Steve Gadd in 2014. Photo by Henrik Dvergsdal via Wikimedia Commons.
“Famous rock drummer” is Steve Gadd‘s job title, but you can also call him “that guy who played drums on 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover.” Here he is in younger days, demonstrating (with some asperity) his famous drum lick from the Paul Simon tune:
Wikipedia calls it a “recognizable repeated drum riff.” Indeed! It’s hard to tell whether he’s keen to be understood here or exasperated at how untalented everyone else is. Gadd was a super-prolific guy in the 1970s, playing with everyone from Simon and Eric Clapton to Frank Sinatra and even Chet Baker.
The tune was Simon’s biggest solo hit and his only number-one song. It was certified gold in March of 1976. Here’s the whole song:
(Hat tip: Mr. Hehn)