The Song That Changed Aaron Spears' Life ("Caught Up" By Usher)

[@KronkTheKreator]

Rest in power, Aaron. One of the greats.

[@mrpapito8890]

Deep in his heart, he is like “ here we go again 🙄“ for the 10.000x time.

[@femthang]

u right

[@MEGAMANBK1]

Facts 😂

[@ShellAlexandre]

Facts 🤣

[@pipekundayo5055]

😂😂😂😂

[@vashkarvashkar4051]

Not!

[@ashtonwadepaul]

This song didn't only change his life, but watching him play it at Modern Drummer 2006 changed my life!

[@broletariat]

Same. That was the moment it clicked that I loved gospel/church drumming.

[@emmanuelsandyamarteyamarte4446]

Yessssssssss.

[@argauw]

Facts

[@tvtvt77]

I watch that everytime I get drunk

[@DyneDrumming]

RIP to a great one. He will be missed for sure.

[@armansenson2864]

I just heard the news and had to come back here to watch this performance again. One of my favorites.

[@thousandeyesgotbeats]

I miss him so much. An idol I never got the chance to embrace in person. Good bless his soul. Love y’all !!!🤘🏽

[@danabyrd4584]

​@@thousandeyesgotbeatsWish you could have met my cousin...such a wonderful person 😢

[@thousandeyesgotbeats]

@@danabyrd4584 I’m so sorry 😞 my heart goes out to you and the fam. He lives on in our hearts and through our playing ❤️🥁

[@danabyrd4584]

@@thousandeyesgotbeats AMEN 🙏 🙌 thank you so much...yassss keep playing...good luck to you😊

[@tinayemafuya206]

It was beautiful to see Usher honor his legacy at the Super Bowl. Continue to Rest In Peace King. A lot of us grew up watching you play, still cant believe you are gone😥. But you will never be forgotten!🥺

[@AtwiineBenjamin]

Rest in Peace Aaron Spears. You inspired so many. Your humility could be felt even in your tone.

[@priuspilot339]

So happy to have had the privilege to work Aaron Spears. What an incredible man. He will be sorely missed. R.I.P

[@callummoodley6311]

His ability to keep this song fresh is crazy, it's like I'm hearing him play it for the first time

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Totally! Awesome to hear him freshen up his take on it 🔥

[@druzo26]

Can we stop reaching!! Dude is tired of playing this track!!🙄😂😂😂

[@akoaykilalamo]

Aaron spears inspired me to push through with my drumming. Rip king 👑

[@RodrigoRaez]

The song you can play a thousand times because of the drummer. Rest in peace Aaron Spears.

[@thebrokencymbal]

I'll never forget being a kid seeing him rip a quick drum break on the grammy's with Usher and James Brown... Immediately rewinding the tv over and over just to hear it again

[@DrumeoOfficial]

🙌 yup

[@EverywhereDrums]

Dude yes

[@delandsenatus2258]

Yoo I thought I was the only one who saw that on the Grammy’s it was so quick but it was a nasty fill!!

[@CamiloMoyaBaterista]

@@DrumeoOfficial Guys, do you have a pdf transcription?

[@Spzmeador]

Spears, man, I can't explain what this did to me. I came up in the 80s and by the time I heard this it looked like drumming had peaked and no one cared about the craft anymore and then I heard Caught Up and it was one of the most inspiring things I ever heard, thank you for helping me get back on a set, I aint looking back now. God bless

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

Whats interesting is, a drummer by the name of Joel Smith had laid the foundation to the approaches Aaron and most of today’s r&b/hip-hop/pop drummers that come from a gospel background in the 80s Then guys like Ladell Abrams, Gerald & Eddie Heyward, Marvin McQuitty, Teddy Campbell and other drummers during the 90s took it to another level

[@troymarkee955]

Vidal Davis

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

@@troymarkee955 and the Neuble Bros.

[@juliahenriques210]

This man speaks unadulterated truth. A gig is a gig. It can and should be fun, but it's not for fun. Always play for the team.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Truth 🙌

[@MACDrums]

Wise words friend

[@jasonm8131]

This guy is just so dang humble, yet a straight up KILLER on the set!

[@starrpark176]

Rest in peace Aaron, the world will forever miss your sound

[@enterdimentional]

We'll always love you Mister Spears. Rest easy. Thanks for the tunes.

[@reubenjfarrel]

That 2006 modern drummer was legendary 🔥

[@DrumeoOfficial]

💯

[@krthkh]

What happened to MDF, I guess 2008 was the last edition.

