1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:06,518 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of My 2 00:00:06,718 --> 00:00:15,558 Speaker 1: Heart Radio. Welcome back to the latest episode of the 3 00:00:15,598 --> 00:00:18,558 Speaker 1: Book of Joe Podcast. Of course, it is based on 4 00:00:18,838 --> 00:00:21,278 Speaker 1: our book, The Book of Joe. This is Tom Verducci 5 00:00:21,438 --> 00:00:25,238 Speaker 1: joined by Joe Madden. Joe, how you doing. I'm doing well, brother, 6 00:00:25,318 --> 00:00:27,918 Speaker 1: Good morning, How you doing? I am doing well. It's 7 00:00:27,958 --> 00:00:32,518 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving week and man, we have a special guest today 8 00:00:32,518 --> 00:00:34,758 Speaker 1: and it's a special episode. We are going to be 9 00:00:34,878 --> 00:00:40,318 Speaker 1: joined by Max Weinberg, of course, longtime drummer with Bruce 10 00:00:40,318 --> 00:00:43,518 Speaker 1: Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Joe. I know 11 00:00:43,598 --> 00:00:46,878 Speaker 1: you're looking forward to this for many reasons, but especially 12 00:00:46,918 --> 00:00:50,918 Speaker 1: because it's not just about the band and drumming. Yeah, 13 00:00:50,918 --> 00:00:53,878 Speaker 1: we wanted to really try to highlight blue guys outside 14 00:00:53,878 --> 00:00:55,918 Speaker 1: of the baseball industry too. We talked about it the 15 00:00:55,998 --> 00:00:57,958 Speaker 1: other day and I thought Max would be the perfect fit. 16 00:00:58,158 --> 00:01:01,238 Speaker 1: Beyond it, You're gonna hear all about it very shortly. 17 00:01:01,318 --> 00:01:05,438 Speaker 1: But I've been as such as Springsteen and since the seventies, 18 00:01:05,438 --> 00:01:07,958 Speaker 1: I think you have also. But anyway, I have to 19 00:01:08,238 --> 00:01:11,758 Speaker 1: get an opportunity to speak with Max about the similarities 20 00:01:11,798 --> 00:01:14,638 Speaker 1: the relationships that you build within a rock and roll 21 00:01:14,678 --> 00:01:17,158 Speaker 1: band and what it feels like in a major league 22 00:01:17,158 --> 00:01:19,958 Speaker 1: clubhouse or dug out, the highly charged athletes, these highly 23 00:01:20,038 --> 00:01:23,038 Speaker 1: charged musicians, and how they cope with it, and uh, 24 00:01:23,238 --> 00:01:25,238 Speaker 1: getting into the glue component of it, how do when 25 00:01:25,238 --> 00:01:27,118 Speaker 1: when things go awry, how does how does it come 26 00:01:27,158 --> 00:01:29,918 Speaker 1: back together? And how do you interact in regarding the 27 00:01:29,958 --> 00:01:32,678 Speaker 1: egos subjectgating of eagles and moving it on to something 28 00:01:32,678 --> 00:01:35,078 Speaker 1: more important as a group or as a team. Looking 29 00:01:35,118 --> 00:01:37,558 Speaker 1: forward to all that with Max, because again, this has 30 00:01:37,598 --> 00:01:41,598 Speaker 1: been been my favorite band since the mid seventies. Ditto 31 00:01:41,718 --> 00:01:44,358 Speaker 1: for me as well. And of course if you've read 32 00:01:44,398 --> 00:01:46,718 Speaker 1: the book or will read the book and have been 33 00:01:46,758 --> 00:01:49,198 Speaker 1: listening to this podcast, you know one of our favorite 34 00:01:49,238 --> 00:01:54,118 Speaker 1: intersections is the intersection of baseball, rock and roll and leadership, 35 00:01:54,398 --> 00:01:58,718 Speaker 1: and mighty Max Weinberg is right at that intersection. This 36 00:01:58,798 --> 00:02:01,078 Speaker 1: is gonna be fascinating, folks. Stuff. I'm not gonna tell 37 00:02:01,118 --> 00:02:04,158 Speaker 1: you exactly what's coming up, but you're going to year 38 00:02:04,198 --> 00:02:09,678 Speaker 1: about Paul McCartney ringo star and a baseball scouting report 39 00:02:09,758 --> 00:02:13,478 Speaker 1: on the baseball skills of Bruce Springsteen. Yeah, you're gonna 40 00:02:13,518 --> 00:02:25,278 Speaker 1: stick around for this deep Back in a minute, Welcome 41 00:02:25,318 --> 00:02:27,758 Speaker 1: back to the Book of Joe podcast, and we are 42 00:02:27,958 --> 00:02:30,718 Speaker 1: thrilled to be joined by our special guest today, Mighty 43 00:02:31,038 --> 00:02:34,318 Speaker 1: Max Weinberg. Of course you know him as the drummer 44 00:02:34,318 --> 00:02:37,118 Speaker 1: in the East Street Band, but I know him as 45 00:02:37,158 --> 00:02:40,518 Speaker 1: a Jersey guy. So Max, welcome. It's always good to 46 00:02:40,518 --> 00:02:42,238 Speaker 1: have a Jersey guy on here. And people talk about 47 00:02:42,238 --> 00:02:45,198 Speaker 1: the cradle of civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates. I 48 00:02:45,238 --> 00:02:48,598 Speaker 1: think it's between the Hudson and Delaware. So thanks for 49 00:02:48,638 --> 00:02:53,478 Speaker 1: coming on. And by the way, congratulations being inducted into 50 00:02:53,558 --> 00:02:57,518 Speaker 1: the New Jersey Hall of Fame. That's big time. Well, 51 00:02:57,518 --> 00:03:00,518 Speaker 1: thank you, Tom. Good morning, Joe. Tom. Yeah, you know, 52 00:03:00,598 --> 00:03:06,438 Speaker 1: it was quite a moving experience to be inducted into 53 00:03:06,518 --> 00:03:10,158 Speaker 1: the New Jersey Hall of Fame. As they say, when 54 00:03:10,158 --> 00:03:15,158 Speaker 1: you leave Philadelphia or New York City, you know you're 55 00:03:15,198 --> 00:03:17,878 Speaker 1: in Jersey because you can see the air you're breathing. 56 00:03:18,678 --> 00:03:21,758 Speaker 1: It's an old Jersey joke, it's not quite true anymore. 57 00:03:23,158 --> 00:03:25,958 Speaker 1: But when you look at the inductees through the years, 58 00:03:26,358 --> 00:03:31,278 Speaker 1: I'm delighted to be in the company of these amazing individuals. 59 00:03:31,518 --> 00:03:35,758 Speaker 1: It was quite a moving ceremony. And Joe, our mutual 60 00:03:35,838 --> 00:03:40,318 Speaker 1: friend Mark Stein of Chicago, was able to my great 61 00:03:40,398 --> 00:03:46,078 Speaker 1: surprise to have Ringo star and then Paul McCartney show 62 00:03:46,198 --> 00:03:49,998 Speaker 1: up to say a few nice words, and that was, 63 00:03:50,718 --> 00:03:55,278 Speaker 1: you know, quite an unbelievable experience. My son Jay, who's 64 00:03:55,358 --> 00:04:00,718 Speaker 1: a very renowned drummer, uh, inducted me, so it was 65 00:04:00,798 --> 00:04:03,038 Speaker 1: kind of a family affair. And then to have Paul 66 00:04:03,118 --> 00:04:06,998 Speaker 1: McCartney play the drums. He was actually playing the drums, 67 00:04:07,038 --> 00:04:09,798 Speaker 1: I believe it was in his home studio in London. 68 00:04:10,798 --> 00:04:15,638 Speaker 1: Uh and then stopped and said a few words. If 69 00:04:15,678 --> 00:04:19,198 Speaker 1: that was something I would have never in my wildest 70 00:04:19,238 --> 00:04:25,198 Speaker 1: imagination dreamed possible. But I was very delighted to be 71 00:04:25,238 --> 00:04:29,718 Speaker 1: the recipient of those words. Congratulations on all that, Max. 72 00:04:29,838 --> 00:04:33,078 Speaker 1: And but also I thought that Hazelton, Pennsylvania might have 73 00:04:33,118 --> 00:04:35,998 Speaker 1: been the cradle of civilization Tom. I didn't realize that 74 00:04:36,038 --> 00:04:39,038 Speaker 1: happened between the Hudson and Delaware. But yeah, Max that 75 00:04:39,118 --> 00:04:42,238 Speaker 1: congratulations on all of that. It is really um, like 76 00:04:42,358 --> 00:04:44,918 Speaker 1: you said, as a kid, growing up, to to arrive 77 00:04:44,958 --> 00:04:48,638 Speaker 1: at that particular juncture again, New Jersey Pennsylvania were neighbors. 78 00:04:49,038 --> 00:04:51,558 Speaker 1: I kind of understanding, get that that whole process of 79 00:04:51,558 --> 00:04:54,038 Speaker 1: growing up and what it's like in almost these surrealistic 80 00:04:54,078 --> 00:04:58,358 Speaker 1: moments that occur as you professionally moved down the road. 81 00:04:58,438 --> 00:05:00,678 Speaker 1: So we'll congrats on that. I think it's outstanding. We 82 00:05:00,718 --> 00:05:03,398 Speaker 1: all do well. Thank you, Joe, Max. One of the 83 00:05:03,398 --> 00:05:06,438 Speaker 1: reasons we really were just thrilled to have you on here. 84 00:05:06,518 --> 00:05:10,638 Speaker 1: We've been talking about glue guys as it relates to baseball, 85 00:05:10,718 --> 00:05:13,878 Speaker 1: talking about guys on a baseball team that really are 86 00:05:13,998 --> 00:05:16,038 Speaker 1: kind of the mortar of this spirit, de core of 87 00:05:16,078 --> 00:05:18,438 Speaker 1: a team. You know, maybe it's not the best player, 88 00:05:18,478 --> 00:05:21,078 Speaker 1: but there's usually somebody and Joe knows this as a manager, 89 00:05:21,118 --> 00:05:23,558 Speaker 1: if you're lucky you have more than one the guys 90 00:05:23,598 --> 00:05:27,798 Speaker 1: you can bring the whole group together, diverse backgrounds and 91 00:05:28,278 --> 00:05:32,238 Speaker 1: be that one guy who can be the bridge to teammates. 92 00:05:33,158 --> 00:05:35,558 Speaker 1: And we thought about you when it came to a 93 00:05:35,678 --> 00:05:39,478 Speaker 1: glue guy in a band. Why don't you talk about 94 00:05:39,798 --> 00:05:42,558 Speaker 1: your role in the band and whether you thought of 95 00:05:42,598 --> 00:05:46,878 Speaker 1: yourself as a glue guy. Well, it's an interesting term 96 00:05:47,038 --> 00:05:51,398 Speaker 1: because that's exactly what it is, whether you're playing. For example, 97 00:05:51,838 --> 00:05:53,358 Speaker 1: I had a good friend in high school. It was 98 00:05:53,398 --> 00:05:57,318 Speaker 1: a great catcher, and you know, the catcher drops the ball, 99 00:05:58,158 --> 00:06:04,158 Speaker 1: chaos breaks out and hockey if the goalie let's just shot, 100 00:06:04,238 --> 00:06:08,318 Speaker 1: go by the same thing in drums in a band, 101 00:06:08,398 --> 00:06:12,518 Speaker 1: in a combo, whether it's a large orchestra or even 102 00:06:12,558 --> 00:06:15,878 Speaker 1: histor rock band, you are the last line of defense. 