Pretty cool thx for posting this like the open roll towards the end.

Weren't they the band who did "Just Between You and Me"? A classic from my high school days. One of the few power ballads I enjoy.

I've seen him a few times over the years. First with Mashmakhan. Always liked his playing.

I can appreciate what you are saying here - and nowadays there are alot of guys with great chops and some of them have a good touch too. 'Back in the day' a drummer with great chops was much more rare. I am not sure how we have progressed, dare I use the term 'evolved'.

The part that makes this special and Jerry a great performer; and the aspect that can keep this in perspective is....context.

Example - those 4 boys from Liverpool sure used to be darn good! Nowadays - most deft musicians can play/perform that material with relative ease. But why are they legitimately good (and considered the best rock and roll band in the history of modern popular music)? The context in which they wrote that material.

Same with Jerry. There are ALOT of drummers nowadays who can do that solo - but how many could write that solo in the context of 1979? "Contextual creativity"

I especially like the part where he makes it look like he is going real slow alternating R/L then gradually faster.....all the while using his sticking for the illusion. (Sure you all will know what part O speak of if you have watched it).

I wonder if he reads this forum - would love to read of his chiming in here!

Jerry Mercer is one of the guys I looked up to, and even got to meet him, at a non musical event. He told me about some great drums he was playing that were really light, saying "you can lift the bass drum with your finger". The kit in the video look like Milestones?

Awesome solo ! I remember listening and watching this special on the CBC as an 11 yr old and just freaking out..I had started playing on an actual drum kit by that time, and in my young mind tried to emulate everything he did, but didn't realize it took more than "copying" what he did.. LOL ! Great memories from child hood.. I actually met Jerry back in 1998 at a club called Bourbon Street West here in Montreal, and he was super nice and very relaxed..He also had a great sense of humor.. April Wine was playing the venue, and only about 350 people showed up, which wasn't even capacity for this bar..I found it quite sad that Montrealers wouldn't support a band that put this city on the global map for 70's and 80's rock.. "She's a Roller, Just Between You and Me, Sign Of The Gypsy Queen", I Like To Rock, Say Hello, "Like A Lover , Like A Song" were all major singles for April Wine, and propelled them into super stardom, although only for a brief period..

I also briefly met lead vocalist Myles Goodwyn, and he was a total arse, by himself in his own little world, and then soon left afterwards.. Jerry stayed behind, and spoke with me and the guys of my band, along with some of the managers of the bar..It was really fun and cool to have met him.. Great guy, and great drummer..Also, his solo at this show was actually way better than what he's doing here, as he only progressed with age..He also did his famous single stroke roll part and the crowd went nuts..

The only thing i wasn't crazy about was the band itself..Goodwyn was always off , sharp or flat, some original members were a no show, and half the stage had hired guns.. My brother-in-law also went to highschool with and was friends with their bass player, which is nothing really, but just thought it would be cool to mention.. ;)

I`ve opened up for April Wine several times and i`ve always loved Jerry`s attack on his Milestones.He plays with power and is a great showman!

Wayne

They are Milestones, cool

I heard at one point years ago, that he was listed in the Montreal phone book as - Jerry Mercer - Drummer for April Wine - ha!