Who Played Liberty DeVitto's Part Best? | The Drum Department 🥁 (Ep.52)

Liberty DeVitto was Billy Joel's drummer for over 20 years, providing the iconic backbeat for a generation. Today, in the drum department, we've asked Alex Cohen, Ramon Montager, and Jared Falk to record their versions of a classic song. We'll witness Liberty's real-time reactions to these different renditions and find out who played it best.
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Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:32 - Liberty's Musical Background
00:03:17 - The Story Behind Liberty's Blue Drum Kit
00:05:36 - Liberty's Thoughts On Collecting Instruments
00:05:55 - Liberty's Drum Kit
00:07:22 - The Challenge
00:07:39 - "Allentown" And The Story Behind It
00:09:25 - Introducing Alex Cohen
00:10:42 - Alex Cohen's Performance
00:12:26 - First Performance Analysis
00:13:47 - Liberty's Thoughts On Drum Covers Through The Internet
00:15:20 - Introducing Ramon Montagner
00:17:10 - Ramon Montagner's Performance
00:18:48 - Second Performance Analysis
00:20:35 - Introducing Jared Falk
00:21:01 - Jared Falk's Performance
00:22:30 - Third Performance Analysis
00:23:34 - Winner Of The Challenge
00:24:10 - Alex & Ramon's Blended Performance
00:26:03 - Drummer's Perspective Vs. Audience's Perspective
00:27:23 - Benefits Of Growing Up With A Music Style
00:29:40 - The Blast Beat
00:32:38 - Groove Of The Week
00:34:09 - New Gear
00:37:36 - Winner Of The Week
00:39:22 - Wrap-up & Liberty's Performance
00:43:31 - Outro
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[@drumdude68]

73 years young and hitting like a freight train! Thanks for the clinic, Lib.

[@markyrogers2466]

There will never be another Liberty DeVitto. That signature feel and sound. Super tasteful and smooth as silk. We are blessed to have him on 8 track/viny/cassette/cd/digital, which ever medium you prefer.

[@coolhatadventures8111]

Amazing feel and passion, I witnessed Liberty about 25 years ago play at a clinic in Nashville Tn and he put so much passion into his playing.

[@hdrjunkie]

His brother was really good when he played for the Billy Joel cover band Big Shot.

[@Maximill888]

Yes indeed. Very well said.

[@VanAnon51]

This man was one of 2 drummers who changed my life forever starting from early childhood. Liberty Devitto and Stewart Copeland. I grew up listening to Billy Joel and the Police.

[@jasona1806]

Yes yes yes… Everyone was fixated on the professor, I was focused on Stewart and Liberty as well. 👍🏼

[@bendecko326]

Liberty will always be one of my favorite drummers, Billy's music required alot of finesse and dynamics and Liberty delivered that in spade, all while beating the shit out of the drums... Thanks for this segment it was awesome to see Liberty beat the shit out of his drums with style, fineness, and dynamics... RESPECT!!!

[@augustdrums1247]

This is a perfect example of how everyone has a different heart beat! Simple beat but his feel is Billy Joel's sound. You can sit in and play the notes but you can't copy his feel. Love it! Great Job!

[@joseperez8695]

He play with her soul ..that all aboutd

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Liberty plays like a composer. He adds to the song, he doesn’t overtake it like those other drummers. He knows his place.

[@janschluenzen]

Liberty was one of my drum heroes when I started playing as a kid! Great to see him featured here!

[@lunasound]

There will never be another Liberty DeVitto ... The best..... Billy Joel songs what have not been hits without liberty...."The right feeling right groove perfect

[@surf101-]

Give me Liberty, or Give me Death!!! Liberty seems like a very cool person. Would love to meet him someday. What a phenomenal drummer 🎶🥁🤘

[@stevehull4822]

Feeling depressed this morning recovering from surgery, then I came upon this video!! My day is looking brighter! The banter, respect, stories and drum performances putting a smile on my face here, thank you Liberty and Drumeo!!!

[@nathangunter7532]

Liberty plays drums with so much passion and feel! I absolutely love every recording he has ever done with Billy Joel !

[@davewest6788]

Got to see him in Portland Maine during the bridge tour. Never saw anybody hit the drums harder than him before or since. His accuracy is sublime.

