Virgil Donati: Modern Drummer Days 1997 - PART I

Virgil Donati: Modern Drummer Days 1997 - PART I -
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Virgil was born and raised in Melbourne Australia. From the time he could barely utter a word, he keenly observed the regular band rehearsals his father held in the house. Virgil’s interest in music and instinct for rhythm had been apparent to his parents for some time. They began considering a musical path for him, and one month prior to turning 3, he found himself sitting behind his first real drumset.
Joining his first rock band and signing with his first major label at age 15 was surely the right choice for the young drummer. The band was called `Taste’. This was to give Virgil his early experiences in the studio, with three releases by the band. The relentless touring also allowed him to cultivate and improve his skills where it counts - on stage.
At the age of 16, Virgil turned pro to enable him to tour and focus on music, and has since devoted his whole life and soul to his art. The motivation has been his endless and restless pursuit to express himself through his playing.
At age 19 Virgil traveled to the U.S. to further study drumming, and also took classes in composition and arranging. Returning to Australia at age 21 his career was alight. He was in demand playing many genres of music, including jazz, rock, pop, theatre and studio work. He also worked with many visiting artists, including jazz pianist George Cables, vocalist Mark Murphy, Branford Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, Melissa Etheridge.
His next taste of commercial success came in the early 90’s with Southern Sons. The band reached double platinum with their debut album. At the same time, throughout the mid 80’s and 90’s, Virgil’s interest in progressive music was exploited with several bands he initiated, most notably Loose Change, and later, On The Virg.
In 1996 Virgil uprooted and relocated in the U.S.A., in an attempt to expand onto the world stage. It has since proved to be a very rewarding and productive time. Recording and touring with the likes of Planet X, Steve Vai, CAB, Scott Henderson, Steve Walsh, Tribal Tech, Frank Gambale, Derek Sherinian, Mark Boals, Dave Stewart, Mick Jagger, Josh Stone, and many others, he continues to push the limits of the instrument to astonishing new levels.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

This video was the first time I’ve ever seen Virgil Donati, years ago. I was like ‘Who the hell is THIS?!’ 🤯🤯🤯🔥

[@williamperri3437]

I saw him in 1990 it was a DCI drum sampler with five minutes of basically every hot drummer in America. All of the Buddy Rich, Vinny, Dave, Steve Smith, Chambers footage, and everything else that was hot at the time from instructional videos to drum battles. When I got to Virgil instructional video segment he was playing to a loop and even at 14 years old I knew there was something very different about this guy😮

[@neilrockett3547]

Nice to see a Premier kit, not often seen...

[@Diakonov29]

sonor not seen too often. but every one i've heard sounds deep and awesome.

[@paintingholidayitaly]

​@@Diakonov29😂Premier Genista

[@noworriesimfijian]

Is Premier now known as the British Drum Company? I remember Mel Gaynor from Simple Minds was a Premier endorser.

[@ramontango6394]

😮😮😮😮 Es infinito y mas allá... 😮😮😮😊

[@RoccoSoundTube]

😲 The sound of that kit is awesome!!!

[@Ferklaus]

looks like a Premier Genista 90`s Birch

[@paintingholidayitaly]

Because these truly are a great drumkit. Quite cheap too.

[@elisabrown7069]

Nice!

[@BubbleTsunami]

Cool man!.👉🏽🔥

[@NaggNaggLiggLigg]

Wrong! “Cool man” doesn’t cut it, sir

[@williamperri3437]

One of the strongest traditional grips ever.

[@wintc]

4:29 holy macaroni