One year ago yesterday, Gregg Bissonette’s father, Bud Bissonette, passed away. Gregg shared some special memories of his father in a recent interview with Modern Drummer which he has passed along to us. If you’d like to read the rest of this interview, please visit moderndrummer.com
excerpted from moderndrummer.com
MD: One of the most important influences in your life, both musically and personally, was your dad, Bud Bissonette. He passed away last fall. How are you dealing with your loss?
Gregg: My dad was my biggest fan. He and my mom would follow the Maynard Ferguson tour bus around because they both loved music. For eighteen years, he set up my drums for me and was a part of the Los Angeles recording session scene. Just before he passed away, he was in his bed, watching the World Series on TV, and I put on a Buddy Rich CD. As soon as he heard that hi-hat, his eyes got as wide as saucers and he said, “Buddy!” And when Buddy started playing “Love For Sale,” I looked at my dad and he started moving his hands like he was conducting the band, or playing a ride cymbal, or pointing at the horn section like Maynard would do. I said, “Dad, God gave us music and God gave us Buddy Rich. You took me to see Buddy when I was seven. I’m so thankful to have you as a dad.” He just looked at me and said, “I feel the same way about you, son. I’m ready to go be with the Lord and be with your mom.” It was really heavy, but I had forty-nine great years with him and no regrets.
Read the rest of this interview on moderndrummer.com