Born Brad Carlson on June 12, 1951 in Rockford, IL, Bun E. Carlos is best known as a founding member and longtime driving force behind the American rock band, Cheap Trick. A true legend in the pop music scene, Carlos has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry to John Lennon. His clinics are educational events in which he explains and demonstrates his influences and signature licks.
A few fun facts: Bun E is left-handed, but has alternated between left and right-handed playing throughout his playing career. Carlos also has a few writing credits, the most notable of which is the drum solo track "Who D'King", from the album All Shook Up and Bun E. in a Box (2004), a drum sample CD.
Carlos, a vintage drum expert and collector, owns one of the world's most significant vintage drum collections. His recent appearance at the 20th Annual Chicago Drum Show also marks Bun E's twenty year association with the event; he was one of the half-dozen participants at the very first Chicago Drum Show.
During its 100th Anniversary in 2009, Ludwig Drum Company released the Bun E. Carlos Signature Drum Kit. Carlos, who played with Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen already in the Fuse line-up in the early seventies, is still the drumming force behind Cheap Trick.
Fans were able to catch Bun E. Carlos with his Ludwig signature kit while on tour with Cheap Trick and his own band, Tinted Windows, through the end of 2009.
A companion shell set to the Bun E. Carlos Snare Drum released earlier in 2009, this Limited Edition Legacy Classic kit features a 14x24" bass drum, 9x13" rack tom, and 16x16" floor tom. Each drum features the new Citrus Glass Glitter finish, Bun E's personal badge, the Ludwig 100th Anniversary badge, and is personally signed and numbered on the inner shell label. With only 50 being made for a very limited time, the LLC3344LXCM set is available through authorized Ludwig Dealers worldwide.
Bun E's clinic appearance at the 2010 Chicago Drum Show on Saturday, May 15th, at 11:00am, was made possible by Shure, Zildjian, Ludwig and Pro-Mark. I caught up with Bun E at the Drummer Cafe stage the next day, Sunday, May 16th, for the following video interview. Thank you Bun E!
Check out Cheap Trick's Sgt. Pepper Live (2009), available on DVD, CD and MP3 Download, featuring Bun E. Carlos on drums.
