Virgil Donati-Modern Drummer Days 1997

VD may be a prick as a person (at least he was to me when he admonished me from the stage and then sent his "staff" after the videos I posted on my YouTube channel after the concert at Gabes) but I think he is a tremendous drummer. I will always wonder what new Dream Theater, with VD playing drums, would have sounded like. Elsewhere on this blog, I either already have or I will soon post the Dream Theater drummer audition series of videos where VD is amazing.

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Virgil Donati Bio

Virgil was born and raised in Melbourne Australia. From the time he could barely utter a word, he keenly observed the regular band rehearsals his father held in the house. Virgil’s interest in music and instinct for rhythm had been apparent to his parents for some time. They began considering a musical path for him, and one month prior to turning 3, he found himself sitting behind his first real drumset.
Joining his first rock band and signing with his first major label at age 15 was surely the right choice for the young drummer. The band was called `Taste’. This was to give Virgil his early experiences in the studio, with three releases by the band. The relentless touring also allowed him to cultivate and improve his skills where it counts – on stage.
At the age of 16, Virgil turned pro to enable him to tour and focus on music, and has since devoted his whole life and soul to his art. The motivation has been his endless and restless pursuit to express himself through his playing.
At age 19 Virgil traveled to the U.S. to further study drumming, and also took classes in composition and arranging. Returning to Australia at age 21 his career was alight. He was in demand playing many genres of music, including jazz, rock, pop, theatre and studio work. He also worked with many visiting artists, including jazz pianist George Cables, vocalist Mark Murphy, Branford Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, Melissa Etheridge.
His next taste of commercial success came in the early 90’s with Southern Sons. The band reached double platinum with their debut album. At the same time, throughout the mid 80’s and 90’s, Virgil’s interest in progressive music was exploited with several bands he initiated, most notably Loose Change, and later, On The Virg.
In 1996 Virgil uprooted and relocated in the U.S.A., in an attempt to expand onto the world stage. It has since proved to be a very rewarding and productive time. Recording and touring with the likes of Planet X, Steve Vai, CAB, Scott Henderson, Steve Walsh, Tribal Tech, Frank Gambale, Derek Sherinian, Mark Boals, Dave Stewart, Mick Jagger, Josh Stone, and many others, he continues to push the limits of the instrument to astonishing new levels.

Part I

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https://youtu.be/ 0P1tPiplsJE - Virgil Donati: Modern Drummer Days 1997 - PART I

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Part II

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https://youtu.be/ PaeYNCOD9VM - Virgil Donati: Modern Drummer Days 1997 - PART II

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Full Clinic

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https://youtu.be/ M7K2UZVB2mI - Virgil Donati: Modern Drummer Days 1997 - Full Clinic

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