103 00:06:16,838 --> 00:06:19,918 Speaker 1: And the drummers that I admired and the drummers that 104 00:06:19,958 --> 00:06:25,158 Speaker 1: I believe have become successful, embraced that sort of philosophy 105 00:06:25,358 --> 00:06:30,598 Speaker 1: that um, you can't let anything get by you if 106 00:06:30,638 --> 00:06:33,358 Speaker 1: you you know, if you make a mistake, it can 107 00:06:33,438 --> 00:06:37,198 Speaker 1: sound like you're dropping the kitchen sink. Everybody makes mistakes, 108 00:06:37,198 --> 00:06:40,438 Speaker 1: but it's how quickly you recover and cover yourself, and 109 00:06:40,478 --> 00:06:43,278 Speaker 1: that comes with maturity. I've been playing drums. I'll be 110 00:06:43,358 --> 00:06:45,278 Speaker 1: seventy two and a couple of months. I've been playing 111 00:06:45,318 --> 00:06:48,078 Speaker 1: drums since I was five years old, so I've made 112 00:06:48,118 --> 00:06:52,238 Speaker 1: my mistakes, made many of my mistakes in public, and 113 00:06:52,678 --> 00:06:56,518 Speaker 1: to rebound and just keep moving, keep moving. That's the 114 00:06:56,558 --> 00:07:02,318 Speaker 1: most important thing. Uh. You also realize that you are 115 00:07:03,438 --> 00:07:06,798 Speaker 1: as you say, the glue and it's not just your 116 00:07:06,838 --> 00:07:10,838 Speaker 1: position as the drummer. Drummers tend to be the in 117 00:07:10,878 --> 00:07:15,118 Speaker 1: a lot of ways, the coalescing factor in bands. For 118 00:07:15,158 --> 00:07:17,638 Speaker 1: some reason, I'm not quite sure. I had a drum teacher, 119 00:07:17,838 --> 00:07:22,918 Speaker 1: very illustrious drummer named Bernard pretty Pretty who said the 120 00:07:22,958 --> 00:07:28,158 Speaker 1: best drummers are helping drummers helping that was the key word. 121 00:07:28,478 --> 00:07:31,718 Speaker 1: And I met him when I was nineteen. I studied 122 00:07:31,758 --> 00:07:36,878 Speaker 1: with him, and studying with Bernard Purdy, the famous soul, 123 00:07:37,558 --> 00:07:41,518 Speaker 1: rhythm and blues drummer was it wasn't so much out 124 00:07:41,518 --> 00:07:43,958 Speaker 1: of a book, It was going to sessions. It was 125 00:07:44,518 --> 00:07:51,358 Speaker 1: developing the right winning attitude. And I believe my longevity 126 00:07:51,438 --> 00:07:57,158 Speaker 1: as a musician has been because I embraced that sort 127 00:07:57,158 --> 00:08:01,678 Speaker 1: of approach. Uh. I can play a drum solo and needed, 128 00:08:02,798 --> 00:08:07,078 Speaker 1: but drummers never get hired to do a drum solo, unless, 129 00:08:07,118 --> 00:08:10,758 Speaker 1: of course, your buddy rich uh. And I'm not and 130 00:08:10,918 --> 00:08:15,678 Speaker 1: never purported to be. But you, uh, you want to 131 00:08:15,718 --> 00:08:18,398 Speaker 1: be a helping drummer. You want to help your bandmates. 132 00:08:18,998 --> 00:08:23,278 Speaker 1: You are as a drummer sort of the Someone once 133 00:08:23,318 --> 00:08:26,878 Speaker 1: referred to drummers as the molding that goes below and 134 00:08:26,918 --> 00:08:29,838 Speaker 1: above the sheet rock. You know, you smooth over the 135 00:08:29,958 --> 00:08:33,518 Speaker 1: rough edges. So we're using in sports and in music 136 00:08:33,638 --> 00:08:41,358 Speaker 1: lots of metaphors to kind of describe the indescribable. You 137 00:08:41,398 --> 00:08:43,638 Speaker 1: know it when you see it. You know it in 138 00:08:43,678 --> 00:08:47,718 Speaker 1: the locker room or the dressing room. I'm always the 139 00:08:47,798 --> 00:08:50,838 Speaker 1: guy that come in every day, and you know, the 140 00:08:50,878 --> 00:08:54,918 Speaker 1: first thing I say is here's one for you, and 141 00:08:54,958 --> 00:08:57,638 Speaker 1: I'll have heard a joke and I'll repeat it. So 142 00:08:57,718 --> 00:09:06,598 Speaker 1: it's creating an atmosphere of uh conviviality. UM. And I 143 00:09:06,678 --> 00:09:09,918 Speaker 1: take that role seriously because it extends to my drumming. 144 00:09:09,998 --> 00:09:12,718 Speaker 1: My job is to make the other guys look good, 145 00:09:12,838 --> 00:09:16,278 Speaker 1: and if I do that, then I look good. Awesome. 146 00:09:16,558 --> 00:09:19,078 Speaker 1: I just ask us the question regarding all that of 147 00:09:19,078 --> 00:09:21,558 Speaker 1: of any kind of alluded to it. There's gonna mistakes 148 00:09:21,598 --> 00:09:25,758 Speaker 1: are gonna occur, Like during a performance, things might go awry. 149 00:09:25,878 --> 00:09:28,398 Speaker 1: And when things may go awry, of course, there might 150 00:09:28,398 --> 00:09:30,038 Speaker 1: be a little bit of a flare up among the group. 151 00:09:30,798 --> 00:09:33,598 Speaker 1: For me, my glue guy, the leader in the clubhouse 152 00:09:33,678 --> 00:09:39,278 Speaker 1: normally with independent of myself, maybe go reach whomever there 153 00:09:39,318 --> 00:09:42,198 Speaker 1: may have been a dispute with among the group. Again, 154 00:09:42,238 --> 00:09:44,398 Speaker 1: I'm talking probably about the band members now I'm talking 155 00:09:44,438 --> 00:09:48,398 Speaker 1: about the players. Are the coaching staff regarding that when 156 00:09:48,398 --> 00:09:50,598 Speaker 1: you when you when you run into a situation like 157 00:09:50,678 --> 00:09:54,078 Speaker 1: that where things aren't smooth and and possibly because somebody's 158 00:09:54,078 --> 00:09:57,398 Speaker 1: just gone a little bit rogue on you, guys, UM, 159 00:09:57,638 --> 00:09:59,598 Speaker 1: is there is that Does that actually happen within a 160 00:09:59,598 --> 00:10:02,638 Speaker 1: group like you? Would that be your responsibility or somebody 161 00:10:02,678 --> 00:10:04,958 Speaker 1: else within the band to walk up to somebody else 162 00:10:04,958 --> 00:10:08,518 Speaker 1: I'm saying, independent of the manager, independent of Bruce, whatever 163 00:10:08,958 --> 00:10:11,638 Speaker 1: does that? Does that play as that's a logical within 164 00:10:11,678 --> 00:10:14,638 Speaker 1: your group? Well, of course, and it depends on the group. 165 00:10:14,718 --> 00:10:20,598 Speaker 1: For example, if you are the titular leader of the band. 166 00:10:20,638 --> 00:10:24,918 Speaker 1: For example, when I was on television leading my seven 167 00:10:24,918 --> 00:10:28,838 Speaker 1: piece group on the late night programs, the Maximum Brook seven, 168 00:10:28,958 --> 00:10:34,078 Speaker 1: so that responsibility would fall to me. Um if you're 169 00:10:34,198 --> 00:10:39,598 Speaker 1: working of course, we're working in smaller ensembles, and I 170 00:10:39,638 --> 00:10:41,798 Speaker 1: think the hope is that you don't let it get 171 00:10:41,838 --> 00:10:48,598 Speaker 1: out of hand. And uh, you know, there's a there's 172 00:10:48,638 --> 00:10:53,198 Speaker 1: a once you've been playing for a long time playing music, 173 00:10:54,678 --> 00:11:00,158 Speaker 1: whatever happens on stage, it's all, Uh, it's all a 174 00:11:00,238 --> 00:11:03,598 Speaker 1: part of the show. And what I mean by that 175 00:11:03,758 --> 00:11:09,878 Speaker 1: is if you if you let it collapse. I mean 176 00:11:09,918 --> 00:11:12,438 Speaker 1: we've had we've had things on stage with Bruce and 177 00:11:12,478 --> 00:11:15,558 Speaker 1: the Eastreet Band where we've literally had to stop and 178 00:11:15,678 --> 00:11:19,278 Speaker 1: start again. Not very often. Our percentage of of hits 179 00:11:19,318 --> 00:11:21,718 Speaker 1: it's pretty good. And I don't mean hit records but 180 00:11:22,158 --> 00:11:28,438 Speaker 1: you know, connecting it's pretty good. But you, uh, it's entertainment. 181 00:11:28,638 --> 00:11:34,878 Speaker 1: It's all entertainment, and if you don't obsess about that, 182 00:11:35,238 --> 00:11:40,078 Speaker 1: which can uh stop you in your tracks. I mean 183 00:11:40,358 --> 00:11:43,198 Speaker 1: at the age of seventy two, and when you've been 184 00:11:43,238 --> 00:11:48,158 Speaker 1: doing something as long as we have, not just collectively 185 00:11:48,198 --> 00:11:51,758 Speaker 1: but individually. I still play with several other groups of 186 00:11:51,758 --> 00:11:55,678 Speaker 1: my own when when I'm not working with Bruce in 187 00:11:55,718 --> 00:11:58,918 Speaker 1: the Eastreet Band, you do hope you gain a bit 188 00:11:58,958 --> 00:12:02,278 Speaker 1: of wisdom. It's more difficult when you're in your twenties 189 00:12:02,358 --> 00:12:05,798 Speaker 1: or early thirties. You haven't had experience, and I would 190 00:12:05,838 --> 00:12:09,158 Speaker 1: imagine that particularly if you've been an outstanding athlete in 191 00:12:09,238 --> 00:12:16,278 Speaker 1: your school days. Um that the uh, the maturity it 192 00:12:16,318 --> 00:12:23,558 Speaker 1: takes two take it all and stride um because everybody 193 00:12:23,598 --> 00:12:27,158 Speaker 1: makes mistakes, everybody forgets things, every there's broken plays, there's 194 00:12:27,238 --> 00:12:32,318 Speaker 1: strategies that aren't that aren't fulfilled, game plans that perhaps 195 00:12:32,398 --> 00:12:36,358 Speaker 1: may not be. You sort of have to shrug it off, 196 00:12:36,518 --> 00:12:42,718 Speaker 1: address it. Um. We have a fortunate uh uh say 197 00:12:42,838 --> 00:12:46,558 Speaker 1: organizational structure within the eas Street Band. Whereas Bruce has 198 00:12:46,558 --> 00:12:51,358 Speaker 1: said many times, and it's absolutely true, it's a benevolent dictatorship, 199 00:12:52,038 --> 00:12:54,198 Speaker 1: and that takes a lot of the guesswork out of 200 00:12:54,238 --> 00:13:01,038 Speaker 1: it been in democratic bands obviously. The the prime example 201 00:13:01,078 --> 00:13:05,838 Speaker 1: of a democratic band would be, say the Beatles, where 202 00:13:06,398 --> 00:13:10,998 Speaker 1: you had four distinct individual personalities and desires and abilities 203 00:13:11,358 --> 00:13:13,958 Speaker 1: and everyone had to say it takes a lot of 204 00:13:13,958 --> 00:13:17,478 Speaker 1: the guesswork out when you don't have any decision making 205 00:13:19,078 --> 00:13:23,398 Speaker 1: ability in that context, and you may be a leader 206 00:13:23,438 --> 00:13:25,918 Speaker 1: of a band in your own right. One of the 207 00:13:25,918 --> 00:13:28,958 Speaker 1: beautiful things about the eas Street Band is that everybody 208 00:13:28,998 --> 00:13:32,718 Speaker 1: in the Street Band is a leader in their own 209 00:13:32,838 --> 00:13:35,358 Speaker 1: right and does their own thing, and when we come together, 210 00:13:35,918 --> 00:13:43,358 Speaker 1: we take that experience in service of advancing Bruce's musical agenda. 