REMEMBERING LARRIE LONDIN
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Ralph Gallant (Larrie Londin is his stage name) grew up in Florida, returning to Norfolk in the 50's and cutting his musical teeth on local groups like Gene Vincent and the Bluecaps. Larrie's early environment was saturated in Rock'n'roll music and it rubbed off on him.
His accomplishments ranged from touring with Adrian Belew to The Everly Brothers, from TV shows with Tennessee Ernie Ford to The 1992 Command Performance for the President, from records with Stevie Wonder to Steve Perry and JOURNEY. Diana Ross; The Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves; The Vandellas, Smokey Robinson, Joe Tex, Wilson Pickett, Lionel Ritchie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Boots Randolph, Charlie Pride, Randy Travis, Porter Wagner, Dolly Parton, B.B. King, Albert Lee, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, England Dan; John Ford Coley, Bobby Bare, Merle Haggard, Hank Snow, Jerry Reed, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Dan Fogelberg, Reba McEntire, KT Oslin, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Hank Williams, Jr., Chet Atkins, and Elvis Presley.
Larrie worked hard at his craft, and he had good taste and talent. He commented that Buddy Rich had been the best drummer of all time, but Chet Atkins rightly stated that indeed Larrie was the greatest.
He was one of the most sought after drummers in the music industry and was well liked by all who knew him. He played with passion and aimed for perfection.
On April 24, 1992 he collapsed following a clinic at North Texas State University and he spent four months in a vegetative state. There was nothing the doctors could do to bring him back from the coma. He lingered for months in a Nashville hospice before he eventually passed away. On August 24, 1992 the world lost its greatest drummer.
In an article for Drummerworld, musician James Byron Fox commented that "Larrie's resume reads like Who's Who in music. It's impossible to listen to any radio very long before you hear his solid backbeat. He was a real musician's musician and I hope that someday he'll get the widespread recognition he deserves."
Larrie Londin was a brilliant musician that will forever shine in the hearts of those who loved his music.
.. Click here for more information about the songs
Click here to create your own MySpace Playlist