Pick Withers is a criminally underrated rock drummer. It sounds like he felt the same way David Knopfler did and needed to go pursue his own ambitions-more power to him, and I hope he’s happy and proud of his career.
a man true to his inner character, chasing money and fame was not the most important thing to him. He knew he was in a position that was not satisfying and he had a chance to change course and did so.
I’ve always loved Dire Straits but never knew much about their drummer. It’s pretty evident that Withers had some animosity towards Mark, feeling slighted as are many drummers over years. It doesn’t really come as a surprise since Mark is a perfectionist like any frontman for a successful band. It’s too bad that Withers had to move on but that’s the nature of the beast in rock and roll. Great interview !
Shame Pick left just before the big tour in 1982 so Mark had to get an instant replacement in a very shot notice. On a positive note as Terry Williams showed us drums still played important part of Knopfler's music ( enough to mention people working for Mark like Omar Hakim, Jeff Porcaro, Chris Whitten, Chad Cromwell, Danny Cummings or Ian Thomas)
I need to know before I die! What specific hi-hat did he use on Dire's first album? I've heard all sorts of answers over the decades. Would love to get the answer from the MAN himself instead of someone else's guess. I know the Paiste Profiles book has listed Paiste 14" Dark Sound Edge hats. But that was 1981. I would love to know what was used in the studio for that particular first album. I think they may be Paiste 14" 602 Medium hats, or 13" or 14" 602 Sound Edge hats, or 14" 2002 Sound Edge hats, or 14" Giant Beats. Or this or that or maybe a combo or maybe he used various hats on different songs or..........AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! 😫
More of this please, always curious about Dire Straits
Pick Withers is a criminally underrated rock drummer. It sounds like he felt the same way David Knopfler did and needed to go pursue his own ambitions-more power to him, and I hope he’s happy and proud of his career.
One of the very good sounding drummers ...everything he played on just sounded magnificent!
a man true to his inner character, chasing money and fame was not the most important thing to him. He knew he was in a position that was not satisfying and he had a chance to change course and did so.
I’ve always loved Dire Straits but never knew much about their drummer. It’s pretty evident that Withers had some animosity towards Mark, feeling slighted as are many drummers over years. It doesn’t really come as a surprise since Mark is a perfectionist like any frontman for a successful band. It’s too bad that Withers had to move on but that’s the nature of the beast in rock and roll. Great interview !
The first two albums were the best. Mark, David, John and Pick.
i loved what Pick Withers did with Dire Straits !
Shame Pick left just before the big tour in 1982 so Mark had to get an instant replacement in a very shot notice. On a positive note as Terry Williams showed us drums still played important part of Knopfler's music ( enough to mention people working for Mark like Omar Hakim, Jeff Porcaro, Chris Whitten, Chad Cromwell, Danny Cummings or Ian Thomas)
I need to know before I die! What specific hi-hat did he use on Dire's first album? I've heard all sorts of answers over the decades. Would love to get the answer from the MAN himself instead of someone else's guess. I know the Paiste Profiles book has listed Paiste 14" Dark Sound Edge hats. But that was 1981. I would love to know what was used in the studio for that particular first album.
I think they may be Paiste 14" 602 Medium hats, or 13" or 14" 602 Sound Edge hats, or 14" 2002 Sound Edge hats, or 14" Giant Beats. Or this or that or maybe a combo or maybe he used various hats on different songs or..........AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! 😫
Would like to hear more about the origins of DS from his perspective.
Obviously, Pick and Mark were NOT on the same page after 4 albums.
It happens.
What has he been doing since?
I always thought he was an exceptional drummer... very distinctive imo
Very impressed quality of life came before money. Must have been hard touring in a bottle
IF quality of life is staging a puppet show instead of playing with a great band around the world.
♥
I wonder which Belgian band he worked with.
Meh, Terry williams was better.
Pick too
Nope Pick had this unique style.