211 00:13:43,718 --> 00:13:48,238 Speaker 1: And you know, the hardest thing to get in any 212 00:13:48,278 --> 00:13:52,718 Speaker 1: band is a great lead singer. The second hardest thing 213 00:13:52,798 --> 00:13:54,878 Speaker 1: is to have great songs if you're if you're playing 214 00:13:54,878 --> 00:13:57,758 Speaker 1: original music. In the Easteret Band, We're lucky we got 215 00:13:57,798 --> 00:14:01,918 Speaker 1: both and it's a phenomenal platform. When I do my 216 00:14:01,998 --> 00:14:05,238 Speaker 1: own thing and I'm the leader. As I've grown and 217 00:14:05,278 --> 00:14:11,718 Speaker 1: I've gotten more mature, you know, I've recognized that there 218 00:14:11,758 --> 00:14:19,598 Speaker 1: are ways to get performances out of your uh players 219 00:14:19,638 --> 00:14:24,718 Speaker 1: that don't involve an emotional reaction. You want to be 220 00:14:24,878 --> 00:14:29,438 Speaker 1: able to inspire. I believe now at my age, you 221 00:14:29,478 --> 00:14:33,358 Speaker 1: want to be able to inspire the best performances. And 222 00:14:34,438 --> 00:14:39,798 Speaker 1: having come up in an era where UM, there's always 223 00:14:39,838 --> 00:14:43,718 Speaker 1: a lot of chaos and democratic bands, someone's got to 224 00:14:43,758 --> 00:14:50,478 Speaker 1: take control and U these leaders naturally emerge or sometimes 225 00:14:50,558 --> 00:14:53,278 Speaker 1: they are there by design, as we are in the 226 00:14:53,318 --> 00:14:59,438 Speaker 1: Eastreet band and UM. But some say I've mellowed. I 227 00:14:59,478 --> 00:15:02,718 Speaker 1: certainly have not mellowed when I'm sitting behind the drums, 228 00:15:02,758 --> 00:15:06,398 Speaker 1: because when I'm sitting behind the drums, where where I 229 00:15:06,518 --> 00:15:11,118 Speaker 1: go to is I have the technical ability that I've 230 00:15:11,158 --> 00:15:16,918 Speaker 1: developed over the last sixty something years, and I have 231 00:15:17,158 --> 00:15:22,198 Speaker 1: the emotional stability to be able to handle any situation. 232 00:15:22,358 --> 00:15:26,118 Speaker 1: And that just takes longevity. And you know, there's a 233 00:15:26,158 --> 00:15:31,598 Speaker 1: reason why those of us who play music, or my 234 00:15:31,878 --> 00:15:37,598 Speaker 1: sports friends who who enjoy UH, there's there's there's that 235 00:15:37,678 --> 00:15:42,918 Speaker 1: window of opportunity where you're performing at peak experience. It's 236 00:15:42,998 --> 00:15:48,078 Speaker 1: playing music, it's playing baseball, it's playing football. So whenever 237 00:15:48,518 --> 00:15:52,878 Speaker 1: a few jobs are referred to as playing, you know 238 00:15:52,878 --> 00:15:56,598 Speaker 1: it's usually working. And while it is hard, and nobody 239 00:15:56,958 --> 00:16:02,518 Speaker 1: UH should diminish the difficulty it is to get into 240 00:16:02,558 --> 00:16:07,638 Speaker 1: an elite level at whatever endeavor you're with which you're involved, 241 00:16:09,598 --> 00:16:11,558 Speaker 1: it is playing at the end of the day. And 242 00:16:11,598 --> 00:16:14,998 Speaker 1: the idea is if you can stay relaxed, if you 243 00:16:15,038 --> 00:16:20,078 Speaker 1: can come at it from a hey, I'm enjoying this. 244 00:16:20,518 --> 00:16:23,598 Speaker 1: It's tough. This maybe the hundred and twenty game I've 245 00:16:23,638 --> 00:16:26,958 Speaker 1: played in a row, or the hundred concert I've done 246 00:16:26,958 --> 00:16:31,838 Speaker 1: in a year. You take each one individually, and I say, 247 00:16:31,878 --> 00:16:34,598 Speaker 1: I'm fortunate because I've gotten to the point where not 248 00:16:34,718 --> 00:16:38,878 Speaker 1: only take each show individually, I take each song. Some cases, 249 00:16:38,958 --> 00:16:43,838 Speaker 1: each section of the song. Time slows down, and we've 250 00:16:43,878 --> 00:16:49,598 Speaker 1: all had the experience, whether it's hitting a baseball, hitting 251 00:16:49,638 --> 00:16:51,958 Speaker 1: that sweet spot. And when I was in my early 252 00:16:52,038 --> 00:16:54,118 Speaker 1: days of my career, I lot I read a lot 253 00:16:54,278 --> 00:17:00,078 Speaker 1: of sports training books that addressed the sort of zen 254 00:17:01,158 --> 00:17:04,118 Speaker 1: of whatever you're doing. It was a great book called 255 00:17:04,158 --> 00:17:08,438 Speaker 1: The Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance, and obviously the the the 256 00:17:08,438 --> 00:17:11,678 Speaker 1: the intent was to to get you to to to 257 00:17:12,078 --> 00:17:17,918 Speaker 1: focus on making time almost stand still. Another book that 258 00:17:17,998 --> 00:17:21,078 Speaker 1: I found help was called The Inner Game of Tennis. 259 00:17:22,078 --> 00:17:24,678 Speaker 1: And when I was in my twenties, I was searching 260 00:17:24,798 --> 00:17:29,678 Speaker 1: for that sense of relaxation in a very highly charged 261 00:17:31,118 --> 00:17:37,238 Speaker 1: very very quick, and a situation where the stakes were high. 262 00:17:37,278 --> 00:17:42,038 Speaker 1: You know, people are paying a lot of money, good money, 263 00:17:42,038 --> 00:17:48,078 Speaker 1: to not just get admission to an event, but to 264 00:17:48,158 --> 00:17:51,398 Speaker 1: get the best out of that event. So it's incumbent 265 00:17:51,678 --> 00:17:56,718 Speaker 1: upon the participants in that event on the on the 266 00:17:56,718 --> 00:17:59,758 Speaker 1: active playing field, whether it's a stage, a diamond of 267 00:17:59,798 --> 00:18:06,278 Speaker 1: football grid, to give the customer more than their money's worth. 268 00:18:07,078 --> 00:18:10,478 Speaker 1: And that's something I learned from Bruce Springsteen. And you 269 00:18:10,598 --> 00:18:14,998 Speaker 1: don't leave it on the stage or the field every 270 00:18:15,038 --> 00:18:20,118 Speaker 1: single second. And uh, these are life lessons that you know. 271 00:18:20,158 --> 00:18:22,518 Speaker 1: I consider myself so fortunate because I've been able to 272 00:18:22,558 --> 00:18:25,398 Speaker 1: do something I started when I was five years old 273 00:18:25,638 --> 00:18:29,918 Speaker 1: and have continued for the next sixty seven years and 274 00:18:29,998 --> 00:18:33,078 Speaker 1: dig into it and get better. One of the things 275 00:18:33,158 --> 00:18:35,798 Speaker 1: I had to learn, In fact, I went to a 276 00:18:36,038 --> 00:18:39,438 Speaker 1: baseball coach, Joe, and I don't know if we've ever 277 00:18:39,878 --> 00:18:45,158 Speaker 1: about this, but in my early career with the street band, 278 00:18:45,438 --> 00:18:48,798 Speaker 1: I used to grip the sticks very tightly, afraid of 279 00:18:48,878 --> 00:18:52,678 Speaker 1: dropping them. And I spoke to a lot of people 280 00:18:52,718 --> 00:18:55,598 Speaker 1: about it. And I was a young drummer. Actually what 281 00:18:55,958 --> 00:18:59,438 Speaker 1: I was an experienced drummer, but I was experienced enough 282 00:18:59,478 --> 00:19:02,598 Speaker 1: to get in the street band. The question was could 283 00:19:02,638 --> 00:19:06,318 Speaker 1: I become good enough to stay in the street band. 284 00:19:06,358 --> 00:19:10,038 Speaker 1: This was in the seventies, and Uh, I had to 285 00:19:10,078 --> 00:19:13,638 Speaker 1: relearn a lot of my techniques. You I could liken 286 00:19:13,718 --> 00:19:16,278 Speaker 1: it to being in a batting slump. So I went 287 00:19:16,318 --> 00:19:21,118 Speaker 1: out and I got a drum coach, a drum teacher, 288 00:19:21,118 --> 00:19:24,278 Speaker 1: a coach of guru. And one of the problems was 289 00:19:24,518 --> 00:19:29,438 Speaker 1: the inner anxiety I was feeling of of the pressure 290 00:19:30,798 --> 00:19:34,798 Speaker 1: was translating down my arms into my hands and fingers 291 00:19:35,238 --> 00:19:41,438 Speaker 1: and grabbing the sticks really hard. So this teacher was 292 00:19:42,718 --> 00:19:45,238 Speaker 1: an amateur baseball player, and he and he and he 293 00:19:45,278 --> 00:19:49,078 Speaker 1: made the analogy. You know, when you when you're when 294 00:19:49,078 --> 00:19:52,278 Speaker 1: you're hitting a ball, when you're holding a golf club, 295 00:19:52,798 --> 00:19:59,598 Speaker 1: a racket, anything where you're transmitting the force. Uh. The idea, 296 00:19:59,678 --> 00:20:03,598 Speaker 1: and he was a very experienced, world renowned drummer. The 297 00:20:03,918 --> 00:20:09,918 Speaker 1: idea is the only time you're actually gripping lightly the drumstick, 298 00:20:10,198 --> 00:20:15,038 Speaker 1: the bat after all ideal in the same wood that 299 00:20:15,598 --> 00:20:19,238 Speaker 1: baseball players do. The only time you're really gripping lightly 300 00:20:19,558 --> 00:20:24,078 Speaker 1: was when you're addressing the drum or the ball. So 301 00:20:24,158 --> 00:20:27,758 Speaker 1: let's let's work on adjusting your grip, which is exactly 302 00:20:27,798 --> 00:20:30,038 Speaker 1: what we did. And at the age of I guess 303 00:20:30,038 --> 00:20:34,758 Speaker 1: I was about twenty nine, I had to completely relearn 304 00:20:35,798 --> 00:20:40,598 Speaker 1: how to hold the sticks, how to address the drum 305 00:20:40,718 --> 00:20:45,838 Speaker 1: from maximum speed and power without a lot of history onics, 306 00:20:46,998 --> 00:20:50,958 Speaker 1: and I would suppose uh not. You know, I remember 307 00:20:50,998 --> 00:20:53,718 Speaker 1: trying out for Little League I think four years in 308 00:20:53,718 --> 00:20:56,798 Speaker 1: a row and not making it, and finally my parents 309 00:20:56,798 --> 00:20:59,718 Speaker 1: went and said, give the kid a break, and you know, 310 00:20:59,838 --> 00:21:04,678 Speaker 1: put them on a team. I kept trying. Yeah, you know, 311 00:21:05,518 --> 00:21:07,918 Speaker 1: I always said I never got my letter in sports, 312 00:21:07,958 --> 00:21:10,638 Speaker 1: but I do have quite a few platinum and gold records, 313 00:21:10,638 --> 00:21:14,878 Speaker 1: so uh, you know, I sort of uh did the 314 00:21:14,958 --> 00:21:18,198 Speaker 1: sports thing in my own way. But in studying with 315 00:21:18,238 --> 00:21:21,078 Speaker 1: this teacher um and he had a friend who was 316 00:21:21,118 --> 00:21:23,638 Speaker 1: a base a college baseball coach, and we went to 317 00:21:23,718 --> 00:21:25,718 Speaker 1: him and he he said, well, here are the different 318 00:21:25,718 --> 00:21:28,238 Speaker 1: ways you can hold and swing a bat, and if 319 00:21:28,238 --> 00:21:30,998 Speaker 1: you're grit, if you have a life a death grip 320 00:21:31,038 --> 00:21:35,278 Speaker 1: on that, Matt, there's no way you're ever going to 321 00:21:35,398 --> 00:21:38,638 Speaker 1: be able to hit the balls far and as accurately 322 00:21:38,678 --> 00:21:41,758 Speaker 1: as you want. It made the analogy to the drumstick. 