INTERVIEW WITH EUGENIO

Eugenio Bartolo is one of the top experts about Roger's gear. As a drummer himself, he plays in a band called NUMB and studies computer science as well as working in a computer business.

This is the online interview with Eugenio on November 6th 2006:

- How did the Drumpage project occur to you?

As you could understand, I am a great fan of RMT. Being a drummer, I've also tried to catch most of the info about his drum kits by looking at videos, pictures, etc. In the Internet I could find some good info, but lots of crap too.

So I decided to build a website (a new one is coming soon, which will be easier to manage) completely devoted to Roger's drum kits, which could be a sort of referring point for all those who needed to know something more. Often I receive e-mail from fans throughout the world, most of them wanting more info on Roger's stuff, or they write "congrats for the website": this is the best award for me, because this is a great passion for me and I'm happy to hear that people appreciate my work!


- How did you get into Queen music?

I can remember I was 6 when my older sister bought 'Innuendo' tape in 1991. It was "love at first chord"! hahaha... yeah, that was the fact. Then, thank to my sis, I could hear other Queen stuff too. I was shocked by guitar solos and the magical atmosphere that Queen sounds could make me feel. They stimulated my imagination!


- Which is your favorite kit used by Roger?

There are many a kit that I like. I used to love the Magic Tour kit, the Yamaha 9000 (with birch shells) for the depth of the sounds. I also like the brilliant Sleishman kit that Roger used for 'Made In Heaven' album: very pure and huge-sounding kit. Anyway, my favorite is Roger's current kit. At the moment he plays this kit from 1989, it's a Ludwig Classic Maple in Natural Maple finish, featuring a Sleishman bass drum, which sounds like a cannon. Cymbals are big but still very dark, warm and musical. This kit has got a very good range, because it also features some rototoms.


- How would you describe his style as a drummer?

I think he's a "pupil" of the good old Bonham rock school. So, he's got a heavy drumming, great groove and huge creativity. Roger is not so much interested into techniques, but his style is unique. Hearing a tape, you can easily recognize that Roger Taylor is playing.


- Which other drummers do you admire?

I love all drummers of that old rock school I mentioned before. So my "idols" are RMT, John Bonham, Keith Moon, but also jazz players like Buddy Rich.


- Do you own any kit similar to those of Roger's?

Oh yes!!! In 2003 I bought a 1989 Ludwig drum kit in natural maple finish, it's the same as his current kit, except the bass drum (mine is a 22", but I am looking for a bigger one) and one tom tom (which is a bit smaller). I got his same cymbals (mainly K's by Zildjian), drumheads, bass pedal... I am very proud of my drum kit, it sounds great.


- What should we expect from your website in the foreseeable future?

I hope to complete the "drum kits" section in a very short time. Then I'd like to build a photo and video gallery and an "Interviews" section. In the end, I will try to buy a .com domain; give me suggestion for a name! rogerdrumpage.com? rogerdrums.com? help me :-)


- Do you play any other instrument?

I tried to play the keyboards in the past... with poor success ;-) But I like singing, and I sing the chorus in my band while I play the drums.


- Have you ever thought about writing a book on Roger's drumming?

No, because I think that the Internet is more and more fascinating than reading a book! A website is faster and more pleasant to understand, in my opinion.


- Are you pleased with your website so far?

I put all my passion in my website, but, sadly, I don't always have time to update it. I really envy those webmasters-fans that update daily their sites! Currently I'm working on a new version which is easier to update.


- What would you change about it?

Management, above all!


- What do you think about Roger's voice?

Very aggressive and powerful in the same time.


- How do Simmons pads work?

The great Simmons pads... the most used e-drums in the '80s! Have a look at big events like Live Aid '85: most of the drummers had some pads in their kit (Roger too...). In comparison to nowadays' e-drums, they're very old and useless; but they were revolutionary in the '80s. I do have an entire Simmons kit. The main unit can reproduce the same sounds typical of the '80s! Hahahhaah, God bless Simmons pads!! If you love those sounds, you MUST have them.


- What do you think of Roger's skills playing other kinds of percussion?

He's got a great sense of rhythm. Anyway, it's not that huge skill playing those percussions, like tambourine or congas. When he played the timpani solos, he put his drummer experience into it: so, great single-rolls and huge creativity. I envy his skill of playing other instruments, like guitar! Haahaha... I can't really play the guitar, I also don't know how to handle it: it seems like I am handling a bazooka!!


- What's the most enviable quality of Roger's drumming?

As I said before, Roger is very creative. And he is a great single-roll player. Thanks to his heavy and precise drumming, he builds a very solid rhythmic structure to work on.