05-02-2019, 18:07
Vincent “Vinnie” Colaiuta was born on this day in 1952, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He’s been drumming since the age of seven – took to it naturally and hasn’t stopped since. Aside from extensive session work across a range of genres, he recorded and toured with Frank Zappa, worked with Gino Vannelli, recorded and toured with Joni Mitchell and likewise Sting, as well appearing with musicians/bands such as Jeff Beck, Steely Dan, Katherine Jenkins, John McLaughlin, Tori Amos, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Lindsay Lohan! In other words, his is pretty much a name you see on every second album 
. Seriously - 647 albums by my count. Didn't know where to start - all a bit overwhelming!! https://www.vinniecolaiuta.com/Home/Discography
He’s won innumerable Drummer of the Year awards and has a place in both the Modern Drummer and Classic Drummer Halls of Fame. He is particulalry noted for his performance on Joe’s Garage which Modern Drummer cites as one of the top 25 drum performances of all time – here’s a snippet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlIe5mBqIB4
This one’s a bit obscure but I like it … Indio’s “Hard Sun” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1tVvQUAcf4
“Negative Girl” – Steely Dan … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAnTph40pgE
And because these are just so perfectly put together, on all levels, including the lightest of touches from Mr Colaiuta … “Lilac Wine” from Jeff Beck’s Emotion and Commotion … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG8L9EOm1Ao
Followed by "Never Alone" from the same album - an intuitive, sensitive and incredibly versatile drummer ... (IMHO)
. Seriously - 647 albums by my count. Didn't know where to start - all a bit overwhelming!! https://www.vinniecolaiuta.com/Home/DiscographyHe’s won innumerable Drummer of the Year awards and has a place in both the Modern Drummer and Classic Drummer Halls of Fame. He is particulalry noted for his performance on Joe’s Garage which Modern Drummer cites as one of the top 25 drum performances of all time – here’s a snippet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlIe5mBqIB4
This one’s a bit obscure but I like it … Indio’s “Hard Sun” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1tVvQUAcf4
“Negative Girl” – Steely Dan … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAnTph40pgE
And because these are just so perfectly put together, on all levels, including the lightest of touches from Mr Colaiuta … “Lilac Wine” from Jeff Beck’s Emotion and Commotion … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG8L9EOm1Ao
Followed by "Never Alone" from the same album - an intuitive, sensitive and incredibly versatile drummer ... (IMHO)
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson