Many pro drummers are able to mold themselves into the variety of gigs they get called for, but few have the opportunity of actually bring their own uniqueness and personality to each and every one of them. Richie Hayward is one of the chosen few. From the moment I heard Richie on the radio over thirty-years ago, there was no turning back...a fan for life.
Following his career, which now spans just over four decades, you can find Richie laying
down his unmistakable groove and undeniable feel for a variety of artists. Robert Plant, Carly Simon, Tom Waits, Peter Frampton, Nils Lofgren, Joan Armatrading and Ry Cooder are only a short list of the many top artists that have called upon Richie for their sessions and/or tours. From super slinky blues and ballads to funky pop and rock, he’s forever comfortable laying down his signature for all that call, but inevitably always ends up back home with his own Little Feat.
Forty Is The New JM: I was hanging with Jody Linscott one night quite a few years ago, when I asked, “You’ve played with so many of the world’s top drummers, who is your favorite?” Without hesitation, her reply was, “Richie Hayward.” RH: Wow! That just made my day.
JM: I know where she’s
coming from, she’s a big
fan, as I have been for many
years. And speaking of
years, Little Feat turns 40
soon, any big plans?
RH: Well we’ve got a new
album coming out that has
lots of guest artists on it
called Jointhe Band. Here I’m
not even thinking 40-year
anniversary, but this is kind of
a shot at a big album.
JM: Sounds like a lot
of fun. There’s a new
record and a new tour,
anything else new?
RH: Yeah, a new kit.
This is the coolest kit
I’ve ever had. It’s DW,
but it’s the vertical
timbers, except the
eight-inch tom and
the bass drum are the
X-Timbers. X-ply,
so it’s lower pitched,
‘cuz eight-inch toms
usually sound like the
box they came in. They
don’t ring that much,
they just go, “plink!”
JM: No guest drummers I
hope.
RH: No, it’s mainly singers,
and a few players who sat in.
JM: Are you happy with it? RH: Yeah, well I’m never happy, but...
JM: What’s the kit
configuration?
RH: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.
Three racks, two floors
and a 22” X 18” bass
drum with a woofer on
the front. You know
it’s that extra drum
they attach to the
front of the bass drum,
like a Scotch drum, 8
inches deep. You have
two bass drums with
internal mics in them,
one of them is wide-
open and just rings
with the shockwave of
the first one.
JM: Any tour plans to support the release? RH: Yeah, well actually we are hitting the road, so to speak. We have this annual
excursion in Jamaica, we take over a resort and rent the rooms out to Feat fans, hang with them on the beach for a few days and do a couple of shows. It’s just an annual Feat excursion I call the Jamaica gig. People come from England, Germany, and as far as Australia.
Gone To The Dogs JM: “A Day At The Dog Races” was the first time I heard you and Little Feat. I heard that song on the radio and thought, “Who the f*ck is this? I’ve got to check him out.” RH: Really?
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