Drummer jokes

Last updated

Drummer jokes are jokes that are directed at drummers and percussionists, often impugning their musicianship or intelligence. [1] They have circulated since the early 20th century; a 1930 article in the magazine The Ludwig Drummer referred to the joke "ten musicians and drummer" as "an old saying". [2]

Contents

Drummer jokes typically try to show them as lacking civilised behaviour or musical proficiency, with occasional references to a lack of mental agility and timekeeping ability. [3] The jokes have arisen because of drummers' reputation as being wild and savage, as demonstrated by the Muppet Animal, the Who's Keith Moon, Led Zeppelin's John Bonham and Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee. [3] [4] According to a study in Brain and Behavior in December 2019, however, drummers' brains are actually better connected because of the continual and repetitive practice. This thickens the fibers in the main connecting tract between the brain's two halves, and allows better organisation for motor skills. [5] Comedian Al Murray, who is a drummer in his band Fat Cops, says the jokes are completely inaccurate, and force drummers together as a community. [6]

Since the 1990s, there have been several websites dedicated to drummer jokes. [7] In 2014, David Singleton's alter ego The Vicar produced a drummer joke app for iOS, described as "so simple, even a drummer could use it". [8] An obituary of Rush drummer Neil Peart in Billboard said he was "an extraordinary being sent to Earth to destroy drummer jokes". [9]

Examples

What's the difference between a drum machine and a drummer?
You only have to punch the song into the drum machine once! [10] [6]
What do you call someone who hangs around musicians?
A drummer. [11]
What's the last thing you're likely to hear a drummer say?
Hey guys, do you want to play one of my songs? [12]

A variation on drummer jokes plays on the fact that they are more likely to be fans of famous drummers than musicians generally. [13]

How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
12 - one to change the bulb, and 11 to talk about how Buddy Rich would have done it! [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Peart</span> Canadian and American drummer (1952–2020)

Neil Ellwood Peart was a Canadian and American musician, known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. He was known to fans by the nickname 'The Professor', derived from the Gilligan's Island character of the same name. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1983 at the age of thirty, making him the youngest person ever so honoured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rush (band)</span> Canadian rock band

Rush was a Canadian rock band that primarily comprised Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson (guitar) and Neil Peart. The band formed in Toronto in 1968 with Lifeson, drummer John Rutsey, and bass guitarist/vocalist Jeff Jones, whom Lee immediately replaced. After Lee joined, the band went through several line-up changes before arriving at its classic power trio lineup with the addition of Peart in July 1974, who replaced Rutsey four months after the release of their self-titled debut album; this lineup remained intact for the remainder of the band's career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drummer</span> Percussionist who creates and accompanies music using drums

A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Bonham</span> English drummer (1948–1980)

John Henry Bonham was an English musician who was the drummer of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Noted for his speed, power, fast single-footed kick drumming, distinctive sound, and feel for groove, he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential drummers in music history.

<i>Fly by Night</i> (album) 1975 studio album by Rush

Fly by Night is the second studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released on February 14, 1975, by Mercury Records. It was the first Rush album to showcase elements of progressive rock for which the band has become known. It was also the first to feature lyricist and drummer Neil Peart, who replaced original drummer John Rutsey the previous summer just prior to the band's first North American tour. Peart took over as Rush's primary lyricist, and the abundance of fantastical and philosophical themes in his compositions contrasted greatly with the simpler hard rock of the band's debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Rich</span> American jazz drummer and bandleader (1917–1987)

Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer, songwriter, conductor, and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time.

Michael Rex Giles is an English drummer, percussionist, and vocalist, best known as one of the co-founders of King Crimson in 1968. Prior to the formation of King Crimson, he was part of the eccentric pop trio Giles, Giles and Fripp along with his brother, bassist Peter, and guitarist Robert Fripp. They were active between 1967–1968.

