Listen: Grotty Drums / Bobby Graham
Grotty
Listen: Hold Tight / Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich
Hold
Possibly you’ll notice a distinct similarity between these two singles. Both on Fontana and both released during February ’66 in the UK.
‘Grotty Drums’, the B side to infamous session drummer Bobby Graham’s second solo release ‘Teensville’, was co-written with Jimmy Page. At the time not only a member of The Yardbirds, but like Bobby aka Bobbie, he was a very in demand session player himself. Both played on hundreds of singles from the era, many recorded for Fontana, the label in common. It’s also one of the loudest cut singles I can think of. Upon close inspection, the grooves resemble a graph of the Dow Jones during a volatile month.
Probably coincidental but fun to imagine one or the other being impressed by the instantaneous drive and swing of that 4/4 attack, and borrowing it a bit.
Tags: Bobbie Graham, Bobby Graham, Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich, Fontana, Jimmy Page, The Yardbirds