Biography.guide
Home › People › Drummer › David Kemper
Portrait of David Kemper

David Kemper

b. 1947

American rock drummer

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About David Kemper

Born 1947. David Kemper is an American drummer and percussionist.

David Law Kemper (born 1947/8 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American rock drummer who was a member of the Jerry Garcia Band (1983–1994) and Bob Dylan's band (1996–2001).

He was with the Jerry Garcia Band from 1983 until January 1994, when he was suddenly dismissed for reasons still unknown to him. He went on to spend five years as Bob Dylan's drummer. Kemper joined Dutch progressive rock band Focus from 1975 to 1977, playing both on the Mother Focus album and tour. He has played with Mike Stinson, Elkie Brooks, Dennis Wilson (on the Bambu sessions) and Bernie Leadon. He played double drums with Jim Gordon on Barry McGuire's "Don't Blame God" from his Lighten Up album in 1974. When, at the peak of the Average White Band's success drummer Robbie McIntosh died, Kemper was enlisted for tour dates until Steve Ferrone could join as a member. Six of the nine tracks with drumming on Joan Armatrading's 1977 album, "Show Some Emotion", feature Kemper, with London session ace Henry Spinetti (Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Gerry Rafferty, Paul McCartney) and Kenney Jones (Small Faces, Faces, The Who) splitting the remainder.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
1947, Chicago
Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
David Law Kemper

People in David Kemper's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Kemper's

Frequently asked questions

Who is David Kemper?

American rock drummer

When was David Kemper born?

David Kemper was born in 1947 in Chicago.

What is David Kemper's occupation?

David Kemper is a drummer and percussionist.

What nationality is David Kemper?

David Kemper is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Kemper

· Wikidata: Q3018194

· DBpedia: David Kemper

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Kemper. https://biography.guide/david-kemper/

MLA: "David Kemper." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-kemper/.

Chicago: "David Kemper." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-kemper/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:31 UTC