February 1, 2005    

To the legends with gratitude

Through the years I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet many of the greatest rudimental drummers and in some cases call them my friends.  I’ve had two nice opportunities to pay tribute them, as well as some of the legends I always dreamed of meeting.

The first was at the 2003 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.  Along with my wife Therese, my brothers Gus & Nicholas, my sister-in-law Tracey, and the legendary Nick Attanasio we presented a clinic titled The Fife & Drum Effect on the Modern Drummer.  We presented legendary names to the audience, sharing some of their life history, stories and music.  To say it was a great success would be an understatement!

The second opportunity to honor some of the great rudimental drummers was when my book The Beat of a Different Drummer was published in 2004.  On one of the opening pages I give “thanks to the Masters”, my own little tribute to some of the greats who lead the way for me to march to “the beat of a different drummer.” 

The names mentioned in the book are:

Thomas Cecil Andrews, Frank Arsenault, Nick Attanasio, Dr. Fritz Berger, Dave Boddie, Bruce & Emmett, Paul, Cormier, Bobby Culkin, Jeff Funnell, Harold Green, Ed Lemley, Ken Lemley, Mitch Markowich, Gus Moeller, J. Burns Moore, Joe Morello, Les Parks, Charley Poole Jr., Jack Pratt, Hugh Quigley, Bob Redican, George Lawrence Stone, Earl Sturtze, Al “Duke” Terreri, Bobby Thompson and Bill Westhall. 

That may look like a large list but in reality there were a few names I inadvertently left off.  George Carroll, Ed Classey, Alfonse Greider, Eric Perriloux, and Gardiner Stube are just a few off the top of my head who deserve mention.  Although all of these drummers may not be on the tip of everybody’s tongue when it comes to rudimental legends, they all have truly had an impact on the world of traditional & “not-so-traditional” rudimental drumming, as well all forms of contemporary drums and percussion. 

The point of this article is for me to say thanks to all of these legends.  I have a true feeling of gratitude toward them and would not be who I am today without them! 

                                        In the spirit,

                                        Dominick Cuccia  

Copyright © 2005 by Dominick Cuccia

All Rights Reserved