As a drummer, I occasionaly play a vid of Royster to get a smile of appreciation on my face. In my opinion, he's one of the all time greats, EVEN when he was 12 years old. Wow.
JonahS777 Is that even a question? Since music, at its best, is an artform. If you think that being technically advanced is enough to be a great musician you should think again.
Mikael Vilhelmsson Either way he is a great musician because he can create grooves and beats that are technically difficult and sound beautiful and plays them with great proficiency. Not only can he play/create any beat or groove that most people would have difficulty with, he plays them better.
That loud clanking you hear is the sound of millions of drummers around the world (myself included) dropping our sticks and walking away from the drums forever.
I felt the same way watching Chad Szeliga, Carter Beauford, and Ketih Carlock. NOW I look forward to surpassing them and being the best I can be. I know I will get to that level. There was a time I literally almost questioned my path on drums but then God came through for me and helped me keep at it again for good reasons too =D
+wdrumz dude same. Seeing tony royster jr play that insane solo at 12 just about killed me but he hed been playing for 8 years! Iv been playen for 5 years an in 3 years im plannen to surpass his skill when he was 15 an in the future!
David Mullenax Never let the excuse of more years over you question your path. I've seen A LOT of guys use that as a excuse to how they could be better than me when it's ironic how poor their technique is, can't groove, hit hard as shit, fills are sloppy, the works haha. I have been playing 5 years and bust my ass off almost everyday. Do not let that time go to waste bro.
What differentiates Tony from the other speedsters out there who is just as good or probably even better than him is that, he has a unique approach to the kit, when you hear him play, it's actually music that comes from him, there is musicality in his solos and not just random high-speed drum spins, that's why we all love him.
Spent some time with Tony at the Drum Fantasy Camp in Cleveland in 2008. Otherworldly skills... and one of the nicest and most unassuming guys I've ever met. Made a BIG positive impression on me.
Short, sweet, and well rounded demo of the ingenuity and technical yet abstract and limitless ability that Tony possesses…been watching this particular clip for 15 years and it still amazes me. It’s a go to whenever I’m arguing with another musician about the worlds best drummer lol
lol i love how even if he doesnt want to play at first, he starts playing and plays something he likes and that gets him inspired, and the cycle continues...
I never get tired of this. I’ve watched it a hundred times at least . If I’m wanting to play and can’t get to it I pull this up just to remind myself just how much further I need to go and I have been playing for 40 years. Tony doesn’t even even take the damn jacket off. That butterfly swing between the crash cymbals is fucking amazing. Anyone that say anything negative about this is totally jealous. Sit down and rip it up. Amazing.
Tony is an amazing but there is no way he's on the level of guys like Buddy Rich. Forget the styles. Look at the technique and skill of Buddy. No one tops it
This video inpired me to pick up drumming when I was much younger. Every so often I rewatch it. Absolutely moving performance everytime. Wasn't even his kit!! Thanks Cobus and Tony Royster Jr. for all the fun I've had at the kit.
Darn! He's the best. On top of his awesome technique, speed and power there's a flow, soulfulness and musicality to everything he plays. He never sounds stiff, never "rehearsed". Looks like he could do just about every gig on this planet. He's the man!
Every. Instrument. Is. Muscle. Memory. Drumming is one of the only if not the only instrument where improvising randomly shows real skill. *cough cough* unlike guitar *cough*
You can tell huh. Alright namecaller, sooth sayer. Creation, separates being a basic drummer into a person with a talent. Go watch the one hour online lesson he does with roland.
Matt Garstka is the perfect fit for AAL. It's not just about skill, it's about the song writing potential and compatibility with the other members, which I find Matt great at.
Not saying I would change Garstka or anything - of course he's perfect. But just like Eric Moore works for TRAM, I think Tony Royster Jr. + Tosin Abasi would be an interesting mix.
andy peacock when we plays with jay he sticks close to the recording unless jay sometimes tells him to go off random times and gives him a short spotlight solo. The times you see him shredding that song is when he’s just jamming to it or at a clinic
I remember seeing a video of TRJ drumming when he was something like five or six years old, back when the internet was just barely invented. Cool to see him around and still drumming brilliantly. I'm a little surprised that no one is wearing hearing protection.
I yemember a video ages ago of Tony Royster jr as a kid on some TV show doing a solo at the age of 10 or something. Balls to the walls amazing there aswell.
Tony came to the guitar center I work at, and I was dealing with a customer in my department. The drum area, and I asked the customer to wait until Tony had finished playing. Played something similar to this..
