Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

"After 41 years of moving the percussive pulse in music and raising people's pulses in general, Bill Bruford has announced his retirement from public performance, effective from January 1st 2009."

http://www.billbruford.com/news.asp?DoA ... ntryID=116

Yet ANOTHER reason I'm so glad Chris & Company are STILL touring...

Damn - I used to enjoy watching him play.....

That makes me sad in a way. I guess everyone will reach that decision one day but when a musical giant does it you can't help but feel a sense of loss.

Given the way Bill throws himself into live performing, I'm kind of amazed he made it this far. Earthworks was obviously a less physical commitment than Yes or Crimson, but when they toured it was pretty non-stop. I was really disappointed when he dropped out of Crimson, but the whole "double trio" experiment was just too flakey to last.

There aren't too many drummers who can play 13/8 time, let alone make it sound great and look easy. Nor are there many people as talented as Bill with their feet still firmly on the ground. Maybe he'll pop up out of retirement every now and then - he is a bit of a prankster after all!

I guess we'll all hit that point someday, as our generation gets well into it's 60's and beyond. For us "younger" boomers (a term I still dislike) it is a bit of the writing on the wall. I met Bill at a clinic three years ago and thought he had the drive and energy of a man in his early twenties. Perhaps the retirement from "live play" will allow more opportunities for Bill to appear on future recordings. I don't believe he is finished by any means.

It does make me appreciate that members of Yes are still touring, but I hold out hope for more studio productions along the lines of The Ladder and Magnification, with perhaps a glimpse of the older days. Steve, Chris and Alan are still up to it, we'll just have to wait and see.

Bill Bruford has written an autobiography which should prove to be an interesting read. Unlike many from his era, he has a clear and sharp recollection of the early days of progressive rock and an uncanny wit. I'm looking forward to reading it.

hopefully bill will stil make recordings,even if not playing live. it seems a strange decision,as he always seems to be really enjoying himself in concert,but what can you say? i pictured bill playing til he dropped in the best old school jazz tradition.(buddy rich,et al) i am looking forward to his book with a mix of anticipation and dread, as he seems to be particularly acrimonious towards my man chris for some years now.....

The only time I got to see Bill was both nights of the Trick Of The Tail tour here in town; it was a real treat to see him and Phil Collins do some double drum solos!

Great drummer. Period.

Sad, but I'm sure he'll perform here and there again. It's in the blood...

Hope you're right, wints...but at least we got to hear him play, right?

(Yipes...I sound like my dad talking about Charlie Parker...)

Bummer!
I saw him with The Who for one of their "final" tours back in the '80's.

i got to see bill perform several times, and met him once, talked a bit & tossed a frisbee back and forth for a while.

what a good hearted guy he is, and what a gifted drummer & enthusiastic performer.

hard to believe it's already time for him to stop performing, but it's up to him.

we'll all be missing something, now. .... thanx for what you've done, bill.

Check it out: http://www.billbruford.com/

You can read a chapter of Bill's new autobiography for free, and I heartily recommend it. He writes as well as he plays, and just the little bit of his perspective on the Yes days and his early decision to become a musician make for some stellar reading. I plan to purchase a copy of the book as soon as I have more than a couple of quarters to rub together. If he'll continue to write like this, I'll be just as happy as I would if he kept playing...

wayang wrote:... You can read a chapter of Bill's new autobiography for free, and I heartily recommend it ...

thanx, denver.

i'll certainly check it out

Don't mention it, park county...

Drop me an email or gimme a call if you ever make it down to 'the flatlands'...