by Art Vandelay » Thu Jul 10, 2014 10:09 pm
Omar Akim or Hakim? I'm only asking 'cause I'm not sure if they are two different people. If it was Hakim...wow, what a great drummer, and a solid replacement for Smith. Played with a whole list of great artists back in the day (Madonna, Michael Jackson, Sting) and does a great track on the Buddy Rich tribute CD that also featured Steve Smith. I always liked Hakim's playing. They passed up on a great drummer with him (if it was Hakim)...but he benefitted by playing with the best of the best.
I also remember reading in Modern Drummer that Rod Morgenstein, another great 80's rock drummer (Winger), was considered. He said that he spent a lot of time learning DSB, note-for-note. He played it note for note in his audition, and they said something like "that was great, but play it in a new way for us". The audition was pretty much over at that point.
"Serenity now...insanity later."