Legendary Drummer Carl Palmer Playing At William Paterson University

 

    Gen Z Talks Rock, the hot spot for the latest announcements about rock music by someone who must be lying about his age to know this much about this music, is back with another blog. Today’s discussion will be about my university having one of the best drummers performing at our performing art center. I will reveal my thoughts on this surreal event happening at my college and the story of how I found out about this. Then finally, a bio section of who this musician is.                  This musician is on all music lovers and critics’ list of top five drummers in rock n’ roll. He was known for having a giant drum kit that wrapped around him, which inspired many drummers like Neil Peart from the band Rush to have a similar drum setup. He entertained rock fans with his incredible speed and mastery of drumming. This musician was part of the successful progressive rock trio in 1970’s and he was part of a successful progressive rock supergroup in the 1980’s. This is no other than the drummer from Emerson Lake & Palmer and Asia, Carl Palmer.

Carl Palmer Bio:

    Before I go over my reaction on how Carl Palmer and his band is playing at my college, here is the story of how he became an outstanding drummer. Then I will talk about how I found out about his show at William Paterson University. Carl Palmer was born on March 20, 1950, in Birmingham, England. Palmer was born into a family of musicians as his grandfather was a drummer, his grandmother was a violinist, his mother was multi-instrumentalist, and his father was a vocal entertainer, a guitarist, and a drummer. Palmer was meant to be a musician with his family history. Palmer would play the drums and his brother would play the guitar at a young age as they would appreciate the art of music. Palmer was fascinated with studying music especially classical violin. Palmer’s life would change when watching film called “Drum Crazy,” which was the story of jazz drummer Gene Krupa, because he was inspired to be a professional drummer, after watching this film. Another jazz drummer, Buddy Rich, would influence him as well. Palmer’s parents took notice of their son’s interest in the drums and bought him a new drum kit at age 11. He would take lessons from Tommy Cunliffe, who was the drummer from Midland Light Orchestra for three years.

    At age 14, Palmer joined his first professional band as he became the drummer for The Mecca Dance Band and at age 15, he would join the Motown band called The Craig. By age 16, he became a well-respected drummer that he would join Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds. Chris Farlowe and Thunderbirds with Palmer would have two top singles called “My Way Of Giving” and Rolling Stones’ cover “Out Of Time.” He would move on from Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds to join The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown as Palmer replaced drummer Drachen Theaker at 18 years old. Palmer would tour the United States with rock legends like The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Iron Butterfly. Palmer’s first real success didn’t come until he formed his own band with Atomic Rooster with keyboardist Vincent Crane, and bassist Nick Graham in 1970. Atomic Rooster’s debut album was in the top 50 in the United Kingdom.

    This album would catch interest of keyboard virtuous, Keith Emerson, from the progressive rock band, The Nice, and bassist, Greg Lake, who was the founder of King Crimson. Emerson gave Palmer a call, because he wanted Palmer to be the drummer of his new band. Palmer left Atomic Rooster to join Emerson and Lake’s band named Emerson Lake & Palmer. They would come out with their self-titled debut record and this supergroup’s album would be top 5 in England and top 20 in the United States. “Lucky Man” on their debut album and their stage show would send them to the path of superstardom.

    After 10 successful years of Emerson Lake & Palmer, the band would quietly break-up. Palmer’s career would continue as he was approached by manager Brian Lane. Brain Lane gave him an offer to join another supergroup and Palmer would accept. Palmer would join bassist John Wetton from King Crimson, guitarist Steve Howe from Yes, and keyboardist Greg Downes from The Buggles to form the band named Asia. Asia released their self-titled debut album in 1982 and the album skyrocketed straight to number one as it sold 7 million copies worldwide. This album had four singles that dominated the charts for months, which were “Heat Of The Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell,” “Wildest Dreams,” and “Sole Survivor.” If you want to read more about Palmer’s amazing life, check out the link below. Biography - Carl Palmer Official Global Web Site

How I Found Carl Palmer Playing At William Paterson University:

How I found about this show was on the second Wednesday of November in the afternoon. I am a commuter attending William Paterson University and drove in for my 2 P.M. class on Wednesday. I usually leave my house two hours before class to have lunch, before my class starts. So, it a typical Wednesday, I get there an hour before class to have lunch and then something different happens out of my routine. After lunch, I was walking from the Student Center to the Communication building to attend my International Media class and I noticed a sign on the ground. It was the William Paterson University Presents promo, which is the events happening in our performing arts center. It had Choir! Choir! Choir! on November 18 at 12:30 P.M. and Rock This Town Orchestra’s Holiday Spectacular on December 3 at 8 P.M., but that not what caught my eye. I had to double check because I couldn’t believe my eyes. It said Carl Palmer’s ELP Experience on November 21 at 7 P.M. The moment I was able to process that this event is real, I knew this was blog worthy moment.

