Sweet Steve Ferrone

I worked for an interview with Steve Ferrone for Rhythm & Drums Magazine about 10 days ago. The interview as initially scheduled on February 10 but he was still jet-lagged that he couldn't do it that day. I know how hard it is to be jet-lagged since I had a hard time getting my biological clock back to Tokyo time at the end of January after my trip to winter NAMM show. Anyway, we had an hour to interview him before he flew from Narita.

He is really open and funny. We just kept laughing during the interview. Teruyo, the interviewer, says she was fascinated by his smile. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to see him play live with Yosuke Onuma, one of excellent Japanese young guitarists, but could imagine how he enjoyed the shows in Japan from what he told us that day.

The thing I thought funny was about the project he participated, Burning for Buddy. Neil Peart from Rush produced it. Steve played with a big band and he says it worked very well. He was happy with it. But when he went back to the control room, Neil said to him, "You should play more." Steve answered, "No." As Neil is a super-technical drummer almost everybody respects, Steve understands why he said so. I think it describes Steve's attitude towards playing the drums. He says everybody calls him for making records because he always tries to understand the story the artist tries to tell through his/her music. When hearing him say so, I immediately understood why he is open. Such great nature does he have.

I love talking with elder people that have great experiences. They simply inspire me in various ways. And being open certainly helps us have a wonderful conversation. I lost my interest in my work and was about to give it up. But Steve surely changed my mind. "Being open" seems the key to move on for me now.

Oh, by the way, one of my wonderful friends Rob became Ringo Starr's official photographer. Rob, I'm so proud of you!! All the guys in my office who have worked with you are also proud of you because they love your photos as well as your wonderful personality. We hope you will enjoy touring with Ringo!