But primarily, the drummer's supposed to sit back there and swing the band.

I think the drummer should sit back there and play some drums, and never mind about the tunes. Just get up there and wail behind whoever is sitting up there playing the solo. And this is what is lacking, definitely lacking in music today.

I consider every drummer that ever played before me an influence, in every way.

They're simply following what was laid down in front and they play the same thing. So, there's no great challenge In being a classical drummer.

I can't sit down long enough to absorb any kind of learning.

Every drummer that had a name, had a name because of his individual playing. He didn't sound like anybody else, So everybody that I ever listened to, in some form, influenced my taste.