Published in 1989 by Hal Leonard Publishing of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Great Rock Drummers Of The Sixties is universally recognized as the industry standard on the subject of Sixties rock drummers and drumming. Bob is currently revising the book for a projected publishing date of 2004.

Now out of print, GRDOTS is available through rare or out-of-print book dealers, either retail or online. Indeed, a copy recently changed hands for over $75. If you look hard enough, you might find a new-old-stock copy for the original retail price of $19.95.

How did the book come about? According to Bob, “The inspiration originally came from my mother, who once said to me, ‘You know so much about these drummers. Why don’t you write a book?”

 “I also had a drum student named Matt McClurg, who constantly peppered me with questions about Keith Moon, Charlie Watts and Ringo Starr. He said the same thing, ‘write a book’. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that just about everyone working within the drum and percussion industry has read or at least seen it and I’m very thankful for the notoriety.”

 “The greatest satisfaction was seeing heroes of mine like Jerry Edmonton of Steppenwolf, John Barbata of The Turtles, CSN&Y and Jefferson Starship and Bobby Elliott of The Hollies, finally get the long-overdue credit they deserved. These guys were talented drummers who never got enough respect or attention during their heyday and there were many others, like Dino Danelli of The Rascals and even Don Stevenson of Moby Grape. The book changed that for them and was very gratifying for me.”

 “Jerry Edmonton was so happy with his chapter, he sent me a Ludwig 400 Supraphonic snare drum he used with Steppenwolf. After he died, his wife gave me his complete Ludwig set, which I still own and plan to restore.”

 Like most writers, Bob looks back at the original pressing and finds shortcomings.
“I don’t like to denigrate my own book, but the original pressing contains typos and production errors, as well as factual gaffs and omissions that were my fault or the publisher’s. I wasn’t satisfied with the “Grooves” notations, but they were put in on Hal Leonard’s insistence and some of them were incorrect. They won’t be included in the second edition. The new version of the book will be updated, cleaned up, changed, revised and basically reworked from the ground up with new photos. We’re even shooting a new cover based on the original. This time, I have control over the production process, which wasn’t the case then. This time, it’s going to be the way I want it.”

Great Rock Drummers Of The Sixties: Revised Edition, will be
available this fall from your favorite bookstore. Autographed copies can be purchased right here!