Duris Maxwell Honors Jim Chapin (July 23, 1919 – July 4, 2009)

A great genius of drumming died two days ago – Jim Chapin. He was 90 years old and still teaching…and still teaching brilliantly. The drummers who were lucky enough to have private lessons from this giant never got over it. They are even more stunned by their good fortune two days after his death.

You know that I have nothing but respect for the great Metal drummers of today. I pray that they all realize that the path they now enjoy was cut by people like Jim Chapin, Buddy Rich, Joe Morello and a thousand others. Drums are a true monster of an instrument, to play brilliantly. Those of us who have devoted our lives to trying to deal with this monster are a brotherhood (and sisterhood where that applies).

Jim Chapin – for only one of a million examples, was at least half again faster than Vinnie Colaiuta or Thomas Lang! I would love to think that many top Metal guys know that and then consider where they would really rank against Mr.Chapin, in terms of speed and hand technique.

But being musical was always much more important to Jim Chapin, not withstanding the fact that he had arguably the most 'beautiful' left-hand Traditional Grip in the history of drumming and blistering speed and control in both Traditional and Matched Grip positions.

Duris Maxwell