"Royster Jr. has played with Imajin, Lazyeye, New Flava, and En Vogue. He performed on the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards show at the age of 15, and an international tour in 2001 backing #1 selling Japanese artist Hikaru Utada as well as performing with Paul Shaffer (of Late Show with David Letterman) in the Nickelodeon House Band. In addition, he is also currently playing with Francisco Fattoruso, Jay-Z, Joe Jonas and his own band."
I was watching this and thought, 'yeah okay, I can play that too', and then the video got 45 seconds in, and I was mindblown. Unbelievable chops and grooves this guy can pull off. No offense, Cobus
Its not how quick you can bash the drums, its how you develop your own unique playing style. Charisma is what distinguishes a good drummer from a bad one. This guys name should be charisma!!!
I completely agree with you but the thing is that you can also feel when a drummer such as Tony starts to groove a little bit (like in the beginning of the video) how an incredible technique helps!
You shouldn't compare yourself to this guy mate, In my opinion he is one of the best drummers in the world. I've been drumming for 12 years now myself. And not to sound cocky, but I find myself to be a pretty good drummer, but I'm no where near this guy?! Keep it up and find your own way of playing the drums, and you'll love it again :)
As a drummer, I occasionaly play a vid of Royster to get a smile of appreciation on my face. In my opinion, he's one of the all time greats, EVEN when he was 12 years old. Wow.
Anybody claiming that its sloppy or they can do it have no idea how great Tony Royster Jr. is. Kid could play circles around everybody at 12.
Agreed yo
Just because you can play technically difficult stuff at a very young age does not make you great musician.
Mikael Vilhelmsson Oh really?
JonahS777 Is that even a question? Since music, at its best, is an artform. If you think that being technically advanced is enough to be a great musician you should think again.
Mikael Vilhelmsson Either way he is a great musician because he can create grooves and beats that are technically difficult and sound beautiful and plays them with great proficiency. Not only can he play/create any beat or groove that most people would have difficulty with, he plays them better.
That loud clanking you hear is the sound of millions of drummers around the world (myself included) dropping our sticks and walking away from the drums forever.
I felt the same way watching Chad Szeliga, Carter Beauford, and Ketih Carlock. NOW I look forward to surpassing them and being the best I can be. I know I will get to that level. There was a time I literally almost questioned my path on drums but then God came through for me and helped me keep at it again for good reasons too =D
+wdrumz dude same. Seeing tony royster jr play that insane solo at 12 just about killed me but he hed been playing for 8 years! Iv been playen for 5 years an in 3 years im plannen to surpass his skill when he was 15 an in the future!
David Mullenax Never let the excuse of more years over you question your path. I've seen A LOT of guys use that as a excuse to how they could be better than me when it's ironic how poor their technique is, can't groove, hit hard as shit, fills are sloppy, the works haha. I have been playing 5 years and bust my ass off almost everyday. Do not let that time go to waste bro.
giantkiller56 If youre not at least this good by 6 years in, yeah you should definetley quit. Lolol
Gordo Smith award for bullshit statement of the year goes to..
What differentiates Tony from the other speedsters out there who is just as good or probably even better than him is that, he has a unique approach to the kit, when you hear him play, it's actually music that comes from him, there is musicality in his solos and not just random high-speed drum spins, that's why we all love him.
Love how he does this intense drumfill and ends it with a hit on the bell and goes back into his chill groove. Awesome!
My thoughts exactly, I nearly wet myself when he just flicked off to that bell it sound amazing
Well that escalated quickly.
Spent some time with Tony at the Drum Fantasy Camp in Cleveland in 2008. Otherworldly skills... and one of the nicest and most unassuming guys I've ever met. Made a BIG positive impression on me.
this may be the most unique drummer of our generation. I have never heard someone bring electronica and DJ styles to life like this. Amazing!
He's not my favorite drummer ever, but he does things that I would have never thought physically possible. He is an unbelivable talent.
I love that splash ending
When I saw this video I was like "WELL I can play like that too!"... then I sat at my drum set and was like "How the hell did he play that..."
😂😂
Short, sweet, and well rounded demo of the ingenuity and technical yet abstract and limitless ability that Tony possesses…been watching this particular clip for 15 years and it still amazes me. It’s a go to whenever I’m arguing with another musician about the worlds best drummer lol
lol i love how even if he doesnt want to play at first, he starts playing and plays something he likes and that gets him inspired, and the cycle continues...
I never get tired of this. I’ve watched it a hundred times at least . If I’m wanting to play and can’t get to it I pull this up just to remind myself just how much further I need to go and I have been playing for 40 years. Tony doesn’t even even take the damn jacket off. That butterfly swing between the crash cymbals is fucking amazing. Anyone that say anything negative about this is totally jealous. Sit down and rip it up. Amazing.
