Late bloomers?

[Skin Beater]

I'm sure this thread has probably been done a lot before, but I haven't seen it so i'm starting one. Who are some of the famous drummers who got their start in drumming pretty late? I heard Akira Jimbo started around 18. I started when I was 16 and i'm 19 now, and it sort of bugs me that I didn't start when I was younger. Also feel free to post your age now and your age when you started.

[CARMEN77]

Same boat as you. I was wondering this myself the other day.

[CasB]

Started when I was 17 (I guess), I'm 20 now. And I wish I started earlier, and started practise rudiments from the start.

[Motleyguy]

Ah yeah, I started when I was 15, I'm 17 now. Kind of frustrating when I'm playing gigs and stuff on the scene, and there's kids younger than me who can play circles around me because they've been playing since they were 9 or 10. Oh well, I'm not too concerned though, I play for me, not for anyone else.

[sorgoth]

It depends what do you want to do with your life really. If drumming is just a hobby for you and you just want to have fun, it doesn't matter when you start. If you want to be a pro drummer and do that for the rest of your life and want to be the best, then, INMO, you have to start very early. I started 2 years ago and I'm 30. I'm just drumming for fun though. I think I just missed the train of fame and glory... :cool:

[Skin Beater]

There are pro's that started later on, Akira Jimbo is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. Tom Morello of Rage also didn't start playing guitar until college, so your very wrong about having to start early.

[styler]

i really wish i started earlier.

im also thinking the other way around too. if i started earlier, would i of gotten bored with drumming? or would i have gotten too heavy into barker to repair my technique?

[nonsense!]

Tom Morello of Rage also didn't start playing guitar until college, so your very wrong about having to start early.

Whoa! I had no idea, he's really good. *motivated*

[sorgoth]

There are pro's that started later on, Akira Jimbo is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. Tom Morello of Rage also didn't start playing guitar until college, so your very wrong about having to start early.

You gave me two names of pro drummers out of hundreds of thousands all around the world and you tell me that I'm very wrong about this? I think you would be suprised of the starting age for most of the pro drummers. That's not even the point!

The point is that, being paid to drum and be profficient to drum is a totally different game. The first could be accomplished with practise and dedication, the second needs more than that. It needs the foundations and the principles that you gain on a very small age, when things you do and learn are imprinted in your brain and in your muscles forever. Not only for drumming, but for all experiences in general. It's basic children's psychology my friend... :chug:

[jversluis88]

I started when I was 15, and I'm 18 now. I could've started earlier, but I rarely think about it.

[breakster]

i started at 12 and im 19 now... guess that means seven yrs of fun

[TTTSNB]

I know Elvin Jones didn't really become successful until he was 30.

[HEEEL]

Pete Riley (English drummer) didn't start playing till he was 15/16, and he's "not bad" (slight understatement) :)

While starting early probably is a great help for an aspiring pro musician, it's definitely not the be-all, end-all.

[Carn]

Bozzio started when he was around 14. I started when I was 18.

[The Ska Man]

Cool about the Bozzio thing, bet he must have worked his butt off, too. I started at 13.

[milkmit]

regret is silly and wasteful.

I [finally] started 14 months ago at 25 y/o. excellent decision. :)

[Schism666]

I started when i was 17, im 19 now.
Taking up drums is the best thing ive ever done

[440561]

Age when you start doesn't necesarily matter for a band that wants to gig. You may have started at a young age but you could be scared of performing that you are no use at all apart from recording!

[Killjoy]

All i can remember is that i think i started at the age of 15...im 20 now

[Bonham#1!]

I'm pretty sure Bonham got his first kit at age fifteen( I KNOW I saw that somewhere) and Zeppelin I came out when he was around 18 or 19 I think......I'd classify that as late bloomer. I started at age 11, almost 12 and am 14 now.

[styler]

Age when you start doesn't necesarily matter for a band that wants to gig. You may have started at a young age but you could be scared of performing that you are no use at all apart from recording!
cause every drummer at the age of 12 can get into a bar to gig. yep.

[Vannaroth]

Neil Peart didn't start taking lessons til he was 13, which is pretty late relative to some.

I started at about 14/15

[iplaybass9340]

I started one week after my 15th birthday, and my 16th birthday is in alittle under a month.

[Tyr]

I started when I was 21 and I'm soon to be 24. But I can't play as much as I'd like bacause of school and my neighbours, so I can't say I've been playing two, or something like that, years.

[Skin Beater]

You gave me two names of pro drummers out of hundreds of thousands all around the world and you tell me that I'm very wrong about this? I think you would be suprised of the starting age for most of the pro drummers. That's not even the point!

The point is that, being paid to drum and be profficient to drum is a totally different game. The first could be accomplished with practise and dedication, the second needs more than that. It needs the foundations and the principles that you gain on a very small age, when things you do and learn are imprinted in your brain and in your muscles forever. Not only for drumming, but for all experiences in general. It's basic children's psychology my friend... :chug:

I know what you're saying, but my point is it's still very possible for someone who started at 15 or 16 like I did. Josiah put it well, "it's not how long you have been playing, it's how you practice, what you practice, and how much you practice." I know there is a difference between drumming as a hobby and drumming for a living, and your practice schedules are very different for the two.

[alexmonty12]

started 11, and i'm 14 now :)

[drummer_mp3]

I started at 16. I hate kids that take drum lessons and only go to learn a song. Retards!


Go late learners!

[FullMoon]

started when i was 13 now im 14

[punkrocker2o1]

I started at 12. Now I'm actually coming onto 14 in two months :)

[Elmo McCheese]

I started playing guitar young, like 10 years old, but didn't switch to drums until I was 14. I kind of wish I started drumming earlier but since I was pretty good at guitar, I ended up picking up drums extremely fast.

It's all good.

EDIT: Drums are way more fun than guitar : D

[taman4life]

i read some where that chris adler started out pretty late not sure on the age but he used to play bass and i think jason bittner started out at a later age not sure though.