A Drummer’s Dream
I’ve never seen a drummer I didn’t like. I can watch any drummer in any live situation and get something positive out of his or her playing. All drummers get along with one another, and there is definitely a universal camaraderie, unlike any other group of musicians. I always wanted to be part of this brother-sisterhood. The older I’ve gotten, the more I embrace my own place in and contribution to this special club.
I’d like to use this time and space to offer thanks to a few of my favorites. I’m very happy to say that I can count quite a few of these folks as real friends. Knowing and hanging out with certain people on this list were childhood drummer dreams come true. A young me would’ve signed any deal with the devil to have been guaranteed peerage with these cats. Dipped in blood and signed with a drumstick, of course.
Dickie “Be-Bop” Harrell
Mick Fleetwood
DJ Fontana
Freddie Below
Charles Connor
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
Earl Palmer
Al Jackson, Jr.
W. S. “Fluke” Holland
Dennis Davis
Buddy Harman
Pete Thomas
Charlie Watts
Neil Peart
Ringo Starr
Sid Catlett
Philly Joe Jones
Dennis Wilson
Max Roach
Meg White
Gene Krupa
Jim Gordon
J. M. Van Eaton
Gina Schock
Chick Webb
Max Weinberg
Martin Chambers
Roger Taylor
Clem Burke
Phil Taylor
Paul Cook
Terry Bozzio
Jim Keltner
Jughead Jones
Nigel Olsson
Chris Blackwell
Jim Hodder
Zigaboo Modeliste
Buddy Rich
Ray Lucas
Jeff Porcaro
Stewart Copeland
Bernard Purdie
Eric Singer
Rick Marotta
Tommy Clufetos
Louis Bellson
Alan Dawson
Shelly Manne
Steve Gadd
Papa Jo Jones
Nicky “Topper” Headon
Stix Hooper
Jerry Allison
Phil Collins
Clyde Stubblefield
Rick Allen
Blair Cunningham
Mousey Alexander
Billy Cobham
Terry Williams
Tony Williams
Steve Ferrone
Elvin Jones
Stan Lynch
Joe Morello
Roy Haynes
Carmine Appice
Chris Layton
Cindy Blackman
Randy Castillo
Sandy Nelson
Mikkey Dee
Mark Craney
Chad Wackerman
Butch Trucks
Larry Mullen, Jr.
Jaimoe
Mel Taylor
Monte Yoho
Mick Avory
Paul Riddle
Nick Vincent
Joe English
Chris Frantz
Tony Thompson
Jimmy Cobb
James Gadson
Lenny White
Charley Drayton
Alphonse Mouzon
Steve Jordan
Thomas Pridgen
Paul Thompson
Alan White
Andy Newmark
Bobby Z
Jim Chapin
Mel Gaynor
Nicko McBrain
Gene Riggio
Supla
Rat Scabies
Danny Seraphine
John Farriss
Ronnie Tutt
Simon Phillips
Jonathan Moffett
Michael Bland
Ricky Lawson
Larry London
Ian Paice
Keith Moon
Bill Kreutzmann
Carlton Barrett
Don Brewer
Kenney Jones
Bill Bruford
Myron Grombacher
Art Blakey
Gregg Bissonette
Billy Gussak
Tommy Ramone
Robert St. Judy
Bun E. Carlos
This list has no particular order. I’ve enjoyed and taken something from every one of these players, some of whom I’ve borrowed from more than others. Sorry if I’ve forgotten anyone.
About the Author
As the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats, Slim Jim Phantom spearheaded the neo-rockabilly movement of the early 1980s. The Stray Cats’ classic album Built for Speed went double platinum, the band had numerous hit singles, and their song “Rock This Town” is on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.” He lives in Los Angeles, California. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Introduction
1. Early Moments of Clarity and the Luck of the Draw
2. Escape from New York
3. A Little Time with the Rolling Stones
4. LA to Tokyo
6. Our Day: The U.S. Festival
7. The Killer
8. Marbella
9. Where’s Me Pepper Suit?
10. Lemmy
11. A Few Stories with Keith
12. Don’t Worry About It, Son
13. Bird
14. A Quick Flight with John Lee Hooker
15. Live from the Sunset Strip
16. The Candy Man
17. Life with Harry
18. Come with Me, Kid
19. Do It for Johnny
20. Whatever I Can Do to Help
21. A New Chapter
22. The Boys in the Band
23. Full Circle
Acknowledgments
A Drummer’s Dream
About the Author
Copyright
THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin’s Press.
A STRAY CAT STRUTS. Copyright © 2016 by James McDonnell. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.thomasdunnebooks.com
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio
Cover photographs: Slim Jim Phantom © Everett Collection; skull © Revoltan / Shutterstock
Title page and chapter opener art © Revoltan/Shutterstock
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Phantom, Slim Jim, author.
Title: A stray cat struts: my life as a rockabilly rebel / Slim Jim Phantom.
Description: First edition. | New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2016.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016001232 | ISBN 9781250076915 (hardcover) |
ISBN 9781466888876 (e-book)
Subjects: LCSH: Phantom, Slim Jim. | Stray Cats (Musical group) |
Rock musicians—United States—Biography.
Classification: LCC ML420.P4876 A3 2016 | DDC 781.66092—dc23
LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016001232
e-ISBN 9781466888876
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First Edition: August 2016