Episode 45 Steve Ferrone: Celebrity Session and Touring Drummer

Steve Ferrone has recorded and/or toured as a drummer with numerous high profile acts, including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from 1994 until now, Average White Band for eight years, George Harrison, Duran Duran, Stevie Nicks, Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, The Bee Gees, Johnny Cash, Bryan Ferry, Peter Frampton, Whitney Houston, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, Steve Winwood, Paul Simon, and Jaco Pastorius – and that's just some of the acts he's been with! This was a blast of a conversation because Steve has so many great stories. He talks about his work with The Average White Band, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Michael Jackson. He also talks about some of his favorite bass players and more! Steve was actually a tap dancer at a young age. He was only twelve years old, and he shares how that inadvertently led to his first drumming gig. He explains how he found his sound, as a drummer, and the journey that led him to where he is today. Despite the fact that Steve has played drums on a lot of classic hits from artists such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (with whom he has worked for more than twenty-five years!), Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson, and so many others, he definitely maintains a certain level of modesty, presenting the possibility that a hit with which he was involved “was already a hit and I got to play on it.” He also discusses the advent of the drum machine and electronic drums and how they initially made some drummers panic thinking that their work would become obsolete. He shares his own feelings on electronic drums and gives examples of times when he maintained the value of organic drums over electronic ones, such as when he worked on “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson. Andy and Steve also talk a little about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected musicians, with Steve detailing what his life and profession have been like ever since the breakout of the pandemic. He remains optimistic and hopeful that an end to the pandemic is in sight but also clarifies that he is grateful for that which he has been able to hold onto in his life. Having worked with so many high profile musicians, Steve definitely has a lot of great stories to share and makes for a very fascinating guest on the podcast!   Show Highlights: [00:10] Andy gives some background information on Steve Ferrone and his career so far as a high profile drummer. [2:06] – Steve reveals where his passion for drumming comes from and shares what some of his hobbies were as a child. [5:00] – Steve reveals how he scored his first drumming gig. [7:14] – We learn how Steve found his sound as a musician. [10:19] – Steve talks about what his process is like preparing for recording in the studio. [12:27] – Steve shares the story of having worked with Duran Duran on their “Ordinary World” song. [15:18] – Steve reflects on how he feels about many musicians today playing their parts separately and sending them in rather than all being in the same room playing together. [18:55] – Steve hones in on an important lesson that he learned from Arif Mardin. [22:03] – Steve looks back on his time with The Average White Band. [22:38] – Steve and Andy discuss Tom Petty and what it was like for Steve to work with him. [24:34] – Steve talks about his time with Chaka Khan. [27:40] – Steve explains how his collaboration with Eric Clapton came about. [30:45] – We learn how Steve led a very busy life while touring with Eric Clapton because he was touring with him and with Duran Duran. [32:45] – Andy and Steve enthuse over Phil Collins' phenomenal drumming work. [35:38] – Steve talks about electronic drums and how they were incorporated into “I Feel for You” by Chaka Khan. [36:42] – Steve narrates how he came to work with George Harrison. [38:47] – Steve explains how George Harrison might hold the record for most expensive recording session ever. [41:56] – Steve describes his experiences working with different bass players. [44:00] – We learn that the business side of things is Steve's least favorite aspect of his job. [44:57] – Steve describes his experience working on “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson. [48:35] – Andy and Steve talk about what Steve is looking forward to now that we're reaching the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. [50:25] – Steve describes an experience that he had recording a project during the pandemic. [52:05] – Steve looks forward to the day when the pandemic is over but remains grateful for what he has in his life now even in a pandemic. [54:22] – Steve talks a little bit about his jazz group, The Coffee Shop Trio, and how they play.   LINKS & RESOURCES Steve Ferrone - Website Mentioned in this Episode: The Music Makers - Episode 37: Jeff Babko: Keyboardist Extraordinaire & Keeping the Channels Wide Open Duran Duran - “Ordinary World” Chaka Khan - “I'm Every Woman” Chaka Khan - “I Feel for You” Phil Collins - “Easy Lover” Michael Jackson - “Earth Song”   Follow The Music Makers: The Music Makers on Instagram   The Music Makers podcast theme song was written and produced by Andy Kushner with help from the rhythm section and horn players of the band, SoundConnection.   Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment   Check out Andy's Other Podcast: The Wedding Biz