Ellis Tollin: Drumming's Unsung Legend with Anthony Amodeo - EP 236
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- Опубліковано 18 бер 2024
- Ellis Tollin is a world-class performer who played on hit records, started a very successful music store in Philadelphia called Music City, which hosted countless performances by greats such as Louie Bellson, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and many more. Ellis is known as the father of the Drum Clinic, and he was also a close personal friend of Buddy Rich. This episode shines a light on his rise as a performer at the peak of the Jazz explosion, his need to pivot after arthritis made his drumming career come to an end, his involvement with the Rogers Drum Company and the Dyna-Sonic snare, and his passionate feud with William F. Ludwig.
Anthony Amodeo returns to the show this week to share his extensive research that he has done on Ellis Tollin through his connections with the Tollin Family, rare interview clips, and tracking down stories from people who knew Ellis personally.
Check out Anthony's great UA-cam channel here: / @rogersdrumvideos
Thanks for listening!
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Ellis is my grandfather and watching this was so awesome to hear the joy he brought to people and magic he brought to jazz music and the drum world. Thank you for this episode it put a huge smile on my face!
it is so wonderful to hear this from you.
This is truly the reason why we did it.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks so much for watching Madison! I was excited for your family to see this and I am very glad to help spread the story of Ellis even more through Anthony's amazing research
As the grandson of Ellis Tollin I have to say this is truly wonderful! My entire life I have always wondered why no one knows all the amazingly awesome things my Poppy Ellis did?! Or even gives him the credit he rightfully deserves! Thank you so much for shining a light on my grandfather! He is truly missed and loved! ❤️❤️❤️
That is so great to hear! I am very glad your family is enjoying the video and that Anthony brought this amazing story to me to share on the podcast. Thank you for watching!
This made my day.
You guys are one of the main reasons why we did this.
Shining a light on your grandfathers name is long overdue.
So glad you enjoyed it.
Ellis was my wonderful, dear father-in-law, and it is wonderful hearing his voice again on this video. Very nostalgic and heartwarming to listen to the video.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
So glad you enjoyed it
Great video! I just ran across this drum history video today. I bought a giant set of Sonor drums with concert toms back in 1978 from Ellis at his store in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I also took lessons there from a young drummer named Gene. Ellis took me to the back room where the lessons were taught to see how I played. I was only 19 at the time, so I had much to learn. Until I saw this video of Ellis playing on a drum set, I had only seen him play on a practice pad. I had heard that he didn't play much at that point because of the arthritis, so I was very happy that he sat down with me a couple times. It felt like I was getting a lesson from a giant like Buddy Rich. I knew Ellis was friends with Buddy, and I always hoped I would walk in the store one day and Buddy would be there, too. That never happened, but I did meet one of the trumpet players from Buddy's band at the store. I knew that Ellis had another Music City store over in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, but I was never at the store. However, I didn't know until now that Ellis had started Music City over in center city Philadelphia. That was a little before my time. This was an amazing video history of Ellis Tollin and his connections to Rogers drums and Music City. My first good drums were a set of Slingerlands that I bought from a drummer named Joe Sher, who owned a small drum shop. However, now that I know more about Rogers drums, I wish I had gotten a set of Rogers from Ellis. I'm glad I found this UA-cam page about drum history.
What an incredible video, so happy to see Ellis get the recognition he deserves. I worked there at Music city after returning home from the Military in 1970. The story goes I was just about to take a job with American Honda in Mt Laurel NJ when I decided to call Bobby to see if they need anyone at the store on Chestnut street. To my surprise Bobby said yes we do let me talk to my father and I'm sure you can start right away. Anyway I ended up at there at Music City and it was a wonderful experience rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ellis, Buddy Rich, and a plethora of famous and not so famous musicians during my time there. As a matter of fact, a few years later about 1972/73 Bobby was the drummer in my band, (my friend since our high school days) and I still talk to him regularly.
Fantastic… thank you for sharing.
Bobby is such a great guy.
Just talked to him last night for an hour & 1/2… was so nice to hear how much he liked the podcast.
Hey! "BUZZ"!!! Maybe?!? Is this U??? Remember'm ANYWAYS! startin' there sometime 'round then. Fixed my Swivomatic foot pedal, purchased @ the store, that just needed a little socket wrench, that didn't cost me, to tighten connection keeping the height of the beater and all in place, after I was oiling the socket rendering the pedal unusable for a gig, and had to borrow a friend's Ludwig Speed King; brought it to'm and got back to work later with the Swiv'!
Got MORE! on the store, Ellis' son who worked there, taking drum lessons in the '70s, the basement drum room, with desk & phone, etc, And ELLIS & BILL. Stay tuned 4 my COMMENTS as I recall EVERYTHING! as I frequented the store as well as 8th Street Music, Ardmore, 2! & Medley Music 🎵🎶, Alligator!!!
I lived around the corner from the Tollin house. I was a beginning guitar student and got my first guitar at Music City. We’d ride our kids bikes by the house and when Buddy was in town the neighborhood kids (talking to you Rich W) would go to the ground level basement windows, lay on our bellies and listen to Buddy,Ellis, and sometimes BOBBY and Don. Really missing Lilly my pal all there years later
Thank you so much for sharing these memories.
Woweeee!!! So much brilliance here! I am a drummer and drumming instructor. Very funny and clever when Bart jokingly said that we (the viewers) might even become a member of that very large band Oam before long! Great remark! It took a lot of thought and preparation on Anthony's part to present this loveletter to Ellis Tollin. I can see totally understand why Anthony is so fond of Rogers Drums. To me, Buddy sounded the best with his new band in 1966 when he played Rogers. Also...Bart and Anthony, if you really want to hear Rogers Drums ring out in all of their glory, listen to the 1965 album called "Thunderbird" by Louie Bellson. Try to listen to the title tune. Finally, It was such a joy seeing and hearing Ellis himself play at the very end. It sounded like "Love For Sale." His technique was really clean and crisp! Anyway, you both came across with so much warmth and heart. Yayyyy, what a superb "visit" with you both. This was like an Ellis Tollin oil painting. Bravo, Bart and Anthony.
