VINNIE COLAIUTA - Session Drummer (Frank Zappa, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Beck) 

Every single spoken word in this interview is inspiring!! His passion and discipline for the music and instrument! Living legend!

For many years I've been a drummer and songwriter. I was in AFM local 47 for years but I never got any calls for session work in the 80's & 90's. So I then decided to become a "Contractor" in the union. Meaning, I would be the one to hire great talent on the same level; as the Great Vinnie! What he says later in the video about bringing 3 or 4 musicians in the room at the same time to play your music is the best way to produce music! When I officially release these magical music recordings I do with my simple little songs, it will be incredible! I will NOT release my music with the hiring of these God gifted players on the internet without me having COMPLETE control over the sales no matter what platform it appears on within the internet or live performances! What Vinnie is teaching here is: Be your own record label. manager, agent, promotion, etc.!! Love him! TY & God bless you all! Alan Sweet of ASp band/productions featuring the REAL STARS of Music! ;)

23 year old Vinnie gets his first recording sessions playing with Frank Zappa on the Joe's Garage album. His first work. That's a badge of honor.

A wonder to watch Dom Famularo and Vinnie Colaiuta. What a conversation!

Vinnie: “I slept in my car at some point” Dom: “hahaha” Vinnie: “I was schlepping my drums around with no cases” Dom: “Oh my God”

“I’d be AMAZED if *anybody* could come up here and cut you…” this says it all for me. At age 21 (?) Vinnie auditions for Zappa…and amazes HIM. Bad a$$ & creative legend. ❤

Vinnie is amazing on so many levels. Unlike so many other in this industry, he's fully awake.

This video is just pure gold. I'm a teenager who wants to make a living by being a musician, in fact, a session drummer. Just like my heroes, including Vinnie. His words have helped me to clarify the future I want to have.

The interviewer is great, he gets out the way and let’s Vinnie talk, he doesn’t ask dumb questions.

What I absolutely love about this interview is that so many people think that it is some magical overnight success miracle. Vinnie shows how much work and passion it takes to get to that level.

R.I.P.dom thank you for this interview

I've always known Vinnie is one of the greatest drummers ever just by listening to his playing. I had never seen him interviewed before and have now learned he is very intelligent and articulate about music as an artform and his fears of the trends of the music industry and the commerce of it. Brilliant man, genius drummer.

The world needs V.C. on TED raising awareness of the hopeless situation of musicians

The interviewer is the real star here you allow guest to speak andwhen you interject its always perfect

Vinnie lays out some absolute TRUTH about the music industry in the last 15 or so minutes. What a sobering yet inspiring message!

Vinnie, is such a beautiful soul & an octopus on the drums! 🙏🏽

Vinnie is such a wise man. Thanks for your wisdom brother.

44 minutes that felt like a full action movie! so interesting!

Vinnie talks like he plays - deep and varied!

For people who thought that Vinnie was a madman, this interview must be a surprise -- he is articulate and his thoughts about the industry -- as it is today -- are so wise. I enjoy Vinnie's playing a lot, and realize the incredible amount of work that he has put in it. I also admire the PERSON he is. Thank you for upping!

I had to revisit this interview. One of the best.... Rest in peace Dom.

I don’t even play drums and I got a chill when Zappa hired you.

I had a privilege working with Vinnie on my album Sometime Soon. What a person, what a musician.... I love Vinnie for who he is what what he represents.

I'd never heard him talk. Vinnie is brilliant, inspiring, effervescent!

Wow. He's two years older than me but his beginings are the same as mine. Pots and pans, toy drum sets, the music on the radio being so unbelievable, the first drum lesson, ect. When I first saw drum music and started learning to read it, I couldn't get enough!!

12:37 I just love the Zappa story.

Damn! I never realized what an intelligent dude Vinnie is! Great interview!

I barely knew this man but this interview makes obvious that he’s got the mind of a genuine, true genius.

I feel like I became a better musician just by listening to this interview. I had the opportunity to see him and other great players in a master class; amazing.

Great interview! I am a retired physician / lifelong musician. It is remarkable how, in the span of a person's lifetime, the terra firma beneath your feet can shift like an earthquake. Believe it or not there are parallels in my professional life with the talented musicians in their profession who have seen their business model subverted by technology and change. Not always for the better. Dom and Vinnie are both passionate and articulate spokesmen for a calling which is threatened with near extinction. We need to take a stand now or be swept into the dustbin of history. Or that creativity and inspiration which has produced such inspiring music will by stifled by greed and power.

Young kids! I’m ‘old’ retired and love this! The Philosophy of Study, Creativity & Skill, Result? Genius!