[@johngrobson4899]

What an Inspirational Drummer Mr DeVitto is, I have all Of Billy Joel's music But when Mr DeVitto played drums on Prelude angry young man, I was blown away I wanted so bad to play like him, He is a legend 🥁🔥🥁🔥🥁🔥🥁🔥🥁

[@MrCherryJuice]

What Liberty brought to Billy Joel's songs was a passionate yet also purposeful sense of conviction. IMO this was critical to Joel's success because in those days he was a piano man singing tunes that would often fit the 'piano bar' category, which is possibly why so many lounge bar bands covered them. But Liberty powered them - and the band - up, enabling Joel to step out of the lounge and onto the arena stage. Indeed, just imagine if the singer had any of those other three drummers in his band back then. Yes, they played the tune competently. But they didn't PLAY the tune like Lib plays the tune. Like his heroes Dino Dannelli, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon Ringo, Carmine Appice and other notable players from the 1960s, Lib understood the value of character and personality in the playing...of adding an element of personalised authenticity that meant much more than just being technically appropriate. BTW, as many will know, the opening for another Joel tune, 'Only the Good Die Young' saw Lib borrow a Mitch Mitchell lick from the Hendrix tune 'Up From the Skies'. In clip above he opens with Mitchell's groove from Hendrix's 'Little Miss Lover', also from the album 'Axis: Bold as Love'. Both are reminders that the power of our earliest influencers never leaves us.

[@trafalgerdavis7839]

I once saw Liberty at a drum clinic that also featured Ed Shaugnessy, Dom Famularo, Tommy Alridge and a couple more drummers I can't remember. The other ones were more techical and faster, but to be honest, Liberty had the most heart in his music. WHat made his drumming so loved and unique to Joel's early songs.

[@mikenicora6701]

Nothing beats the original! Liberty is one of a kind.

[@Caliche820]

Miami 2017 (Songs in the Attic)! Enuff said. Liberty rules!

[@DavidDarrow]

This. This! THIS!!! Everything about that track is EPIC!

[@steve_rios71]

Man Liberty DeVitto is an underrated drummer, his playing on live versions of Travelin’ Prayer, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Summer Highland Falls it’s really great, he is just an amazing drummer

[@Funky_Ghost]

Agreed. Summer, Highland Falls specifically from Songs in the Attic is my favorite song of all time. Songs in the Attic is a desert Island 5 only album for me as well. DeVitto is a huge part of that adoration. As a Bass player myself, I very much appreciate drummers with groove, space and an understanding of how best to serve a song. Aces.

[@markdara9785]

Running on ice is one of his best. Real Stuart Copeland feel. Liberty is grossly underrated.

[@steve_rios71]

@@markdara9785 Gotta love Stewart too, him and DeVitto are great drummers

[@edbertini9766]

What a pleasant and humble person to be around. Him being an iconic and spectacular drummer, well that should go without saying.

[@kenmason9200]

Always will be the one who the heartbeat into Billy Joels music. What an awesome drummer sir. Thanks

[@rlatimer1962]

Mr. DeVitto you were special when I was growing up and getting to know you in this setting is even more special.

[@kevindohn6776]

I have seen only one Billy Joel concert, way back in the 80's, at the old Montreal Forum, it was the Bridge tour. I was surprised at how hard Liberty hit those drums. I still play along with a lot of Billy Joel songs in my garage. Nice to see Liberty at drumeo !

[@reynolds753]

Liberty DeVitto is a totally engaging drummer, he was the engine room behind Billy Joel ❤

[@superglidemustang]

Can be imitated but never duplicated. Every stand in for Billy Joel no matter how good. The songs are not the same.

[@The123neil]

He is fantastic! I'm not used to that level of energy and assurance. Countless skilled drummers out there, but this energy is on another level.

[@sbrasi5]

So, I know nothing of this man but when he stepped behind the kit, he owned it...Thats all I need to know this dude is for real. Its passion unbound/ real

[@larryburnett1954]

Liberty’s Drum sound is so strong when he’s plays everyone in the crowd is air drumming, Just like Rush when Niel Peart plays so does everyone else, he makes you want it, 2 of very favorite sounds from drummers!!!