I bought my Rogers set at Music City in the mid 70's from Ellis. Talked with him for awhile that day, never rushed me and told me a few great Buddy Rich stories. I also heard through others that he was a strong advocate for using matched grip. I even remember Buddy Rich making a funny remark about that at a performance in Phila one night while Eliis was in the audience.
Thanks Bart and Anthony for your informative discussion about Ellis Tollin. Apon research I see he had a wide range of relationships in the music industry -Buddy Rich, Chubby Checker ,etc. This will demystify his career and talent and perhaps influence others to appreciate his capabilities. This is truly a powerful story of Rogers Drums and their inception with Ellis Tollen.
Wonderful episode! Great job by Anthony and Bart. Looking forward to the brawl 😅 at this years Shields Classic Drum Show.
Anthony!!!! Love it!!!! The bearingedge story is so nice. The most important part of any drum.
So glad you enjoyed it my friend
He kicked butt on Love For Sale. Great epi.
Just heard from Allan Fogel … he said that Ellis told him that the photo with the bills on the drums represented financing.
They could come in and put money down on these Rogers drums and make payments.
Also I forgot to include that golf became important in Ellis’ life upon retirement in Florida.
Glad everyone is enjoying this.
This guy must be the world’s leading Rogers historian, restorer, collector, and a superb player. I checked his channel and it would appear he’s an expert on hats too.
Yes indeed - Anthony is the man. And he has excellent hats :)
Great episode and what marvellous drumming on the final video. Sounds like the tune was Love for Sale and the band sounded great.
Oh my goodness, what a great one today fellers! I am absolutely obsessed with Acrylic Drums, mainly for the sound. I had the privilege to play a Rogers set once, only for a few minutes and it sounded very similar. Very resonant, loud and just beautiful. Not to mention the hardware that they created throughout their history. Things we still use today, like the ball and socket mounts. Im sure most of us prefer that, as opposed to the ratchet style arms with limited positioning. Im not sure if Rogers was the absolute first company to utilize this system, but it certainly appears that way, so it’s pretty neat that so many other companies took that idea and developed upon it. I know Slingerland had the very kool Setomatic Tom mount, (I always get the two confused with each other, so I think that’s the name), but I thought Rogers had their version first. Either way, what a great story. I appreciate both of yous sharing this video. I like the picture around the 28:00 mark that appears to show Mr. Tollin’s pant leg rolled up so he doesn’t get hooked on the bass drum pedal. Something many of us, I’m sure, still do, unless we have a bicycle reflector elastic in our gig bag. (I definitely took that idea from The Professor.) I also noticed in that amazing Rogers collection, Mr. Amodeo appears to have a Plaid Snare Drum! I can’t recall the name of that very rare line, which I’ve heard wasn’t a standard Drum Wrap but an actual paper that was used, which is probably why we don’t see many of those. Anyway, now that I’ve rambled on more than I’m sure most prefer, thanks again.
Thanks for watching Ryan! Very good comment full of good info. First thing that comes to mind is that very distinct feeling of going to kick the bass drum pedal and it hooking on your pants. Not a good feeling and Ellis seemed to not enjoy it either :) Anthony's collection is amazing - I believe the plaid finish is called "Scottie Plaid" (I think).
Thanks for watching man!
Absolutely Great story of an Awesome man. Gene Krupa was my inspiration. Started drumming at age 7 . 1st pro set at 15. Actually started playing professionally at age 12. Using others kits. Sam Carrs Ludwigs . Blues drummer , son of Robert Nighthawk. Started playing with Jimmy Evans at age 17 , 1st bass player for Harold Jenkins ( Conway Twitty ) . Started my 1st band in 82 , The Good Ole Boys . Later became Crowley's Sweetwater Revue Band . Worked with SUN and Phillips records recording Artists , Narvel Felts , Ace Cannon and others . Never knew about Ellis but always loved Rogers drums, my buddy W.S. Holland played them many years . I played Gretsch with Ludwig Supraphonic Snare . Wish I could have met Ellis . Buddy Harmon was a great friend who loved my playing . Long story : an 11 year old boy comes from West Germany and gets to meet & play with some of the worlds greatest musicians and at age 49 is inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame as an Artist . Now 61 . I also play guitar and bass. However , I'll always be The little drummer boy , thanks for posting .. sincerely, Ben*Ben Adler
great! ive been enjoying current vids of ken loomer for years now, great jazz drummer w his big and small bands.
That drumset sreams creativity.
Hey Anthony!
👋😉👍
great story on tollin ..loved the part on rodgers vs ludwig ...thanks again
Thanks for watching!
❤ percussion
48:48 there’s a vox kit hiding back there👀
I’ve never heard of this guy before
It is a great story!
My friend Mike Nigro has information on Ellis.
I’ve spoken with Mike.
Doesn’t have much info but has a set that once belonged to Ellis.
Wonderful guy Mike is
"Promosm"
Rogers Dayton and even Fullerton swivomatic drums are maybe better than Ludwig.
We had great music stores in Philly up to about 20 years ago. 8th Street, D'Amico music, music City, Pro Drum..
I still have a practice pad set I bought from D'Amico's in South Philly in 1980 when I use to make deliveries there working for a music wholesaler. I still use it all the time.
Look at the spurs on the pedals!!