Fantastic Tom Sharpe article

[Archetype]

Such a classy guy. Treats the fans really well too.

"I've been in these groups seven years now, and it still has that newness to me, a bit of amazement," Sharpe said. "...I always have, in the back of my head, what came before me and how were these drum parts performed before? What are the trademark things that I feel that I absolutely have to do? Are there parts where I can bring in some of my own creativity to it?

"...I'm very attentive to these legacies, and I approach it with great care, because they deserve it."

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/index.ssf/2013/12/drummer_uses_midwest-honed_ski.html#incart_river_default

[brywool]

A lot of people here (well, a few actually) kind of rag on Todd for kind of overhauling John's drum parts and making them too busy. Let us remember that Dennis was key in bringing Todd into the fold. Both guys are great drummers. I would BET that if Todd didn't go with Tommy and JY when the split hit the fan, that he'd be with Dennis at this time and people from that side of the fence wouldn't be ragging on him. They'd be saying how great he was.

Both drummers are great. Both are different.

[masque]

A lot of people here (well, a few actually) kind of rag on Todd for kind of overhauling John's drum parts and making them too busy. Let us remember that Dennis was key in bringing Todd into the fold. Both guys are great drummers. I would BET that if Todd didn't go with Tommy and JY when the split hit the fan, that he'd be with Dennis at this time and people from that side of the fence wouldn't be ragging on him. They'd be saying how great he was.

Both drummers are great. Both are different.

yep....i agree with that....keep in mind that todd has also been playing these drum parts for close to 20 years now.......I'm sure if john were still jamming em he would have no doubt changed up a few things along the way as well.

when i see todd play live I notice when he changes things but I have never felt it took anything away from the song.....i think he retains enough of the source material that it honors the original recording while providing his own touch.

[Archetype]

A lot of people here (well, a few actually) kind of rag on Todd for kind of overhauling John's drum parts and making them too busy. Let us remember that Dennis was key in bringing Todd into the fold. Both guys are great drummers. I would BET that if Todd didn't go with Tommy and JY when the split hit the fan, that he'd be with Dennis at this time and people from that side of the fence wouldn't be ragging on him. They'd be saying how great he was.

Both drummers are great. Both are different.

I've never doubted the greatness of Todd's ability to play the drums. I've gone out of my way to say that his ability isn't the issue. I have just stated that I prefer the sounds of John Panozzo and Tom Sharpe over how Todd plays Styx material, and that I don't like how JY handles the subject. I even said that Todd would be better suited to being in a band such as Dream Theater, which is a huge testament to his talent.

I'm not really on either "side." I've seen Tommy/JY Styx 7 times since 2003 (They were my first concert with Kansas and John Waite), and I've been to three Dennis concerts since 2010. I ultimately enjoy the music from both "sides." I even spent huge money to get really good seats for the Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight tour.

But back on topic, Tom Sharpe is a total class act. He went way out of his way to talk with me for a while, get a picture, and retrieve and sign a set list for me. His Sharpe World Music material is absolutely fantastic.