I do not understand why people think that drumming should not be needed in music. Ok, in some things yes I can agree, I personally don't tend to play waltzes, airs etc....because it is a part of folk music that does not need it. Drummers need to learn when they should and shouldn't play, and that's coming from me, a bodhran player.

Put it this way, if drummer's weren't in bands, there are a hell of a lot of bands out there that would fall apart if they did not have a beat in some shape or form. A drum is an integral part of any band, I'd even go as far as saying it is probably the backbone in a lot of ways.
You also have bass guitar moving on to other genres of music (and staying in folk music aswell in my session in the maltings in york), who provide a steady beat/rhythm etc in a band.

Drummer's have a place in music everywhere, even classical (timpanies). We have a damn important job to do and if we want to have a little bit of recognition for it, then let us have our glory once in a while. We deserve it at the end of the day.

My only objection to this is if the drummer happen's to be crap and making the band fall apart, well, then you just want to get them off the stage and shove them down the closest manhole and not even think of letting them near a solo, and confiscate their instrument. :0)

lol

Jez xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx