Rookies seem to get away now without much of a hassle. When Joe Thompson was a rookie cymbal player in 1980, he and rookie bass drummer Mark Yorey were made to dress up as Minnie and Mickey Mouse respectively for a full rehearsal at Bridgeport, CT.
From 1981 to 1985 the truck was at least ½ hour late to almost every rehearsal due to no brakes, or no lights, or no gas – or the drivers’ minds and bodies were on a separate plane at the time.
Did you know Larry is 45!!!!! (This was in 1994)
I’ll never forget the time in Rome, NY, 1983-ish. The truck was late, again (stopped for gas) for the show. We were penalized 1 point. The amazing thing is no one said a word to us about it. I guess no one wanted to drive that hunk of junk). Even Stan didn’t have a melt down “NB.” That’s the only show I’m glad we lost by 1.1. We went on to win DCA that year.
Note: We rented a truck for DCA that year
Mark Yorey, 1980-1985: Bertha, No. 3 Bass Drum
