# 118 of 130 drummers Ive seen and heard in my lifetime
Mike Gibbins (1949-2005) – Badfinger
Badfinger recorded five albums on The Beatles – Apple Label from 1968-1973. They had four worldwide hits: “Come And Get It” “No Matter What” “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue”
Badfinger is a sad story about how legal, managerial and financial problems destroyed this group. You can easily find the details about 2 of the member’s suicides.
Like many upon hearing Badfinger on the radio, they sounded similar to The Beatles. (Come and Get It) was written by Sir Paul. Badfinger recorded in the same studio, same machines, microphones and engineer for several tunes, not all. (George Martin-Eddie Kramer-Todd Rundgren-George Harrison-Geoff Emerick all notables in some capacity)
“Baby Blue” has great harmony. The playing of instruments sounds very similar to John, Paul, George and Ringo. Mike Gibbins plays the “Down In The Boondocks” drum pattern on the intro.
I meet Mike Gibbins at his house in Central Florida. (2001) He had a small studio and I went there to have my Derek Bailey project mastered. Joe Skinner had arranged this with his musician friend Doug Bare to engineer.
When the session was over, Mike Gibbons arrived. He had a drumset and we played. He’s also a lefty. The brief moment was fun and enjoyable. I regret not knowing him. In 2001, I was preparing to leave Florida. This was all prior to 9-11-2001.
On a lighter note---My friend/drummer Bret Nichols told me a story about meeting Mike Gibbins at a club he was playing. This was 2003.
Mike asked Bret if he could sit in, Bret said sure. I’ve talked about myself sitting in as a left-handed drummer. Hence I haven’t (sat in) at a Jam session since 1968. (Well Maybe I Have)
Upon finding out about Mike Gibbins being a lefty-it was time for the ole switcheroo. Bret moved the high hat, snare drum and floor tom.
From my experience with drums and drum hardware, I know there can be hazardous circumstances that can surprise you and cause bodily damage. I’ve lifted and hurt my back and shoulder. While playing I’ve hit something that caused blood, torn ligaments, bruises and pain. I’ve walked around my studio barefoot and broke toes and lost toenails.
(Back to Bret) Before Mike Gibbins was ready to sit down and play, he had Bret adjust the drum seat. Bret tells the story better. Bottom line is. Bret had his hand and fingers in the wrong spot when Mike sat down on the seat. The drumseat attacked Bret and ripped skin from his hand. Looking at Mike Gibbons, showing him the injury, Bret showed Mike the bloody wound and said - “That’s a Badfinger” BaDaBoom
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