The Iconic Drumming Behind “Give Blood” | Pete Townshend Song Breakdown
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
- The Who’s Pete Townshend accidentally wrote one of the biggest drum songs of the ‘80s.
Townshend’s “Give Blood” was the result of a misscheduled recording session that saw Toto’s Simon Phillips and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour in the same studio. Fearlessly creative, Townshend put together “Give Blood” on the spot - and Phillips’ drumming stole the show.
Simon Phillips’ performance on “Give Blood” earned him a “Best Recorded Performance” from Modern Drummer in the year of its release, 1985. And it’s easy to see (hear?) why…
“Give Blood” features a tasty ghost note groove over the verses and a beautifully syncopated ride bell & tom pattern over the B section - something only an open-handed drumming expert like Simon Phillips could pull off.
In this video, you’ll hear the complete story behind Pete Townshend’s “Give Blood” straight from the original drummer, Simon Phillips, as well as a performance & breakdown of the masterful drum part.
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Lesson Index:
0:00 - Intro
0:10 -- "Give Blood" First Playthrough
2:33 -- Drum Breakdown & History
4:39 -- Sheet Music Explanation
9:56 -- "Give Blood" Final Playthrough
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#drums #petetownshend #drumeo #simonphillips
Check out note-for-note sheet music of Simon's "Give Blood" drum beat here:
www.drumeo.com/beat/breaking-down-the-drum-part-on-pete-townshends-give-blood/
Lesson Index:
0:00 - Intro
0:10 -- "Give Blood" First Play Through
2:33 -- Drum Breakdown & History
4:39 -- Sheet Music Explanation
9:56 -- "Give Blood" Final Play Through
Do a video on the genius of Mario Duplantier of Gojira, HE DESERVES IT!
Simon's open-handed technique it's just so wonderful for so many songs
I have always loved this song. It's from one of Pete Townshend's best solo LP's. This drum breakdown makes me love the song even more seeing all the little tricks layered into the drum part.
Same here. A childhood staple as a teen in the 80’s.
His 80s albums are him at his ego driven i care so much about the fans, i'm telling everyone i'm clean but am super fckd up best.
Simon's smile at 12:18...the gift of music and Simon are amazing!
❤
Right? And when that double bass part kicks in it goes DEEP. Totally understand why he had to smile.
Pino on the bass on this song is as amazing as the drums. Thanks, Simon, this is great.
ABSOLUTELY 💯 PHENOMENAL BASS PARTS
As a bass player I have to say I absolutely adore Pino Pallidino's playing. And yes, the drumming on this is wonderful. That double kick fill was so powerful and tasteful. When I first heard it and still today I think the word NICE!
Long lapsed drummer here, every time I watch Simon play open handed my head explodes a bit. What an absolute talent monster.
He has gold in his feets and hands. Never heard a drummer like him. A truly master. 🤗🤗🤗
Never heard of Niel Peart?
@@geoffwilkinson2286 oh, there are so many fantastic drummers. But for me, Simon stoods out.
True, "gold in his feets and hands". But sadly the poor man can't afford shoelaces. There must be some sort of musician's charity that can help out guys like Simon who've hit hard times after their glory years.
I wouldnt be so quick to judge, he may be using those shoes specifically for drumming and may be comfortable without the laces.
The 80s live version of this song shown briefly in this video, is absolutely mind blowing. Simon rips the song to shreds..
Yes. A total killer! 🙏🏻🤩
Here’s the whole performance:
ruclips.net/video/LeXf90OGTHE/видео.html
Are you saying he rips the song a new a-hole?
Brilliant performance: Gilmore, great backup singers, interesting, if busy, camera work. Worth 50 watches over the years.
This was awesome. Thanks, guys. I remember the first time I heard "Give Blood" on the radio in '85. Knew straightaway that it was Simon and immediately went out and bought the album (which had just been released rhe week before). This guy has been a drumming god to me since I was 8 or 9 years old, when he was still playing his legendary Fibre Star kit. Finally got to meet and chat with SImon and Bob Graham just before the pandemic hit and they could not have been any kinder. Always nice when your favorite musicians turn out to be great human beings. People are people, and it doesn't always happen that way.
Thank you for sharing! This song has inspired generations of drummers. So cool to hear your story.
