Drumming trivia timeline

Next to primitive caveman karaoke, most anthropologists believe percussion is the oldest form of music in the world. The basic drum – a membrane stretched over a hollow body or frame, beaten by a stick or bone – has pretty much stayed true to its original form since its creation in 6000 BC.

The drum originally enjoyed mass usage as a vital communication tool in war, to help coordinate warriors’ movements, transmit signals and of course, scare the daylights out of the enemy.

A timeline of drums

1705 German botanist GE Rumphius writes the first known account of Bali’s Moon of Pejeng, the largest known relic from South-East Asia’s Bronze period.

1918 At the tender age of 18 months, jazz legend Buddy Rich makes his debut in his father’s vaudeville show as ‘Traps the Drum Wonder’.

1932 Léon Theremin completes the world’s first electric drum machine – the Rhythmicon.

1972 The Ludwig drum company introduces the psychedelic acrylic Vistalite drumkit, a hit with everyone from John Bonham to Karen Carpenter and Keith Moon.

1984 Rick Allen (Def Leppard) loses an arm in a car accident and keeps playing thanks to a customised drumkit. He becomes the only onearmed drummer in music history.

2004 Nintendo unleashes Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, a game that requires special DK Bongo controllers – now a retro gamer collector’s item.

2007 Japanese experimental band Boredoms coordinate their second ‘Boadrum’ concert at the La Brea Tar Pits in LA – the logistical nightmare known as 88 Boadrum, featuring 88 drummers playing an original 88- minute composition.

2008 Billy Bob Thornton resurfaces in the news as the distinctive singing drummer for the Boxmasters, who jam out in a practice space built by the one and only Slash.

2009 The UK government sends 1,700 vets away to take lessons in African drumming, purportedly to encourage ‘effective working in an interesting, involving and fun way.’ Mad cow what?

Time Out Singapore gets drumming tips in our interview with Dave Weckl