Here I am in 2020 watching this interview for the 194729 times... keep inspiring me

This made me cry...Vinnie's heart is right there..

It's no wonder that Vinnie Colaiuta is the king of this whole world of drums, studio drumming, versatility, creativity and an impetus that few people have.

Two smart guys. Vinnie's view on the paradigm shift is accurate.

I love Vinnie for being a sensitive and complete human being and one of the most intense musical drummer/musician in every setting without breaking the said "code". Great interview, thanks for sharing.

Stewart and Vinnie = the gods of pop-rock drumming (influenced by multiple genres especially jazz). Another interview that can be applied to multiple areas of one's life.

Vinnie is the master, the drummer's drummer, absolutely one of the top few living drummers.

Great interview. One thing I’m hearing in many interviews is the impact of the digital domain has had in the music industry. As Zappa stated, “Music is a business.”

One of those amazing people who can talk for 10 minutes straight, about himself, and it’s just SO entertaining and inspiring !!!!!! Love it !!!

....This is one of the best interview I've ever heard by a musician of any caliber, talking about how the digital industry has rip off the hard working musicians, the musical industry need to be change...it's a crime, where is the money going too, because too many recording artist are hurting.This is indeed a very good interview.

I found myself "Glued to the TV", as they would say, while watching this intierview.. Vinnie is not only a world-class drummer, but articulate beyond measure,and a fascinating FACTUAL story-teller with a high-level of intelligence that is just off-the-charts. Interviewer Dom Famulero (who passed at the age of 72) is one of the BEST. His questions are very precise and focused. He was ALSO a world-class drummer, as can be found here on RU-vid. Not to mention, Dom authored a great book titled The Cycle of Self-Empowerment".

I met Vinnie at SRI next door to OceanWay wile my band was recording there. He was rehearsing with Joni Mitchel - very sweet guy. I was inspired. Thank you VC - your are the man!

Dom, you are the BEST interviewer!

Vinnie is a legend and one the greatest drummers alive. I heard some great stories from the late Jeff Porcaro about there early days playing at the Baked potato.

Vinnie is on top of my list of favorite drummers. I love this interview and learning about his early years as a new drummer starting out on his journey.

WOW! That Zappa story alone was absolutely amazing. What an incredible musician and man. Thanks for all the great music.

Brilliant interview!

I always thought these famous session studio guys were all ego and elitist. Vinnie seems like Jerry Lewis. Like child like innocence. Very cool video. So refreshing. Thank you.

What I find interesting about Vinnie is that even his hand movements, as he talks, it is almost deliberate with accuracy.

This interview is beautiful. I never comment on videos. I was so inspired after watching this that I had to say something. I came across Vinnie when I was was in 7th grade (1993). I make my living playing because of his influence and to hear him talk about about his story really is awesome. I hope someday I can be as cool as him. This whole interview is fantastic.

I'm a drummer and first introduction to Vinnie was I'm thinking was with Zappa, but loved him with Jeff Beck,and when Sting played in France! The guy is a legend!

My favorite drummer.

God bless Vinnie (and Dom for his many years of education)

Vinnie is a God! I often wonder how these musicians who are at the very top of their profession suffer on a personal level to get where they are. There has to be a lot of sacrifice. It’s rare that the really groundbreaking players have a normal family life, due to the sheer effort and focus required to achieve total mastery. I know it’s none of my business, but I’m often intrigued to know what these musicians have missed out on to be where they are. I know a lot of us more mediocre players at some point may have made a conscious decision to play a little less and commit to raising a family (and being there!) etc... there’s always a price to be at the top of any profession.

Sting chose him for his dream team. So underrated.

Brilliant stuff - looks like Vinnie really is speaking freely - i loved it

Just incredible, Dom this is a FANTASTIC interview and Vinnie your words are so profound with respect to the business of music. THANK YOU both!

He sounds such a nice and humble guy, no doubt he is world class

The DBT had a steady gig at the Comeback INN from 1983-1984! Great place!! I'm glad Vinnie appeared on Siberian Express!!!

No matter what your genre or background, Vinnie is in your top five. He is a beast!

Again, what a gem Dom! Thanks! I met Vinnie a few times in the early to mid 90s when he would come to Norway with Sting. He was with Yamaha at the time, like me, so it was always time to hang out and talk. He combined the Sting gig with clinics when he visited Oslo and it was of course a jawdropping experience every single time. At one of the clinics, he came in late and the kit was set up for him in kind of a weird way by one of the Yamaha reps. He went straight to the stage, adjusted one of the splash cymbals slightly, then went off to play like he always set up that way. Thanks again!

