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S.S. Professor Drum Kit Tour
Close encounter with Neil's drums - Page 2
The drums were set up in the Guitar Center parking lot on a
small, covered stage, with a tarp stretched across the front. A budget rent-a-truck was parked behind the stage, and there was a
Rush drum case was tucked underneath the truck. A
Bozo
Bop Bag was
set up at the entrance of the drums. My first thought was the drum
kit didn't seem as gargantuan
as you might imagine. My second thought was it was practically a museum piece--the
details becoming even more noticeable at close range. There's something about
the custom black finish and all that gold hardware.
I started taking pictures. It was only
3:00, and we soon learned they weren't going to start the clinic until around 4:30. It was 85-degrees with 100% humidity, so I
was sweating pretty bad. (Fortunately, Guitar Center had a water cooler in their
customer service area.)
We got some pictures in front of the drums (along with
everyone else), and talked to other Rush/Neil fans. People had come from all
over, but mostly from the west coast; many were wearing Rush shirts for
this event.
 Neil's
drum tech Lorne
Wheaton was hanging around, as were Chris Stankee and Bill Morgan of Sabian. I talked
briefly to Chris and Bill, very nice guys. They were setting up the raffle that
would be held at the end of the event. They also told us they had 30 or so pairs
of Pro-Mark 747 S.S. Professor Tour sticks that you could put in your name to
buy. I bought raffle tickets and put my name in for some sticks.
As I hung around, I heard rumors from the Guitar Center folks, as well as other people. We all knew that
if Neil were going to show up, it would be in LA (he lives there). But I also
knew that Neil usually didn't interact with fans at clinics or even on the road
with Rush. It was a long shot.
And then I saw a few things that changed my mind...
Page Updated
07/11/2013 10:35:57 PM |
