Larry Lelli
When I first met Larry Lelli, he was the drummer for top-charting country singer Doug Stone. When Stone suspended his touring for health reasons, I fully expected Larry to turn up with another major country act—after all, once someone is at that high level in a given scene, it’s pretty normal for offers to stream in on a regular basis.
What Larry did next surprised me. He went to Broadway, and became an orchestra-pit drummer for a series of major musicals—probably one of the only drummers ever to combine top-level Nashville experience with top-level Broadway experience!
From his first gig as a substitute in the Miss Saigon production, Larry has gone on to be principal percussionist in over 30 musicals, most notably Mel Brooks’ The Producers, the upcoming revival of Sideshow, and—so appropriate–The Million-Dollar Quartet: who else but Larry should play onstage in the Broadway show about four Country-music legends!
Larry is at the top of his game, playing in orchestras on Broadway, but also working as an executive producer. He also posts an enjoyable, educational video each Monday on his Facebook page, “Monday Musings”, that covers everything drum-related from attitude to equipment, from conductors to chorus lines, and more—a weekly helping of practical advice for working drummers based on his hard-won experience.
It goes without saying that Larry’s perspective from the summits of two different music worlds is unique… just the kind of guest to pick a special set of essential music for Drummeradio!
Listen to the Larry Lelli Podcast
Larry Lelli Playlist
Stevie Wonder — Superstition
Album: Songs in the Key of Life, 1972
Drums: Stevie Wonder
Steely Dan — Black Friday
Album: Katy Lied, 1975
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Still the One — Orleans
Album: Waking and Dreaming, 1976
Drums: Jerry Marotta
Michael Jackson — Get on the Floor
Album: Off The Wall, 1979
Drums: J.R. Robinson
Diana Ross — I’m Coming Out
Album: Diana, 1980
Drums: Tony Thompson
Buddy Rich Big Band (live recording, 1982) — Bugle Call Rag
Drums: Buddy Rich
Count Basie Big Band (live recording, 1962) — Corner Pocket
Drums: Sonny Payne
Missing Persons (Missing Persons EP, 1980) — Mental Hopscotch
Drums: Terry Bozzio
Michel Camilo — Why Not
Album: Why Not?, 1985
Drums: Dave Weckl
Vince Gill — Oklahoma Borderline
Album: The Things That Matter, 1985
Drums: Larry Londin
James Taylor — Sweet Potato Pie
Album: Never Die Young, 1988
Drums: Carlos Vega
Ricky Lee Jones — The Real End
Album: The Magazine, 1984
Drums: Steve Gadd
Al Jarreau — Blue Rondo a’ La Turque
Album: Breakin’ Away, 1981
Drums: Steve Gadd
