329 – [Daniel Glass Show]: Deconstructing Earl Palmer, Pt. 2

In this session, Daniel continues his exploration into the style of the legendary drummer Earl Palmer, showing just why Palmer is often called “the architect of rock’n’roll drumming.” Part Two covers the years 1957-1971, and looks at Earl’s move from New Orleans to Los Angeles, where he created many groundbreaking  iconic rock drum parts for the likes of Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Ricky Nelson, Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert, Tina Turner, Jan and Dean, the Mamas and the Papas and countless others.

What’s covered in this session:

• The reasons for Earl Palmer’s move to Los Angeles in 1957.
• An overview of the burgeoning rock music industry in the late 1950s, and how independent record labels played a big role.
• Earl’s rise to prominence on the session scene, and his role as a pivotal member of the famed “Wrecking Crew.”
• Overview of the many styles that Palmer mastered in his journey to the top of the L.A. session scene.
• Audio samples of many pivotal hits on which Earl made his mark.
• Earl’s incalculable influence on  other rock drummers, including those in the rockabilly scene, the British Invasion and countless others who would rise to importance over the next decades.

Resources/Links/People Mentioned:

• Backbeat: Earl Palmer’s Story, by Earl Palmer and Tony Scherman (KILLER biography and a must-read!).
• The Roots of Rock Drumming (by Daniel Glass and Steve Smith) features an in depth interview with Earl.
• Earl Palmer Obituary in the Guardian.
• Earl Palmer: World’s Greatest Drummer – Amazing compilation CD.
• Scene from the 1971 film “Zachariah,” in which Earl “replaced” portions of an Elvin Jones solo.