I remember watching this song in 1985 on HBO with Simon Phillips beating those drums into submission and David Gilmour playing 100 mph for six and a half straight minutes on this give blood song as Pete townshend's lead guitarist!! This whole concert is worth owning which I do!! Just great musicianship all the way around the horn for this entire show!! And then of course Pete Townshend and his great voice with a bunch of great songs! This whole concert is such an anomaly with different musicians and singers from all over the place! Wonderful concert!!!!
Never heard him talk, a drummer’s drummer.
Simon Phillips is an absolute monster on the drums, the only drummers that are living on that same planet is Vinnie Colaiuta and the great late Tony Williams, as they manage to combine Groove with Technique on such a level, that they make the most difficult thing look so easy
So true. Not only that, but he has the ear of an engineer when it comes to mixing & drum sounds!
@@DrumeoOfficial He has proven that with the Toto record ‘Falling in Between’ (an underrated album) which is sound wise, one of the best albums on record
Would love to see his take on Tool or Porcupine Tree songs... Or Danny Carey's / Gavin Harrison's takes on his songs!
Thomas Lang? Gavin Harrison? Steve Smith? (…) Ring a bell?
@@AugCorreia They are phenomenal drummers, I agree with you there, but Simon Phillips has something special that makes him stand out. There is a reason why he was one of the most prolific session drummers in the UK, and one of the most in demand drummers in modern history.
For me Simon is my favorite drummer. He is sooo musical and always knows how to push the music to the next level.
Pete Townsend is one of my favorite guitarists and music composers. This is one of many great songs Pete wrote in his career and the story told by Simon behind this song is fascinating. Simon absolutely breathes life into this song in a way that only he can. Just amazing and beautiful how the fill itself keeps him in time with the song. It's a masterpiece of music and musicianship. This is a perfect example of my Simon Phillips is one of my all-time favorite drummers.
It's a testament to all their skills that they wrote this on the spot! You have great taste in drummers 👀
Steve ,
I couldn’t have said it any better.
Pete is my all time favorite.
A testament to an amazing musician and songwriter.
Simon's one of the most respected drummers for his unique technique. What I love more about him is his unique taste.
There are hundreds out there these days with even better technique, but non would play what Simon does.
The performance clip of the song are originally from a VHS called "Pete Townshend's Deep End Live". It was a killer concert, brimming with great energy. Unfortunately, it was never updated for DVD or Blu-ray. It was released as part of a CD/DVD set (Face the Face), but re-editing somehow sucked the energy out of it. The reissue just wasn't the same. I wish someone would go back and try and update the original, preserve that raw energy, and re-release. Simon's drumming shines throughout, but the whole effort was just a stunning performance.
I‘ll never forget the moment i saw this song the first time in the german television show Rockpalast, live whith this amazing band!
I look at the guy on the drums and thought „what the heck is this“!? 😳
Since this moment i was „Simon infected“ and since this concert i‘m a follower of Simon, he is so fantastic, amazing, the best sounding drummer, and such a nice guy!
Decades later in 2018 i’ve had the opportunity to met him personally during the „drums and percussion“ weekend here in germany!
You can‘t imagine how does it feel to spend a whole weekend with this humble and fascinating men, to hear his storys ( i could listen to it for hours and hours!!!), asking questions, get lessons from him....
It was mindblowing! These three days i‘ll never forget in my hole life, i‘ve had the best time of my life!
So thanks drumeo for this one here! Great, great work!
It‘s a perfect example how a drumkit has to sound like, respect drumeo 👏🏻, great job! 👍🏻
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Thank you Simon and Drumeo! Had to do a double take to make sure i wasnt dreaming!
Huge fan of townshends solo work, and especially the 1986 live version that won Simon the Modern Drummer performance of the year for '86.
Not easy to instantly jump back into something from 36 years ago! Especially when hes playing along to the studio version
Saw him with The Who in ‘89 in Tampa. Seeing him play drums was quite a thrill. It was a great show.
Always known this song was special, about time it becomes official 😊
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Well its a great song regardless but I really enjoy this detailed study of it
I love this song and Simon's drumming. I had no idea Simon played ghost notes on the snare like that. 1985 was certainly a good time for great music!
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me neither - lotta gates on the drum mixing back then - probably cut most of em out.
I think the verse section where it appears Mr. Phillips is doing the work with the ghost notes could be a lesson in itself. One of those things you don’t know you’re hearing till you see it…
@@lextual The ghost notes were the first thing I noticed when I heard the song. It was exactly the style I was getting into, a beat with an undercurrent of ghost notes to keep an ambience going.
