John Stephen French (born 29 September 1948) is an American drummer and musician. He played on Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica album and several other Beefheart recordings. Beefheart gave him the nickname Drumbo.
Around 1964, he played and recorded with Merrell and The Exiles, a band led by Merrell Fankhauser and featuring Jeff Cotton on guitar. French and Cotton joined Mark Boston in another band in 1966, never recorded, called Blues in a Bottle. Bill Harkleroad aka Zoot Horn Rollo joined later; thus the nucleus of the Trout Mask Replica band was formed.
Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
French was invited to join Beefheart and the Magic Band in late 1966, as a replacement for Paul Blakely. Having played on Safe as Milk (1967), his distinctive drumming style moulded the driving heavy psychedelic blues of Strictly Personal (1968) and Mirror Man (1968, but not released till 1971). During the Trout Mask Replica sessions, French transcribed the musical ideas Beefheart played for him on piano for the rest of the band. However, shortly after the completion of Trout Mask Replica, French was booted out of the group rather violently by Beefheart (he was thrown down some stairs), and was replaced by the inexperienced Jeff Bruschell. French was also contentiously omitted from the credits of Trout Mask Replica and was largely absent from the band photos taken for the artwork. Nevertheless, he was soon invited back and played on the critically acclaimed albums Lick My Decals Off, Baby and The Spotlight Kid, sharing percussion duties with Art Tripp aka Ed Marimba. Then in late 1972, just before an American tour, he left again.
John French (1616–1657) was an Englishphysician known for his contributions to chemistry (in particular, distillation) as well as for his English translations of Latin and German works.
Life
He was born in 1616 at Broughton, near Banbury, Oxfordshire. He obtained a B.A. degree from Oxford University in 1637 and an M.A. in 1640, qualifying as a physician with an MD in 1648. He died in 1657 near Boulogne while serving as a physician to the English army. He left a widow, Mary, and a son, John.
He lived at a time when the new science of chemistry was developing from alchemy and was an enthusiast for its application to medicine. He was known for his extensive knowledge of chemistry and was respected by scientists of the time such as Robert Boyle.
Works
John French is chiefly remembered for publishing in 1651 The Art of Distillation, a detailed handbook of knowledge and practice at the time, said to be possibly the earliest definitive book on distillation. However, it has been claimed that much of it was a translation of an earlier (1500) German text by Hieronymus Brunschwig.
Interview with John French (Drumbo) on the making of Trout Mask Replica
Composer Samuel Andreyev sits down with legendary drummer, singer, actor, author, dancer, composer, arranger and Magic Band member, John French ('Drumbo'), whose working relationship with Don Van Vliet, alias Captain Beefheart, stretched over 14 years. Among other things, they discuss the making of 1969's Trout Mask Replica in detail.
Support this channel:
https://www.patreon.com/samuelandreyev
Make a one-time donation:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com/donate
Samuel Andreyev on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/samuelandreyev
Samuel Andreyev's website:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com
published: 03 May 2017
Interview with John French, drummer for Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band.
In Lancaster CA moving my 97 year old uncle back to Iowa. Incredible record crawl here…
published: 17 Oct 2023
John French - Araby
Singer/songwriter John French from Athens, GA performing his song Araby. For more information on John's music or this video series, visit http://www.johnfrenchmusic.com
published: 09 Aug 2010
In This House by John French, with Becky French Hood
John French CD Release Party "All Roads"
October 15th , 2011
Olivia's Coffeehouse and Bistro
Eustis, Florida
John French and the French Connection:
John French -Guitar, Vocal
Larry Ziegenfuss- Fiddle
Paul Smithson - Mandolin
Joe Ramirez - Bass
http://www.johnfrenchsongs.com
Video by Gail Carson
http://www.northfloridafamilyfunguide.com
published: 23 Oct 2011
Electricity performed by John French at Threadgill's in Austin 10-07-17
Electricity performed by John French with Churchwood and Foot Patrol at Threadgill's Corn Lovers Fest. in Austin Texas. Great show!!!
published: 09 Oct 2017
The John French Band. "Shine".
Recorded at The Peacock Theater at The Farm in Brooksville, Florida.
A Camarata Production.
2022
published: 16 Sep 2022
John French and the Bastilles Kickstarter Video
John French and the Bastilles Kickstarter video. If you're interested in backing the project, you can go to http://kck.st/yQuk2Q. The project is staying open until Feb. 12. Be a part of this project. Video shot and edited by Jimmy Rowalt.
published: 20 Jan 2012
Death in Fancy Clothes - John French and the Bastilles
John French and the Bastilles performing "Death in Fancy Clothes" live at New Earth Music Hall in Athens, GA.
published: 04 Apr 2011
Discernment by John French
The studio version of "Discernment" by John French. To buy the song, or to find out more information about John go to http://www.johnfrenchmusic.com
Composer Samuel Andreyev sits down with legendary drummer, singer, actor, author, dancer, composer, arranger and Magic Band member, John French ('Drumbo'), whos...
Composer Samuel Andreyev sits down with legendary drummer, singer, actor, author, dancer, composer, arranger and Magic Band member, John French ('Drumbo'), whose working relationship with Don Van Vliet, alias Captain Beefheart, stretched over 14 years. Among other things, they discuss the making of 1969's Trout Mask Replica in detail.