<i>Power Windows</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Rush

Power Windows is the eleventh studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on October 11, 1985 in Canada by Anthem Records and on October 21, 1985 in the United States. After touring in support of their previous album, Grace Under Pressure (1984), the band took a break and reconvened in early 1985 to begin work on a follow-up. The material continued to display the band's exploration of synthesizer-oriented music, this time with the addition of sampling, electronic drums, a string section, and choir, with power being a running lyrical theme. Power Windows was recorded in Montserrat and England with Peter Collins as co-producer and Andy Richards on additional keyboards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rogers Drums</span>

Rogers Drums is an American multinational drum manufacturer. It was founded in 1849 and originally based in Covington, Ohio. During the twentieth century, their drums enjoyed popularity with musicians spanning from the Dixieland jazz era in the 1920s to classic rock in the 1960s and 1970s, but was particularly associated with big band and swing drummers of the 1940s and 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Harrison</span> English musician

Gavin Richard Harrison is an English musician. He is best known for playing with the progressive rock bands Porcupine Tree, King Crimson and The Pineapple Thief (2016–present). Harrison's drumming has received many awards from music publications and earned praise from other musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Sucherman</span> American drummer

Todd Sucherman is an American drummer, who is best known for being a member of Styx since March 1995.

<i>Rhythm</i> (music magazine)

Rhythm was a print drumming and percussion magazine based in England, the United Kingdom. Launched in 1985, it was published by Music Maker Publications until 1997 and then by Future plc until April 2019. Rhythm was relaunched at the end of November 2019 by a new publisher, Lifestyle Media House, and moved to Beats Network Ltd in September 2020. It ceased publication in November 2021. It was formerly the best-selling drumming magazine in the UK.

Founded in 2012, The Big Drum Bonanza is an annual music and drumming educational event in the United States. From 2012 to 2019 the event was hosted by drummer Thomas Lang, and featured drummers, artists and special guests included Virgil Donati, Kenny Aronoff, Chris Coleman, Dave Elitch, Jim Keltner, Stanton Moore, Simon Phillips, Tony Royster Jr., Luis Conte, Matt Garstka, Gergő Borlai, John Tempesta, Luke Holland, Don Lombardi, Chad Wackerman, Derek Roddy, and Gregg Bissonette among other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Bryar</span> American musician (born 1979)

Robert Cory Bryar is an American retired musician and sound engineer best known as the drummer of the rock band My Chemical Romance. The longest tenured and last official drummer, he performed in the band from 2004 until his departure in 2010.

"Witch Hunt" is a song by Canadian rock band Rush. It was released on their 1981 album Moving Pictures, and unlike many other Rush songs it was a true studio production, with a variety of percussion instruments and overdubs, and a separate keyboard player. It is the first of four songs in what has been called the band's "Fear" series, the other three being "The Weapon", "The Enemy Within", and "Freeze", although this song is the third part of the series in order, and went on reverse chronological order by the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Shanahan</span> American photographer and rock drummer (born 1966)

Rob Shanahan is an American photographer and rock drummer known for his concert photography and portraits of celebrities. He has been the preferred photographer of ex-Beatles drummer Ringo Starr since 2006.

Hudson Music is an American music publishing and distribution company founded in New York City by Robert Wallis and Paul Siegel.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "21 of the best drummer jokes ever". Music Radar. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  2. ↑ Brennan 2020, p. 4.
  3. 1 2 Raymer, Miles (25 January 2013). "The 10 Craziest Drummers Ever". Esquire. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  4. ↑ Brennan 2020, p. 2.
  5. ↑ "Science Says Drummers' Brains Are Better". Drum Magazine. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  6. 1 2 "The Pub Landlord: In Britain's hour of need, Al Murray's…started a band?". Big Issue. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Smith 2016, p. 6.
  8. ↑ "Introducing the Vicar's Drummer Jokes and Celebrity Guessing Game app". Electric Bento. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  9. ↑ "Neil Peart Believed in the Freedom of Music". Billboard. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Hi-hats off to the drummers who sing". The Independent . 24 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "The 17 worst things about being a percussionist". Classic FM . 15 September 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  12. ↑ Smith 2016, p. 94.
  13. 1 2 Smith 2016, p. 46.

Sources

The following sites have large repositories of drum jokes:

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.