Vinnie Colaiuta: The Chameleonic Technician

[@OffBeatChannel]

I had the pleasure of seeing Colaiuta play with Herbie Hancock at a festival a few years ago - fantastic performance + drummer. Do share any stories or your favourite Colaiuta performances down below along with any suggestions for other drummers/musicians you'd like me to cover. Don't forget to like and subscribe!

[@Teabonesteak]

Arguably the greatest technical drummer of all time.

[@Frank1979Zappa]

Wonderful video, thank you for that! I can only warmly recommend anyone who is not yet familiar with Vinnie Colaiuta to listen carefully to the album Secrets by Alan Holdsworth from 1989 - perhaps the artistic highlight of his career.

[@jamieboylesdrums]

Did you see herbie play at love supreme fest?

[@OffBeatChannel]

@@jamieboylesdrums I did indeed! They played a great set

[@rudeboyread]

My old drum teacher Steve Palmer, brother of Carl from Emerson Lake & Palmer once told me of a music journalist who arrived at a hotel to interview Vinnie. He said Vinnie was practicing on his legs with his sticks & carried on while speaking, later they went for dinner & the Journalist thought Vinnie must stop now to eat but Vinnie ordered the soup & kept practicing with one hand. 💯

[@mranonymous1966]

Two of the best quotes: "Thought is the enemy of flow" and "Get into the character of the music over the patterns"....I agree 100%

[@sammccue500]

Yep. "You can't think and play." ~ Joe Pass

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Those are from Bruce Lee

[@psterud]

It applies to so many things, not just music. People who are learning how to draw, for instance, are way too in their heads. I call it being "precious" about their drawing, when good drawing is loose and gestural and flowing.

[@Sugarsail1]

As Virgo drummer, that's hard to do! LOL

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Brilliant. I relate that to Tommy Igoe’s comment “ why do we bother to learn technique- so we NEVER have to Think ! about technique “

[@biorythmicshifter]

His work on Allan Holdsworth’s Secrets is absolutely incredible. The fact he can play with guys like that then cut an album with Megadeth is astounding in stylistic range…

[@jonasandezekiel1109]

That's exactly why I think he's the best. What range.

[@mikedown1250]

anyone that worked with Allan was special

[@joewollhower]

Greatest studio performance of all time.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

he punched the card to do formulaic pop metal LOL

[@jonasandezekiel1109]

@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 that's ok. He's earned it.

[@socksincrocks4421]

I met Colaiuta at rehearsal studio in NYC in the early 2000's. Beyond nice... A genuine and genius person. I had the privilege to watch him in a session with Herbie Hancock. Let's just say, Vinnie made Herbie smile multiple times.

[@mykonomen]

Listening to zappas guitarsolos when Vinne was in the band, I never get tired of it. His constant flow of new ideas and weird grooves, and then jumping on to a new idea from Frank in a millisecond, it is truly fascinating.

[@ericlarkins]

Check out Donait's live playing with Holdsworth!

[@wolfgangdevries127]

Well, most of Zappa's album solos were pre-recorded years before they got on the album.

[@mykonomen]

@@wolfgangdevries127What do you mean? Sure, some stuff on Shut up ’n play year Guitar where made by mixing two different locations together to create some interresting stuff, but most of the tracks are just solos taken from songs. And they are a real testment to Vinnies art. Or - check out Pick me I’m Clean from Tinsel Town Rebellion.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

@@mykonomen all the solos on Joe's Garage.

[@mykonomen]

@@wolfgangdevries127 Yes, they are. With very interesting results I’d say!

[@caryd67]

I truly believe Vinnie is the world’s greatest drummer.

[@dragonlotion1789]

The outro on Keep it greasy, sounds like it’s being played backwards it’s unbelievably tight and technical but still retains the groove.

[@metaprecise8935]

I think Toad O Line, also on Joe's Garage, was called the most complex drumming of the 20th Century by Modern Drummer.

[@milesbraukmann5365]

The first verse in keep it greasy blows my mind everytime. Still cant wrap my mind around it Edit: I'm a guitar Player though

[@fcamiola]

It's unbelievable. It's in 4/4 + 3/16 or basically 19/16!!

[@mikekaufmann5311]

DAMN, this guy is a compelling speaker and storyteller on top of being a stellar musician.

[@dwaynecarroll6098]

Ten Summoner’s Tales sold me!

[@Muldoon111]

Great album. Vinnie plays a very big role in its greatness.

[@davidmaida6453]

Agreed. So great on Seven Days.