Gen Z Opinion On Carl Palmer Coming To William Paterson University:

    I am not going to lie, when I first found out that Carl Palmer and his band is playing at my college to have a tribute show for Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, I was in shock. What in the world is one of all-time best drummer in rock doing performing for a university? He is a drummer for the two most successful progressive rock supergroups in the 1970’s and 1980’s. A gig is a gig I guess, but I really think he is better than performing at a university in New Jersey. I would think he would be performing at a venue like The Count Basie, or he would play multiple shows in Atlantic City.

    All jokes aside, I think this is the coolest thing to happen at my university. Fans of Carl Palmer and I know Carl Palmer is such a showman on the drums. He has this huge drum kit that weighs 2 tons, which features seven single-headed toms, two floor toms, a massive bass drum with a bass drum pedal, snare drum, cymbals, hi-hats, and two gongs. Palmer is a treat to watch play, because he has incredible skills on the drums that it unbelievable how he can play with speed and have amazing drum rolling solos on a massive drum kit. He makes the complicated drum playing look so easy on the stage. College students would be blown away with his playing that even if they don’t who he is, they would enjoy every second of the show.

    Now, I looked at the show’s details and I was only disappointed with one thing, which is the ticket price. Don’t get me wrong, the price for the show is reasonable as the highest ticket is at 50 dollars, but it is for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you attend William Paterson University, there is no discount or free tickets for their college students. I get it, I guarantee most college students do not know who Carl Palmer is, but at least have a nice offer for college students. They go to this university and pays lot of money between tuition, dorms, books and much more, you would think students would get a break, because don’t they pay enough. What happened to having student perks for attending the university? Let’s face it, this complaining about not having free tickets is not stopping me from giving Carl Palmer my money and seeing the show.          The rock legend and the best drummer in rock is coming to William Paterson University to rock out at Shea Performing Art Center. He is an explosive talented drummer that was part of two of the iconic supergroups of the progressive rock era, which were Emerson Lake & Palmer and Asia. Here are links to my top 10 favorite drumming songs by Carl Palmer. Let me know in the comments below of what you think of Carl Palmer’s rock journey. Also, let me know who you think the best drummer in music is. This Gen Z Talks Rock Music blog is finished but keep your eye on another rock n’ roll blog next week.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Karn Evil 9 - 1st Impression - Part 2 - YouTube

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Trilogy - YouTube

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Nut Rocker - YouTube

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Fanfare For The Common Man - YouTube

Tarkus - Emerson, Lake & Palmer - YouTube

ASIA - SOLE SURVIVOR - YouTube

ASIA | Only Time Will Tell [Lyrics] HD - YouTube

Heat of the Moment - Asia - YouTube

Asia - Eye to Eye - YouTube

Asia - Don't Cry - YouTube

The Rock Star Legends Born At Café Wha

     Welcome back to the blog that reports on the current events about rock n’ roll and the point of view from someone, who is aging backward like Benjamin Button to have this much knowledge of this music. This is Gen Z Talks Rock Music and today’s topic is about an iconic venue in New York City, which is famously known for giving legendary rock stars their chance to fame. I will discuss the history and the origin of this famous venue and what famous rock legends made their start on the venue’s stage. Finally, the story how I found out about this club.                                                                           This club is known to start the careers of Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan. The owner of the club had a nephew, who would help his uncle run the club without a name at first. The nephew’s dream would be a lead singer for a rock band, and he would tell his Jewish grandmother, what he had accomplish in his dream and who he met at his uncle’s club. The grandmother would respond in broken English and say wha, because she didn’t understand what her grandson was saying. The uncle loved his nephew’s story and would name the club after the grandmother’s answer. This nephew was David Lee Roth, the lead singer of Van Halen, and his uncle, Manny Roth, was the owner of this famous club known as Café Wha.

My Story Behind The Blog:

    Before I go into the history of this legendary club, here is the story how I found out about it. It was during a shift at my job, which I am a Promotions Assistant at Press Communication in Neptune, NJ. What I do is go out on locate to promote all three radio stations or one radio station at an event for 107.1 The Boss, Thunder 106, and/or B98.5. Basically, I interact with radio listeners and give the chance to win radio gear like t-shirts, cups, keychains, sunglasses, and concert tickets. On a past Sunday in October, I was at Bar A in Lake Como working an event from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. for an iconic 107.1 The Boss event. It is called Springsteen on Sunday and DJ Tom Cunningham is live at Bar A playing backwall, b-tracks, live songs, and classics from The Boss of New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen. All Bruce Springsteen fans are there having brunch from casual fans to super fans around the world called Springnuts. Anyway, I was by the tent area taking pictures with Cunningham doing his show, while my co-workers are giving away prizes and raffle at our gazebo. A Bruce Springsteen fan comes up and starts talking to me. He is basically chewing my ear off as he is telling me story after story after story. However, one story got my attention, it was about Café Wha and he knew so much about this club. I was so fascinated by the connection with David Lee Roth and how many famous rock artists got their start at this club that I had to write a blog about it.

