Bruford and the beat

A nice doc from 1982. I like the way he explains his concepts.
He seems to only play pure music at all times. IMO of course

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l7VWjEAFCM&feature=watch-vrec

Articulate. Intelligent. Innovative. Genius.

The first time I saw Bill was with Yes, opening for Grand Funk at the Yale Bowl. Chrome drums. Had not seen them before. Fascinating figure for a rock band drummer.

I saw him with UK at a club near Hartford years later. The opening song, Alaska, as I recall, was searing and Bill has the same cool attitude no matter what the vehicle.

I love him.

Seeing a Chapman Stick from 1982. Man, that is way ahead of the day.

I have to admit, I have always wanted to see this video and never bought it because it was just a half hour, but I got more enjoyment watching this than 2 hour vids I have.

In jogging around youtube looking at Bruford vids I came upon a college lecture he gave addressing things from his book, a 40 year personal retrospective, and also the place of drums in modern music, as well as the music Industry versus the music Business of today. Bill being the character he is I found it very interesting, and informative.

I was lucky to catch the last drum clinics Bill did in November of 2006.
I wish he would play drums again, don't know why he has retired.

Boomer, Carl Palmer, Alan White, to name a few are still out there playing, improving
and entertaining people, it is a shame Bill has taken himself out of the picture like that.

I get the feeling from listening to interviews, as honest as he is, he tends to feel he has just said all he wants to or can say behind a set of drums for a career.

Bill is like that, but it is not always about re-inventing the wheel, it's about entertainment also.
Many people that just like Bill's playing (myself included) would like the chance to see and hear him
play again.

Bill has built his drumming career on being a scientist with a lab coat on, always pushing the role of the drummer.
But he doesn't always have to do that, just seeing him play well and in a group would be enough for me.

From what I've heard it is a monetary issue. The cost of touring a band doesn't make ends meet for him. Between work visas and travel he is lucky to break even. We can be happy he has released dvds of his earthworks groups and had a long career. It's doubtful we will be able to see him performing again.

I have to disagree money is not the issue, he gets paid to do the lectures.
Tama has always stored kits for Bill at their warehouses, so that is not a problem either.

I think the issue is more mental, he just doesn't want to play in public any more.

All i know is he did complain about it so, I kind of figured it had a bit to do with it. for lecture touring it's just him to worry about. With 4 other players and equipment business expenses add up. But maybe you're correct I am assuming from his rantings and banging on about logistics, visas etc...

Acouple years ago a bassist friend of mine went to see Percy Jones and his band, in CT. I would have expected just about every fusion bassist in the tri-state area to be there for that concert. My friend said he was shocked and saddened to see several people in the club and that was it. He talked with Jones later who said the whole tour had been the same.

In this economy for the last four or five years I'd say plenty of pros have thought about hanging it up.

The bug may bite Bill again. At least he'll record and render his newest devisings.