Where is Denny Carmassi? Drummers Against ITK

A reminder of how great a drummer Denny C is from the band MONTROSE.
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[@mannyramos515]

Denny lives in Roseburg Oregon, plays in local cover bands and is still amazing. Down to earth beautiful human being. Plays a green four piece Bonham Ludwig kit most of the time. But still plays on occasion with major names in the music world. But for the love of music he blesses a lot of local folks with his playing in small venues.

[@DustOne13]

Awesome you touched on Leonard Haze. Denny and Leonard are both influences, especially both being Ludwig/Paiste guys with BIG 26" bass drums.

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

I talked to Denny while he was in the Dominican Republic on 26.225 lsb on a c.b. radio frequency. He talked to me for the longest and really was a joy to talk to. Thanks,For a great memory Denny.

[@eleazargutierrez8553]

Ever since 1979-80 I heard Gamma Voyager, Mayday, Something in the Air, MontroseBad Motor Scooter, Rock Candy etc... My very first concert was Montrose, Journey, and Van Halen. It was like what a first concert was meant to be. After that I was addicted. I I always wanted to buy Gamma1,2,3 albums, yet they were nowhere to be found. I remember hearing the name Denny Carmassi was the drummer and I was hooked! Then I heard he played drums for Heart, and I was there. The last time I saw Heart Denny didn't play!!! I've always been a Denny Carmassi fan...

[@DDandrums]

Just watched it - thanks for the tip!

[@tatedavis2016]

Brilliant drummer!! He also played with Heart and Coverdale-Page!!

[@RocketinExile]

one of the greatest drummers ever...

[@rctubs3593]

The first Montrose record changed my life as a drummer. Big influence

[@babooll5632]

Same here. My sister's best friend had the album when I was very young. I couldn't leave it alone. I wore out two albums, an eight track, a couple of cassettes over the years. And I'm on my second cd. Timeless

[@alexbooyse9053]

Denny played on Coverdale Page back in the early 90s, which is one of my favourite albums.

[@38kari]

I’ve met Denny once, back in 1990, when Heart played near Houston. I also saw him play with Foreigner, back in 2002, at that same venue, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Anyway, I brought a couple of pictures, and managed to get them to a roadie, after the show. A couple months later, Denny signed those pictures, and mailed them back to me! Such a cool guy! I also have a pair of Vic Firth drumsticks, that he had an endorsement with. I wished that he would have been better recognized and been featured in more drum magazines. Although, a do have that copy of Modern Drummer that he was on the front cover. His drumming has fascinated me for many years! He’s definitely been a strong influence on my own drumming. If I was half as good as Denny, I would be so happy. I think he has retired from touring and recording, but I still listen to all the records he has played on. I’m glad I got to see him play with Heart. His drumming always sounded so cool in concert. 🥁🤘🏻🎶😁

[@drummersagainstitk]

Great to hear! You're very fortunate. His contributions to rock drumming are rarely spoken about. Thx

[@simongrundy2208]

Got to see him twice with Gamma and 3 times with Heart. What a drummer he is. Was also lucky enough to meet him too and I can say he was very nice to talk with!

[@roughchippy]

......saw him 3 times with Heart at Birmingham NEC England. .....one of my most prominent memories of this FANTASTIC band, was Denny Carmassi, TOTALLY ENCLOSED in his spider web like drum kit. ...wow.....doing a showstopping, 11,000 people rocking, drum SOLO......WOWWWWW.....Awesome, awesome group Live, Denny a massive part of their Live power. Trust me, those fabulous chart hit soft ballads were not what Heart were about Live......they seriously rocked !

[@richpeltier9519]

I too was wondering what Denny was up to lately. Looked on his Wikipedia and it shows him as active the last 10 years or so with a band called Mercy. They're really good all around, with an awesome guitarist and excellent singer. I'd just watched a few of their videos before finding this. Thanks for the info, I've always loved Denny and aa a young drummer growing up in the south bay during the 80's, I learned a lot form the several times I saw him play then.

[@stevearnold2304]

I have many videos of Mercy on KZbin. Dave Day is a friend and an absolute incredible guitarist.

[@blueavadis22]

Denny played on St Paradise album with Derek St Holmes back in late 70’s , an wonderful album. There is the best drum sound I ever heard.. He played Noble&Cooley drums solid shells , no wonder it sounds so good ! Noble&Cooley the best drums ever !

[@stevearnold2304]

Denny currently plays with a Southern Oregon band “Mercy featuring Linda Day” MFLD and her husband Dave Day. I have many videos on KZbin of them.

[@drummersagainstitk]

Thank You. I will look. Be well.