[@charlesabboud1613]

⁠@@davidmaida6453 I absolutely love his whole groove on ‘I hung my head’ on Sting’s Mercury Falling

[@billdwightijiran7004]

The groove in Saint Augustine in Hell also did it for me before I heard Seven Days.

[@mschmidt163]

RIP Dom. That was a great interview between two class acts

[@HazeAnderson]

I saw Colaiuta at a clinic right after he left Sting. It was amazing, he wasn't really feeling inspired so he stopped playing and just rapped with us about life. He grabbed an ash tray, lit up a cig and sat in the front of the stage with a mic and had a killer conversation with us all. 👍(of interest, Dom Famularo "opened" and totally blew my mind away with his chops as well!)

[@noelghallager4672]

cool story, thanks! I'm not surprised by that. He's genuinely a kind soul

[@socksincrocks4421]

Colaiuta's drumming on the System has Failed is some of the best Metal drumming- and he's not even a Metal drummer. That's how awesome he is.

[@Thurmanatr16]

He and Chris Poland on lead make that album very special.

[@godbluffvdgg]

I only subbed because Frank made me...:)...Great video about an amazing drummer...Saw Frank in 79 ...He's had so many amazing drummers! Saw Vinnie for the first time with Gadd and Weckle...As a fellow drummer; his left hand is to die for...Thanks for the upload..

[@ryanwoods6925]

The GOAT!!! please do Dennis Chambers next I love this series

[@charlesjames9783]

I saw Vinnie once when Dennis was there. I had met him before. He said Vinnie is killing it tonite. One of my favorite drumming moments.

[@scottmac5345]

It's how Vinnie handles his Cymbals that does me. Nobody has the touch, vinesse, and dynamics as he does. The coulors of a rainbow - that's him.

[@willanderson1485]

Back in 1991 or so we were recording a demo at Mad Hatter. We were nearing the end of our session when a drummer rolled up in his SUV and started unloading. The engineer was working out some technical stuff so we offered to help. At some point while shuttling his gear into the studio I realized it was Vinnie who had played on an album a few years earlier by Nik Kershaw called The Works. Nik was one of my favorite artists and Vinnie had played on several of the tracks (Jeff Porcaro also plays on the last track, Walkabout). What a treat it was to hear about those sessions not to mention meet one of if not the greatest drummer of all time. Chick also dropped in during our session just to listen in, what a weekend! Thanks OB for your fantastic content and for sparking this memory.

[@robertlear2712]

The first time I was aware of Vinnie was when I went to see Jeff Beck in concert in 2018. I didn’t know who he was at the time. But about three minutes into the first song I turned to my girlfriend and said, this drummer is amazing.

[@johnlopez3996]

Listen to Warren Cuccurullo's Thanks to Frank, and you will be amazed by Vinnie Colaiuta's playing. What is really cool is that the album was recorded live without any overdubs. Thank you for your video presentation.

[@KONAMAN100]

That Zappa audition story was great, Vinnie recited it beautifully.

[@jeffmannes6079]

"Thought is the enemy of flow." Wow! Loud and crystal clear!

[@noelghallager4672]

Really well done video. Vinnie is the GOAT

[@adamgreen3030]

Someone once told me Vinny was zappa’s favorite drummer. Never thought to question it. Probably would have if they said Zappa liked anyone more than him.

[@notreallydavid]

Hi. In The Real Frank Zappa Book he gives VC the grand prize (sic) for keeping up with Zappa's on-the-fly variations in rhythm. He subsequently gave a similar commendation to Mike (not a drummer) Keneally, though. All best

[@Frank1979Zappa]

Wonderful video, thank you for that! I can only warmly recommend anyone who is not yet familiar with Vinnie Colaiuta to listen carefully to the album Secrets by Alan Holdsworth from 1989 - perhaps the artistic highlight of his career.

[@TBBKeys]

I was just about to write the same thing when I found your comment. In fact the whole album is amazing. And with Jimmy Johnson on bass, it is to die for

[@federruchi6147]

He Used To Cut The Grass is imo one of the most underrated colaiuta works

[@aaronsmusicworld937]

absolutely!!

[@aaronsmusicworld937]

Packard Goose too!

[@judowrestlerka]

As a lifelong, jazz inspired bassist and fretless at that, ON TOP OF being a ZAPPA fan.

[@babyjessicascheekbones5463]

The closing instrumental break of Keep It Greasey always gives me goosebumps.

