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| The Adrian Belew Interview! |
| As I proclaimed to my Wife after recently seeing Adrian Belew performing live with his band The Bears, "Adrian is officially my musical idol". Of course, I have been a familiar fan of Adrian's throughout the years after all of his work with King Crimson, David Bowie, and Frank Zappa, however, I don't think I was really totally aware of exactly how great Adrian really is until I saw him doing his own thing. Since then, I have been buying his solo albums and immersing myself in his music. Ever heard "Op Zop Too Wah"? It has truly changed my musical life. It has made Me re-evaluate my philosophy as a musician. It makes Me want to be so much better. I guess, in a nutshell, Adrian has helped make music really fun for Me again. I could certainly go on for countless hours about all of the musical discoveries I am making as a result of studying Adrian's work, even buying my first Frank Zappa album "Sheik Yerbouti" just because Adrian plays on it (and Adrian also renders the best Bob Dylan impression I have ever heard....absolutely hilarious!). It is not often that one can say he has been able to ask questions of their idol and get responses back, but I got Adrian's answers back this weekend and they have certainly made for a very entertaining and informative interview discussing Adrian's background, his hometown, Crimson philosophy, and so much more... I hope You all will enjoy this interview! |
| BD: Adrian, as with most young boys in the early 60's, seeing the Beatles perform on Ed Sullivan's show changed your life forever. What exactly was it that made you lean towards picking up the drumsticks for the first time? AB: When the Beatles performed on Ed Sullivan I was already playing drums in the Ludlow KY Jr. High Marching Panthers. We played parades and football games. I don't know what attracted me to drums but I was adamant about it. The Ludlow Panthers were short on trumpet players so they tried hard to get me to take up trumpet but I refused. BD: Were you totally self taught as a drummer? AB: For three seasons in the Jr. High band I was taught the basics of reading drum music and a smattering of paradiddles until between grades 8 and 9 we moved to Florence KY and I joined my first rock band The Denims instead of continuing my formal education. Then I forgot about reading music and instead taught myself everything I could by listening to records. BD: Have you ever been approached about, or entertained the thought of taking a permanent drumming spot in a band rather than a Guitarist/frontman spot? AB: God no. I'm a drum enthusiast more than a drummer. To be a real drummer you have to wake up thinking drums drums drums and I don't. BD: Projekt Two gave you the opportunity to sit in the drum chair in a Crimson style set-up and display some fantastic drumming skills that many Crimson fans may not have even been aware that you possessed. How was the reaction of the fans that were lucky enough to see you in this setting and do you think there may be more Projekts in the future that will give you such a creative opportunity again? AB: Some very astute "fans" complained that I was no Bill Bruford! Apart from that the reaction to P2 was very good and some of our concerts reached a high point of improv. Within the band we felt it was more fun than serious and I saw my drum role (no pun intended) as a supportive platform for Robert and Trey to solo over. I doubt there will be anymore ProjeKcts but you never know. BD: Switching gears a bit here, the story of how Frank Zappa approached you to join him on his world tour is quite amazing. What was it like when the reality hit you that You had reached such a milestone? AB: It was like a crash course in every possible aspect of being a professional recording artist working around the world performing a brand of music few people can understand under the tutelage of a legendary unique genius. It took me years to realize the importance of what Frank gave me and I will always miss him. |
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| My sincerest thanks goes to Adrian's webmaster Rob Murphee for making this all possible! |
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