Not So Modern Drummer celebrates the life and music of Legendary Drummer Tony Williams in our new ongoing series. Chapter Two features Mike Clark’s personal recollections and commentary.
I had taken my band into the Regatta Bar in Boston. David Deranian who worked as a Zildjian artist representative came in to hear us. As I was taking the stage he approached me and said "Hey, Mike come to my table on the break I have a story you are going to want to hear.”
We did the show and I went to talk with David and he told me that Tony Williams had recently come to Zildjian for some new cymbals. Usually when a visiting artist goes to the Zildjian factory they sit in the main office and talk with many of the people who work there… Most of them are drummers and/or guys that make cymbals and know a lot about drumming and drummers.
He then told me that they asked Tony if there were any drummers who he liked other than the older guys he came up on. At first he said, "No, there is nothing happening with the newer guys. They pressed and said well there must be some guy you like. He thought for a moment and said " Yeah there is that guy that plays with Herbie Hancock… I find him interesting." Someone there said, "You mean Harvey Mason?" Tony said “No the guy on Thrust.” They said: "You mean Mike Clark?" He said - "Yeah, that’s the guy, I like him." I was stunned and at first thought he was kidding but he assured me this was true. I was on Cloud 9.
When I got back to New York I was talking with a friend of mine who is a great drummer - I told him the story thinking he would be happy for me - but after hearing the story his reply was something like..." Oh yeah, man Heh Heh Heh" in a weak voice Ha Ha Ha Ha... Oh well, I can dig it!
- Mike Clark