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How did I get the Halford gig? What was it like first meeting Rob? |
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I was recommended to Rob (and his management) by a good friend of mine (heavy metal journalist and record label talent scout), Chris Leibundgut. They had asked Chris to help them in their search for musicians when they were putting together the HALFORD band. Chris (originally from Switzerland) and I first met way back in '87 when he came through Texas on his way to L.A. Through the years we stayed in touch and every so often he would call me about drummer auditions for major label recording artists in L.A. Nothing ever interested me during that time and I was staying busy recording and touring with New York based band RIOT and also making a decent living playing music and teaching in San Antonio. Then in 1999 Chris called about the Halford audition.
At this time, Roy Z (who was also a friend of Chris’) had just secured the job as producer for the Halford project. I had already met Z ten years earlier when he and Chris came out to a Riot show in L.A. Z agreed that I would be a good fit for the Halford band and also put in a good word for me. I sent Rob's management a few Riot CDs and a live videotape of myself playing a drum solo. The drum solo video wasn't a good idea. I later learned that although Rob thought it was great he also was a little hesitant about me because he thought that I was some sort of circus freak with all the stick twirling, tosses, etc., ha ha! (Note: This solo video footage is the "Live In Japan" footage that I included in my DVD, "Performance & Technique"). Z convinced Rob that the drum solo visual stuff was just one aspect of my playing and that I could also play solid grooves and play what's right for the song. Rob's management flew me into L.A. and I rehearsed with Mike, Pat, and Ray for a couple days on the newly written “Resurrection” songs. When Rob came into the rehearsal room we asked if he wanted us to stop practicing. He said, "No, continue on and play a few more." We continued while Rob walked around the room listening and watching. He walked around the drum kit and watched me reading the music I was playing. He also stood in the middle of the room and (as if he was singing) made a few hand gestures and pumped his fists. Then he said, "Let's go get something to eat!" We went to a Mexican restaurant up the street and Rob ended up sitting across from me. When Rob heard I was from San Antonio, we spent most of the conversation talking about how great a city S.A is for heavy metal and how so many bands recorded their live albums there in the 70's and 80's. It was awesome - I was in the band. |