323 00:21:41,798 --> 00:21:45,158 Speaker 1: And there's a method that I was taught that was 324 00:21:45,198 --> 00:21:50,078 Speaker 1: developed in the nineteen twenties by a drummer, drum teacher, 325 00:21:50,158 --> 00:21:53,758 Speaker 1: drum instructor who was with the New York of uh 326 00:21:53,958 --> 00:21:57,478 Speaker 1: Symphony Orchestra, that Philharmonic, and he developed this technique and 327 00:21:57,518 --> 00:22:00,838 Speaker 1: I embraced it. It wasn't easy to learn, but ever 328 00:22:00,918 --> 00:22:03,358 Speaker 1: since the age of about thirty thirty one, I've been 329 00:22:03,398 --> 00:22:08,398 Speaker 1: able to incorporated into my drumming, which made me more accurate, 330 00:22:08,478 --> 00:22:11,638 Speaker 1: which made me more dynamic, and which enabled me to 331 00:22:12,398 --> 00:22:16,998 Speaker 1: have the longevity that I currently enjoy. A fascinating stuff, Max, 332 00:22:17,038 --> 00:22:19,478 Speaker 1: and it reminds me of Joe Torre saying at the plate, 333 00:22:19,678 --> 00:22:23,438 Speaker 1: be intense but without being tense. And you use the 334 00:22:23,478 --> 00:22:25,998 Speaker 1: phrase there that I want to explore it a minute here, 335 00:22:26,518 --> 00:22:30,398 Speaker 1: benevolent dictatorship. I love that phrase in the framework of 336 00:22:30,478 --> 00:22:33,278 Speaker 1: team chemistry. I want to explore that a little bit more. 337 00:22:33,798 --> 00:22:36,158 Speaker 1: Right after we take a quick break, be right back 338 00:22:36,318 --> 00:22:47,678 Speaker 1: with the mighty Max Weinberg. Welcome back to the Book 339 00:22:47,678 --> 00:22:51,198 Speaker 1: of Joe podcast. We're speaking with Max Weinberg. And Max 340 00:22:51,278 --> 00:22:54,638 Speaker 1: I brought up the idea of team chemistry, and obviously 341 00:22:54,678 --> 00:22:57,518 Speaker 1: in the Eastreet Band, it's the epitome of what a 342 00:22:57,558 --> 00:23:00,838 Speaker 1: baseball team would look for. It's held together all these years. 343 00:23:00,958 --> 00:23:03,358 Speaker 1: I want to go back to the origin story for you. 344 00:23:03,558 --> 00:23:06,478 Speaker 1: I heard a story about you interviewing for the drummer 345 00:23:06,558 --> 00:23:09,558 Speaker 1: position with the band. Um. Back in those days, guys 346 00:23:09,638 --> 00:23:11,238 Speaker 1: used to like to say they were from New York 347 00:23:11,318 --> 00:23:13,518 Speaker 1: City in the music business. It just sounded like it 348 00:23:13,598 --> 00:23:17,198 Speaker 1: had more cash. And you dropped a jersey on Bruce 349 00:23:17,278 --> 00:23:21,438 Speaker 1: kind of opened the door. I'm wondering about meeting Bruce 350 00:23:21,478 --> 00:23:24,838 Speaker 1: and and and being interviewed for that position, and when 351 00:23:24,918 --> 00:23:29,078 Speaker 1: you knew that chemistry was taking root, well, of course, 352 00:23:29,398 --> 00:23:35,038 Speaker 1: uh you the chemistry it was really quite amazing. Literally 353 00:23:35,158 --> 00:23:39,958 Speaker 1: happened within the first twenty seconds of of playing. And 354 00:23:40,078 --> 00:23:43,158 Speaker 1: that happened within the first three minutes of meeting Bruce. 355 00:23:43,998 --> 00:23:46,158 Speaker 1: And the East Free Band members who were there, which 356 00:23:46,198 --> 00:23:50,438 Speaker 1: were Clarence Clemens and Dan Federici are are late and 357 00:23:50,438 --> 00:23:54,758 Speaker 1: and and deeply loved associates and friends, and Gary Tallant 358 00:23:55,158 --> 00:24:00,318 Speaker 1: are bass player, um who's still with us. And there 359 00:24:00,318 --> 00:24:04,678 Speaker 1: were a couple of things I noticed, Um, the leadership, 360 00:24:05,558 --> 00:24:08,718 Speaker 1: it wasn't articulated. Of course, it was Bruce Springsteen and 361 00:24:08,758 --> 00:24:12,598 Speaker 1: the Easterly Band, So obviously there's Bruce standing in front 362 00:24:12,598 --> 00:24:15,878 Speaker 1: of me. But What was what was really amazing to 363 00:24:15,998 --> 00:24:20,038 Speaker 1: me at the age of twenty three when I auditioned 364 00:24:20,638 --> 00:24:24,478 Speaker 1: was not just the power of conviction and intensity and 365 00:24:24,598 --> 00:24:29,678 Speaker 1: energy coming from Bruce, but the way that the other 366 00:24:29,798 --> 00:24:33,918 Speaker 1: three guys who were there were so focused on where 367 00:24:33,958 --> 00:24:37,638 Speaker 1: that energy and direction was coming from. And it wasn't 368 00:24:37,678 --> 00:24:41,638 Speaker 1: a real obvious direction. You had to feel it. And 369 00:24:42,078 --> 00:24:50,798 Speaker 1: I had never experienced that kind of um concentration on 370 00:24:50,958 --> 00:24:55,398 Speaker 1: the point man and bands, you know, you'll always hear uh, 371 00:24:55,598 --> 00:24:59,718 Speaker 1: you know, the bass player locking in with the drummer, etcetera. Uh, 372 00:25:00,438 --> 00:25:02,838 Speaker 1: the Easter band isn't organized like that. We're like a 373 00:25:02,838 --> 00:25:06,598 Speaker 1: flying wedge if you can imagine trees in the forest 374 00:25:06,678 --> 00:25:10,438 Speaker 1: that are sort of spread out organically and it thought, 375 00:25:10,518 --> 00:25:12,598 Speaker 1: and then there are bands that are organized like that. 376 00:25:12,718 --> 00:25:15,798 Speaker 1: Ours is a flying wedge with Bruce is the point 377 00:25:16,518 --> 00:25:20,758 Speaker 1: and our musical agenda, and it went beyond musical agenda, 378 00:25:20,798 --> 00:25:23,878 Speaker 1: particularly in the early days, where you know, we are 379 00:25:23,958 --> 00:25:26,918 Speaker 1: where we're building the thing, and you never knew, you know, 380 00:25:27,078 --> 00:25:29,998 Speaker 1: really when when it could end, and not for anything 381 00:25:30,038 --> 00:25:31,958 Speaker 1: that we were doing, but just the forces of the 382 00:25:32,078 --> 00:25:36,078 Speaker 1: music business in the seventies and eighties, particularly in the seventies, 383 00:25:37,318 --> 00:25:40,838 Speaker 1: you sort of you you you, you kept we all 384 00:25:40,958 --> 00:25:43,958 Speaker 1: kept pushing in the same direction. And when you do 385 00:25:44,038 --> 00:25:50,838 Speaker 1: that and you, uh, you subsume your own personal ego, 386 00:25:52,638 --> 00:25:56,758 Speaker 1: which I must say, that's one of our strengths is that, um, 387 00:25:57,718 --> 00:26:04,038 Speaker 1: when we're we're on stage and even off stage, you 388 00:26:04,038 --> 00:26:07,838 Speaker 1: you subsume your your ego, your own personal agenda for 389 00:26:07,918 --> 00:26:11,038 Speaker 1: the good of the group. And that involves a lot 390 00:26:11,078 --> 00:26:15,478 Speaker 1: of different things as it does on sports teams. On stage, um, 391 00:26:16,358 --> 00:26:22,278 Speaker 1: you know you you, we do a lot of Bruce 392 00:26:22,278 --> 00:26:25,318 Speaker 1: does a lot of audibles. He'll change on any given 393 00:26:25,438 --> 00:26:28,998 Speaker 1: night to fifteen songs. In fact, if you ever looked 394 00:26:28,998 --> 00:26:34,518 Speaker 1: at the collection of set lists that Bruce's assistant, his 395 00:26:34,678 --> 00:26:38,998 Speaker 1: technical assistant, Kevin Bull, keeps, the original set list is 396 00:26:39,078 --> 00:26:42,838 Speaker 1: just you know, list of thirty songs. What he has 397 00:26:42,918 --> 00:26:47,318 Speaker 1: kept all of these The actually what we played looks 398 00:26:47,398 --> 00:26:52,878 Speaker 1: like a tellustrator. You've got arrows and lines and where 399 00:26:52,878 --> 00:26:55,798 Speaker 1: things were moved around. So you never know what's going 400 00:26:55,838 --> 00:26:59,238 Speaker 1: to happen. You cannot let your guard down for a 401 00:26:59,318 --> 00:27:02,718 Speaker 1: minute because that train will leave without you. I learned 402 00:27:02,718 --> 00:27:06,118 Speaker 1: that very early on. And when you make that kind 403 00:27:06,158 --> 00:27:12,158 Speaker 1: of mistake where you maybe your concentration lapses or your 404 00:27:12,998 --> 00:27:17,278 Speaker 1: you're you're you know, focused on what you do. Focusing. 