Big Fat Five: David Garibaldi (Tower of Power) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records
Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming…a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum.
I’m back with another installed of Big Fat Five — a segment of the podcast where we dive into the five records that shaped the way great drummers approach their craft.
My name is Ben Hilzinger and today’s guest is someone whose playing and educational work has impacted me personally in a big way. David Garibaldi is not only the legendary drummer of Tower of Power, but his book Future Sounds has been one of my go-to practice tools ever since my good friend Sarab Singh first turned me onto it. In this conversation, David shares the five records that shaped his unmistakable sound and approach to rhythm. I’m so honored to have him on — let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my chat with David Garibaldi. Cheers!
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Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
DAVID'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Count Basie
Album - Breakfast Dance and Barbeque
Release Year - 1959
Drummer - Sonny Payne
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Artist - Sly & The Family Stone
Album - Whole New Thing
Release Year - 1967
Key Track(s) "Underdog," "If This Room Could Talk"
Drummer - Greg Errico
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Artist - Aretha Franklin
Album - Aretha Live @ The Fillmore West
Release Year - 1971
Drummer - Bernard Purdie
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Artist - The Meters
Album - Look-Ka Py Py
Release Year - 1969
Key Track(s) "Looka-Py-Py," "Rigor Mortis"
Drummer - Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste
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Artist - James Brown
Single - "I Got The Feelin'"
Release Year - 1968
Drummer - Clyde Stubblefield
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Artist - Maceo & All The King's Men
Album - Doing Their Own Thing
Release Year - 1970
Drummer - Melvin Parker
Maceo Parker
Album - Made By Maceo
Release Year - 2003
Drummer - Jamal Thomas
Artist - Ray Barretto
Album - Que Viva La Musica
Release Year - 1972
Key Track - Alafia Cumaye
Timbales - Orestes Vilato
Artist - Herbie Hancock
Album - Maiden Voyage
Key Track - Maiden Voyage
Release Year - 1965
Drummer - Tony Williams
Artist - Miles Davis
Album - Four and More
Release Year - 1966 (Recorded in 1964)
Drummer - Tony Williams
Elvin Jones...all his recordings...(especially McCoy Tyner's album Inception)
...and MANY more...
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.
Drummers on Drumming
DRUMMERS ON DRUMMING goes beyond technique and gear, diving into the stories, influences, and perspectives that shape the world’s most compelling drummers. Hosted by Ben Hilzinger (Cannons, Eve 6) and powered by Big Fat Snare Drum, this podcast delivers honest conversations, deep insights, and unfiltered takes from the drummers who move music forward.
Each episode explores what makes a drummer’s voice truly their own—whether through Big Fat Five, where guests break down the five albums, moments, or influences that defined their style, or The Drum Panel, a no-holds-barred roundtable on drumming’s most polarizing topics. Expect bold opinions, surprising connections, and an authentic look at the drumming life—on and off the kit.
For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.
- No. of episodes: 235
- Latest episode: 2025-05-07
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