Rod Coombes - Career

Career

He has played drums professionally since he was 17, when he joined singer Lulu's backing band The Luvvers. He played with the Jeff Beck Group at the time of the release of the single "Hi Ho Silver Lining" and then joined soul band Trifle, with whom he stayed for about 18 months. He moved on to raunchy blues rock band Juicy Lucy before joining Stealers Wheel for their eponymous first album (which spawned the million seller "Stuck in the Middle With You"). In 1973, he left the increasingly dysfunctional band and joined Strawbs, with whom he stayed until after the release of the 1977 album Burning for You. After spending some time on the studio side learning to engineer and produce, he lived in Malaysia for a period, returning to obtain his Masters degree. He rejoined Strawbs in 1998 for their 30th anniversary concert at Chiswick House. He remains in the line-up of the band at the present time touring the US, Canada, UK and Europe. Rod also works with his jazz group 'Ming Hat' and with Mark Horwood (The Mummers) and bassist Matt Gray in the fusion group E.V.A. Rod and Yardbirds guitarist Top Topham are working on a blues-jazz Hammond organ trio project.

From 2005-2007 he mentored and taught Curt Lawrence, ex-Last Letter Read, who went on tour with MC Lars in England. Curt attributes his hard hitting style and double kick drum technique to Coombes' tuition.

Coombes can also play guitar and bass guitar. He played some bass for Stealers Wheel and some guitar for Strawbs. He also composed three tracks for Strawbs:

  • "Sad Young Man"
  • "A Mind of my Own"

and

  • "Changes Arranges Us", on which he also sang lead vocals.
  • Coombes also currently teaches at Chichester College, a new Roland Academy, teaching Music Industry, and Drums and Percussion. He has also taught many session drummers, such as Sam Elliot, Mel Rigby and Joe 'B.I.G' Foote.

Read more about this topic:  Rod Coombes

Famous quotes containing the word career:

    “In time your relatives will come to accept the idea that a career is as important to you as your family. Of course, in time the polar ice cap will melt.”
    —Barbara Dale (b. 1940)

    “From a hasty glance through the various tests I figure it out that I would be classified in Group B, indicating “Low Average Ability,” reserved usually for those just learning to speak the English Language and preparing for a career of holding a spike while another man hits it.”
    —Robert Benchley (1889–1945)

    “I began my editorial career with the presidency of Mr. Adams, and my principal object was to render his administration all the assistance in my power. I flattered myself with the hope of accompanying him through [his] voyage, and of partaking in a trifling degree, of the glory of the enterprise; but he suddenly tacked about, and I could follow him no longer. I therefore waited for the first opportunity to haul down my sails.”
    —William Cobbett (1762–1835)