[@gregpastic6910]

I've followed Vinnie since he joined Zappa for Joe's Garage. He is truly one of the greatest drummers of all time. The ONLY other drummer who came close for me is Vito Rezza. Ok, I'll admit my bias for Vito hahaha...when I was fourteen I started a rock band (1969!) and needed a drummer. I asked around the school if anyone knew a drummer. I met Vito, went to his house, squeezed into his tiny bedroom that had a drum kit crammed into it. Vito sat down and began to play. I don't think i was able to close my mouth for a week! So for the next year or so we played some highschool dances and outdoor events. Veets was the STAR! The girls would line up afterwards to meet Veets (OH the seventies!) Vito has gone on to a succesfull career as a highly sought after drummer and teacher. You can find him and his band '5 After 4' on KZbin. We're both late sixties now and he's still going strong! Viva Veets!

[@metaprecise8935]

Cool stuff. lol You're a good writer too.

[@BouncebacKDrumChannel]

Just watched a 5 After 4 video from a 2013 show. Awesome drum solo at the 23 minute mark. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@jose.cobian]

Great videos for all musicians and music lovers!

[@mickeygeisel4208]

I can’t believe I just heard of Vinnie within the last year! I was talking to a local musician friend of mine. Vinnie and I are the same age and grew up 10 miles from each other!!! He probably went to school with cousins of mine in Republic, PA.

[@rogerp6903]

one of very few masters of his caliber! Vinnie in so many performances continues amaze and inspire everyone who witenesses his craft

[@shawnhutchings5931]

One of my favorite drummers! Vinnie’s the man!

[@josephdigiro9781]

My hero 😮!! UNBELIEVABLE player !! Vinnie is right the flow is the way to go!

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Watched a 5 year old Buddy Rich tutorial and now here's a 4 hour old video about another drummer genuis I just heard of.

[@geoffreydlang]

One of Vinnie's earlier recordings was an album by Tom Scott entitled 'Desire'. It was a live-to-2 track project involving about two dozen musicians, recording 8 tunes over a couple of days in the early summer of 1982. I think it's a good example of what Vinnie referred to with his 'as soon as the red light is on' comment (in the 'session musician' part of this video clip). Inspiring post...thank you!

[@erikl6988]

His diversity in insane. Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Megadeth, Sting...crazy shit. Prob top ten drummer of all time.

[@elmhurst86]

If not top 3.

[@biorythmicshifter]

And Allan Holdsworth…Secrets

[@funkster007]

And with Jeff Beck

[@shankerramesh9673]

drumgod🔥

[@mattdelany6799]

Vinnie and Thomas Lang. nobody else comes close.

[@rushman2112]

There’s a story that someone saw Vinnie at a grocery store with a basket on his arm holding a drum pad and practicing while shopping. He also played with Chaka khan. Zappas 555 remastered version with vinnie is the best

[@metalheadmnw]

The Megadeth song "Back in the day" has some crazy footwork going on. Most metal drummers can't pull that off. Amazing drummer with a brilliant approach to the instrument.

[@Thurmanatr16]

Kick the Chair, Back in the Day and Blackmail the Universe!

[@ianmcsherry5254]

Saw him up close, playing a Zildjian clinic here in Edinburgh, years ago. That was an absolute eye-opener.

[@newellbate]

Thank you Vinnie!

[@jimparker7778]

thank you for your kind treatment of Vinnie and his playing

[@keepthemetalflowing]

My first exposure to Vinnie was, unfortunately, the Modern Drummer issue that paid tribute to the then fallen, Jeff Porcaro. I read all the tributes but Vinnie's always stuck out to me. Then "Ten Summoner's Tales" came out and Vinnie was EVERYWHERE lol. Mind you, I hadn't yet discovered Zappa or other things he'd done. THEN, I found his solo album (at a Zia Records in Phoenix) and still have it. Fast forward a bit to oh, 2005 or '06 (sorry can't quite recall) and Jeff Beck was playing here in Vegas at the Hard Rock. And guess who he had backing him on drums? Yep Mr. VC himself. I went of course. And as we were waiting for Jeff to take the stage, guess who literally, and I mean LITERALLY walks by me to get the stage?! VINNIE!!!!! Now, of course I didn't know it was him until he'd already passed me, and of course, I wasn't gonna "one of those guys" and try to "say hi' or anything. But man, that was a thrill! The musical dexterity of this man is just unheard of! And because of him, I got to know who a lot of the legends were, including the late, great and fantastic Mr. Tony Williams. Vinnie, you are a genius -mad but disciplined!

[@zeus-bx9xw]

yip first heard him with zappa...blown away 66 still listening

[@moranpro]

Tremendous drummer. I used to enjoy the privilege of hearing him many Tuesday at The Flying Jib in Sherman Oaks, joining Dave Boruff, Pat Kelley, Neil Steubenhaus and Michael Fisher. Incredible jams for the price of a couple of beers!