[@bugravardal6432]

Was there and saw Aaron Spears for the first time. As a metal drummer, my jaw dropped when I saw Aaron’s performance. Super groovy and full of energy.

[@ashtonwadepaul]

No one can deny he was one of the best to do this. RIP king

[@martinnoeken4465]

Didn‘t know him before his death, unfortunatelly. What a master! Watching this video, I often thought: Wow, what a confusing fill, he‘ll never get out of this mess in time to hit the „1“ … but he does, of course! RIP.😢

[@becw9972]

I thought the same!

[@starboom7730]

I remember watching Aaron play this song back in 06 for the Modern Drummer event. The K Cluster Crash in front of him now is in place of the 18" A Custom Crash back then. Yes, I'm a huge fan of him 😅

[@michaelmoore8183]

What size light hi hat you think he's playing here?

[@TheRealMrBeard]

​@@michaelmoore8183I'd guess 15's

[@jerichobrandon3571]

Still remember watching the moderndrummer performance video when i was into my second year of playing drums..he's still the GOAT🔥💯

[@DiscoverwithDan]

I played that VHS tape over and over so many times 🤘

[@davisuduak2324]

Epic

[@SpazzyMcGeee]

is it the video where he rekt the hi-hat stand towards the end?

[@DrumeoOfficial]

so good 🔥

[@drumsNstuff79]

@@SpazzyMcGeee Haha Yeah he did! It either broke or just drifted away as his hands just went bananas!

[@Rockerstepchamp]

Man! i love how he talk to people. so kind and polite. And sure, his perform amazing as always.

[@lifeofapotato4595]

Watched this when I was just 7 yo learning how to drum yeeeears ago and inspired me since then. RIP🙏🏻

[@samukarbrj]

the end message is so inspiring, it's like hes giving his life advice. RIP 😢

[@jedi_417]

That was one of my favorite Modern Drummer Festival performances of all-time.

[@MACDrums]

It's crazy how different it is from the first video. Obviously, he's older, so he matured a lot, but its so good to see him still absolutely shredding

[@UYTMedia]

Gone and Can't Be forgotten!!! You were called to this! RIP

[@cgafken]

I was at that Modern Drummer Festival in 06’!! I was prepping to audition to attend Berklee and seeing you play was a massive inspiration and made me want to practice even more. Aaron you are a true inspiration and ai thank you for all you’ve done for the music community

[@iconoclastmusic368]

The original video was probably one of my first inspirations on KZbin watching some of the best drummers in the world. We will miss you Aaron!

[@SaarphireTTV]

the tastiest chops. those fills are still chef's kiss. Benn watching his Caught up performances since 2006. This video alone inspired me for fills so much. R.I.P. gone way too soon. Now, he can continue to "catch up" with some of the absolute legends that came before him up there.

[@juan-josegarza7039]

RIP, bro. You made me realize how much I suck at drumming back in the day. I had to get better. One day, I'll get there.

[@samfisher4566]

I remember watching the dvd where he featured this song, I was still learning to play drums, and MEEEN, those chops! He definitely was one of the best beat rhythm choppers!🙏🏻🔥

[@monickerofgoodness4898]

Anyone whos ever recorded them selves playing drums must recognize how absolutely tight Aarons basic beat was. Sounds easy but is so far from it. Truly a masterful demonstration of time-feel here. RIP legend.

[@josephrohrbach1588]

Going to miss his playing. Absolutely inspirational.

[@VidaFBaby1]

Blessed to have him long as we did, on a timeless track (or several lol).

[@playarabbit]

This is the Life they talking about when you do what you love and never get tired forever

[@GotLove4All]

Its good to finally hear someone express the difference between playing for an artist versus a basement jam or highlighting drum or cymbal brands. Good job young lion!!!!!!

[@TheIgnoramus]

one of my favorite feel players ever. his flow just hits me right.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Glad you dig it, Parker.

[@PiettroRocha]

Still can’t believe his gone! U will be remembered for ever bro!

[@davidrollins8701]

Rest in peace dear friend. Will always love and miss you. Your talent, mixed with humility and a kind heart, will never be forgotten.

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

Saw him first time years ago and was blown away. Seeing him now in 22 = still blown away.

[@eli-stringz8656]

I got to know Aaron Spears from this performance several years ago and it's one of the reasons I love the drums so much even though I'm a guitar player but I have a special love for drums. The 2006 performance opened my eyes to new possibilities on the drums and it's a legendary performance. Anyone that hates that performance really has a problem.

