Industry Ghost Drummer
By TQ BONNER
Mr. Pretty is a drumming virtuoso and an unsung hero of rhythm. Renowned for his groundbreaking session work with icons like Steely Dan, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Roy Ayers, Gil Scott-Heron, and Aretha Franklin, Pretty’s drumming prowess echoes through the ages, with his innovative styles still shamelessly pilfered today.
Appropriating black artistry
Yet, when the conversation comes up about his contribution to the Beatles, he’s no longer respected as the great drummer that he is; all of a sudden, he’s a conspiracy theorist not telling the truth.
I guess people find it hard to believe that record companies would exploit talented black artists for the benefit of white artists. That’s an incredible reach, right? Especially in the 1960s.
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie is a man with a legendary presence on stage. His tall frame towers over the drums, his hands flying over the cymbals and snares quickly and precisely.
He has a confident posture with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. His salt-and-pepper hair is styled in a neat afro, adding to his cool and collected look.
The Purdie Shuffle
The magic of Bernard Purdie, aka Pretty Purdie, and his signature creation — the Purdie Shuffle.
Picture this: six bass, high-hat, and snare tones come together in a groove that feels like a Tilt-a-Whirl sound.
It’s the kind of beat that makes your hips move involuntarily. You should check with a doctor if you’re not feeling the groove!
Now, here’s the cool part. Thanks to YouTube, drummers, from amateurs to aspiring pros, are trying to nail the Purdie Shuffle. It’s like a dance craze, but for drummers.
In the ’60s, this guy was drumming with legends like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Louis Armstrong, playing on over 4,000 records! And let me tell you, these music legends were sometimes challenging to work with.
James Brown fined Purdie for a mistake he didn’t even make, and Ray Charles called him out in front of a massive crowd. Talk about pressure!
The Purdie Shuffle started as a regular groove, but then Pretty Purdie added some flair. Ghost notes, created by lightly brushing the snare, and a unique high-hat technique turned it into something special.
Steely Dan discovered that this beat can convey all sorts of emotions. They expected a regular shuffle during the “Babylon Sisters” recording, but Purdie brought in something complex that perfectly matched the song’s dark mood. It’s like the beat has its language!
However, the music industry has a darker side, as you know. Purdie has received death threats and has been slightly blackballed in the industry for his involvement with The Beatles.
Purdie asserted that he worked on Beatles recordings in the summer of 1963, hired by manager Brian Epstein to enhance Ringo Starr’s drum sound. This revelation sparked intrigue and skepticism eleven years after the fact.
He mentioned playing on 21 tracks over nine days of sessions. Still, he refused to disclose song titles, cryptically stating that revealing such information would only happen if a financial incentive existed.
The controversy deepened as he suggested that Ringo’s playing was not on anything.
In a 2004 interview, Purdie elaborated on “fixing records” in the 1960s and 1970s, emphasizing that enhancing self-contained groups’ recordings was a common approach.
He said his role was to join the group, make the necessary fixes, and contribute to the final product.
Purdie maintained that 98% of such groups were not on their own records.
Ultimately, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie’s legacy is an extraordinary musical contribution.
As the beats of his drumsticks continue to resonate through the annals of music history, the enigma of his Beatles connection adds an intriguing chapter to the ongoing saga of legendary musicians and their secrets.
Take advantage of the enriching experience that TQ Bonner’s article offers. Embrace the opportunity to enhance your awareness and engage with a compelling narrative. Explore the realms of thoughtfulness and enlightenment with TQ Bonner’s compelling writing.
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