[@mickthemerciless9694]

Vinnie's playing with Sting was perfection.

[@andrewgay778]

11:23 - finding your own style - love it. As Sly Stone said "in the end you'll still be you"

[@martinlopez1353]

The Most versatile and perfect accurate player i ever heard

[@jamisonsampson6226]

What an amazing drummer! 🤯😳🤘He’s an assassin

[@IHaveTheSchwartz]

Zappa. Beck. Even if these are the only two he'd have ever played with, that would be beyond impressive...

[@metaprecise8935]

Beck was the business.

[@chefmike8888]

I miss Dom. He was a real life angel. I was fortunate enough to have had some 1 on 1 “lessons” we would just be talking drums in a friend’s academy and we would sit at some drums in the one room and it was line 2 friends having a drink talking shop but our couch was 2 sets and talk would lead to tips and coaching. So giving, grounded and he knew how lucky he was to be able to live that life.

[@keithsmith8236]

I unfortunately did not get to start playing drums until I was 18. I did, however get to practice a lot as I was working nights and my parents were working during the day. Plenty of time to practice. I listened to Steve Gadd to get the groove. I’ll listen to Vinny to try to understand time. I’m extremely appreciative to both…

[@JWD1992]

Holy crap, what a résumé. Such versatility. Chameleon is right! And that "thought is the enemy of flow" quote is brilliant life advice. As someone who self-sabotages with overthinking, I need to take that advice, haha.

[@TonyWeesner-ok2pp]

Thinking to much so true .such an excellent musician.

[@rupert.secuta]

If Zappa said it to Vinnie, I'll subscribe ❤😂

[@RalphSasso]

What a life and Career. Beautiful!!

[@malikthomas5241]

This guy is awesome and this video is amazing. Could you do Dennis Chambers next

[@dragons_red]

I'm so jealous of (but also happy for) people who find their callings, especially when it's early in life.

[@reginaldgreen6221]

I caught him playing with AWB in New Orleans one year. Off the chain!!

[@roybeckerman9253]

Love to see Vinnie and Greyson Nekrutman, have drum duel. Two of the best today.

[@2stixx]

What a great drummer. ❤he’s style.

[@melodymakermark]

I saw him with Jeff Beck in 2019. They covered Mahavishnu’s You Know, You Know, and his solo verse was jaw dropping.

[@drz4073]

The man is music - if they ever come out with that brain hookup machine they used in the Matrix, Vinnie would be highly pursued

[@muffinman4353]

Crazy time signature in Frank Zappa's, "Keep It Greasy"....Saw Vinnie with Frank playin' it live. Listen to it and see if you can figure it out without googling it, good luck!

[@DavidCornejomusic]

If Zappa asks to subscribe, you gotta oblige!

[@tonyadams6985]

I’m a guitarist/singer/composer, but that obviously doesn’t stop me from engaging and engrossing myself and pursuing most things that have anything to do with Vinnie!

[@Chuckles..]

Colaiuta was a huge upgrade for Zappa.

[@sharonmashatt4869]

I get him. You become one with the music. It’s a drama in play. Steve Via told young musicians to become the note.

[@63mckenzie]

Anyone Frank Zappa mentions in one of his songs has to be great.

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

Find the King Of Drummers video with Colaiuta, Gadd, and Weckl.

[@xxxYYZxxx]

I love Vinnie and Dave, arguably the 2 greatest ever, but Steve stole the show.

[@hp2823]

​@@xxxYYZxxxSteve is king of feel and groove, no one comes close

[@joewollhower]

Vinnie on Holdsworth's Secrets is the greatest recorded drum performance of all time.

[@mikehartmann3858]

This is great but you overlooked his amazing work with Allan Holdsworth.

[@mapquest681]

Gotta love Vinnie! One of his greatest tracks is the song Tattoo from the Nelson Kole album of the same name. What a groove.

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

I have to remind myself that when he talks about technique, he's talking from the perspective of a master, and that my lesser skilled brain isn't skilled enough to grasp the real meaning of what he's conveying.

[@jairkerker2821]

I consume music for what it offers me, but I always felt like the music wanted something from me when I play. Good collaborations demand a healthy dose of humility to be able to hear what is needed. I've heard Colaiuta process a wide variety of situations so fast that it seems like he's reading minds ahead of time.

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/magnifico.🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🌡️

[@fredjennings5312]

And they didn’t even touch on his great work with Jeff Beck.

[@philgm6846]

7 days is not only a great technical achievement, but a very melodic way of complimenting the song

[@davidmichaels307]

Yes who can forget the classic quote of Zappa to Colaiuta: "Subscribe to Off Beat!"