Café Wha: The History And Upcoming Rock Stars

    Manny Roth was an actor and a veteran fighting in World War II. He was born in Indiana in 1919. Later in life, Roth would major in business and theater at the University Of Miami, but he would drop out to enlist in the army. He was a navigator in the bombing mission in Germany and received medals like the Distinguished Flying Cross during his service. After the war, Roth would finish his education at the University Of Miami to then study acting in New York. In 1959, he was in Greenwich Village on MacDougal Street, and he got a tip to look at an underground horse stable for sale. Roth bought this dirty old underground horse stable and started working on reconstruction. He wanted it to be all night coffeehouse for all ages and he went broke for his dream. However, Café Wha’s doors opened, and crowds of young poets, hippies, and troubadours filled the seats. Café Wha would have a stage opened for anyone that wanted to perform.

    Up in coming rock stars would take advantage of the opportunity to perform. Bob Dylan walked in after hitchhiking across country on a cold day in January 1961 to perform covers by his idol and folk singer, Woody Guthrie. The crowd in Café Wha went crazy over Bob Dylan’s show. He was asked to continue to play at the club as backup harmonica player for Fred Neil. Dylan was raved about in the New York Times and Columbia Records signed him.

    In mid-1960’s, Jimi Hendrix and his band The Blue Flames walked in Café Wha. Hendrix and his band were a sensation with the crowd that Roth hired them as the house band of the club. Hendrix and The Blue Flames would play five to six nights a week at Café Wha. Hendrix’s solos were loud and forceful that he could be heard by people walking in Washington Square Park, even if Café Wha’s doors were closed shut. One night in September 1966, the bass player of The Animals, Gene Chandler came in to listen to The Blue Flames in the famous Greenwich Village club. Chandler was so impressed with Hendrix’s guitar playing that he signed Jimi Hendrix on the spot to a record deal and Hendrix started a new band in London called The Jimi Hendrix Experience with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding.

     In an afternoon of 1967, Bruce Springsteen, and his band The Castiles walked into the well-known club. Springsteen and The Castiles would entertain their crowd of teenagers that Roth would hire them as the permanent afternoon act for two months. Springsteen would move on from the Castiles after they broke up in the same year and eventually would be signed by John Hammond from Columbia Records in 1972.

Café Wha: The 1970’s to Now

     In 1968, Roth would sell the club and would move to California. Roth would live there until he died in 2004. Now Café Wha was bought in 1970 by Menachem Dworman. Dworman would change the name and the theme of the club to Café Feenjon: A Middle Eastern restaurant. Café Feenjon would have a house band named The Feenjon, while customers would enjoy their meal. This would be the name until 1987, when Dworman sold it to a new owner. The new owner would change the name back to Café Wha and continue the legacy of Roth’s club. Today, Café Wha showcases three house bands with amazing talents. Each band plays every night at Café Wha playing R&B soul, funk, classical, Motown, pop, rock, reggae, and alternative. These Café Wha house bands not only play in the club, but people can also book them for weddings, and private events. In 2012, David Lee Roth, the nephew of Manny Roth, would perform with his band Van Halen. He said the place was the same as he remembers it as a 7-year-old kid. He would state he was more nervous playing at Café Wha than Madison Square Garden because there is no fake instrument playing or fake vocals as it is all-natural talent. Here are links if you want to learn more about Café Wha.

Inside Cafe Wha?, The Legendary Club Where Hendrix & Springsteen Performed - Gothamist

A History of the Cafe Wha? - YouTube

About | Cafe Wha? | New York

Bob Dylan - Songs, Albums & Life - Biography

Jimi Hendrix Biography - The Official Jimi Hendrix Site

Bruce Springsteen Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic

    Café Wha became the venue, where rock stars got their chance to follow their dreams. Bob Dylan had his first gig, Jimi Hendrix was discovered by Gene Chandler, and Bruce Springsteen was signed by John Hammond, because of Café Wha let them play. If you’re ever around Greenwich Village in New York City, then I recommend going to the historic venue. Here are links of songs to check out the artists, who played at Café Wha. Let me know, what you think of this story of Café Wha. Also, let me know what your favorite venue to see an artist. This closes out another Gen Z Talks Rock Music blog, but until next time rock on.

Bob Dylan - Tangled up in Blue (Official Audio) - YouTube

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone (Official Audio) - YouTube

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze (Audio) - YouTube

Jimi Hendrix The Wind Cries Mary - YouTube

Bruce Springsteen - Born In The U.S.A. - YouTube

Bruce Springsteen - Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out- YouTube

Van Halen - Jump - YouTube

Van Halen - Van Halen - Ice Cream Man - YouTube