The Percussionist
Remember Buddy Rich? Remember Gene Krupa? Forget them. For there was
one…one percussionist far more famous than these two. So famous was
he in fact…that I would venture to say there is not a single soul
in America…and even perhaps the world…who has not heard of him.
So famous was he in fact…that today one can find pieces of jewelry
sculpted in his image. It is this fact that prompts me to link our
hero in with Tidbits…because there is jewelry around sculpted in his
image. Imagine the fame a being must achieve in order for this to
happen. Let me continue mi amigos. Let me tell you a little more.
Although the exact date of his birth is not available…the best
estimate of his arrival into this world is some time in 1942. He was
one of a family of sextuplets…all born healthy and without a hitch.
He began drumming as a young child and soon became the center of
attraction in his family. He was famous in his neighborhood for his
talent. He was brash…he was outspoken…he was popular. He was a
friend to royalty. He had a close relation with the king’s son…for
whom he often performed at a moments notice. He was charming. He
drummed on anything available and within his reach. He drummed
whenever the urge came upon him. He spent much of his time in his
youth with the royal family.
Our percussionist was an athlete…and a particularly fine ice
skater. He could often be seen skating on the ice…with his friend.
Although proud of his ability as a drummer…and completely
self-taught…he never lorded his talent over others. He drummed for
the sheer pleasure of it…and perhaps…just perhaps…it was because
of this that he grew–in his day–so strongly in the hearts of those
who saw him perform.
As our drummer matured however…his relations with the prince began
to wane. Our hero met a pretty young thing…and so struck by her was
he…that he left the prince stone cold one day. He could not leave
the side of his lady fair. His drumming became a memory. He married
…and eventually had children of his own.
Rumor had it that his children inherited his talents. But they never
reached their father’s fame. There is very little else to say about
our friend. At best…his moment in the limelight was transitory. A
flash in time. A spark of brightness…snuffed out by the years. And
yet…in that little moment he had…he almost achieved immortality.
There has never been a percussionist…past or present…that ever
achieved the renown of our drummer.
Lest I leave you all in such suspense as to cause illness in your
souls…illness born of curiosity…let me alleviate your tensions
and bring you all to this exhilarating moment of truth you have all
been waiting for…reading this damned Tidbit to it’s endless end…
waiting for the answer to the question…Who is this fellow?
To find out who he is…you will have to go to the graphic. Sorry
friends. That’s how I did it this week.
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits…may I
direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where you will
scroll down the table menu till you get to the box that says
Tidbits…and inside the box where it says Tidbit Graphics…click on
the link that says: Percussionist…where you will see a rendering of
our famous drummer along with his identity.
And there ya have it. That’s it for this week folks. Catch you all next
week. Benjamin Mark
TYLER-ADAM CORP.–Jewelry Manufacturers
Tel: 1-800-20-TYLER
E-Mail to: webmaster@tyler-adam.com