There will always be haters but Tony Royster Jr. is the greatest
+ecbenny J Your joking right? lmao
They have completely different styles. Does not compute.
+Gideon Ward Give some polyrythms to Royster and let's see what he does
I love Tony but.........Matt Garstka
Tony is an amazing but there is no way he's on the level of guys like Buddy Rich. Forget the styles. Look at the technique and skill of Buddy. No one tops it
It's those little things that makes us appreciate drummers such as Tony. Absolutely incredible
I love how Cobus' most viewed video ( by a significant ratio) features Tony Royster Jr.
10 years later, still one of my favorite UA-cam videos
Damn! Not even his own set!!
🤣😂 “One more bar and u were going to send me a bill!” 🔥😂Don’s the greatest! #TR🏆🥁 thanks Tony 💕
I thought I was a drummer
u thought wrong
Guess not
Boston Chris You are but tony started at such a young age that hes just next level.
This video inpired me to pick up drumming when I was much younger. Every so often I rewatch it. Absolutely moving performance everytime. Wasn't even his kit!! Thanks Cobus and Tony Royster Jr. for all the fun I've had at the kit.
HE PLAYED YOUR DRUM SET LIKE YOU WILL NEVER PLAY IT
Just watching a few of his videos in the last few days and he's quickly risen to the top of my list of favorite drummers.
Tony: "But i dont wanna rip it up mann. im wearing my nice vest"
Used to watch this with my friend back in 2011 he passed this year ... he’s in a better place now.
MARS VOLTA NEEDS ROYSTER AND ROYSTER NEEDS MARS VOLTA
Darn! He's the best. On top of his awesome technique, speed and power there's a flow, soulfulness and musicality to everything he plays. He never sounds stiff, never "rehearsed". Looks like he could do just about every gig on this planet. He's the man!
Muscle. Memory. Repeat.
Every. Instrument. Is. Muscle. Memory. Drumming is one of the only if not the only instrument where improvising randomly shows real skill. *cough cough* unlike guitar *cough*
Ronny Swift wrong, very wrong.
^ You dont even know dude. I can tell you dont play drums. Telling me im wrong, prove me wrong then dummy
You can tell huh.
Alright namecaller, sooth sayer. Creation, separates being a basic drummer into a person with a talent. Go watch the one hour online lesson he does with roland.
He channels the energy. Jay Z.
just met him like a few hours ago. definitely one of the greatest. suuuuuuper humble dude.
and this is how you quit drumming...
quitter
i love the beginning the most cause he pushes the pulse back so effortlessly.
Cobus Dylan Elise and Tony would be great friends!
you are now or have just witnessed one of the best drummers to ever live.
Practice.
God damn! Playing with such a drummer is being transported into rhythm heaven!
He kilt it amazing solo he didn't over play. cool
He started out having no idea what he was going to play. Within a few bars he knew EXACTLY what to do. What a boss.
Tony Royster Jr. would make a great drummer for Animals as Leaders.
***** Clearly you don't know Animals as Leaders LOL.
I totally agree.
no man^^ narvene koperweis is perfect for aal^^
Matt Garstka is the perfect fit for AAL. It's not just about skill, it's about the song writing potential and compatibility with the other members, which I find Matt great at.
Not saying I would change Garstka or anything - of course he's perfect. But just like Eric Moore works for TRAM, I think Tony Royster Jr. + Tosin Abasi would be an interesting mix.
every video i watch of him he always asks what he should play then he pulls out crazy shit like this.... all i can say is wow
you know he is like the best drummer right now
makes me feel i have a very long way to go to be as good as an expert unlike tony which is a master
love the look of ease he has on some of these licks. Just insane
I hope he is getting paid a small king's ransom for playing in Jay Z. Using him to play Empire State of Mind, is like using an Atom Bomb to kill ants.
Robert Davis he does a pretty amazing job of show me what you got though
andy peacock when we plays with jay he sticks close to the recording unless jay sometimes tells him to go off random times and gives him a short spotlight solo. The times you see him shredding that song is when he’s just jamming to it or at a clinic
@@andy5000120 thatismyopinion!
Agree
I remember seeing a video of TRJ drumming when he was something like five or six years old, back when the internet was just barely invented. Cool to see him around and still drumming brilliantly. I'm a little surprised that no one is wearing hearing protection.
Only chris Coleman can dislike this video
appiahao But Chris Coleman would never dislike this.
excellent thanks for posting - reminds me of the first video of him when he was 12
136 DISLIKE? ah ah ah ah ah ah ridiculous. This solo is awesome. Jelaous haters.
I second that bro he is rad
I Been Watchin Him Since I Was Born And Then To Now He Has Done Nothing But Gotten Better!
Best ever
I may or may not have cried because of how awesome that was..