405 00:27:17,598 --> 00:27:21,758 Speaker 1: Actually it's not easy, but it when you focus, it 406 00:27:21,798 --> 00:27:25,998 Speaker 1: actually makes the job easier. Um. It takes that time 407 00:27:26,078 --> 00:27:29,718 Speaker 1: element out of it. You don't get distracted. And of 408 00:27:29,758 --> 00:27:32,078 Speaker 1: course when you're in the heat of of of a 409 00:27:32,118 --> 00:27:36,158 Speaker 1: fast paced rock show, it's one thing, um, But to 410 00:27:36,278 --> 00:27:44,078 Speaker 1: maintain your concentration, UH is absolutely the most important thing 411 00:27:44,078 --> 00:27:47,518 Speaker 1: and one of the hardest things to learn. UM. You know, 412 00:27:47,558 --> 00:27:49,758 Speaker 1: we've been fortunate in the Street band that we've had 413 00:27:49,878 --> 00:27:55,278 Speaker 1: fifth almost fifty years together to develop these protocols and 414 00:27:55,398 --> 00:28:00,318 Speaker 1: modalities of working. Most bands don't last that long. That's 415 00:28:00,318 --> 00:28:06,398 Speaker 1: why I say democratic bands don't work. Been volent dictatorships ah, 416 00:28:07,558 --> 00:28:10,878 Speaker 1: and they work, and sometimes the accent is on benevolent, 417 00:28:11,598 --> 00:28:16,078 Speaker 1: sometimes the act is on dictatorship. But you have to 418 00:28:16,158 --> 00:28:19,518 Speaker 1: have that vision and then you have to have your 419 00:28:20,518 --> 00:28:25,598 Speaker 1: so to speak, soldiers advancing your vision and UM, a 420 00:28:25,638 --> 00:28:29,398 Speaker 1: lot of trust, a lot of faith and uh, and 421 00:28:29,438 --> 00:28:32,638 Speaker 1: then you go out and you lay it all out there. Max, 422 00:28:32,758 --> 00:28:35,638 Speaker 1: let me ask you a question. Ask you a question, um, 423 00:28:35,718 --> 00:28:38,078 Speaker 1: in order to I mean, you're talking about a high 424 00:28:38,198 --> 00:28:41,598 Speaker 1: level of flexibility regarding what you guys do the fact 425 00:28:41,598 --> 00:28:44,478 Speaker 1: that calling audibles. I love that. Um, you know you 426 00:28:44,638 --> 00:28:47,598 Speaker 1: see that in football, but obviously even in a baseball situation, 427 00:28:48,078 --> 00:28:50,118 Speaker 1: you're always calling audibles within the dug out. A lot 428 00:28:50,118 --> 00:28:53,758 Speaker 1: of the decisions nobody will ever no decision that's really 429 00:28:53,798 --> 00:28:56,478 Speaker 1: been made within the dug out. Subtleties kind of a 430 00:28:56,518 --> 00:28:59,318 Speaker 1: subtle movements, uh, eye contact when you look at the 431 00:28:59,318 --> 00:29:02,318 Speaker 1: shortstop David Eckstein during the World Series in two thousand 432 00:29:02,318 --> 00:29:05,518 Speaker 1: and too. Subtlety subtleties. But got to really know your 433 00:29:05,558 --> 00:29:07,918 Speaker 1: stuff among the group. Everybody's got to be on the 434 00:29:07,958 --> 00:29:11,758 Speaker 1: same page, like you're suggesting, um, and and it's paramount 435 00:29:11,958 --> 00:29:15,198 Speaker 1: to be able to remain flexible and nimble and and 436 00:29:15,238 --> 00:29:17,878 Speaker 1: to be able to accept an audible when it's called. 437 00:29:18,438 --> 00:29:21,518 Speaker 1: And just curiously, I know what it takes on a 438 00:29:21,518 --> 00:29:24,958 Speaker 1: baseball level in spring trainings and during the season regarding work, 439 00:29:25,198 --> 00:29:27,278 Speaker 1: I'm just curious, I mean, because it's what you do 440 00:29:27,318 --> 00:29:29,638 Speaker 1: as a drummer. Man. It's like I can't even imagine 441 00:29:29,638 --> 00:29:31,918 Speaker 1: with your arms in your hands and fingers feel like 442 00:29:31,958 --> 00:29:34,998 Speaker 1: but the practice involvement with that before we let you 443 00:29:35,038 --> 00:29:37,238 Speaker 1: go on to tour, how much how much you guys 444 00:29:37,238 --> 00:29:39,958 Speaker 1: actually have to get together in practice and then even 445 00:29:39,998 --> 00:29:42,918 Speaker 1: on a daily basis, What does it take before a concert? 446 00:29:42,958 --> 00:29:45,478 Speaker 1: Is it? Is it more conversational, is it physical? How 447 00:29:45,518 --> 00:29:47,598 Speaker 1: do you guys get to this level? Well, that's a 448 00:29:47,598 --> 00:29:50,478 Speaker 1: great question, Joe, and it's very very similar as sports. 449 00:29:50,758 --> 00:29:54,078 Speaker 1: Um the most important thing, particularly as you age, is 450 00:29:54,118 --> 00:29:58,038 Speaker 1: to not stop doing it. And you know all of 451 00:29:58,078 --> 00:30:03,398 Speaker 1: your engagements are not in stadiums or arenas. I keep 452 00:30:03,478 --> 00:30:07,998 Speaker 1: myself going by having three or four different style of 453 00:30:08,118 --> 00:30:10,878 Speaker 1: music bands that I play with. It could be a 454 00:30:10,918 --> 00:30:14,398 Speaker 1: five piece be bop quintet. I also have a twenty 455 00:30:14,438 --> 00:30:19,278 Speaker 1: three piece society orchestra where I lead it and they 456 00:30:19,318 --> 00:30:23,278 Speaker 1: call me Ricky Ricardo because I'm up in front. I 457 00:30:23,358 --> 00:30:26,478 Speaker 1: also have, and I think you've seen my my jukebox 458 00:30:26,518 --> 00:30:29,878 Speaker 1: band where we play audience requests. So that's the most 459 00:30:29,918 --> 00:30:33,838 Speaker 1: warm thing is don't stop doing what you're doing. It's 460 00:30:34,278 --> 00:30:37,838 Speaker 1: it's very very difficult to get it back. Along with 461 00:30:37,918 --> 00:30:43,438 Speaker 1: that is um uh, you know the scale. I don't 462 00:30:43,478 --> 00:30:47,758 Speaker 1: play any different in a small rock club with my 463 00:30:47,878 --> 00:30:52,798 Speaker 1: jukebox as I do in well, to use that obvious 464 00:30:52,838 --> 00:30:58,478 Speaker 1: example Wrigley Field, exactly the same. The other thing is 465 00:30:58,518 --> 00:31:02,238 Speaker 1: to rehearse the way you're gonna play, no holding back 466 00:31:02,558 --> 00:31:06,558 Speaker 1: that I learned from Bruce. Our rehearsals are as intense 467 00:31:07,158 --> 00:31:11,158 Speaker 1: and as focused as our show because there's only one 468 00:31:11,198 --> 00:31:14,798 Speaker 1: way to do it. And maybe it sounds like a cliche, 469 00:31:14,838 --> 00:31:16,718 Speaker 1: there's only one way to do it. You do it 470 00:31:16,878 --> 00:31:19,678 Speaker 1: as if you're two things, as if your life dependent 471 00:31:19,758 --> 00:31:22,878 Speaker 1: on it. Certainly your livelihood depends on it, And you 472 00:31:22,958 --> 00:31:27,118 Speaker 1: do it as if it's the last show or game 473 00:31:28,038 --> 00:31:30,278 Speaker 1: you're gonna play. And I'll tell you what, when you 474 00:31:30,318 --> 00:31:33,958 Speaker 1: embrace that mental philosophy, it makes it easier. Not that 475 00:31:33,998 --> 00:31:36,838 Speaker 1: it's easy. You know, the way I played drums is 476 00:31:36,878 --> 00:31:39,918 Speaker 1: pretty simple, but it's not easy, and it's taken me 477 00:31:39,958 --> 00:31:43,758 Speaker 1: a lifetime to learn how to refine it. And um, 478 00:31:44,078 --> 00:31:46,518 Speaker 1: I would imagine that a sports career has to be 479 00:31:46,838 --> 00:31:53,038 Speaker 1: uh condensed into less years generally speaking. Um, So you've 480 00:31:53,038 --> 00:31:56,438 Speaker 1: got to learn those lessons earlier. And when you're in 481 00:31:56,438 --> 00:32:00,358 Speaker 1: your twenties or early thirties, it's you know, they say 482 00:32:00,398 --> 00:32:04,118 Speaker 1: your brain is still growing in your twenties. Um In, Mike, So, 483 00:32:04,158 --> 00:32:07,798 Speaker 1: I'm not so sure it was. You know, I had 484 00:32:07,838 --> 00:32:10,558 Speaker 1: a lot of learning to do. I was a talented 485 00:32:10,558 --> 00:32:16,158 Speaker 1: amateur that suddenly got thrust into a very high profile, 486 00:32:17,078 --> 00:32:21,438 Speaker 1: uh pressurized situation, and fortunately I did rise to the occasion. 487 00:32:22,878 --> 00:32:25,518 Speaker 1: But um, you know, you don't stop. I mean, I 488 00:32:25,598 --> 00:32:30,078 Speaker 1: have a friend I'm glappy to say, Doc Severnson, who 489 00:32:30,158 --> 00:32:32,198 Speaker 1: when I got the Tonight Show as a band leader, 490 00:32:32,438 --> 00:32:35,358 Speaker 1: the best moment of my ton Night Show career was 491 00:32:35,398 --> 00:32:39,718 Speaker 1: seeing my name in the same sentence as Doc Severanson, 492 00:32:39,798 --> 00:32:42,638 Speaker 1: who was of course a long time Johnny Carson Tonight 493 00:32:42,638 --> 00:32:45,838 Speaker 1: Show band leader, and Doc who's now in his mid nineties, 494 00:32:46,598 --> 00:32:50,958 Speaker 1: still plays every single day. I spoke to him. He 495 00:32:51,038 --> 00:32:53,238 Speaker 1: called me on my birth my last birthday, which was 496 00:32:53,318 --> 00:32:57,798 Speaker 1: last April, and we talked about that he said, he said, kid, 497 00:32:58,998 --> 00:33:01,518 Speaker 1: every day I still try to hit that high note. 498 00:33:02,998 --> 00:33:05,558 Speaker 1: And it's that sort of a metaphor for life, I think, 499 00:33:06,158 --> 00:33:08,758 Speaker 1: And you do. You try to hit the high note 500 00:33:08,918 --> 00:33:11,998 Speaker 1: every time. You owe it to yourself, you owe it 501 00:33:12,038 --> 00:33:14,678 Speaker 1: to the people who are coming to see you do 502 00:33:14,878 --> 00:33:18,758 Speaker 1: what you do. And uh, you know, it takes a 503 00:33:18,758 --> 00:33:21,078 Speaker 1: little while to embrace that. I guess it did in 504 00:33:21,158 --> 00:33:26,078 Speaker 1: my case. And but fortunately I've had the platform, both 505 00:33:26,318 --> 00:33:28,918 Speaker 1: television and particularly with Bruce and the Eastreet Band, to 506 00:33:28,958 --> 00:33:31,958 Speaker 1: be able to develop You're just here you're hitting a 507 00:33:31,958 --> 00:33:34,198 Speaker 1: bunch of different chapters in her book. You're talking about 508 00:33:34,278 --> 00:33:37,718 Speaker 1: naming high, doing simple, better, embracing the target. You're talking 509 00:33:37,718 --> 00:33:40,438 Speaker 1: about all the different things that we cover in the 510 00:33:40,438 --> 00:33:43,318 Speaker 1: book of Joe. I love all that stuff. To hear that, 511 00:33:43,638 --> 00:33:45,518 Speaker 1: Doc Sefferson, I was a big ben as a kid grown. 