OMG.. The 1st song I every heard Mr. Phillips play. An iconic drum song that will be remembered and revered for many years to come. So great!
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I was 15 when I first saw the video. When Simon went to the left hand ride, it completely knocked me over! His pocket, his fills, the left hand and the Double Bass kit. Just the best!!!!
Simon is all about tasteful and musical drumming, love his sound, the parts fit in the song perfectly. His playing is so inspiring, never gets boring. And he's still on top of his game, even after being around for 40+ years.
Are you kidding? One of my all time favorites, deceptively simple sounding but not . Love his feel, huge fan
So glad you are showing this .. Live from the Deep end was on of my favorites concerts and really brought out Pete Townshend's body of work. Wish Pete would do more solo tours .. as he is a true musician and composer like no other
One of my all-time favorite drummers, wish he played Mike Oldfield's "In High Places" at some point in this series.
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That was absolutely fascinating.As a twenty year old in 85 I remember being transfixed simply by the drums on this song.To watch the master Simon pick it apart for us piece by piece is an absolute treat.Thank you Simon and Drumeo.
Thanks for the link to fascinating.As website. What a treat!
When this song came out, I was first starting to realize the power of ghost notes in creating groove. I forget which drum magazine had a transcription for it, but it completely changed everything for me! To see it broken down by Simon himself is like a 40+ year dream come true.
Man, I used to love this track as a kid. I had no idea who Pete Townshend was. Cheers Simon!
I was at a Simon drum clinic at Seattle in the early 90's and Simon told this story and played the song for us. One of the most awesome music experiences I've ever had. The skill he played with seen from a few feet away was unforgettable.
Somehow, for the first time that I ever noticed, watching Simon Philips is like watching Eric Idle play absurdly difficult drums.
Nothing against Zak, but Simon should've been the drummer to continue in The Who. His work on the Tommy tour is legendary. Awesome drummer, awesome sound, awesome licks, and from all accounts, seems like an awesome guy.
I agree but Zak paid a tremendous homage to Keith Moon at the Super Bowl.
They always felt more like "The Who" with Zak, even though Simon is technally better on certain levels. Zack was crazier, had the same kit ideas, and had a 60 modern feel, and hit fuc&ing hard.
Scheduling conflicts made it impossible, and Zak has the bombast that Keith had.
Agreed. Keith had a very up and open feel about his playing, as does Simon - it's really spirited. No disrespect to Zak but he doesn't appear to have that, at least based on the numerous clips I've seen.
Agreed on Simon on that Tommy tour in 1989. Legendary is the word.
Sick song and sick drumming ! Awesome stuff Drumeo!
I literally watch one of the full band live versions of this song every week with my family. We love it!
Great tune, great chart, great playing! Remember seeing the video on MTV back in the day when MTV was about music!
Back in the '80s, Modern Drummer had a transcription of this in an issue. As a new student, I would just stare at it in utter amazement, with no clue how to pull off all those ghost notes.
... and now you can stare in disbelief at the DIGITAL transcription! 😂
Still my favorite Townshend solo album. And SImon's playing is simply sublime.
Great video and great playing! I'm sure that most people don't realize the physicality that professional drumming requires, Simon shows it all in this song.
One of my ALL TIME faves from that era, I was the only kid in my town listening to Pete's 'White City: a novel' album, and the only one copping Phillips' licks. Therefore, I was a GOD! Thank you so much to Drumeo for inviting the esteemed and wonderful Simon Phillips to your studios to break down this iconic performance. Such a treat!
Freakin brutal.....Simon and Pino......incredible chops....
YES to the kick drum break!! I always remember the Deep End bit where the camera was on you at exactly that moment and thought”that’s my favourite bit of a great song” -had no idea it was a Rockit tribute but then, of course!
One of my all time favorite drum tracks and songs. Simon is such a musical drummer playing just what is needed to drive this track to another dimension. I spent hours learning this track from a transcription in Modern Drummer back in the 80s, I was just obsessed with it. Thanks for sharing this Simon.
That big K ride sounds so nice.
I saw him re-create that performance from memory with no backing tracks at one of his drum clinics in a church in Hempstead, Long Island in 1988, brought the house down.
As good as he is on drums he’s far advanced in his musicality. That why when I listen to his music I don’t ever have to be distracted by his technique
This is so great. I have been a huge HUGE Who and Townshend fan for 35 years at least. I read and listened to everything I could in my teens! Thanks for this!
