one of those riffs that drummers had to learn in order to be cool. It's a great memory, and I can't tell you how lucky I feel knowing I grew up in that era.

[@coalcreeker583]

As he originator of 50 ways, he can play it any way he damn well pleases and he’s always correct.

[@mattigrooves7843]

Effortless & with such Grace !

[@EmreCanKorkmaz]

I've seen people having a harder time walking straight and looking like they are not supposed to be walking, you know, somewhat unnatural or odd. However, Stevie playing drums looks incredible smooth like it's his natural body movement behavior, he flows, like they've both evolved for this porpose, they're made for each other. Perfection!

[@craigm.9070]

Always a joy listening to Steve Gadd work in the boiler room! Just think about how many times he has laid down this particular beat over the last almost 50 years. Amazing drummer.

[@BigWesLawns]

That guy ages like a fine wine!

[@daveb9370]

His touch and stick control is amazing.

[@Buddythunder1]

No-one else sounds like Gadd. No-one.

[@santhoshcherukat4180]

What a groove simply love it and his xpertize

[@billyost1479]

I so love the drumming to the song. It's epic.

[@redcrabsc1149]

Happy belated birthday, Steve- your drumming is wizardry!

[@jasonpinson8755]

Heck yeah!!!!!!!!!my mom used to tear this up on her record player.

[@pspicer777]

Best to your mom JP.

[@starttodrum685]

What a fantastic groove. This is fun to see him play it. Thank you for posting this! Kenn

[@drummerszone]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@countzero1972]

Steve you are the real deal man!

[@nikcrosina]

it is sop great to see him play that with the hihat closing instead of the stick hitting it, such a subtle difference that makes it so much more intricate. And bloody hard to copy ;) I also love how Steve can play at a level that does nto require earplugs and still amaze with his dynamic range ...

[@Rifle56]

And he wraps it up by saying…. “if I can do it you can do it”. He’s a real encourager…. and as humble an artist as there is.

[@matteoprog2298]

A living idol

[@bassistdc]

Such a cool drum groove from such a cool guy!

[@stevehazlewood2960]

that is just unwordly playing, so subtle and so fluid.

[@TheJwolf1101]

Man goes primal 2:50 for a bit then quickly regains his composure.

[@ethanmorse9148]

lol seriously

[@stevemoser6268]

Gadd is a monster. One of the greatest ever.

[@mr.lindsaymcdonald2065]

Gotta love it!!!

[@patrickeripret5079]

Wonderful, respect.

[@alexismontel2084]

Iconic pattern of the legendary Steve Gadd, fallen down in it ,I Never climbed up away ! 😄😄👍🤘🎸🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

[@farmerkevin]

This song in Concert in Central Park had the best drum sound ever. I believe Paul gave him props for his playing at the end of the song. Incredible.

[@joshlawrence8091]

Yup! “Stevie Gadd on the drums”

[@farmerkevin]

@@joshlawrence8091 HBO played this show a thousand times back in the 80s, I saw it at least 100 times. So awesome.

[@maribelnieves6530]

Simply extraordinary 🥰👍

[@genewilliams617]

An absolute master!

[@FadjarMoeljarto]

Not just only speed, we need more relaxe to breathe.. Gadd master groove 🥁🔥🙏🇮🇩

[@steveec9704]

Steve has an incredible bass pedal groove

[@fredoguzman]

After hearing so many covers, the closest and maybe more defined performance of this groove is found here! Steve (MF) Gadd, the man, the myth, the LEGEND!

[@joemcmahon8103]

Well, he is the creator of the groove…

[@dominikhofer_drums]

It‘s amazing how effective this groove is on the record. I’ve just uploaded my own version of it. Once you try it you realize that it takes a long time to get it right. Still, there is no one that can do it like the master himself.

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

love it!!

[@billx4266]

I learned to play 50 ways... Was a big talent in my youth. Started at 6 years old, and stopped for being a rebel at 18.... Now im 50 and i sooo regret that i stopped....

[@chezchezchezchez]

Don’t regret anything. Start up again.

[@ronmasters751]

All-time best marching music!

[@robertstevens1287]

Damn, that was cool! I heard it!