512 00:33:45,518 --> 00:33:48,278 Speaker 1: I actually had a couple of albums by Doc Sefferson 513 00:33:48,358 --> 00:33:51,278 Speaker 1: back in the day. But all everything you're talking about 514 00:33:51,358 --> 00:33:53,398 Speaker 1: so closely relates to what we do and how we 515 00:33:53,518 --> 00:33:55,278 Speaker 1: do it. And that was the whole point to try 516 00:33:55,318 --> 00:33:57,198 Speaker 1: to get somebody of your statue on her outside of 517 00:33:57,238 --> 00:34:01,238 Speaker 1: the baseball industry, to relate to the baseball industry and 518 00:34:01,278 --> 00:34:04,398 Speaker 1: just try to validate what we do here compared to 519 00:34:04,438 --> 00:34:07,878 Speaker 1: what you do there. Uh. And again, the practice component 520 00:34:07,918 --> 00:34:11,278 Speaker 1: of this thing and how you go over your stuff constantly, 521 00:34:11,718 --> 00:34:14,318 Speaker 1: the adjustments you have to make. Again, you could you 522 00:34:14,318 --> 00:34:16,038 Speaker 1: could be talking about you could be in our clubhouse 523 00:34:16,238 --> 00:34:18,718 Speaker 1: during the spring training meeting and talking about the exactly 524 00:34:19,678 --> 00:34:22,318 Speaker 1: the same ideas and thoughts. I think it's outstanding and 525 00:34:22,318 --> 00:34:25,758 Speaker 1: it's great to hear that, And Joe I got just 526 00:34:25,838 --> 00:34:28,518 Speaker 1: a piggyback on that. I loved hearing Max talk about 527 00:34:28,558 --> 00:34:30,878 Speaker 1: setting the tone of the day. Have you heard the 528 00:34:30,878 --> 00:34:33,558 Speaker 1: one about? And it brought me back to you with 529 00:34:33,638 --> 00:34:36,558 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay Rays starting in spring training with the 530 00:34:36,638 --> 00:34:39,558 Speaker 1: joke of the day, right, gathering the guys together and 531 00:34:39,598 --> 00:34:41,678 Speaker 1: just lightening the move. Yeah, I have a I have 532 00:34:41,758 --> 00:34:44,038 Speaker 1: a guy by name of Tim Bust that we utilize. 533 00:34:44,078 --> 00:34:46,198 Speaker 1: I was with the Angels and with the Cubs Bussies 534 00:34:46,238 --> 00:34:48,398 Speaker 1: like he's he's another glue guy. This is a glue 535 00:34:48,398 --> 00:34:52,078 Speaker 1: guy that nobody knows or um probably most have never 536 00:34:52,118 --> 00:34:53,838 Speaker 1: heard about. But this guy, to me, if I get 537 00:34:53,878 --> 00:34:56,398 Speaker 1: another job as a manager, someday, he'd be one of 538 00:34:56,438 --> 00:34:59,398 Speaker 1: my first hires. I would. This is this is something 539 00:34:59,438 --> 00:35:02,638 Speaker 1: that's unique, has a skill skill set is unique in 540 00:35:02,678 --> 00:35:05,918 Speaker 1: regards to bringing people to together. Uh, just everything you've 541 00:35:05,918 --> 00:35:07,878 Speaker 1: just been talking about Max, And that's what he does. 542 00:35:07,918 --> 00:35:12,238 Speaker 1: He brings people together. I does it with comedy. Um, 543 00:35:12,238 --> 00:35:14,478 Speaker 1: he does it with the emotion and empathy. I mean, 544 00:35:14,558 --> 00:35:19,598 Speaker 1: everybody's just wants to be around Bussy And again that's 545 00:35:19,638 --> 00:35:22,038 Speaker 1: such a big part of it. And with the Rays, 546 00:35:22,238 --> 00:35:23,838 Speaker 1: the joke of the day, the word of the day 547 00:35:23,838 --> 00:35:26,918 Speaker 1: in spring trainings, all that anything small. I was always 548 00:35:26,918 --> 00:35:30,358 Speaker 1: trying to educate, make guys think make them try to 549 00:35:30,878 --> 00:35:34,798 Speaker 1: reach another level internally mentally, and and when you have 550 00:35:34,838 --> 00:35:38,158 Speaker 1: a glue guy to be able to spearhead that it 551 00:35:38,318 --> 00:35:42,038 Speaker 1: really actually it makes your job somewhat easier. Well, that's 552 00:35:42,078 --> 00:35:47,318 Speaker 1: the key is that you know you're there, whatever position 553 00:35:47,398 --> 00:35:50,718 Speaker 1: you're playing, at the end of the day, you're there 554 00:35:50,758 --> 00:35:56,638 Speaker 1: to inspire the people with whom you're doing it. And um, 555 00:35:56,678 --> 00:36:00,598 Speaker 1: it's not always necessarily the the you know, the stars 556 00:36:00,718 --> 00:36:04,238 Speaker 1: or the guys up front. It's to be the you know, 557 00:36:04,398 --> 00:36:07,438 Speaker 1: the guy that the fans don't even know that much. 558 00:36:07,478 --> 00:36:11,038 Speaker 1: But you need that kind of thing because you know, 559 00:36:11,518 --> 00:36:17,518 Speaker 1: it's a stressful when you're at that level of you 560 00:36:17,518 --> 00:36:20,398 Speaker 1: know I called stadiums. If you're playing in a baseball stadium, 561 00:36:20,438 --> 00:36:26,358 Speaker 1: a football stadium, a soccer stadium, a rock and roll arena, stadium, 562 00:36:26,478 --> 00:36:29,438 Speaker 1: it's you're at you're at the top of your game. 563 00:36:29,478 --> 00:36:31,518 Speaker 1: I see it in my son, who's the same thing. 564 00:36:31,958 --> 00:36:36,838 Speaker 1: You know, who spent ten years playing goalie in hockey, 565 00:36:37,398 --> 00:36:41,798 Speaker 1: very very talented goalie who embraced the sport and his 566 00:36:41,958 --> 00:36:46,318 Speaker 1: thing was as a kid, one of his motivations was 567 00:36:46,398 --> 00:36:52,318 Speaker 1: he loved being the last line of defense and that 568 00:36:52,318 --> 00:36:55,478 Speaker 1: that he was able to withstand the pressure. So when 569 00:36:55,478 --> 00:36:58,438 Speaker 1: he made the transition. When he was a he was 570 00:36:58,478 --> 00:37:01,758 Speaker 1: recruited by a high school and he was a great 571 00:37:01,798 --> 00:37:05,118 Speaker 1: hockey player. My son and lived it absolutely lived at 572 00:37:05,118 --> 00:37:07,638 Speaker 1: my Son Jay. When he was fifteen, he decided he 573 00:37:07,678 --> 00:37:11,478 Speaker 1: wanted to become a musician, and he was recruited by 574 00:37:11,478 --> 00:37:14,718 Speaker 1: a local high school as a goalie, and he told 575 00:37:14,718 --> 00:37:17,038 Speaker 1: the team in his second year that he was going 576 00:37:17,118 --> 00:37:19,638 Speaker 1: to leave the world of hockey for the world of music. 577 00:37:20,358 --> 00:37:22,958 Speaker 1: And he taught himself how to play the drums. I 578 00:37:22,998 --> 00:37:25,398 Speaker 1: had nothing to do with it other than once he 579 00:37:25,478 --> 00:37:27,998 Speaker 1: got into it, telling him not to grip the sticks 580 00:37:28,038 --> 00:37:31,958 Speaker 1: tightly and make the same kind of mistakes with tendonitis 581 00:37:31,998 --> 00:37:35,958 Speaker 1: and uh carpal trum tunnel syndrome that I had. I mean, 582 00:37:35,998 --> 00:37:39,598 Speaker 1: I've had so many performance related surgeries. I've lost count 583 00:37:39,958 --> 00:37:43,638 Speaker 1: whether it's my back, I had my shoulder rebuilt, you know, 584 00:37:43,998 --> 00:37:47,478 Speaker 1: Uh it's uh. I've got the scars to prove the 585 00:37:47,558 --> 00:37:51,478 Speaker 1: sixty years I've been playing. But he became an elite drummer. 586 00:37:51,638 --> 00:37:54,958 Speaker 1: He's considered now the my Son Jay with his band 587 00:37:54,998 --> 00:37:58,718 Speaker 1: slipknot Um, the band that he's in, Slip not He's 588 00:37:58,758 --> 00:38:02,038 Speaker 1: considered the top of his field, and I see the 589 00:38:02,118 --> 00:38:05,918 Speaker 1: work that went into it constant, you know, coming home 590 00:38:05,918 --> 00:38:08,638 Speaker 1: from school in the afternoon, doing his homework and then 591 00:38:08,678 --> 00:38:12,878 Speaker 1: playing until ten o'clock at night by himself, teaching himself 592 00:38:12,958 --> 00:38:16,638 Speaker 1: how to play the drums, by playing to records very 593 00:38:16,758 --> 00:38:20,998 Speaker 1: organically because he loved it. So anything we start, whether 594 00:38:21,038 --> 00:38:25,558 Speaker 1: it's baseball, football's any sport, music, the things that turn 595 00:38:25,678 --> 00:38:28,638 Speaker 1: us on as a kid, you know, when you're in 596 00:38:28,718 --> 00:38:33,798 Speaker 1: Little league, you know, if you're in pop Warner, that feeling. 597 00:38:34,078 --> 00:38:39,798 Speaker 1: If you can maintain that as you age in this endeavor, 598 00:38:40,638 --> 00:38:43,078 Speaker 1: you can't go wrong because no matter what else goes 599 00:38:43,118 --> 00:38:46,558 Speaker 1: on during the day with me, even when I'm playing 600 00:38:46,558 --> 00:38:48,718 Speaker 1: a Bruce in the EA Street Band show and it's 601 00:38:49,038 --> 00:38:55,678 Speaker 1: serious business up there. We take our fund very very seriously. Yeah, 602 00:38:55,718 --> 00:38:57,758 Speaker 1: you hit on another one of our great things, which 603 00:38:57,838 --> 00:39:01,478 Speaker 1: is Joe likes to say, see it with first time eyes, 604 00:39:02,078 --> 00:39:04,878 Speaker 1: no matter how long you've been doing it, right, that 605 00:39:05,558 --> 00:39:08,838 Speaker 1: joy that you only get when you first really discover something. 606 00:39:08,918 --> 00:39:11,878 Speaker 1: If you're able to maintain that, and it sounds like 607 00:39:11,918 --> 00:39:14,518 Speaker 1: all these years you have Max, it's a gift. Well, 608 00:39:14,558 --> 00:39:16,438 Speaker 1: it's when you sit on the drum. Whatever else went 609 00:39:16,438 --> 00:39:18,478 Speaker 1: out during the day when you sit on the drum, 610 00:39:18,558 --> 00:39:21,598 Speaker 1: when I sit on the drums, A, it's a privilege. B. 611 00:39:21,838 --> 00:39:25,238 Speaker 1: I'm thankful every day that at my advanced stage, I'm 612 00:39:25,278 --> 00:39:29,358 Speaker 1: able to rock and get people up out of their seats. 613 00:39:29,998 --> 00:39:33,518 Speaker 1: That's important for me to lay down that beat. I'm 614 00:39:33,558 --> 00:39:37,238 Speaker 1: not the most uh, you know, flashy drummer, but I'm 615 00:39:37,278 --> 00:39:39,438 Speaker 1: meeting potatoes and at the end of the day, that's 616 00:39:39,478 --> 00:39:42,078 Speaker 1: what worked for me. But when I'm sitting at the drums, 617 00:39:42,838 --> 00:39:45,598 Speaker 1: I'm fourteen years old again, and I'm playing at the 618 00:39:45,678 --> 00:39:50,238 Speaker 1: eighth grade dance. And it could be you know, a stadium, 619 00:39:50,278 --> 00:39:53,398 Speaker 1: it could be Madison Square Garden, it could be any place. 