Amazed how he makes it look so easy.
One of my all time favs, Thanks Drumeo!!
Congratulations 🎉
Way cool... just love watching and listening to Simon! One of my favorite drummers!!
Dang man. What a killer surprise to see Give Blood explained. I played along to this so many times as a 15 year old. Saw Simon play live with The Who in 1989. He's been one of my favorites ever since. Thank you so much for this.
I'm so glad I stumbled on this seriss. Simon is a consumate professional and keeps beautiful time. Great song and story as well. Thanks guys.
Groovy, very literally! Definitely one of my favorite all time drum tracks. Dig the live version even better. Simon's playing has inspired me to transition to an open-handed approach, which just makes more sense. Simon was obviously having a lot of *fun* playing this, as one might expect.
This was a fantastic video! Well done by Simon and Drumeo! I had forgotten how much I loved this song, and how great Simon and the other musicians had played on it. Thank-you! James Ponak
When I first heard this song, there was something about the sound of the drums ( as if the drums lifted the song in the air ) that made me aware of Simon Phillips and since then has become one of my favorite drummers!
He is a true master of drum sounds.
yeah the whole album is incredible. the Face The Face stair stepping, escalating, drum sound thing is one of the most powerful drum sounds i've ever heard on record.
Simon is not a tall guy and the way he gets around that huge kit is astonishing! If you’ve ever witnessed his playing up close it’s mind blowing!!
This has always been one of my favorite drum performances, and it got me inspired to try new things with my drumming
It's truly one of those "once-in-a-decade" performances!
This is absolutely one of my favourite drum parts of all time and it's a real treat watching the man himself run through it. The bloke is a monster player and that fill he talks about at the end of the song is one of my favourite bits of the song too. The live performance from '85 or so is one of the best you'll ever see.
Not only a great drummer but he seems like a great person as well. This is such a phenomenal song all the way around!
Great video of my favorite drummer playing my favorite drum song. Thanks!!
Love the ride in that position, easy access to the bell specially with fast double(sweeping motion) or more surface rhythms involving h.hats, snare and ride. Following Simon since the Rock, Pebbles and Sand album with Stanley Clarke. V8 next please!
Saw Phillips live at both A.R.M.S. benefit concerts back in 1983 at the L.A Forum with Clapton, Beck and Page. Dude's a legend.
Simon nos muestra gentilmente lo "simple" que es ser un súper sesionista! Gracias, maestro!!!
One of the greatest musicians of all time! And such a humble person!
Simply incredible.
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YES!!!!! could watch this all day... best drum groove ever.... so energetic and exhilarating... thanks Drumeo.
A true master. It's not often to see so much talent, skill, and ability in one person. Thank you for this.
The majesty of it almost brings a tear to my eye. So dignified and powerful. Even as a kid I knew this was a step up from everything else at the time. On a side note, I wish Tama would go back to the T logo and gloss wood grain finishes of the Superstar line. They were it in the 1970's-80's, arguably music's biggest era.
Always loved the Rockit fill on GB, esp with that little 'push' right after it.
I love his drumming sooo much!!!! Thank you Simon!!!
I spent the better part of 1986 in my basement with my walkman on listening to this track trying to figure it out. Damn... Wish I had this clip back then as I never could get it down completely. Simon is an incredible drummer!
Broooo, one of my heroes playing a drum groove I've been practicing for years! Thanks so much!
🤘
Give Blood is my favorite Simon song followed CLOSE with Jeff Beck's Space Boogie. This is also my favorite Pete Townshend song. Anything and everything Simon played on is killing. Favorite Tears for Fears song? The Year of the Knife from Sowing The Seeds of Love cause....Simon played on it. Thank you Simon for the breakdown and behind the scenes of my favorite Pete Townshend song!!!
Agree - Simon killed on that recording of The Year of the Knife - a monster performance! A hidden jewel for me.
Is this ME, talking?
Love that song and Simon's performance ❤️! That was around that time when the show "Super Drumming" was on German TV. You can find parts of it on YT for sure. Simon is one of our drummer's heroes ever since. Thanks, Drumeo!
Super Drumming…yes. I remember this. Wasn‘t it with Pete Best?
Pete York was the guy (?) -Drummer of Spencer David Group
This was one of my favourite songs in the 80s as a novice drummer, and although I was already aware of Simon (Stanley Clarke, Jeff Beck etc) this track really resonated with me. In fact the whole album was brilliant. I’d love to hear Simon do Face the Face on Drumeo.
