The World’s Greatest Drummer

I recently came across some super 8 film footage of me playing a drum solo during a rehearsal for a high school concert. The music directors I had in school were amazing, and each year they would put on a concert called, “The Pop Concert,” featuring the jazz ensemble and a singing group called, Taste of Sound.

The band director, Dave Player, was also a drummer. Every Pop Concert featured the drummers playing solos. The film clip I found is of me playing my solo during a rehearsal for the 1978 Pop Concert. I was a freshman at Safford High School.

Unfortunately, most consumer film cameras in the 1970s didn’t have sound so this clip is silent:

Back in 2010, we had a pop concert reunion. The band director, Dave Player, had retired by then but he participated in the reunion concert. The proceeds from the concert were donated to the current band and choir. Dave Player has since passed away. I’m glad we had the opportunity to do one last concert as a tribute to him. Here’s a brief clip of my solo. This one has sound:

Now, you may be wondering why I titled this post, “The World’s Greatest Drummer.” When I showed my mother the clip from 1978, she laughed and reminded me that when I was a little kid I told her that when I grew up I was going to be the world’s greatest drummer.

I have since grown up but I have yet to attain the title of World’s Greatest Drummer.