[@66jediknight]

Nobody can play it better than Liberty, nobody puts Liberty in the corner, nobody! Outstanding!

[@josephcollura1220]

The two most influential drummers that inspired me as a young kid in the late 1970’s was Neil Peart and Liberty DeVitto. It wasn’t just their drumming chops that was so amazing, but their musical approach to applying their abilities to the songs made them so awesome. Liberty’s playing was so dynamic on 52nd Street. And everything Neil did just blew my mind. Thanks for the great video!

[@crazy8sdrums]

..and O M G!!!! Liberty sounded so AWESOME here!!! TY Drumeo!

[@tb7077]

I saw that concert in Tampa. I sat behind Liberty in the lower bleachers, about fifty feet away. A GREAT seat for any drummer. I remember he hit the drums so hard, from the backfield and was spot on. Needless to say it was a great show.

[@charliemay5758]

Liberty DeVitto is so much more than a legend. I have listened to his playing over so many years. If I was only allowed to listen to one drummer for the rest of my life, hands down it's Liberty on Billy Joel's greatest hits vol 1 and vol 2.

[@jasonwilliams6005]

Saw him on the Bridge tour in Buffalo NY. Phenomenal show. His playing was incredible and his drums were so cool!!!

[@ken_wilkens]

Liberty was one of my drum heroes growing up on Long Island. I have a Liberty story: I was Christmas shopping at the Smithaven Mall on Long Island one year and I saw Lib. I said Hi and I’m a big fan - and he asked how I knew who he was! I was like … “WHAT? YOU ARE THE MAN!” Then an hour later, he was right behind me on the escalator in (I think) Macy’s. Such a cool guy and glad I had a chance to meet him and thank him for his great drumming!

[@frankpuleo2009]

Fantastic to hear Liberty speak about the music and parts he played !! Thanks good job Drumeo…😀

[@Mr.TeETH78]

LIBERTY! Yeah! I saw this man do a clinic in Nashville put on Gary Forkum and Forks drum closet. Gawd, Liberty blew my 13 year old mind. It was so deceptively simple but full of passion. He played for the song!

[@tommonk7651]

I saw Billy Joel and his band on the 52nd Street tour. I love DeVitto. There was a section of the concert where Billy and Liberty pretended to have an argument, and they switched places. Liberty played some piano and Billy beat on the drums. It was great!

[@richardnoggin697]

The only time I've ever used Sex Wax is for Surfing. I grew up in Atlantic Beach NC. Every Surf Shop sold Sex Wax and every surfer used it to on their board so your feet don't slip off of it. Awesome that they found another use for it.

[@metzilla]

Simplicity at it's finest! WOW! Great video! He's got such a feel, and the way he swings his hi-hat strokes to each side of the cymbal is just great!

[@Reid_Jorgensen]

One of the best ever, Liberty DeVitto!

[@morbidmanmusic]

he, and tommy aldredge.. man they hit.

[@hawaiianstylin]

I love his drum presence. I play like that also to believe it or not, "timing" more consistent and groove-able. (and) like Tommy Aldridge said about some drummer, I see behind the drums like "Court room Stenographer".🥁🔊😎

[@thenel2162]

Mr DeVitto's energy and feel just hitting different. He playing with so much passion! In there grooving like a mfer! It has a intensity the others lack. It really makes the song come alive! Fantastic! Hypnotic!

[@andrewsimineri2243]

Sex Wax started with surf boards to help grip your feet and they say it made you glide over the waves faster. It's a very old product. I use it for my sticks and it does work very well. Liberty is Paisan and a fellow NYer. Thanks for all the great music and making my cover band life so much fun.

[@vincentrizzi4929]

A humble man and Awesome Drummer. Liberty

[@leokimvideo]

To me Liberty DeVitto's playing of Allentown is a less is more approach Vs the other drummers. Liberty has a great explosive expressions that key into sections of the song. Really works out those cymbals.

[@mflynn74]

Liberty DeVitto. What a badass! So good

[@johndoh5182]

GREAT call out to the Stones drummer. That's something I always noticed listening to their music. The drumming sounds great while being very approachable.

[@lidj16]

My drumming inspiration. Thanks Lib for continuing to inspire and for showing how to hit hard while staying in the pocket. I think all of us NY drummers have tried to aspire to your level, signature feel and “NY style” playing, aggressive but with finesse!

