Born on July 10, 1943, Denny Seiwell began his professional music career as a young teenager, having been introduced to the drums at the age of 5 by his father. After high school, a stint with the Navy Jazz Band led to a year's assignment in Chicago under the tutelage of the legendary drum instructor, Roy Knapp, who also taught the likes of Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson.
Having played played the 'best of the best' in jazz, Denny's rock-n-roll resume is no less envious, beginning with an invitation from Sir Paul McCartney to move to London and become a founding member of the post-Beatles phenomenon, Wings. Denny also toured with Wings, playing on many of that era's biggest hits, including "My Love" and the Oscar nominated "Live and Let Die". Other highlights of Denny's London years included work with Joe Cocker, Donovan, and The Who with the London Symphony Orchestra in their ground breaking version of the rock opera, Tommy.
Denny's signature drumming can be heard on records by Art Garfunkel, James Brown, Astrud Gilberto, Deniece Williams, Janis Joplin's posthumus Farewell Song album, Billy Joel's Cold Spring Harbor, and Paul McCartney's Ram, Wildlife and Red Rose Speedway albums.
While playing on some of LA's most prestigious TV and Film dates, his passion for music, his human spirit, his training and abilities have earned him the reputation as one of the music industry's most respected drummers.
Denny Seiwell's clinic appearance at the 2010 Chicago Drum Show on Saturday, May 15th, at 1:00pm, was made possible by DW, Zildjian, Remo and Vic Firth. I caught up with Denny at the Drummer Cafe stage the next day, Sunday, May 16th, during the Chicago Drum Show, for the following video interview. Thank you Denny!
Learn more about Denny Seiwell, his career in music, and what Sir Paul McCartney has to say about Denny, in Volume 10, Issue 1 of Classic Drummer magazine.