[@BenyaminImanuelSilalahi]

RIP aaron, the GOAT, the legend, you changed my drumming and forever will be my drum hero.

[@leandro.santiago]

Passei dias tentando tirar uma única frase dessa música! Descanse em paz irmão!

[@synthwavedaddy]

Seeing Aaron Spears at a young age to now. It is so nostalgic!

[@francopaniego8173]

Aaron,I Just can't stop watching you playing drums. In early pandemic I spend lot of time trying to play a gospel chop form original caught up. Thanks for your inspiration

[@dje9543]

Great playing with an even greater message. He may be gone, but will still leave legacy through his playing and guidance.

[@davecerv]

That modern drummer performance was one of the first videos I ever watched on KZbin back in the day omg.

[@stevenron2759]

So glad aaron pointed out that you gotta be super solid playing with an artist! Serving the music is the #1 priority.

[@warrenwillis5382]

What’s crazy is I still remember the 06 modern drummer performance. That joint changed my life! Now, you’re still crazy good but now there’s a maturity in your playing that’s developed overtime and it’s 😮‍💨🤌🏾

[@juhaRastas-i4y]

Aaron oot dude jota tulee aidosti ikävä because you are real man koko sun ulosannissa AINA JA AIDOSTI!

[@RWQMUZK]

I was in a cover band in the 2000’s when the Truth Tour DVD dropped. We added that song to our set list and I copped every Spears idea I could. I thought of him every time I played this song 💪🏾🔥 REST WELL AARON SPEARS YOUR IMPACT IS UNMATCHED!!!

[@xTruthxWithinx]

This was hard to watch for me. I remember the original performance at Modern Drummer fest. This guy got me into wanting to learn R&B drumming and I would implement it into my metal and rock drumming. Changed my play style forever. RIP GOAT!

[@MrCamwilliams7]

Here to pay my respects to 1 of my favorite drummers ever! 🙏🏾🕊️

[@celestialaeonproject]

One of my most memorable drum moments is the old Aaron Spears video from '05 or '06 which I ran into on KZbin back in the day. The title was like "Aaron Spears back in '05" and it was this insane take from their gospel rehearsal with the sickest grooves and band harmonies that just worked so damn well together and if I remember correctly he was breaking sticks with his energy even in the rehearsal

[@djharris90]

My brother is a musician and they're just another breed altogether. They don't hear the world or music the same way. Serious kudos to this genius drummer

[@jamesbooth683]

I think 2005 Modern Drummer festival changed the way I looked at drumming. That performance was so ahead of the times, I think I speak for everyone here. I remember downloading the video and playing it back over and over and trying to learn parts of the chops. So technical. Stems from Gospel chops. Love it.

[@higorfelipe8522]

Descanse em paz guerreiro 🕊️

[@reginaldhodges4732]

😮MY MOST FAVORITE DRUMMER PERIOD...MAY HE REST ENTIRELY IN PEACE HALLELUJAH.

[@DariusP33]

Rest In Power!!!! One of the best to ever do it!

[@JamesOKeefe-US]

I remember watching the original at 50% speed a million times and just being in awe. Truly one of the most amazing performances I have ever seen. Even the hi hat gave up and was like "I'm out" 🤣

[@Loop2win]

"some of you hate it" ??? how can we hate! its so iconic, a true masterpiece re arrangement

[@BrandonMelvinDrums]

Awesome! The video of him playing that song is one of my favorite drum videos. His flow is so damn good and the speed is insane.

[@GeorgeGeeSr]

A consumate time keeper...jus the right amount of Funk n chop-ups to keep you listening.

[@joshuasotogaete1382]

I see this video many years later and it still seems amazing! ! also a classic!

[@n0tz10n5]

Miss this man ❤🕊

[@Dsullivann]

That modern drummer performance of this song is legendary. Here's to Aaron's continued success and monster drumming 🍻

[@DrumeoOfficial]

🍻

[@tomlebeau7921]

Transcribing the epic fill in the middle was a game changer for my drumming back in the day.

[@chrisl5711]

One of my all time favorite drumming moments and I can say without a doubt it lead me into playing the drums myself. I was inspired that much by it. 🥁💯

[@DrumeoOfficial]

awesome to hear!

[@chrisl5711]

@@DrumeoOfficial thanks!!