620 00:39:53,998 --> 00:39:57,878 Speaker 1: I'm fourteen years old. There's a saying that musicians get 621 00:39:57,918 --> 00:40:00,358 Speaker 1: paid for the twenty two hours a day that they're 622 00:40:00,398 --> 00:40:03,438 Speaker 1: not on stage, and they do the show for free. 623 00:40:04,758 --> 00:40:07,118 Speaker 1: That is awesome. I love that. I do love I 624 00:40:07,118 --> 00:40:08,998 Speaker 1: love that. I wanted to bring this back a little 625 00:40:09,038 --> 00:40:13,198 Speaker 1: bit to the intersection of baseball and rock and roll. Um. 626 00:40:13,278 --> 00:40:15,198 Speaker 1: I think you made it clear you did not win 627 00:40:15,198 --> 00:40:18,118 Speaker 1: a varsity letter in baseball, but it seems like there's 628 00:40:18,158 --> 00:40:21,158 Speaker 1: a connection with the band in the sport. I think about, 629 00:40:21,318 --> 00:40:24,118 Speaker 1: of course, Glory Days lyrics in the video going back then. 630 00:40:24,238 --> 00:40:27,638 Speaker 1: I'm pretty sure Bruce was at the World Series in 631 00:40:27,638 --> 00:40:31,438 Speaker 1: Philadelphia this year. He was so is that it's baseball 632 00:40:31,558 --> 00:40:34,998 Speaker 1: part of his slash bands fabric. Well, Bruce is one 633 00:40:34,998 --> 00:40:40,558 Speaker 1: of the most devoted baseball fans I've ever met. And uh, 634 00:40:40,598 --> 00:40:43,998 Speaker 1: it's his by far, his favorite sport. He's very involved 635 00:40:43,998 --> 00:40:47,358 Speaker 1: in it. He was a very very good baseball player 636 00:40:47,678 --> 00:40:50,758 Speaker 1: in nine seventies seven when he was going through his 637 00:40:50,838 --> 00:40:56,198 Speaker 1: tumultuous legal wrangling and we were only able to play 638 00:40:56,318 --> 00:40:59,198 Speaker 1: sort of third level markets. We had a lot of 639 00:40:59,238 --> 00:41:02,078 Speaker 1: time off. So he and Steve van Zand started a 640 00:41:02,118 --> 00:41:05,398 Speaker 1: baseball team and they all did the East Street Kings 641 00:41:05,758 --> 00:41:09,678 Speaker 1: and we got satin jackets, we had uniforms, and we 642 00:41:09,718 --> 00:41:14,238 Speaker 1: played other bands on days off. And Bruce was a shortstop, 643 00:41:14,758 --> 00:41:18,918 Speaker 1: had a fantastic arm, still does, I'm sure, but and 644 00:41:18,998 --> 00:41:24,198 Speaker 1: he was a great batter. Um. He still loves baseball. 645 00:41:24,238 --> 00:41:26,198 Speaker 1: One of his I can tell you, and I don't 646 00:41:26,238 --> 00:41:29,438 Speaker 1: think he'd mind me saying. One of his prize possessions 647 00:41:29,558 --> 00:41:35,598 Speaker 1: is a uh personalized autograph from Mickey Mantle. And you know, 648 00:41:35,638 --> 00:41:38,438 Speaker 1: growing up in New Jersey, Uh, you know, the Yankees 649 00:41:38,518 --> 00:41:42,318 Speaker 1: legend loomed large in our background. And uh my father 650 00:41:43,318 --> 00:41:45,838 Speaker 1: was also a great baseball fan. Was an All State 651 00:41:45,918 --> 00:41:49,758 Speaker 1: pitcher in the thirties for Central High School in Philadelphia. 652 00:41:50,158 --> 00:41:53,478 Speaker 1: He went on to play for the University of Pennsylvania. 653 00:41:53,758 --> 00:41:56,638 Speaker 1: One of my prize possessions is a picture of him 654 00:41:56,678 --> 00:41:59,838 Speaker 1: as an eighteen year old pitching, and he was a 655 00:41:59,838 --> 00:42:03,758 Speaker 1: hell of a pitcher. Um, you know, apparently, um. I 656 00:42:03,998 --> 00:42:07,078 Speaker 1: can tell you one short story about I once asked 657 00:42:07,078 --> 00:42:09,398 Speaker 1: my father when I was a kid, Gee, Dad, I 658 00:42:09,398 --> 00:42:13,198 Speaker 1: remember seeing the Luke Garret Story the movie and I said, Jeverosy, 659 00:42:13,318 --> 00:42:18,478 Speaker 1: Luke Garret or Bruth play And he said to me, son, 660 00:42:18,918 --> 00:42:23,878 Speaker 1: Luke Garrett, babe Ruth. I saw Ty Cobb. He was 661 00:42:23,918 --> 00:42:26,158 Speaker 1: of that you know generation when he was a kid. 662 00:42:27,438 --> 00:42:30,558 Speaker 1: So that was pretty impressive. Is there anywhere of those? 663 00:42:30,638 --> 00:42:32,518 Speaker 1: Is there any more of those satin jackets left around? 664 00:42:32,558 --> 00:42:34,638 Speaker 1: I left that one of those satin jackets. I mean, 665 00:42:35,918 --> 00:42:37,958 Speaker 1: there's any lying around and whatever it costs, man, I 666 00:42:37,958 --> 00:42:40,718 Speaker 1: would love to to wear that around. That would be 667 00:42:40,758 --> 00:42:44,718 Speaker 1: my I say everything mine is on tour with the 668 00:42:44,758 --> 00:42:48,598 Speaker 1: Grammy Museum. My you know, had Mighty Max on the 669 00:42:48,838 --> 00:42:53,318 Speaker 1: breast front and the E Street kings on the back. 670 00:42:53,798 --> 00:42:55,638 Speaker 1: But you know, we used to practice. One thing I 671 00:42:55,678 --> 00:42:59,998 Speaker 1: noticed about Bruce is playing baseball as a shortstop, was 672 00:43:00,358 --> 00:43:04,798 Speaker 1: when when he caught a ground there, for example, before 673 00:43:04,918 --> 00:43:09,358 Speaker 1: he threw it to first base, give you an example, 674 00:43:09,838 --> 00:43:12,558 Speaker 1: there was a moment and this is a perfect metaphor 675 00:43:12,638 --> 00:43:14,718 Speaker 1: for what he does on stage. It's always thinking ahead. 676 00:43:14,838 --> 00:43:21,598 Speaker 1: There was a perfect just a split second pause before 677 00:43:21,678 --> 00:43:24,638 Speaker 1: he released the ball and then he had a rocket 678 00:43:24,678 --> 00:43:29,398 Speaker 1: of a throw and uh, this was before he balked 679 00:43:29,438 --> 00:43:32,638 Speaker 1: up and was working out and but but he didn't 680 00:43:32,878 --> 00:43:35,118 Speaker 1: catch the ball and then throw it. There was always 681 00:43:35,158 --> 00:43:37,718 Speaker 1: this set up where he got his arm into position 682 00:43:38,158 --> 00:43:40,798 Speaker 1: and it was only a millisecond, but he was so 683 00:43:40,878 --> 00:43:46,118 Speaker 1: accurate that, uh, you know something I noticed, and um, 684 00:43:47,318 --> 00:43:50,278 Speaker 1: I've got a great picture of him, you know, hitting 685 00:43:50,318 --> 00:43:53,038 Speaker 1: a home run to still that I took at the 686 00:43:53,118 --> 00:43:56,158 Speaker 1: moment of impact. But we were very serious about it. 687 00:43:56,198 --> 00:43:58,958 Speaker 1: And you know, he tells stories about his his his 688 00:43:59,278 --> 00:44:03,758 Speaker 1: coming up in little league and uh, you know, he's 689 00:44:03,918 --> 00:44:06,878 Speaker 1: had lots of friends who were in sports, particularly baseball. 690 00:44:07,038 --> 00:44:12,078 Speaker 1: And I was, you know, I remember doing I was 691 00:44:12,118 --> 00:44:15,758 Speaker 1: doing one of my one man show performances near where 692 00:44:15,758 --> 00:44:18,438 Speaker 1: we lived at the time. In Jersey invited him down. 693 00:44:18,478 --> 00:44:21,798 Speaker 1: He was gonna come. Turned out its been Game five 694 00:44:21,878 --> 00:44:25,198 Speaker 1: of this particular year's World Series and just couldn't drag 695 00:44:25,278 --> 00:44:28,118 Speaker 1: himself away from the TV to to not watch the 696 00:44:28,158 --> 00:44:31,398 Speaker 1: World Series. So you know, baseball has loomed, you know, 697 00:44:31,478 --> 00:44:35,518 Speaker 1: like the song Glory Days. And he took pitching lessons. Uh, 698 00:44:35,678 --> 00:44:37,638 Speaker 1: so he would do it. He wasn't a picture. He 699 00:44:37,678 --> 00:44:40,998 Speaker 1: took it, so he would do it somewhat corrected, corrected 700 00:44:41,398 --> 00:44:47,238 Speaker 1: correctly in that in that video. Beautiful. Yeah, that's great stuff. Max. 701 00:44:47,318 --> 00:44:49,398 Speaker 1: We can't thank you enough for this. This has been 702 00:44:49,478 --> 00:44:51,958 Speaker 1: such a thrill for us to listen to your stories 703 00:44:51,998 --> 00:44:54,838 Speaker 1: and especially your insight because, as Joe mentioned, I think 704 00:44:55,318 --> 00:44:57,678 Speaker 1: a lot of the themes you hit on here in 705 00:44:57,798 --> 00:45:03,198 Speaker 1: terms of leadership, connectivity with other human beings, joyfulness, and 706 00:45:03,278 --> 00:45:05,598 Speaker 1: what you do, it's a part of our book, the 707 00:45:05,598 --> 00:45:08,558 Speaker 1: Book of Joe. So I can't thank you enough. Your 708 00:45:08,598 --> 00:45:12,638 Speaker 1: time is I'm sure precious, and again congratulations on induction 709 00:45:13,918 --> 00:45:16,638 Speaker 1: and Shrineman into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Well, 710 00:45:16,678 --> 00:45:19,438 Speaker 1: thank you guys. Listen. Uh, it's always a pleasure to 711 00:45:19,518 --> 00:45:24,038 Speaker 1: talk to Joe and time yourself. What can I say? 712 00:45:24,118 --> 00:45:27,318 Speaker 1: I mean, I love talking about these issues because if 713 00:45:27,358 --> 00:45:31,758 Speaker 1: there's a way that I can in part any knowledge 714 00:45:31,798 --> 00:45:34,358 Speaker 1: to a younger performer. And I use that in the 715 00:45:34,398 --> 00:45:40,358 Speaker 1: broadest sense of an athlete, because I I love watching 716 00:45:40,398 --> 00:45:43,358 Speaker 1: athletes and when you watch, you know the people who, 717 00:45:43,678 --> 00:45:47,158 Speaker 1: in my view performed like their musicians. So it's a 718 00:45:47,198 --> 00:45:50,798 Speaker 1: wondrous thing if I can impart any uh, sort of 719 00:45:50,838 --> 00:45:53,598 Speaker 1: tips that make it It's never gonna be easy, but 720 00:45:53,718 --> 00:45:59,158 Speaker 1: it can enable you to perhaps avoid some of the pitfalls. 