It’s like he tests his own limits and completes the limit every time and continues to plays , gods gift 🎁
still makes me smile in 2020!
Tony is incredible! A great drummer since his young age :D
This still bangs in 2024
I yemember a video ages ago of Tony Royster jr as a kid on some TV show doing a solo at the age of 10 or something. Balls to the walls amazing there aswell.
This guy is an absolute monster on the tubs.
dud that kit is amazingly beautiful. i want a kit just like it.
TONY ROYSTER JR. IS FACKIN AMAZING
RHCP-snow in the background + tony royster jr. + tony royster jr's swagg + drums + cobus + drumchannel = wow
Tony came to the guitar center I work at, and I was dealing with a customer in my department. The drum area, and I asked the customer to wait until Tony had finished playing. Played something similar to this..
wow, that drumset is beautiful, but Tony's playing was even more scenic!!
Tony Royster Jr. is one hell of a drummer, and Cobus ain't got shit on him. He's just fucking amazing, one of the best drummers out there.
SO sick Cobus I Love Tony Royster Jr!!!!!
Tony is a beast! And you have to think this is all improv'd. He makes it up as he goes along. Makes it even better.
Dude's a clinic every time he sits down to improv a solo.
I love the gesture at 2:42, as if he doesn't now how amazingly adroit that performance was.
I like the fact that it wasnt done with mics, it gives it that unique sound
Tony is fantastic period. Those who think otherwise are jealous.
The KING of Kings
I'm in love with that finish on that DW
mad probs to meeting him hes been my fav forever
"Royster Jr. has played with Imajin, Lazyeye, New Flava, and En Vogue. He performed on the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards show at the age of 15, and an international tour in 2001 backing #1 selling Japanese artist Hikaru Utada as well as performing with Paul Shaffer (of Late Show with David Letterman) in the Nickelodeon House Band. In addition, he is also currently playing with Francisco Fattoruso, Jay-Z, Joe Jonas and his own band."
One of the world's most talented drummers.
I remember when Tony was 12-13, on the streets of NYC, drumming on those paint buckets. I knew he would go far!
i love the little "stop it" hand gesture at the end after cobus says "dude!" hahaha
I was watching this and thought, 'yeah okay, I can play that too', and then the video got 45 seconds in, and I was mindblown. Unbelievable chops and grooves this guy can pull off. No offense, Cobus
I like his drumming, and the sound from the camera is surprisingly good. :)
Straight killing it....Wasn't thinking about it....JUST DID IT!🙂
Its not how quick you can bash the drums, its how you develop your own unique playing style. Charisma is what distinguishes a good drummer from a bad one. This guys name should be charisma!!!
😊😊😊😊😊 tony royster a popular drummer
Both Tony Royster Jr. and Thomas Lang play Cobus' kit and when they get to the bell they're like, "Oh, I really like this..." haha
I think that is a dw collectors series snare. they run about 500-600. I almost bought one, 14x7 i believe it was. They sound great, very nice.
and he still plays thoes drums like a BOSS!!!!
is that a drum stand lamp at the beginning?! so awesome...
I completely agree with you but the thing is that you can also feel when a drummer such as Tony starts to groove a little bit (like in the beginning of the video) how an incredible technique helps!
i dont know what to say about this, ive never seen someone as amazing as him before
Aahh dude! I remember him from that video way ages ago called awesome drummer kid, he was tiny then!! Wicked!
how can you say that, this guy is beyond amazing, you should just watch and learn, the way he plays which is perfect is because he had an early start
i have the same feeling when someone wants me to play an 'epic super drum solo' but i always dont know what to do XD. This guy is awesome
I have been watching your videos so long
i've watched this clip for the 100th times, i think. Its like watching the Bruce Lee of drums taking someone apart. Tony is GOD!!!!
Put it in HD, REALLY IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE
Always be prepared and never underestimate a 2:56 minute video... 2.3 million people might see it lol. Tony Killed It.
Sick, just plain sick!! The camera view didn't do him justice with the foot pedals?
one of my fav drummers. VERy nice!
This is why drums are the best instrument out there
My favorite drummer on the planet.
You shouldn't compare yourself to this guy mate,
In my opinion he is one of the best drummers in the world. I've been drumming for 12 years now myself. And not to sound cocky, but I find myself to be a pretty good drummer, but I'm no where near this guy?!
Keep it up and find your own way of playing the drums, and you'll love it again :)
Dear God! My internet connection couldn't even keep up with this guy! FTW! LMAO INstant fan!
was that the first time he'd seen that kit?
no missed hits at all - unbelievable
It's amazing how he can just adapt to any kit. If this were me, I'd be missing crash and floor Tom hits left and right