RIP JImmy "the rev" sullivan

The music world knows great musicians when it sees them, that is why a death in the music industry is such a great loss. As I write this blog post I dedicate it to one of the greatest metal drummers that has ever lived.

The year is 2001 and one of the greatest bands has recorded their first album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, the band is Avenged Sevenfold. Avenged Sevenfold has rocked the charts for the past decade as they produced hit after hit. One of their greatest attributes is their drummer who name is Jimmy Sullivan. Better known as “the rev”, jimmy became one of the founders of avenged sevenfold after he left a previous band at the age of 18. Jimmy begun to play the drums at the age of 11, after only a year of lessons jimmy began to play with college percussion groups and then 6 years later he began to join bands which started his career as one of the most famous drummers in the world.

Jimmy “the rev” Sullivan took drumming into a new era. Jimmy was in my mind the master of the double kick pedal. The way he could transform a song by a sick break with his double bass was truly incredible. It was as if he gave the song a new life, he was Jesus of the double kick. Not only was Sullivan a great drummer but his piano, and vocal skills truly where set apart from any others out there. Sullivan was not only a man, but a musician, a hero so to say in the music world. But as it would be all great things have to come to an end eventually. In the winter of 2009 jimmy Sullivan was found dead in his home in Huntington Beach, California at the age of 28. His death is truly a loss for the band and many other individuals who thought of jimmy Sullivan as a hero. Avenged Sevenfold’s fifth album, nightmare, was dedicated to Sullivan a year after he passed. Sullivan will be a man that many shall remember for his amazing drumming abilities and his truly great musician ship.

The Greatest Drummer to Ever Take a Breath!

Now it’s time to move aside from the rock side of drumming, it’s time to look at a little jazz. Of all the influencing drummers in the jazz world, there is none better than the great buddy rich. Known for never practicing outside of a performance buddy rich was a man on extreme talent.

                Born on September 20, 1917 buddy rich began his drumming career at the age of one when his father saw that he could keep a steady beat with spoons that were lying around the house. At 18 month Buddy rich officially started playing the drums. Although out his childhood he began to join big bands and become the bandleader. In jazz bands are a little different then rock bands, they consist of trumpets, saxophones, a bass guitar and a pianist. Another thing to look at is the style of play by jazz bands rather than rock bands, jazz bands have a more laid back style but can come at you with an upbeat hit that you can’t help but move your feat too. As we take a look in the past jazz was the style of music that started it all, in the 1920’s jazz and blues started the trend of all music that we have today. Buddy rich is a man that I can honestly say took jazz and shaped it into the upbeat type of music it is today. Once buddy rich got behind the kit there was no stopping the pure genius that was produced by his playing. He was truly the greatest jazz drummer of all time.

Aaron Gillespie at his best

True musicianship is something not very many people can say that have reached over the years. However Aaron Gillespie is a prime example of a true musician, from drumming and singing for the punk christian band Underoath to recently becoming the lead singer for the band the Almost. Gillespie is a very talented musician who not only plays drums and sings but plays guitar, bass, keyboard, and the banjo.

Born July 18, 1983 Gillespie was a drummer ever since he was little. At the age of 14 he became a stand out drummer who’s christian belief led him into praise and worship ministries. In 1997 Gillespie joined Underoath and went on tour with them for over a decade.  Around 2010 Gillespie left Underoath and joined the Almost where he currently is committed to.

Aaron Gillespie is musician of multiple talents such as singing, playing the guitar and bass and playing the piano. However Gillespie is more known for his musicianship on the drums.  As a boy Aaron was told by member in his church that he plays badly and too loud, when in fact Aaron’s style of play is in my eyes perfect. He keeps the beat flowing and uses the drums to not only add beats but to have a voice. He uses the drums to give the music emotion, and feeling. Aaron Gillespie has talent that not very many can match. He is a truly blessed man, he uses his talents to praise god in every way he can. To me Aaron Gillespie is an inspiration that moves me towards what I’m supposed to do with my life as a drummer and a man.