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Great song !
A track by track breakdown would be a really wonderful!
The whole album resonated with me. White City is a Masterpiece and Deep End Live is just incredible.
One of the best songs ever recorded!! Simons parts are out of this world phenomenal ♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️
Thanks to whoever posted this. Excellent!
I love watching a proper drummer at work and Simon Phillips is the man ! 👍🙂
I used to play this in a band called K Lee Reich in the 80s. I remember working out this song during the day in Calgary at Frankie and Johnny's South. Must've been 1987 because I had my brand new Gretsch double bass drum kit. Back in those days all we did was play our instruments 6 days a week with one day of travel to the next town or club and we loved it when it was a cabaret because that meant we could practice during the day.
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Fantastic song. Thanks ever so much for posting this. Pete has the unique blend of cynicism, anger, disgust for politics and the music industry, yet a hidden corner of humanity tucked away beneath our notice, and too complicated for us to appreciate. Just my gut impression. This is an intense song, one that I have longed to see broken down on the drum kit. And Pino Paladino's fretless bass guitar work really came together made this an outstanding song. Oh yeah, the base double drum and the double flam off "Rocket." Loved it, but didn't know its origin. And just to be able to finish the song with alternating kicks makes learning them all worthwhile.
This is very well-said. Thanks for checking out Simon's performance & breakdown!
My favorite Pete Townsend song. Great job Simon
I remember meeting the man at a local presentation in Santiago, Chile many years ago. We were allowed to bring cameras and own discs to be signed if we wish. I took Judas Priest's Sin After Sin. He saw the album and just told her translator, "look, your favorite album". And he signed it. Lovely memory.
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I also love Simon’s drumming on other Pete Townshend’s albums such as “Empty Glass” and “All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes”. A great one to check out is “Slit Skirts” from “ATBCHCE”. Regarding “Give Blood”…it’s a true drumming masterpiece of playing and composition. The album “White City” is definitely worth checking out as there are other incredible songs such as “Second Hand Love”, “The Brilliant Blues”, “Hiding Out”, etc.
On Slit Skirts, Mark Brzezicki from Big Country is the drummer.
Brings back memories. What amazing drum playing!
Finally the master Simon shows us exactly what went and goes on in this fantastic song. We all came close to playing it.
Congratulations 🎉
Epic playing from one of the masters of drumming.
Cheers Simon.Cheers Drumeo.
Blessings.
Thank you!
Man this dude right here been wow-ing me for years. Saw him live in nashville years ago and he blew my mind with his polyrhythmic 3 over 4 4 limb coordination thing. Been ripping his licjs for years! One of my all time faves! Give Blood was epic!
LOVE the breakdown and when he started talking about the other fill, I knew exactly which one it was! That fill blew me away the first time I heard it and Ive anticipated it coming tip each time since!!!
I would love to see a breakdown like this of Slit Skirts.
OMG.....I've loved the original video of this since I saw it in 1988. One of my all-time favorites!
So much subtlety in this groove but never feels 'complex' / 'Prog' but... it is! Like that he acknowledges influences. So so good
So cool watching that open hand playing,been fan forever,love his own solo fusion records, real pro here
Thanks for this,it was one of my favourite albums at the time and I can remember trying to play along to it…..🙂👍
I remember this song ! Was really good ! Simon did an awesome job on it !
A great opener song for a concert. Awesome pop on that snare!
Mr Simon Philips, i know you since "Crises" and "Discovery and The Lake" - thanks for making my days in these times. You have been part of my life since then, I admire your skills and professionalism ! all the best and greetings from Germany
I saw Simon at a drum clinic in 1983 and was an immediate drum fan boy. I recall when this song was released and being blown away by the power and musicality of his performance.
The most beautiful sounds ever from his toms. The whole kit really.
When I heard this song when it first came out, I knew it was a gem. I'm a drummer, and brought it to my drum teacher. We both woodshed it for quite a while. The most difficult part is the "latin" part, which you need to figure out first, and then be able to rip those double kicks. It kicked my ass, and became a great challenge to learn to play. Phillips is a monster. This is a fabulous post and brings back great memories.
Amazed at how these songs come together. I thought Simon was fantastic on this song before this video, and hearing about how it came to be makes it even more interesting.
I saw this on an HBO concert way back when and was blown away by the drumming. Seeing this is 100 times better!! Simon is awesome!!
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One of my top 5. Used to play this all the time.