[@studapeppahead5384]

SICK

[@TheCatnipCinema]

Iconic

[@mick4k]

ótimo conteúdo, continue assim

[@leodagan7438]

wow !

[@Mars-]

Special subtle things make this beat special . And I have seen ppl try to teach it and while they get the pattern they usually miss the subtle stuff. One may get the patterns and sequence down but the crucial factor with drummers like Gadd is Feel. There are lots of subtle things he does here. One is the syncopated floating feeling contrasted with the solidity of the beat. For the floating feel of the groove Gadd plays the silence in little split seconds For example, watch the timing and feel between the 1st and 2nd hi hat and snare hit. That split second of pause and places the hits to come right behind the beat and creates an awesome feeling of a" floating groove." The timing is so crucial . Gadd is great at timing and playing silence . And so in my opinion,in order to really make things SOUND properly the right feel has to be there otherwise it may sound similar but it won't catch the PULSE that makes it unique.🌟

[@allrequiredfields]

And crucial subtle hits behind the beat and that's the kind of stuff you just can't map out - you've just got to intuit that feel or you just don't have it.

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

Master

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

So that's how. Instead of playing an instrument you just hit the drums. That's not supposed to be too complicated. Kidding. This is genius.

[@baroquer]

THE COOLEST drummer that I've ever seen 0_o

[@wujekjerry1188]

This is the most musical drum solo ever

[@flugplatz21]

Gadd's always are. I've played a while, and I hate drum solos. I love Gadd's drum solos. They're rooted in the groove, while going on a journey and back.

[@CarlHamilton1914]

Wow, he makes it look sooo easy but it’s sooo easy to get it wrong too!

[@mu_sic_da_sound1281]

I’m learning this song and it’s very tricky to play it smoothly like gadd does.

[@imBestefar]

Goat

[@martinsiepman]

Woww❤

[@bobbabai]

Perfect, just as I remembered it (until the flourishes about a minute in, anyway).

[@RonCarterBassist]

🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@mikezisk5009]

Simon must have loved it!

[@rodolfoperalta5180]

Black hoops, very metal Mr Gadd

[@darrenfromla]

Gadd learned that groove from me

[@andrewmiller4573]

Some damn day, I'm gonna learn 50 ways! I promise you!

[@drummerszone]

Maybe this one will help you! Russ Miller explains how Steve actually plays it in our lesson series with Russ: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6LRg3lrprGsnNU

[@flugplatz21]

And the the Poor Tom groove by Bonham. Sounds not TOO hard. After 33 years, I still can't get close.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Hunh!?!🤔 I thought he was doing like a one-handed Purdie Shuffle type thing with the left hand on the snare and 16ths on the hi-hat with the right hand. Interesting. As a non-drummer but someone who enjoys drumming I would never have guessed the pedaled hi-hat on the 1. This Gadd shuffle is right in that pantheon of soft pocket-solid groves like 'Babylon Sisters', 'Fool In The Rain' and 'Rosanna'.

[@drummerszone]

So awesome you noticed this! We just published a lesson with Russ Miller where he explains and demos Steve Gadd's magical moves in tricks like this. Russ really nails Steve's work here: drummerszone.com/education/fundamental-drum-tutorials-russ-miller/10673-2288-13546/course/ ps. the entire course is free for all!

[@iTellaThePun]

I spent 50 hours getting the highhat chick in this groove as a teen. Damn you Steve Gadd :)

[@gentlegiant171]

Casually smashing out a jam that would make most drummers piss themselves in fear

[@fp7106]

どちたちちたちどどん…。 っとぅる。 1982年、初めて聴いた時は衝撃的でした！

[@keltacuk8112]

I've been "air drumming" for 45 years and I'm still crap!!!!.....Never give up.x

[@aliasincognito0]

“Haha, who told you I can tap dance? I’ll show you later. Anyways, this is 50 ways.” This is like the drummers version of Oasis’s Wonderwall.

[@TheMrCC21]

NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.

[@dwayneaguiar1148]

🥁😎🥁

[@charlietrece7958]

It seems so easy when a natural like Steve plays that marching band beat. It’s not!

[@magneto7930]

I would love to know if the drum groove was a suggestion by Paul Simon or if he came up with the entire part on his own, because he certainly didn't receive any writing credit for the one most important part that really makes the song.

