Keith Emerson. Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Dave Weckl. Dave Weckl is one of fusion's most acclaimed drummers, making his name during a six-year-stint with Chick Corea . Weckl was born in St. Louis and grew up listening to soul and jazz; he received his first drum set at age eight and developed his playing by listening to drummers like Buddy Rich , as well as R&B grooves. He majored in jazz at the University of Bridgeport, but left after two years to become involved in the New York jazz scene, also touring Europe with various bands. Weckl joined a fusion group called Nitesprite, where he attracted the attention of drummer Peter Erskine ; Erskine helped him get a gig with French Toast , a band also featuring pianist Michel Camilo and bassist Anthony Jackson . Upon leaving Corea , Weckl 's primary focus was recording and touring with guitarist Mike Stern ; he also continued his work as a sideman.
Ozric Tentacles. Cream. Fleetwood Mac. Ottmar Liebert. Armando Peraza. Armando Peraza has long been considered one of popular music's top percussionists -- a master of both the conga and bongos. In addition to being a long-standing member of Santana, Peraza has guested on numerous recordings by other popular recording artists. Born in Havana, Cuba, on May 30, 1924, Peraza lost both parents at an early age, and by the age of 12, was living on his own, supporting himself around this time as a vegetable vendor, semi-pro baseball player, boxing trainer, and a loan shark. It wasn't until Peraza was 17 years old that he got his start with music; One day at a baseball park, Peraza overhead local bandleader Alberto Ruiz (a brother of one of Peraza's teammates) say that he was in dire need of a conga player for a performance that night, as part of one of Havana's most popular bands at the time, Conjunto Kubavana. Chester Thompson. José Chepitó Areas. Graham Lear. Tom Coster. Lenny White.
Billy Cobham. Mahavishnu Orchestra. The Police. Dire Straits. Ozzy Osbourne. Deep Purple. The Dixie Dregs. Hayseed Dixie. Return to Forever. Jean-Luc Ponty. Boston. Pink Floyd. Queen.