[@gerardplank3780]

Looking forward to see Liberty play in Clearwater in March. Being from Long Island and being an amateur drummer I love how he defines the song and is a monster!

[@jvz1970]

Liberty is going down as one of THE GOATS! Love you bro!

[@markfrombriz]

This man is a drumming god, playing an iconic song of my youth

[@spaceburger80]

THANK YOU DRUMEO!!! Liberty is the boss!

[@rickfernandez9983]

Brings back sweet memories of my mom ... When I was a kid practicing at home she liked this song a lot ... Along with "Lights" from Journey ... Thank you Mr. Devitto.

[@jhamler1]

This is amazing. AMAZING! Why? because Devito has been so underrated I can't even explain it.

[@RyanMonty]

Liberty wins the challenge lol Dude is just so violent on the drums, I love it.

[@allenmitchell09]

Wow! Liberty hits really hard! Love this dude.

[@aqualunga9467]

Great drummer. I've always loved Joel, and DeVito's drumming on Billy`s songs is just amazing.

[@gruvdrums]

Love me some Liberty DeVitto. Thank you for bringing the man who made me love Billy Joel's music. It was Liberty who brought those tunes to life and made it rise to the top level that it is now. Love ya, Liberty. Thanks for the work you did on all those tunes. Also thanks for the Charlie Watts love, I agree with you completely. Cheers from Seattle.

[@gplegend1472]

I'm a huge Billy Joel fan for more than 35 years now but Liberty is the real deal, especially on the "Songs in the attic" album. He nails it on every track!

[@FBW2000]

I don’t know why it makes me smile when he mouths “spend their weekends on the Jersey Shore”. Love it when drummers sing along.

[@rador9745]

Wow, that downbeat to Allentown nearly knocked me out! Liberty's sound cannot be imitated, only appreciated. Thanks Drumeo for such a great episode.

[@THCya97961]

Those three young men just got taken to school by Mr. Devitto! EPIC!!!

[@jasona1806]

Liberty is a treasure.. such a cool guy and his drum parts are forever… Yes the comparison to Ringo is legit. Great program guys👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@blake70505]

Liberty has been one of my favorites for decades. He beats the shit out of those drums though 😮

[@muxz]

I'm not a drummer but when I really started to listen to Billy Joel, beyond the hits, digging into his albums, it was DeVitto's drums that really started to stand out to me. They're so dynamic that it raises the emotion in each song. Without his style of drumming, I think Joe's music would've been taken down a notch IMO.

[@John_F898]

Wow! His playing right when the video starts reminds me so much of Close to the Borderline on Billy’s Glass Houses album.

[@williambeatty7781]

Liberty brought such a great feel to Billy Joel music that made it special.

[@badbrad]

Saw Liberty with Billy on the 52nd street tour and Glass Houses tour. He was an absolute beast, he brought a much needed edge and ferocity to those songs.

[@johnridulfo6451]

Hey Lib, hello from Long Island. So great to see you here! I sat next to you at the first Buddy Rich concert at Westbury, seems like yesterday.

[@davidbalan6571]

' Libertori ' ' Liberto ' ' Devitto ( born 8 August 1950) 🥁.

[@td-12kx53]

Man, that was awesome!!!🫡

[@tmaddrummer]

In all honesty, Alex and Ramon play very well. They are two young men who are so very accomplished, but I don't know if there's anywhere else for them to go. They have already gone to a place that I'll never get to, and I'm old, but I'm happy just being me, because I see too much pressure being either one of them and trying to stay so accomplished and still improve. Those days are well past me, and I am so astonished by the high caliber playing by today's Drummers..... way, way too cool to envision if someone told me 60 years ago that it would be this way today. I'll end with saying that no matter how good or great they all are, for me, it's Jeff Porcaro all the way. Thank you Liberty DeVitto for everything that you have contributed to Drummers and Drumming! Special thanks to Drumeo, as y'all have changed everything in so many good ways.

[@patrickdepoortere6830]

About time...more Liberty.

[@malcolmlarri8236]

one of my first drum heros - brilliant !

[@pagecampbelljr4562]

Liberty Devitto was the perfect drummer for Billy Joel,the best!.