[@nataliesweet-cw6cr]

Truly the first mega drummer IMHO.

[@jonnykk1]

The greatest

[@brianmcguire5175]

Coliauta is so apt when he addresses how he writes his parts around what he listens to. But I think I this modern world he falls short of accreditation of the writer of the original piece overall. Now, for the rest of you here it might be easy to discredit my opinion here seeing Coliauta has a record of great success. I will say though that my opinion expressed here is confidently done so because recently this year I was not only commissioned to write a drum part for a studio track but also I was commissioned to write the lyrics over a predeterminedelody part. Subsequently I'm so proud of my lyrics to this part that my acception to coliautas account on song creditadition is missing that lyric contributions

[@-MRN-]

Cool video, thanks.

[@jelleepit]

A classic example of when you know someone is world class but they just don't do it for you. It's crazy, he just doesn't float my boat even though i know he is incredible. Dave Wekkl on the other hand fires me up every time with his groove. I guess that's art. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.

[@PrinceAsmodeus]

I'm the opposite

[@fiachra4266]

That is just you being intellectually and artistically honest. I wish everyone was.

[@Homurdan]

I was the same. I fell in love with drums just after listening to Weckl. His unmatched fluency and melodic phrases made him flow like water on the drums. Weckl's music sounds as if it was specifically written for drums. For certain types of music, Weckl is the greatest without doubt, but outside of his genre, he makes the music sound like 'Weckly.' However, Vinnie is much more versatile. From metal to funk, trio to big band, classical or contemporary jazz, he can manage anything. Vinnie makes any music great. he is hard to understand and seems to defy common sense, but it's always surprisingly beautiful. I have greatest respect for both at the level of worship

[@joanmarcpino]

Nice video!

[@MrAschiff]

Great artist

[@PrinceAsmodeus]

One of the Goats

[@poindextertunes]

You should do Nate Smith

[@jerseyforhawks]

Damn, drumming on Joe's Garage was sublime.

[@WilliamJames48]

I've started wearing all stars when i play and it's really opened doors..

[@poindextertunes]

Man the beach boys really found their sound and stuck with it 😂

[@frankbreuer8849]

In the section about Frank Zappa, your comment is fantastic that it would not have been easy for anyone to be the drummer after Terry Bozzio. I thought a thousand time about 'who do I like better?" both are so different and it's a close 'race' ... ..in my personal view .. . Terry Bozzio is outstanding, but Vinnie Colaiuta is outstandingly outstanding - if that makes sense.

[@frankbreuer8849]

Literally there is not a single track with Vinnie on Zappa albums that I haven't enjoyed a million times (as a hobby guitarist, I could not even hold drum sticks straight) be it on Tinseltown rebellion (the best shuffle ever 'brown shoes') , Shut up 'n' play your guitar, and of course Joe's Garage and YCDTOSA ("advance romance' just to name one of many highlights)

[@drumdwgreen]

He is the real deal, a genius and top guy too. Check out Jing Chi too with Robben ford. Yes the goat.

[@peterwhitehouse561]

I've loved Frank forever Vinnie but what really got you into my DNA was Ronnie Scott's. I'm just a bumbling guy with a Strat after all. Your comment about "thinking" was well exemplified in a different artform when (yes, we all remember the film) Bruce Lee said "don't think, FEEL"

[@tb7077]

I went to Berklee for a few minutes in the 80’s. I had an instructor who was a student when both Vinnie and Steve Smith were there as fellow students and he said they weren’t very special at the time. Good drummers not great but after leaving they both took off. Got a lot better in a short period of time.

[@geenadasilva9287]

ya can't deny that Zappa had an eye for the best musicians. Vinnie's playing still astonishes me every time i hear him.

[@charlesjames9783]

I’ve seen him live many times. I’ve seen Cobham, Chambers, and others but I put Vinnie up there with the greats. What he plays just sounds different.

[@kerbygator]

If you were good enough for Frank, you were very good. You were top notch.

[@jemminger]

"one of the first things that Zappa allegedly said to Colaiuta was to subscribe to Offbeat" LMAO

[@JeffBellamy-i9n]

I've seen Vinnie a few times in different environments. The stand outs were with Sting and then Jeff Beck, shortly before Jeff died. Vinnie's ridiculous! I've realised over my years of playing that certain people are just born that way, they are an influence, be yourself, you'll never be them!

[@jfilet]

good stuff

[@georgeoffenberger1262]

I saw Doms face up in there. Lol. He’s a character. Great Guy