Batterie Magazine numéro 191

In 18 years of existence, the "Batterie Magazine" adventure has allowed us to establish privileged links with many artists. So when the Red Hot Chili Peppers' management adopted a "zero interview" policy for the launch of the Californians' new album, a little personal email sent directly to Chad Smith allowed us to unblock the situation. In 2016, the tall man with the agile and muscular typing had already given us the same gift by offering us breakfast in a brasserie in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, before moving on to a photo shoot in the Canal+ studios where the band was giving a private concert. A day during which Chad had entrusted us with a rather special mission: to plan a masterclass in Paris for which he would be the maestro.
Challenge taken up with an exceptional drum show organized a few
months later (on October 17, 2016 at La Villette) in partnership with the American School of Modern Music, of which many of you will keep a moving memory. These precious moments we share with the drummers we admire make the passing of some of them even more painful. On March 25, Taylor Hawkins took the world by surprise when he closed his eyes a few hours
before taking the stage with the Foo Fighters in Bogota, Colombia. As all of his friends and collaborators have said, not without emotion (Chad first), Taylor was the coolest drummer ever, a deeply kind and touching man who consumed music and watched his idols with the eyes of a teenager. In the shadow of his best friend Dave Grohl, he managed to leave his mark on several generations of drummers with his ardor and inimitable style.
He will be greatly missed. This issue is dedicated to him... And to my little William who opened his eyes while this issue was being written.