Thats EXACTLY how i was. 5th grade band i was hooked. I was a poor kid so every musical opportunity thru school I was there. Took it thru 12th grade. 4 yrs college on a scholarship from state University jazz contemporary music program. Love it.

My favorite living musician, period. He is as insightful as he is talented. Sui generis.

This is one of the best interviews I’ve ever heard and his answers made me very positively impressed...

This is SUCH an engaging interview! It went above and beyond the greatness that I was expecting, which is saying something.

Today, I learned the word, "Pedagogy" the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept. "the relationship between applied linguistics and language pedagogy"

This conversation is brutally honest, with an intelligent,plea to the next generations this is required listening that should inspire hope.

His account of the Zappa-auditon is so funny!!!

Not only is Vinny a kick ass drummer, but he's a smart dude! Awesome....

Vinnie is the drummer's drummer. Articulate & flawless on sight-reading sessions, & yet amazingly creative & musical within an improvisational setting. Jazz, metal, big band, pop, & everything inbetween - it seems he can play anything & everything & do it very, very well. Presently, EDM maybe the preferred flavour of the masses, but that can change...

Thank you Dom Famularo for doing these amazing interviews!

I've met Dom. He's done more for the drumming world than anyone

Vinnie Colaiuta mentioned Maria Schneider in an interview. My brain just exploded.

Unequivocally the best Vinnie interview I have ever seen..... Dom Fam, you've done it again !

Im gonna watch it 10 times , already repeated the 'Zapp" audition section 3 times ....... Dom you just tickle it out of Vinnie . That is such an amazing Story telling Dom

In the endless debate of the best drummers, this guy is ALWAYS up there. My favorite.

great interview, Vinnie is so articulate, brilliant guy

This is super Dom. I met Ike Willis in LA around 2011. I'm such a Zappa fan, and Vinnie among other drummers became fantastic because of FZ. Great interview Dom.

Vinnie! Thank you. The only reason I play drums. and continually inspired. 🥁

Vinnie's technical ability along with the taste to support the musicians he played with is, next to Rich and Weckl, nothing but jaw dropping outstanding!

The best interview yet. Never ever heard of Vinnie Colaiuta before until now, Wow!

When l hear the name Vinnie, two drummers comes to mind, Vinnie Colaiuta & Vinnie Paul. Two amazing drummers with two different styles. Love them both.

Even at 64yrs old, this inspired me....

since he mentioned both guys.... it was wild to hear him play for Sting on a Sting / Peter Gabriel tour!

The first time I saw and heard Mr. Colauita's work, up close and personal, was with Jeff Beck. But to have him sit down and be interviewed and explain 'where he's coming from' and the 'origins' of his skill and talent is really a fabulous experience. The only other 'modern' drummer with all these credits that comes to mind is Kenny Aronoff. Both saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and both had their lives changed because of that single historical musical experience.

Dom's love and enthusiasm for music and the drums is both infectious and inspiring. As an educator, that's his biggest asset, never mind his extensive knowledge and technique! I love hearing him talk about the instrument.

It is so obvious, the genuine compassion and Passion that Dom Exhibits with each and every project he gets involved with , Wow ! I marvel at the grace with which YOU conduct yourself sir ! and I thank you For All of the opportunities you are extending to US to learn more of this culture and language we call Music.

Incredible interview with a once in a lifetime musician!

Dom and Vinnie, this is the best drumming plus the business of music interview I have ever seen. I will have to watch this about 6 times plus get out my dictionary to look up around 12 words I have never even heard of before. Such a stellar and profound amount of information, Vital Information👏 Cheers

The list of musicians Vinnie has played or recorded with is mind boggling. Some of the biggest names in the business. It shows me how much in demand he is as a session drummer

Vinnie played the Black Page by memory...unreal. Pure Genius.

...his FZ audition story is GOLD......

Love his playing with Jeff Beck.

What a great interview with one of the greatest!!! Much love and respect to Master Vinnie Colaiuta! Thank you both! Peace!

Timeless,honest with a focus on the future. Frank Zappa went to DC, these two would do musicians well by doing the same. ...if they haven't already.

My fave Vinnie interview. Thanks Dom!

Music is the language of Heaven. It is written.

This is the exact Conversation that I would love to have with any of my Music Idols ,Vinnie being one of the of course this was great!! Thank you

Best interview ever! Vincent Colaiuta is a wise and magic man! Dom Famularo is famous for his playing and expressions in word, maybe He shall be called Dom Fabulousaro?