Larrie Londin

Ralph Gallant (October 15, 1943 − August 24, 1992), known professionally as Larrie Londin, was an American drummer and session musician. According to journalist James Byron Fox, "If not the best known, Larrie is one of the most listened to drummers in the world. He played on more hit records during his career than any other drummer, with the exception of the legendary session drummer Hal Blaine, and his work covers the complete musical spectrum."

Londin's first professional drumming engagement was in Norfolk, Virginia, in a club where he was a cook and dishwasher. One night, the engagement drummer did not show up, and Londin substituted.

The full story is that Eugene Bunten hatched a plan for Larry to play drums as the younger brother of Lonnie Londin (Eugene E. Bunten) because Larry was underage. From then they became Lonnie and Larry Londin. Lonnie went back to his roots in North Conway playing in local bars - where he was known as "the last great unknown".

Motown As young men, Larrie Londin and his brother, Lonnie Londin, Eugene E. Bunten (Kenya Bunten) (March 28, 1939 − February 16, 2020), were members of The Headliners, the first white act to be signed to a Motown record label. In 1965, two singles were released by the Headliners.

During his time at Motown, Londin commenced his career as a session drummer, following a heart attack suffered by Funk Brothers session drummer Benny Benjamin. Motown owner Berry Gordy asked Londin to play at various sessions, rather than cancel them, due to Benjamin's health challenges.

Nashville After his time at Motown, Londin joined the band of the Tennessee Ernie Ford television show. In 1991, Atkins publicly introduced him as "the greatest drummer in the world". Londin was considered to be a "master class" drummer, and made appearances on the "drum clinic" circuit.

With his wife, Debbie Gallant, Londin established D.O.G. Percussion (named for Debbie's initials), the area's first dedicated drum shop, Always promoting innovation in the session business, Londin mentored younger musicians and proposed the first cartage services for Nashville session players.

While not being able to formally read music, Londin developed "stick charts", which he used to remind himself of approaches to certain songs for which he was contracted as a session drummer. According to Londin, such "stick charts" were common among Nashville session drummers, but not widely known or understood otherwise. a bootleg recording of a 1976 Presley concert at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati.

Londin stated: "I've had offers to write a book about Elvis, but you know, they really didn't want to publish the stories I had to tell. They only wanted the dirt – the scandal. I never saw him use drugs and I never saw him being mean to people. He had problems, everybody does, but he was a sweet guy – real religious, and he was patriotic, he really loved America. The publishers said nobody wants to read about that stuff. I just couldn't be a part of another book trashing him, he was a real good guy and he was always nice to me."

In 1999, a benefit concert was held, co-sponsored by the Percussive Arts Society and Sabian, the cymbal manufacturer with which Londin had been associated, to raise money for musician scholarships. Drummers Dom Famularo, Terry Bozzio, Chester Thompson, and Will Calhoun and the percussion group Hip Pickles appeared. An audio and video cassette of the benefit concert were released in 1999. The scholarship program continues to offer scholarships as of 2012.

Discography

With Barbi Benton Barbi Benton (Playboy Records, 1975)

With Glen Campbell Walkin' in the Sun (Capitol Records, 1990)

With The Carpenters Voice of the Heart (A&M Records, 1983)

With Johnny Cash Rockabilly Blues (Columbia Records, 1980)

With Rosanne Cash Seven Year Ache (Columbia Records, 1981) Somewhere in the Stars (Columbia Records, 1982)

With Linda Clifford My Heart's on Fire (Red Label, 1985)

With Rosemary Clooney Look My Way (United Artists Records, 1976)

With Joe Cocker Civilized Man (Capitol Records, 1984)

With Perry Como Just Out of Reach (RCA Victor, 1975)

With Rodney Crowell But What Will the Neighbors Think (Warner Bros. Records, 1980) Street Language (CBS Records, 1986) Life Is Messy (Columbia Records, 1992)