[@crazy8sdrums]

Allentown is a great song, and Liberty really nailed it on the record. The drums are stout, but cautious. There is an unusual lope injected into the groove by Liberty...a strong 2+ and a strong 4+. There is also deliberate delay on the time..behind the beat. It is Liberty's signature, and what makes him awesome and what scored him that amazing gig!

[@ericpasquariello0418]

Always loved Liberty’s drumming

[@MrBobcatsband]

A true musician. No BS. Creative but always tasteful and appropriate to the song.

[@armytank3672]

Sex wax is a wax developed for surfboards. I’ve been playing drums for 35 years and never had difficulty gripping a stick. I would imagine sex wax would only get in the way . But if lack of stick grip is a thing with some drummers , I would imagine it could be beneficial. Maybe simply try out a slightly different diameter stick

[@markcrisp4867]

I love the song & the way he played the song Just the way you are that’s tasty grooving to me & Go Liberty 💯🎼🥁😍✌️

[@anconranger1774]

I was amazed by him when that album came out out. He was as much a reason for me playing drums as Ringo or Tommy Aldridge!

[@jonathanplanner3270]

Just love Liberty DeVitto, I love how he always played with the same passion as guys like Dave Grohl and Taylor way before that was a thing or style... I watched him like a hawk every time I got a chance to see him live or on screen, learnt so much.

[@daviddepish4804]

Ok...not a lifetime fan.....but he killed it. What a solid groovy performance....a pro

[@davidnidus3129]

Liberty sounds like a drummer in his 20s. Still got it and then some.

[@FreeManOutpost]

If you started playing in the 80’s Liberty was our Ringo for sure!

[@allenmitchell09]

Billy ought to be ashamed of the way he ended up treating this awesome man and musician.

[@joelballard4955]

Agreed. Bill is a douche

[@soundbreak7]

100 percent true

[@smarkmalark]

I’m not the biggest Billy fan or even know much if his music or himself at all but what happened?

[@anthonykujawa-wj6cr]

BJ is despicable

[@allenmitchell09]

For some reason my replies aren’t posting.

[@StarrbrightTV]

There’s only one Liberty! Yes, as mentioned he is my Ringo Starr! One of the most influential drummers out there and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet! Get out and see him play live !

[@ohare14]

Liberty! Yes! Thank you!

[@alexorbiorbison]

Don't let the short swing fool you this man SLAMS those drums. I did a panel with him at BeatleFest '17 and I thought "holy shit is that necessary" lol and I like to play hard. Such a beast and funny as hell.

[@garse70]

His snare sound is awesome. Gotta love the thickness. The difference in the other three drummers, of course it’s their first time playing it, is they are thinking too much. I know it’s their style, but this is not a song to get technical with. Liberty is all feel and does the song right, with less. Those other guys were a bit syncopated and behind the beat and Liberty was right on and moving the song forward, like a train. Dude is still a powerhouse. BTW, Sex Wax is wax for surfboards. You apply it in the top for grip for your feet.

[@Puebow]

What a cool dude.. drive that tune!!!!

[@williamjohnson1757]

Unreal musician

[@lbudt29]

I was just a teen when that song came out, and now I've met the man who played their drums. Liberty you have great feel and energy for music. Thank you sir for sharing your gift. Remember, JCITWTL, follow Him today everyone.

[@josemariamedina3903]

The weight, the feel, the groove. Nobody sounds like him. One of a kind.

[@richboshart1201]

That feel. It’s still there.

[@sevenonsunday3968]

Liberty is a legend!!!!

[@rhythmista7707]

Liberty's drum beat for my favorite Billy Joel song, Just The Way You Are, is one of the most unique and simply genius drum beats in rock history. And I also agree with Liberty that the 2nd drummer's version was the best. No over or under playing, and adding a cajon was stroke of original genius. However, the man himself of course played it best, with an incredible feel and power that cannot be emulated. He's too unique.

[@eudesbarber]

Ramon from Brazil. Brazilian Drummer.

[@FadjarMoeljarto]

True lrgend devito..thanks 🥁👍🔥

[@vandavis000]

One awesome drummer. I wanted to learn all his drum beats so i watched every billy joel show i seen. I laughed so hard at danny devito brother joke. Haliarious.😅😂😊