Taylor Hawkins, Ringo Starr and a dozen or more other legends are talking about their lifelong obsession with drums, but they could just as easily be talking about fishing or stamp collecting or fun size Snicker bars.
The subject doesn’t matter; to see such passionate and powerful testimonials from people who are the best at what they do is always going to be infectious and delightful.
Ironically, the director, Justin Kreutzmann, not only is not a drummer and never really connected to the drums as a musician, but he grew up backstage at Grateful Dead concerts from birth. His dad, Bill Kreutzmann, was a founding member of the Dead, and brought in Mickey Hart to make it one of the rare two-drummer bands.
So, obviously, Justin Kreutzman seems to have had no problem getting one-on-one time with the biggest names, past and present. Many you know well, some you haven’t heard as much from on camera over the years; the guys from No Doubt, Jane’s Addiction, and Primus are just as compelling as the aging stars, who are wise and lucid, having conquered addiction and the hazards of touring for a lifetime.
It’s also cool to see, however briefly, session cats that played on some of the all-time classics in the history of rock, like the great Jim Keltner and Jerry Allison.
One theme that totally transcends the actual instrument, but proved to be enlightening, and rather sad; the pressures and tolls of being the child of legendary drummers. Kreutzman’s case is different, since his Dad is still alive and chilling in Hawaii. But the children of the late Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, and John Bonham have had varying degrees of success at getting out of the shadows of their famous fathers.
The late Taylor Hawkins appears just as we remember him: exuberant, irreverent and an unabashed fan boy. When he casually mentioned that he and Dave Grohl will be playing when they’re seventy, you get a lump in your throat.
I could go on – the list of those appearing goes for miles, even though the film has a good pace and rhythm (sorry) and is only 90 minutes long.
Let There Be Drums is in theaters and available online. Show times and links here