721 00:45:59,198 --> 00:46:02,638 Speaker 1: You know, the greatest lessons I've ever learned have been 722 00:46:02,758 --> 00:46:07,598 Speaker 1: from the absolute loot worst mistakes I've ever made, and 723 00:46:08,238 --> 00:46:11,798 Speaker 1: on the drums and in and in life. Um, and 724 00:46:11,918 --> 00:46:15,398 Speaker 1: you know, you hope to pass that knowledge along. And 725 00:46:15,438 --> 00:46:19,158 Speaker 1: I do meet younger people, particularly musicians, who you know, 726 00:46:19,278 --> 00:46:24,038 Speaker 1: any any tips you know, Uh, it's basically keep your 727 00:46:24,038 --> 00:46:29,118 Speaker 1: head down, look sharp, act sharp, and keep your ears open, 728 00:46:29,758 --> 00:46:33,438 Speaker 1: because that will give you the sort of tips to 729 00:46:33,678 --> 00:46:36,838 Speaker 1: enable you to you know, the distance between and I'm 730 00:46:36,838 --> 00:46:40,398 Speaker 1: sure it's like this in sports, particularly at the professional level, 731 00:46:40,478 --> 00:46:44,038 Speaker 1: the distance between success and not being successful. And I 732 00:46:44,038 --> 00:46:47,998 Speaker 1: don't mean failure, um, you know, striking out for example, 733 00:46:49,398 --> 00:46:54,518 Speaker 1: is it can't even be quantified. You know, I have 734 00:46:54,678 --> 00:46:57,038 Speaker 1: a friend of mine who became a very well known 735 00:46:57,598 --> 00:47:00,558 Speaker 1: professional football player, and he once told me years ago, 736 00:47:00,558 --> 00:47:03,398 Speaker 1: it had to be thirty years ago. The the the 737 00:47:03,638 --> 00:47:08,478 Speaker 1: differ prints between high elite you know, Big ten college 738 00:47:08,518 --> 00:47:13,878 Speaker 1: football and the speed of professional football. That was the 739 00:47:13,918 --> 00:47:17,438 Speaker 1: biggest adjustment. And it was similar to that, and I 740 00:47:17,478 --> 00:47:19,798 Speaker 1: related to that because it was sort of the same 741 00:47:19,838 --> 00:47:24,198 Speaker 1: thing that went on with Bruce Knee Street band. Uh. 742 00:47:24,278 --> 00:47:26,718 Speaker 1: You know, in some cases you're just you're just reacting, 743 00:47:27,038 --> 00:47:29,798 Speaker 1: and it's everything you did for however many years, and 744 00:47:29,878 --> 00:47:34,798 Speaker 1: experience in games, innings, at bats, it's everything you bring 745 00:47:35,558 --> 00:47:38,078 Speaker 1: to that moment. And if you're lucky enough to have 746 00:47:38,158 --> 00:47:42,558 Speaker 1: any longevity in a career and not flame out, whether 747 00:47:42,598 --> 00:47:46,758 Speaker 1: it's music or sports or any other endeavor, you're gonna 748 00:47:46,838 --> 00:47:48,798 Speaker 1: learn from everything you did and you're gonna bring it 749 00:47:48,798 --> 00:47:52,278 Speaker 1: to that at bat. You're gonna bring it to kicking. Uh, 750 00:47:52,278 --> 00:47:56,838 Speaker 1: you know, the after I always look at these after points, situations, 751 00:47:56,878 --> 00:47:59,998 Speaker 1: after goal, you know, the point after situations, and the 752 00:48:00,078 --> 00:48:04,838 Speaker 1: immense pressure that's on these guys, and it's what they do. 753 00:48:05,758 --> 00:48:07,838 Speaker 1: You know, I've had I have a friend who's, uh, 754 00:48:08,638 --> 00:48:11,678 Speaker 1: one of the retired is one of the most senior 755 00:48:11,998 --> 00:48:15,238 Speaker 1: NASA astronauts on the Space Shuttle, and he also plays drums, 756 00:48:15,718 --> 00:48:19,038 Speaker 1: and we always talk about the similarities and the differences, 757 00:48:19,158 --> 00:48:23,438 Speaker 1: and um, you know, and there are significant differences. But 758 00:48:24,078 --> 00:48:28,038 Speaker 1: his big question to me is how can you How 759 00:48:28,038 --> 00:48:31,198 Speaker 1: can you go in front of fifty people and play 760 00:48:31,278 --> 00:48:37,998 Speaker 1: the drums? And I said, well, I have two people 761 00:48:38,038 --> 00:48:40,838 Speaker 1: to please, the guy in front of me and then me, 762 00:48:42,198 --> 00:48:44,638 Speaker 1: And I said, how can you sit on top of 763 00:48:45,238 --> 00:48:49,118 Speaker 1: seven and a half million pounds of explosive and your 764 00:48:49,238 --> 00:48:54,838 Speaker 1: heart rate doesn't move a bit? He goes, well, that 765 00:48:54,958 --> 00:48:57,038 Speaker 1: I can do, but I could never play the drums 766 00:48:57,078 --> 00:49:01,678 Speaker 1: in front of a thousand people. So, you know, different 767 00:49:01,678 --> 00:49:04,718 Speaker 1: strokes for different folks. I guess it is you're speaking 768 00:49:04,718 --> 00:49:06,318 Speaker 1: to our language. Man. That's right on the money. I 769 00:49:06,358 --> 00:49:08,918 Speaker 1: really appreciate hearing all of that. Oh Joe, It's always 770 00:49:08,918 --> 00:49:10,638 Speaker 1: a pleasure to talk to you, to see you. I 771 00:49:10,678 --> 00:49:14,478 Speaker 1: hope to see you on our upcoming uh Bruce and 772 00:49:14,518 --> 00:49:17,198 Speaker 1: Eastreet band tour. We're gonna be everywhere. We're gonna have 773 00:49:17,238 --> 00:49:20,078 Speaker 1: a blasts, gonna be a rock show. And I'll tell 774 00:49:20,078 --> 00:49:24,118 Speaker 1: you what I know. He and I speaking for myself, 775 00:49:24,278 --> 00:49:27,958 Speaker 1: I can't wait we start rehearsals in three weeks. And 776 00:49:28,718 --> 00:49:32,318 Speaker 1: you know, with the Eastreet Band, it's like slipping into 777 00:49:32,358 --> 00:49:36,358 Speaker 1: a well worn baseball glove. We've been doing this for 778 00:49:36,358 --> 00:49:41,278 Speaker 1: almost fifty years. So when the first count off of one, two, three, 779 00:49:41,518 --> 00:49:45,798 Speaker 1: four happens, it's right there, beautiful brothers, well done man, 780 00:49:45,838 --> 00:49:48,958 Speaker 1: Thank you Max. That's that's like I said, that's that's 781 00:49:48,998 --> 00:49:51,638 Speaker 1: really dovetails it. It validates so much that we've been 782 00:49:51,678 --> 00:49:54,718 Speaker 1: talking about. You just said in this last segment here 783 00:49:54,798 --> 00:49:58,678 Speaker 1: really reflects a lot of my own personal baseball philosophies. 784 00:49:59,318 --> 00:50:01,718 Speaker 1: So again, for the for our podcast, recomminated the Book 785 00:50:01,718 --> 00:50:04,278 Speaker 1: of Joe. I think the folks that are listening to 786 00:50:04,318 --> 00:50:08,638 Speaker 1: this will really Gardner gathered the the relationship between what 787 00:50:08,798 --> 00:50:11,318 Speaker 1: you do as a professional musician and what we do 788 00:50:11,358 --> 00:50:15,158 Speaker 1: as professional athletes or baseball players. Thank you well, my pleasure, Joe, Tom, 789 00:50:15,198 --> 00:50:17,718 Speaker 1: thank you very much for having me on. Well, Joe, 790 00:50:17,798 --> 00:50:22,598 Speaker 1: that was fascinating. I could listen to Max Weinberg all 791 00:50:22,718 --> 00:50:26,638 Speaker 1: day and all night when he's not behind a drum set. 792 00:50:26,798 --> 00:50:29,278 Speaker 1: That's how good that was. Yeah, And again, just from 793 00:50:29,358 --> 00:50:32,518 Speaker 1: our perspective here, we wanted to glue guys and on 794 00:50:32,558 --> 00:50:34,998 Speaker 1: these shows and here is a glue guy. And the 795 00:50:35,118 --> 00:50:38,278 Speaker 1: really interesting kind of neat part about the whole thing 796 00:50:38,358 --> 00:50:41,198 Speaker 1: is the validation what he talked about. He covered so 797 00:50:41,198 --> 00:50:44,038 Speaker 1: many topics in the Book of Joe Uh there towards 798 00:50:44,078 --> 00:50:46,598 Speaker 1: the end of different chapters, aiming high do simple better. 799 00:50:46,638 --> 00:50:48,598 Speaker 1: He said it in other words, and he talked about 800 00:50:48,598 --> 00:50:51,038 Speaker 1: embracing the target in other words. But nevertheless it was 801 00:50:51,078 --> 00:50:53,078 Speaker 1: all there and of course just a brilliant way of 802 00:50:53,078 --> 00:50:56,078 Speaker 1: putty things together. He's very he's very good with words. 803 00:50:56,118 --> 00:51:00,518 Speaker 1: He's very good about his explanations, and his descriptions are outstanding. 804 00:51:00,598 --> 00:51:04,278 Speaker 1: So I promised the folks, Uh, that was really a 805 00:51:04,358 --> 00:51:06,878 Speaker 1: unique experience for me, and again being that that I'm 806 00:51:06,918 --> 00:51:10,158 Speaker 1: tied so far back musically and how I grew up 807 00:51:10,158 --> 00:51:11,798 Speaker 1: and what it means to listen to the music that 808 00:51:12,358 --> 00:51:14,718 Speaker 1: him and a group have created, it's pretty special. Yeah, 809 00:51:14,838 --> 00:51:16,998 Speaker 1: special for me too. Again, I grew up with the 810 00:51:17,638 --> 00:51:20,998 Speaker 1: soundtrack of my youth being the band, the Easter Eat Band, 811 00:51:21,038 --> 00:51:24,278 Speaker 1: and actually went to high school just a few miles 812 00:51:24,318 --> 00:51:26,998 Speaker 1: away from where Max went to high school. So a 813 00:51:26,998 --> 00:51:30,158 Speaker 1: lot of connections and I can't wait for the upcoming tour, 814 00:51:30,598 --> 00:51:32,638 Speaker 1: same with me, brother. Could I could conclude with one 815 00:51:32,678 --> 00:51:35,358 Speaker 1: thought right here, Please do because I think it kind 816 00:51:35,398 --> 00:51:37,518 Speaker 1: of like dovetails into this whole thing, and that's Jack 817 00:51:37,558 --> 00:51:39,358 Speaker 1: Wilson is a guy that I really dig a lot 818 00:51:39,358 --> 00:51:42,718 Speaker 1: of different closities had but and it kind of again 819 00:51:42,798 --> 00:51:44,998 Speaker 1: devetails into what Max we just talked about. Control your 820 00:51:44,998 --> 00:51:48,838 Speaker 1: own destiny or someone else will take charge. Love it, 821 00:51:49,078 --> 00:51:59,558 Speaker 1: peace out, Thank you brother. The Book of Joe podcast 822 00:51:59,638 --> 00:52:02,558 Speaker 1: is a production of I Heart Radio. For more podcasts 823 00:52:02,638 --> 00:52:05,438 Speaker 1: for my heart Radio at the i heart Radio app, 824 00:52:05,518 --> 00:52:08,518 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.