Big Johnny Rowe

[Hossman]

One of my favourite players is due for back surgery this week and probably out for the season.
Best of luck to you Big Johnny for a healthy recovery.
HOSSMAN

[piobgurl]

Isn't he the 78ths bass? Who will play?

[and, hope it all goes well...]

[Mike Cole]

Big John...one of my bass drumming heroes. With his upbeat attitude and inner strength...we'll be seeing him soon enough.
All the best brother!

[W. F. Morrison]

Sold our big Hosbuilt bass to 78th last year, Johnny called and asked the drum's name. Said he was superstitious about things like that. I told him I'd named her Vera Mohr, Johnny said he'd keep the name. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Warren Morrison, Loch Norman Pipe Band

[Brian Fry]

Best Wishes for full fast recovery and hoping to see "Big John" back with 78th as soon as possible!!........Brian Fry and Family

[R3]

Hoping you will have a speedy recovery John and extend best wishes to you and the 78ths in their contest season.

Rolly

[Big Johnny Rowe]

Thanks everyone (Hoss, Kahlil, Mike D., Brian, Andy Rogers, Big Jack MacLean,The WHOLE Fraser's family, etc., etc.) for all the kind words and supportover the last week.... Mike Cole, I REALLY appreciated the phone call the other day. Awesome.
I go in to meet with my surgeon this Fri. to get the word on when I go under the knife. Thanks to Mike C., I kinda know what I'm in for and I'm looking forward to the challenge of gettin' back better than ever.
While I very well may be missing the whole season, (WOW talk about terrible timing!!), I'm trying to stay as positive as possible in case of a miracle super-speedy recovery!
I may just pop up to Ont. for Maxville, anyway, just to see everyone and offer the band support.

Anyway - I appreciate it A LOT everyone!! CHEERS, and HOPEFULLY I'll see you all soon.

- BIg johnny rowe

[John Cairns]

Yes, in late May, we received word that our bass drummer John Rowe suffered a relapse of his back injury that has left him facing surgery sometime in the near future. We wish John a successful procedure and speedy recovery.

The 78th Frasers are pleased to announce that as of early June, Bob Hartleib has agreed to come on board as our bass player during John's absence. Bob brings with him a great deal of experience dating back to his days with the grade 1 Guelph Pipe Band and more recently Windsor Police grade 2 who achieved considerable success both at home and in Scotland.

Welcome Bob, and thanks for jumping into the fire on short notice.

[S. Foley]

John, hope all goes well with your surgery and I hope you have a speedy and full recovery. I was wordering if bass drumming was the cause of your back troubles? Anyway good luck and I hope to see you back in the game soon.
Steve.
L.A.Scots

[Big Johnny Rowe]

Steve - while I'm sure that all the bass drumming didn't exactly help the problem, I don't beleive that my injury was caused by my playing the Big drum.
I hurt my back doing power-cleans in the gym back around '95. That's probably what started it all off - plus playing university football, rugby, and generally doing other stupid stuff contributes to it.
I re-aggrivated it back in Nov. and it just never really got 100%.
Plus - I also play drum kit, and I tend to sit kinda low and play really hi (picture Dave Grohl or something similar) - not the best for my back, so that'll have to change.
Thanks for the well wishes, by the way!!! It's been really cool hearing from everybody out there.

ALSO - to dispell any rumours (hint, hint, Andrew B. @ PiperandDrummer online), I have NOT left the Fraser's! This is a temporary thing!! ....Funny that they'd go and print something about ME without checking the facts WITH ME!! ....Whatever..... I'm not gonna get all sucked into it - we'll just leave it at that.

Again, I appreciate all of the well wishes from everyone. Cheers!! See you all (hopefully) soon,

Big Johnny rowe (STILL, a Fraser)

[KJacksonCapp]

You went to university...?

[Mike Cole]

Originally posted by Big Johnny Rowe:
I also play drum kit, and I tend to sit kinda low and play really hi (picture Dave Grohl or something similar) - not the best for my back, so that'll have to change. Yeah Johnny! Playing the kit with poor posture really contributed to me popping my L4-L5 disk....traveling in a road band that had a Hammond B3 and two Leslie speakers didn't help either.
Check out the way Steve Smith (for one) sets up his kit. Very ergonomic.....range of motion is based on pure economy of motion....and can he move! There is an issue in one of Modern Drummer's from last year that focuses on the bass drum. (I'll see if I can find the issue # :thumb: )There is one article that really gets into the most effective and Zen-like way to establish the bass drum the center focus of the kit. It gets down to the nitty-gritty of foot and leg position. I adopted it to my set...what a relief to my back, and what a joy it is to play without cramping up afterwards!


