I've been playing drums since I was 10. If I could make a good living at it, I'd play drums all day, but.... like many others, I'm caught up in reality. I like the lifestyle I live and have a serious career to support it. But playing drums is what I really love to do. I also love riding my Harley. I am blessed to have a beautiful and loving family and many good friends. I love people too and enjoy meeting new people especially those who share the same interests.
Back to the drums... It all started for me as a kid. I used to dig watching marching bands and seeing the percussion line playing complex, coordinated rhythms and feeling the sound waves from the drums go right through me. I wanted to be a drummer!
I started taking music lessons in school (it was big back then) and eventually landed a spot as the snare drummer in the school band. I got a drum kit for Christmas and was learning by listening to the radio and trying to pick up what drummers were playing. Then one day, I heard Led Zeppelin and nothing was ever the same.
John Bonham's playing was legendary. The guy had it all. Many drummers have one or a couple of strong attributes but Bonzo had it all. He had power, finesse, serious skills, articulation, and man was he musical. He knew when to play, what to play, and more importantly when not to play. The guy just always played the right piece for the music.
It was a sad day in the world of music and drumming when John died. However, having studied his work as much as I and countless other drummers have, I feel that his spirit is alive and his style immortalized in current and future generations of drummers like me and the millions of others his amazing work has touched.
I've had the opportunity to study briefly with two incredible drummers, the legendary Joe Morello and Bill Meligari. I wish I could have stayed on with both and I think where I might be had I, but life took me on a different course. Yet, these two fine gentlemen and masters of the drums taught me things I would have never figured out on my own. And opened up my mind to new challenges.
I've played with a number of bands over the years including Eternity, The Blokes, Ambition, EMI, Trinity and WiseGuise. I'm very content now to be able to continue to play almost daily, and to continue to study and improve. I'd like to meet other local musicians who are interested in collaborating, jamming, etc... and maybe starting a kick ass band.
And of course, I'm here to meet you since you are reading myspace page!
Southbound Suarez (playing Led Zeppelin, John Bonham)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wxt-dilEng
