Kansas City Playlist: Triumphant Return For Drum Tribe

Not so long ago . . . Kansas City po-po didn't have a lot to do so they chased the "Drum Tribe" our of Loose Park following neighborhood complaints and a few instances of crooks preying upon the good-natured hippies. 

Now . . . Thanks to BEST & BRIGHTEST TKC READERS . . . We're happy to note:

CELEBRATE THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF KANSAS CITY'S DRUM TRIBE!!!

Some argue that they never really disbanded . . . But those same people are barefoot and make their living off Etsy so it's okay to ignore them.  

Again, not so long ago the KCPD mounted patrol busted drum tribe denizens for weed so much that the group was forced to relocate. Ironically, the mounted patrol is no more and recreational weed is now perfectly legal in KC proper. 

Here's the word and a sign of the times . . .  

"Kansas City Drum Tribe is picking up momentum at Loose Park. Lots of new faces and families popping in. We meet every Monday from 7-10pm just south of the rose garden."

For now this is all harmless fun . . . 

More importantly, so many local drum circles serve as an integral part of the eternal struggle to keep Kansas City weird. 

Best of all . . . This local tidbit inspires our www.TonysKansasCity.com playlist tonight featuring iconic drum solos.  

Moby Dick by Led Zepplin features John Bonham's legendary drum solo and seems like a good place to start . . .

Just a quick bit of music history, many of our denizens know that the Funky Drummer loop on a James Brown track provided the backbone of early hip-hop and dozens of pop tracks throughout the 1990s.

There is no list about drums and/or drum solos that is complete without at least a reference to Keith Moon and his pinnacle of brilliance on The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" . . . Even better, the track speaks to a feeling of political guilt that's rampant & relevant across the nation no matter partisan preferences.

A classic throwback seems apropos for the bridge: "One of the most widely recognized drum solos in the world is Buddy Rich's solo in ``West Side Story'' from the album 'Buddy Rich: The Roar of '74.' Rich's technical skill and showmanship during this performance have made it iconic."

TKC Readers knew it had to end this way . . . In The Air Tonight concludes our playlist not only because the story about Phil Collins watching somebody die is scary even if he didn't set up the suspect at a police sting during a subsequent concert . . . BUT ALSO we share this track because not even constant parody can lessen the brilliance of a hauntingly crafted song that defined the 1980s and the psyche of so many old school dudes still walking around today.

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe & fun Saturday night.