Читать книгу Mad, Bad and Dangerous - The Book of Drummers' Tales - Spike Webb - Страница 20

Russell Gilbrook is the current drummer with the British prog rock band Uriah Heep. He also features on the UK drum-clinic tour scene, and holds a position at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music. Prior to Uriah Heep, Russell toured with a host of artists including Chris Barber, Alan Price, Van Morrison and skiffle legend Lonnie Donegan.

I met Russell outside Wickford station in Essex. He drove us to a pub nearby, where we chatted for a couple of hours. During our conversation he told me about something that happened back in 1995, when he was on a British tour playing drums for Lonnie Donegan, who was then in his sixties. Russell, I should add, is built like a powerhouse and looks as though he has no concept of fear. He also happens to be a martial arts expert.

We’re in this curry house somewhere up North, just me and Lonnie. We’re sitting at a small table in the middle. Only two other tables are occupied: a group of 10 boys and girls on one and another table with two couples.

We’re sitting minding our own business, tucking into a well-earned curry when I notice something happening between one of the guys on the couples’ table and a waiter. Eventually the waiter moves away and I think it must be some kind of minor complaint. Then I notice the same guy gets up and approaches the waiter. His face is red and he looks furious. Then, without any warning, he punches the waiter full in the face. The waiter is knocked out cold.

I’m thinking that must have been one hell of a bad curry when a massive bloke from the table of 10 gets up and slugs the guy who laid out the waiter. Then it really goes off. Suddenly both tables of people are scrapping with each other plus an assortment of waiters. It’s a bit like a western because people are getting confused as to who is fighting who. A police woman enters through the front door, takes one look and runs out again.

What is even more worrying is that the fight is progressing towards me and Lonnie. I’m thinking it would be a shame not to finish our curry, but I’m also very aware that Lonnie is not a young man and is, in fact, very frail. So as it spills over to us I decide to warn them away by hitting one of them. Unfortunately this only adds to the confusion and I end up taking on three or four other blokes.

I decide to use a little of my martial arts knowledge to get poor old Lonnie out of the place. Eventually I manage to shield him out of the place and on to the street as police back-up arrives for the female constable and the fight is stopped.

It’s another example of how drummers can often have uses that are not necessarily connected with drumming, although it could be said that the exercise involved in playing the drums may contribute to drummers being the fitter members of a band. Russell was not paid any extra for his troubles. He didn’t even get to finish his curry. However, later that evening, Lonnie told Russell he wanted him on every tour, even if it was just to play tambourine or washboard.

‘And sure enough,” Russell added, ‘when Lonnie’s regular drummer rejoined the band for another tour, I was asked to join on percussion.’

But when it comes to danger, the stage is the place that a drummer really needs to watch his step…