RIP. Johnny Barbata

Oh man, Johnny was fantastic! Even Buddy Rich thought so.

His technical playing is just subtle enough to pass unnoticed, but not by drummers. Give a new listen to his playing on The Turtles’ "Happy Together", "Elenore" and "She’d Rather Be With Me". Absolutely brilliant, hip, and cool! I employ Johnny’s kick drum ideas in my own playing. His and Levon Helm’s, my models for the playing of the bass drum.

Thanks for those examples. Yes, he was a great one.

There are many "unsung" heroes, quite literally, in the music industry.  Mr. Barbata will be missed.

He was an excellent drummer who died last week. RIP John....

In an obit, the writer for the San Francisco Chronicle described him as the drummer from the 'classic Jefferson Airplane lineup', and when he mentioned the other 'classic lineup' members, he didn't even mention Marty Balin, and thought the last album from the 'classic' lineup was "Long John Silver". He knew not much about what he wrote of.... 

Spencer Dryden was the original drummer for the Jefferson Airplane. RIP Johnny Barbata!