No Payne no Gain. - The Great Sonny Payne

[treeinrock]

Incredible!!!

[jean krupa]

Shoot the Cameraman ! Did he think he was cute with those
close ups....face shots.....finger shots ? Sonny played drops
in those days but the cameraman didn't allow us to see if he
indeed was playing his drops....hi hat clutch was definately
part of his drop set (sonor).

Sonny alternated with Buddy and many other drummers on the
James band.
Buddy was very highly paid when he was on the James band 1965 and
before. He got TOP dollar, contracted to be featured soloing
nightly and could wear any jacket he wanted to differentiate
himself from the sidemen and James his darn self.

I met Sonny in 1967 when he was on the James band and he
signed my famous drumhead. He played with flash, technique,
humor, speed and soul....one of my favorite big band drummers.

[Tom Reschke]

Hell yes. Sonny Payne is easily one of my favorite big band drummers. I mean, that Sinatra at the Sands album was my first exposure to him more than 30 years ago and it still blows me away. He definitely deserves more love and respect as a drummer.