Support this channel:
https://www.patreon.com/samuelandreyev
Make a one-time donation:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com/donate
Samuel Andreyev on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/samuelandreyev
Samuel Andreyev's website:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com
Composer Samuel Andreyev sits down with legendary drummer, singer, actor, author, dancer, composer, arranger and Magic Band member, John French ('Drumbo'), whose working relationship with Don Van Vliet, alias Captain Beefheart, stretched over 14 years. Among other things, they discuss the making of 1969's Trout Mask Replica in detail.
Support this channel:
https://www.patreon.com/samuelandreyev
Make a one-time donation:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com/donate
Samuel Andreyev on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/samuelandreyev
Samuel Andreyev's website:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com
Singer/songwriter John French from Athens, GA performing his song Araby. For more information on John's music or this video series, visit http://www.johnfrench...
Singer/songwriter John French from Athens, GA performing his song Araby. For more information on John's music or this video series, visit http://www.johnfrenchmusic.com
Singer/songwriter John French from Athens, GA performing his song Araby. For more information on John's music or this video series, visit http://www.johnfrenchmusic.com
John French CD Release Party "All Roads"
October 15th , 2011
Olivia's Coffeehouse and Bistro
Eustis, Florida
John French and the French Connection:
Jo...
John French CD Release Party "All Roads"
October 15th , 2011
Olivia's Coffeehouse and Bistro
Eustis, Florida
John French and the French Connection:
John French -Guitar, Vocal
Larry Ziegenfuss- Fiddle
Paul Smithson - Mandolin
Joe Ramirez - Bass
http://www.johnfrenchsongs.com
Video by Gail Carson
http://www.northfloridafamilyfunguide.com
John French CD Release Party "All Roads"
October 15th , 2011
Olivia's Coffeehouse and Bistro
Eustis, Florida
John French and the French Connection:
John French -Guitar, Vocal
Larry Ziegenfuss- Fiddle
Paul Smithson - Mandolin
Joe Ramirez - Bass
http://www.johnfrenchsongs.com
Video by Gail Carson
http://www.northfloridafamilyfunguide.com
John French and the Bastilles Kickstarter video. If you're interested in backing the project, you can go to http://kck.st/yQuk2Q. The project is staying open ...
John French and the Bastilles Kickstarter video. If you're interested in backing the project, you can go to http://kck.st/yQuk2Q. The project is staying open until Feb. 12. Be a part of this project. Video shot and edited by Jimmy Rowalt.
John French and the Bastilles Kickstarter video. If you're interested in backing the project, you can go to http://kck.st/yQuk2Q. The project is staying open until Feb. 12. Be a part of this project. Video shot and edited by Jimmy Rowalt.
Composer Samuel Andreyev sits down with legendary drummer, singer, actor, author, dancer, composer, arranger and Magic Band member, John French ('Drumbo'), whose working relationship with Don Van Vliet, alias Captain Beefheart, stretched over 14 years. Among other things, they discuss the making of 1969's Trout Mask Replica in detail.
Support this channel:
https://www.patreon.com/samuelandreyev
Make a one-time donation:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com/donate
Samuel Andreyev on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/samuelandreyev
Samuel Andreyev's website:
http://www.samuelandreyev.com
Singer/songwriter John French from Athens, GA performing his song Araby. For more information on John's music or this video series, visit http://www.johnfrenchmusic.com
John French CD Release Party "All Roads"
October 15th , 2011
Olivia's Coffeehouse and Bistro
Eustis, Florida
John French and the French Connection:
John French -Guitar, Vocal
Larry Ziegenfuss- Fiddle
Paul Smithson - Mandolin
Joe Ramirez - Bass
http://www.johnfrenchsongs.com
Video by Gail Carson
http://www.northfloridafamilyfunguide.com
John French and the Bastilles Kickstarter video. If you're interested in backing the project, you can go to http://kck.st/yQuk2Q. The project is staying open until Feb. 12. Be a part of this project. Video shot and edited by Jimmy Rowalt.
John Stephen French (born 29 September 1948) is an American drummer and musician. He played on Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica album and several other Beefheart recordings. Beefheart gave him the nickname Drumbo.
Around 1964, he played and recorded with Merrell and The Exiles, a band led by Merrell Fankhauser and featuring Jeff Cotton on guitar. French and Cotton joined Mark Boston in another band in 1966, never recorded, called Blues in a Bottle. Bill Harkleroad aka Zoot Horn Rollo joined later; thus the nucleus of the Trout Mask Replica band was formed.
Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
French was invited to join Beefheart and the Magic Band in late 1966, as a replacement for Paul Blakely. Having played on Safe as Milk (1967), his distinctive drumming style moulded the driving heavy psychedelic blues of Strictly Personal (1968) and Mirror Man (1968, but not released till 1971). During the Trout Mask Replica sessions, French transcribed the musical ideas Beefheart played for him on piano for the rest of the band. However, shortly after the completion of Trout Mask Replica, French was booted out of the group rather violently by Beefheart (he was thrown down some stairs), and was replaced by the inexperienced Jeff Bruschell. French was also contentiously omitted from the credits of Trout Mask Replica and was largely absent from the band photos taken for the artwork. Nevertheless, he was soon invited back and played on the critically acclaimed albums Lick My Decals Off, Baby and The Spotlight Kid, sharing percussion duties with Art Tripp aka Ed Marimba. Then in late 1972, just before an American tour, he left again.