PAS 2002 Hall of Fame

On November 15, 2002 the Percussive Arts Society will induct Ed Thigpen, John S. Pratt and Ringo Starr into the PASIC Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio.

Brush-meister Ed Thigpen (pictured) got his start in the early 1950s with Cootie Williams. He went on to play with Dinah Washington, Lennie Tristano, Johnny Hodges, Bud Powell, Billy Taylor, Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald. Thigpen has lived in Copenhagen since 1972 where he has continued to play an active role in the music business teaching, writing instructional books and gigging on the side.

John S. Pratt, a retired U.S. Army Band drumming instructor and arranger, is best known for having written instructional books like Rudimental Solos for Accomplished Drummers, 14 Modern Contest Solos and Ancient Rudimental Snare & Bass Drum Solos. He was also a member of the New York chapter of the All-American Associate of Contest Judges, the National Association of Rudimental Drummers and the Hawthorne Caballeros’ instructional staff from 1971-81 where he won three American Legion National Championships and four DCA World Championships.

Known mostly for his wildly complex rhythm work and brash, uninhibited solos, Ringo Starr, former member of British rock band the Beatles, also gained notoriety as a singer with hits like “No No Song, La De Da” and his rendition of the Buck Owens classic “Act Naturally.” Starr also made a name for himself on the silver screen starring in films like Caveman, Candy and Son of Dracula.

For more information on the PASIC Hall of Fame, visit www.pasic.org

Originally Published June 6, 2002