With England Dan & John Ford Coley Nights Are Forever (Big Tree Records, 1976) Dowdy Ferry Road (Big Tree Records, 1977) Some Things Don't Come Easy (Big Tree Records, 1978)

With Gail Davies Gail Davies (Lifesong, 1978)

With Don Everly Brother Jukebox (Hickory Records, 1977)

With The Everly Brothers Pass the Chicken & Listen (RCA Records, 1972) Born Yesterday (Mercury Records, 1986) Some Hearts (Mercury Records, 1988)

With Glenn Frey The Allnighter (MCA Records, 1984)

With Vince Gill Turn Me Loose (RCA Records, 1984) The Things That Matter (RCA Records, 1985) Pocket Full of Gold (MCA Records, 1991)

With Crystal Gayle These Days (Columbia Records, 1980)

With Amy Grant Amy Grant (Myrrh Records, 1977)

With Al Green Precious Lord (Myrrh Records, 1982)

With Emmylou Harris Evangeline (Warner Bros. Records, 1981) The Ballad of Sally Rose (Warner Bros. Records, 1985)

With Dan Hill Hold On (20th Century Records, 1976) Longer Fuse (Interfusion, 1977) Frozen in the Night (GRT, 1978) If Dreams Had Wings (Epic Records, 1980)

With Journey Raised on Radio (Columbia Records, 1986)

With B. B. King Love Me Tender (MCA Records, 1982)

With Mark Knopfler Neck and Neck (Columbia Records, 1990)

With Bonnie Koloc You're Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning (Ovation Records, 1974)

With Al Kooper Act Like Nothing's Wrong (United Artists Records, 1977)

With Bill LaBounty This Night Won't Last Forever (Warner Bros. Records, 1978)

With Jim Lauderdale Planet of Love (Reprise Records, 1991)

With Lonnie Mack Home at Last (Capitol Records, 1977)

With Kenny Marks Another Friday Night (DaySpring Records, 1989)

With Dean Martin Once in a While (Reprise Records, 1978)

With Frankie Miller Easy Money (Chrysalis Records, 1980)

With Ronnie Milsap 20/20 Vision (RCA Records, 1976) Images (RCA Records, 1979) Milsap Magic (RCA Victor, 1980) Inside (RCA Records, 1982) Keyed Up (RCA Records, 1983) One More Try for Love (RCA Records, 1984) Lost in the Fifties Tonight (RCA Records, 1986) Heart & Soul (RCA Records, 1987) Stranger Things Have Happened (RCA Records, 1989)

With Willie Nelson A Horse Called Music (Columbia Records, 1989)

With Michael Nesmith From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing (Pacific Arts, 1977)

With Olivia Newton-John Don't Stop Believin' (Interfusion, 1976)

With Dolly Parton Jolene (RCA Victor, 1974) New Harvest...First Gathering (RCA Victor, 1977)

With Steve Perry Street Talk (Columbia Records, 1984)

With Eddie Rabbitt Rocky Mountain Music (Elektra Records, 1976) Rabbitt (Elektra Records, 1977)

With Ronna Reeves The More I Learn (Mercury Records, 1992)

With Kenny Rogers I Prefer the Moonlight (RCA Records, 1987)

With Dan Seals Stones (Atlantic Records, 1980) Harbinger (Atlantic Records, 1982) Rebel Heart (Liberty Records, 1983) San Antone (EMI, 1984) Won't Be Blue Anymore (EMI, 1985) On the Front Line (EMI, 1986) Rage On (Capitol Records, 1988) On Arrival (Capitol Records, 1990) Walking the Wire (Warner Bros. Records, 1992)

With B. W. Stevenson Lost Feeling (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)

With Shania Twain Shania Twain (Mercury Records, 1993)

With Tanya Tucker Here's Some Love (MCA Records, 1976)

With Neil Young Comes a Time (Reprise Records, 1978)

With Rusty Wier Rusty Wier (20th Century Records, 1975)

With Kelly Willis Bang Bang (MCA Records, 1991)