[@stevearnold2304]

Look on KZbin “Steve Arnold Mercy featuring Lynda Morrison”

[@onevoice1658]

Anyone interested in Denny Carmasssi should listen to the Coverdale Page album. Denny's tone on that record is incredible. Denny also played in the 80s version of Heart and Whitesnake.

[@drummersagainstitk]

Heart yes...Whitesnake? Ian, Tommy and Aynsley

[@TRUTH4U2NO]

I got into drumming because of Denny Carmassi.

[@h2ofield]

Carmassi and Aldridge were the best rock drummers ever.

[@TRUTH4U2NO]

You have no clue on Montrose and or Denny. EDUCATE your self.

[@rirchardrubio5621]

@@TRUTH4U2NO uh oh. Oh wow.

[@benvanzanten379]

Barriemore Barlow?

[@gerrygerhardt2635]

I met Denny and was his computer guy for a while. He is a very nice and humble man. With that said I agree with you, he is the best drummer out there and he does not get the props he should have. He has done many studio drumming jobs for many bands. That drum solo from bad motor scooter is incredible- give me chills. When I would work on his computer he would always be drumming on the couch while watching racing. He is just a great guy!

[@jamesscarselletta3446]

Denny Carmassi played drums for Ted Nugent on the album "Spirit Of The Wild." I am a drummer too.

[@xineohpinakc264]

Carmassi was awesome in Heart as far as the live shows. In particular the 85 heart album sounds like someone just clicking a snare it just ticks ticks at the same pace over the entire album. He did a lot of creative experimenting on electronic drums on the Passionworks album from 83 I think. In the heart song Allies he almost sounds like he is overplaying but, the drumming is awesome.

[@joemama546]

I met him a couple of time's.....he's retired now but still plays in a soul & rock band for fun he hung with me during his breaks...total of maybe an hour!I got to watch him from ten feet away....it was just like talking to a neighbor really cool even just playing for fun he played like it was a major concert...very soft spoken....he always had endorsments btw

[@drummersagainstitk]

Great to hear! My God.(S. F. area?) I'm certain he could be a great funk player. Thank you. Please tell him about this vid if you see him. His endorsers never seemed to promote his name.

[@drumdude46]

@@drummersagainstitk I understand he's living up in Oregon Now.

[@scottvignere3518]

Hear hear! Thank you for recognizing Denny

[@robertlouis2128]

Another underrated drummer was Al Bouchard of BOC. Listen to their first 3 albums and you'll agree.

[@robertkennedy1776]

You are absoultely right.Such a great technician to his craft.I dont think he wanted the attention or the glamor that comes with it.He is such a humble and unique guy.You are right those 2 Montrose albums his drumming is fantastic.

[@drummersagainstitk]

Ronnie Montrose was a smart musician because he played great and understood how to choose players for his band to make it work. thanks...

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

saw denny with heart live in 1985 like everyone else in the band he was so incredibly professional and talented and looked so cool and sounded so incredible. it was unreal how talented and professional that entire band looked and sounded and performed that night in 1985 it was the most incredible thing i ever saw in my life.

[@rirchardrubio5621]

I first discovered Denny C with Heart. He is an awesome drummer with intensity. He also had a great look. Cool hair.

[@danlc95]

I remember Denny using Noble & Cooley drums, Paiste cymbals, Remo heads, and I believe Capella sticks.

[@drumdude46]

'Bill 'UpChurch'. Lol! It's Bill Church' friend. there ya go. your welcome. Yes...Huge Denny Fan here.

[@benmen8699]

DENNY WAS THE AMERICAN VERSION OF JOHN BONHAM

[@davehall7326]

Absolutely hats off to him, as a young 12 year old he, along of course with Bonham and Paice, inspired me to get paper round, and eventually an Olympic 4 piece. I saw the Whistle test broadcast and they were on fire, what a band!

[@mful9628]

I think 13 millions albums in an 11 year stretch with Heart 1982-1993 is pretty big deal. It’s a shame the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame snubbed him & Mark Andes for their part in the commercial success of Heart. Denny played on the classics with the band live. The 1991 live version of Barracuda from Rock The House Live is awesome!

[@78r0ckarolla]

Incredible drummer.

[@boogums1]

My Drum teacher was a huge Fan of Denny. He told me that Denny was one of the “baddest” single bass drum players ever. Even though He could play both.

[@jonaslangebro9533]

He played on the Coverdale/Page album, and on the tour in Japan...👍👍

[@marbananta]

Denny Carmasi had been there & done that with all those big rock bands. He kicks ass, such a virtuoso with no doubt & question. From Montrose to Foreigner & so many bands between, he has all that experience.