Hey, all of you younger players...take care of your backs! Think about: how you're strapping the big drum on; how you're lifting it; carrying it, etc. You don't know you've been abusing a disk/s until there is a rupture. The experience is hard to describe, once one does.....
Play smart.


Ok, off the soapbox now.


Peace.

[Big Johnny Rowe]

AMEN Mike... great tips, to be sure. EVERYONE LISTEN TO MIKE's ADVICE ON TAKING CARE OF YOUR BACK!!! Real important - he speaks the truth.

Make sure to tell me wich M.D. issue that was in, if you find it. Chances are I've already got it at home.

Another GREAT player, for those of you that are interested, is a guy named GENE HOGLAN who is an AMAZINGLY tasteful player with RIDICULOUS feet on the bass drums, by the way. He's also a really big guy for a kit drummer at 6'3" and about 300lbs.... some of us can probably relate a bit, Ha, Ha!!! Anyway, he plays for a metal band based out of Vancouver called Strapping Young Lad. If that's your bag, or you're just interested, check this guy out.. it's pretty freaky, AND he plays in much the same fashion as Mike is talking... very ergonomic. I believe that he's going to be featured in the NEXT Modern Drummer... check it out.

,,,, off to meet the surgeon tomorrow!! Cheers, everyone!

Good luck to all this weekend in Hamilton or wherever you may be. I'll be there in spirit.

-Big johnny rowe.

[Andrew H]

All the best for speedy recovery, Johnny!

I'm pretty sure the article Mistah Cole mentioned about the Zen-influenced setup was from Neil Peart. I've seen a video of his much to the same nature some years ago.

For me, no matter what I'm playing - kit, snare, tenor, bass - I'm always thinking ergonomics. It's amazing the beneficial effects of proper placement of feet, legs, back, and especially proper arm and wrist placement. Little attention to these details does wonders not only medically but also for efficient drumming!

[Mike Cole]

The issue I'm speaking of addresses all aspects of the bass drum..in a kit. Tuning, size, set-up, etc.
I remember the Peart issue...now I'll have to find it! Thanks Andrew! :thumb:

We'll raise a few for you this weekend JR !

[Hossman]

Body mechanics and posture etc. is perfectly addressed by two gurus in the drum world.
One is Freddy Gruber and the other (and he just happens to be more accessible to Pipe Band drummers of all sorts) is John Fisher.

Most of my favourite drummers study with one of the two.
I suggest that anybody that hits stuff and makes noise that is on or near the West Coast of North America get a lesson with John, he will change your life and he will show you the means of playing drums forever.
If it's good enough for Aronoff, it's good enough for most.
Hoss
Best of luck again this week, Big John!

[Cleaton]

Hey John,

All the best to you for a speedy recovery and I hope to see you playing again real soon.

Cheers
Iain Cleaton
Bass drummer Glengarry Gr.2

[Daz Gregory]

John

Allt he best for your Op - hope it's not toolong before we see that Bass 8 feet off the ground again..

Regards

DAZ

[Iain Mor]

Happy birhtday Johnny.

[Mike Cole]

Big John has had his surgery and is on the road to recovery. All is well.
Rock on Big John!

[Bruce Babcock]

I had a couple of pints in the tent with Johnny on Saturday. I think this whole thing is a ploy to get people to BRING him BEER. Seriously tho', nice to see you up and around Johnny, even with the cane.

[tenordrummer.com]

Great to hear you're on the mend Johnny!

[Cliff Davis]

Originally posted by Mike Cole:
Big John has had his surgery and is on the road to recovery. All is well.
Rock on Big John! Wonderful news. I've never met John, but he has been in my thoughts.

Here's to a speedy 100% recovery Johnny!

Cliff

[John Gaudet]

All the best Johnny. From one coaster to another , get your arse back up here

Oh yea , no more leaping chain link fences and chasing Ball throughing Frenchmen eh.

[Big Johnny Rowe]

Hey Guys, thanks for the well wishes! Yeah, the rehab is going well.... NICE!!!
Pretty funny, though - I actually had a ..."nice pimp stick'... comment about my walking cane..... I almost busted my staples from laughter!!
Thanks to everyone at the Halifax beer tent for the pints... nice to see everyone.
Anywhoo.... back at it! Sorry I'm gonna miss the workshop in Scotland - save me a seat for next year!!
Cheers and everyone continue to enjoy the rest of the summer contest season. Be safe and have fun!!

-johnny rowe.