[@whiskersb5296]

He came up with the whole thing. It’s considered part of the arrangement, rather than writing the song itself. Happens lots of times with the top studio musicians- they end up writing the part that ends up being the hook and makes the song a hit.

[@gasaholic47]

Whiskers B When Gadd was inducted into the Rochester Hall of Fame at Eastman, Paul Simon was a surprise guest. As Simon told the story, he had this song and was still working out certain things. They were in the studio with Gadd, Tony Levin, and producer Phil Ramone. Gadd was drumming on a drum pad, this marching band kinda thing, and Simon liked it. He told Gadd, “Let’s give this a shot.” The rest is history.

[@andrewmiller4573]

Let's forget about 50 ways, if that's EVEN F'ING POSSIBLE???? I'm assuming that everyone here is a drummer? The lone "half open hat" on the beginning of the second verse of "Still Crazy ?" Am I the only drummer alive that notices this ONE FUCKING NOTE?

[@magneto7930]

It's always a debatable situation. Almost always the composer of the song brings it in and the musicians work out an arrangement, although it's credited solely to the composer. I'm thinking of the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida with that mile-long drum solo which showcases the song, but the drummer received no writing credit.

[@gasaholic47]

@@magneto7930 If You type in "Steve Gadd Rochester Music hall of Fame" into KZbin, you can see video of Paul Simon telling the story I described above.

[@dbsti3006]

The same drummer in Eric Clapton's "I shot the Sheriff."

[@breakbeat_hardcore]

i love when he went prog at 1:23

[@Gretsch0997]

Comparatively to martial arts. Steve’s execution is that of drunken master

[@douglasbroccone3144]

How could he remember all the parts without the melody ? Amazing

[@trainliker100]

I always thought 50 Ways had one of the coolest drum intros ever. Yet it is sort of a march which isn't usually that "cool", unless in the hands of this guy.

[@djizzah]

you can tell he has a marching band background, so does billy cobham i believe

[@threethrushes]

The unit of measurement for time should be renamed the Gadd.

[@Gretsch0997]

Somebody made a deal at the crossroads

[@slide_drexler]

Steve is a Gadd.pun intended.

[@derrick031072]

First time I heard about Steve Gadd, thanks to Paul Simon…waaaaaaaay back…

[@briansis1]

Back to the picket like it’s nothing!!😮

[@bailey12444]

What is the guy in the beginning saying ?

[@drummerszone]

He heard that Steve could Tap Dance. Steve used to do that as a kid. We don't know for how long he actually did that, but Steve makes and understands the joke of it. He really enjoyed that evening and did this improv on '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' just as a huge bonus for everyone.

[@bailey12444]

drummerszone thanks 😊

[@kunaljoshi630]

I love this, but then I also sort of lose him at about 2:00 (before he goes _completely_ into orbit around 2:30), before he returns at the 3:00 minute mark. I know that youtube comment sections are probably not the best place for this, but genuine question: can anyone tell me how I can listen to this better?

[@miketuttlesmusic]

Sing along. Seriously, knowing the song and singing along with it and knowing where the chorus switch-up is really frames it.

[@pedromata7607]

No, just listen to radio jingles.

[@Longtack55]

He was enjoying a toot flashback.

[@nostrabox]

Is that the slipknot logo on his forearm?

[@the6ig6adwolf]

yeah but it's ok because he liked Slipknot before they were cool

[@Gruuvin1]

50 ways to play 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

[@crystallake6198]

what the kid ask him that he said he hasn't done in a long time?

[@Frapzoid]

This is why if you want drumming done right on your recording you hire a Jazz drummer....Steve Gadd.

[@echopryme]

Fucking "Captain Pocket" making all of us feel like shit about our life... 🤣 The fact that he's bored being asked to play some shit that NONE of us can get right because we're not Steve Gadd is both cool as shit and INFURIATING!!!

[@sleepyhorses6100]

He’s just trying to avoid a copyright strike.

[@derrikferguson3219]

I could do that.

[@dirkdarwin2571]

He mashed himself up

[@policeluber6720]

John bonham of Jazz

[@BjornMoren]

50 ways to play "50 ways to leave your lover".