[@romanowskyalex2653]

Came across this….I play golf with Denny

[@drummersagainstitk]

What???? Please send him this drummer(s) regards of how truly creative and influential he was as a player. If he plays golf like he played drums you're in big trouble. Best to you.

[@romanowskyalex2653]

@@drummersagainstitk We play weekly depending on the weather for several years now and I will let him know when we play on Thursday.

[@drummersagainstitk]

@@romanowskyalex2653 Let HIM KNOW he was as important a drummer to any drummer in history. He really was. I'm 65 and have played 55yrs! and still play. Send him and YOU best regards.

[@romanmoreno5483]

Is this for real? Can you please tell him Im part of his family from Italy? I've been looking for him around the social apps but there's no way to find him! I will be thankful

[@teamrosemary]

I just looked up Denny Carmassi after remembering his unbelievable sounding Noble & Cooley drums at a Heart concert in the early 90s. Your video was the first that came up, and now I'm dying to know what "drummers against implied timekeeping" means. I understand implied timekeeping, no problem, but I feel like there is a great back story here that I haven't heard. Thanks for the details on Denny. He was incredible close to 30 years ago when I saw him.

[@SwappingIsSaving]

Denny has great feel. Really like his playing with Heart.

[@LowskBowski]

Is he an introvert?? That could explain the lack of exposure. 😆His work on Sammy Hagar's Marching to Mars is pretty rad. Check it out! (If u haven't) 😊

[@naughtywomen1971]

this drummer is unbelievable, period! listen to Dancing Feet past the 3 minute mark, so simple yet complex foot work. same w Rock Candy at 2:57 into the tune, so tasty his beat is there. Black Train is another rock drumming masterpiece. simple straight ahead rock drumming is Denny Carmassi. he had his distinct style like no other drummer i've heard. he wasn't as diverse as John Bonham but he was as hard sometimes harder. no his best days were in Montrose and Gamma. being in a band is like owning a car and what that car can do. w great song writers like Montrose and Hagar, Carmassi had the best material to drive and he drove it beyond what anyone else could do. i have a feeling that Rock Candy came from Carmassi fooling around in the rehearsal studio. Montrose heard him playing that hard minimal beat and tried to do something w it. that's what it sounds like to me, could be wrong as i never got to talk w Denny. i was playing the hard stuff in 71 (i was a Keith Moon type drummer) in San Francisco just before Hagar met Montrose. i would see Hagar sitting in 1 of the bars on Broadway St but he was very to himself while my band was always goofing around. he looked good as a front man but very cold towards us. we thought the guy's playing in a top 40 band, (why the big head lol) on the wharf and we were blasting originals and opening for The Tubes etc. in the end he went up and we went down lol. it's strange Montrose and Gamma were never mega bands. there are no better hard rockers ever born in my view. prolific and great material album after album. i'm glad others know of Denny's unique hard hitting style i love playing his drum pieces verbatim when i can. crank it UP! cheers PS; KZbin......soiled dove naughty women. i'm the drummer. my band was good too but Montrose blew us out of the water no doubt.

[@jspanos500]

I love videos like this where an unsung hero or criminally under recognized musician gets a shout out.

[@loucontino4804]

Spot on! Bonham, Paice, Powell, Carmassi, Derossier...that's the Pentavirate of my Hard Rock drumming influences.

[@drummersagainstitk]

Carmine is very important too.

[@barrylawrence9694]

Bill Church. No Up in his name.

[@drumdude46]

Pronounced 'Car-Mass-e' ( Mass...like saying, 'Went to Church Mass) So...Not ..."Macy'...as you mis pronounce. also...Just Bill Church. Not..."Up-Church'. just setting that straight. great stuff. one of the biggest Car-MASS-i fans, ever. Trust me. I've got stories. but...thank you for speaking about Denny. A true Legend drummer.

[@drummersagainstitk]

Both are correct or incorrect for english. I'm Italian. That's why I said both. Be well.

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

carmassi was with heart from about 1982 to 1991 that is not a short time.

[@romanmoreno5483]

Hello! Do you know where can i contact him or his actual band? Or at least what was his last band?

[@drummersagainstitk]

No.

[@romanmoreno5483]

@@drummersagainstitk ok thanks for answer

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

he should have stayed with hear or returned to heart. a fast paced drummer not slow and dull.

[@LowskBowski]

Denny played in this one. I'm no pro, and am not sure if he's doing it all, but still... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJaofXxmh5p_hc0

[@babooll5632]

Dude, back away from the camera a foot or two