[@Iagomacedosales]

Grande batera que Deus levou pra perto dele.🙏

[@mikewithrow2271]

Grounded and locked in? Daaauuumm man you nailed that so sweet. You seriously got that pocket and chops down to the max.

[@carlolauderdale7161]

RIP to one who mastered his craft! We miss you in the music world 🌎

[@M2TimesOfficial]

RIP to one of my favourite drummers of all time man 😢 made me fall in love with flam fills fr

[@joshmore7175]

Oh this is the absolute best. Ive watched that 2006 video so so so many times

[@kidannyvellon6722]

RIP one of the greats. That breakdown after the 3:00 mark leading to the finish is not in the original but it almost sounds majestic like the culmination of a story, game, career 😮🎉

[@isaacchad959]

Aaron is a legend....this approach gave it a different style and mature meaning

[@Imhotep_DrummerJones]

5:45 a very humbling and important message “inside” another major message… the legend who inspired millions!! Is still inspired by “regular at home” drummers…💯💯 Legend

[@MisterFoxx]

Love this guy. Could literally watch him drum to anything. But I'm a little biased when I say his drumming with Usher is some of his best work.

[@rafaeltaylor1816]

Still to this day my number one

[@tiffanyspencer2782]

He was so unbothered. He ain't even tryin. Sickenin!

[@veganvocalist4782]

he beat his way outa his mama womb that's how natural he is

[@andersonthuff7412]

Um grande batera, Descanse em paz🖤 😔

[@nanaabora]

Much respect for you sir. Legendary Aaron Spears 🙏🏾

[@alexis.jacobo.drums14]

Thanks a lot Aaron and Drumeo! That tip you shared at the end is like a must rule to every drummer that wants to reach a professional level (of course I'm not); but what I see is that if you sit and play lots of chops and crazy (admiring) things, perhaps you'll enjoy a lot and have more fun, but maybe for the musician next to you could be too much to digest and the song and intention the whole band want to reach are not very well matched.; then you can notice the reaction from the people playing with you or either listening to a gig, it'll be more enjoyable when you play something more musical and going along with the band's mood (not just in time ha)

[@thef.a.c.e.foundation8316]

Lets go!!!!! Still feels like yesterday we were all tripping over this solo! Thank you for never being too good to run this back for us big bro!!!!!

[@WildkatLefunk]

Thanks for capturing this smiling beast on the kit.

[@julsrique9148]

I want to give thanks to Drumeo, because in this performance we saw a well-balanced piece in the genre. I like when Spears plays and you can dance. I don't like it when they're patrons that we can't dance to, or make money out of as far as our scale of non-celebrity drummers is concerned. So thank you for this performance it was great! In God we trust!

[@jacesims2353]

Man, everything about that kit sounds INCREDIBLE! I'm sure Aaron has something to do with that. Dude can groove!

[@the_camera_eye_8898]

Watching this on drummer world back in the day, a classic

[@gamerboy-ul5ii]

RIP THIS LEGEND!

[@wayjack4682]

Bro did uh solo within a solo 🥵 R I P One Of The Greats💪🏽😎

[@arieljordanes2440]

These drum chops are super bad ass!!! I absolutely LOVE this groove, but a drummer like you makes it sound 100×s better!! Brilliant my friend- God bless!! 🙏❤☺🤓

[@MTBPA]

Truly talented and blessed! Rest in peace!

[@philiplauzon1743]

Complete and absolute pocket and groove 😎🤘 Tight AF. Epic

[@latinochico1988]

Rest in peace to one of the greats. 😢😢

[@TheJimmyDisney123]

Are the people commenting that he must be bored of playing this even musicians?! I never get tired of playing my favourite beats and songs man - there’s a reason they’re my faves! I’d imagine he’s actually incredibly grateful for this piece and he certainly comes across that way when talking about it!

[@danieladeyinka3829]

Here's my all-time favorite drummer right there!!

[@sabrinaprather2025]

😢 I am so deeply upset and saddened that this man is gone! rest in heavenly peace, brother, Aaron, my heart, my condolences, and my prayers go out to your family right now.

[@Zembassi3962]

Excellent drumming techniques! The major use of fills in your performance is phenomenal. No wonder you won that contest--you're on fire!🔥✊🏽

[@AaronGomesToday]

Snare sounds so clean!

[@mfcc1084]

Got to watch his drum clinic here in the Philippines. Humble guy and an amazing drummer.

[@cityrockermusic]

Back then, I'm still remembering that fills at the ends of chorus 1 Just beautiful