Whitey was [is] unique to say the least.I grew up watching him in Toronto with the Mandala.They were hot stuff ground breaking at the time.He used a Rogers kit and just mounted legs [floor tom style] and used a Ludwig pedal like for a cocktail kit.The band did a lot of SING SING type drumming and he figured it was the only way to play a kick and tom at the same time.A few guys tried to copy him but all found it very unorthodox.I recall trying it myself,and after you break a few 22"heads with your sticks you end up thinking...WHAT WAS I THINKING??Laughing H...I believe he,s still around but like most of us grey beards...that was the old days.

I own this movie on DVD, the drums he played were LA era Camco's. The sizes appear to be 24/24/16/14/13. His snare was a 6.5x14 wooden shelled Camco snare. He was also the drummer for Bette Midler in 1979's The Rose, and he played the very same kit. Only here he had a set of Rogers concert toms added on, and played a 5x14 Rogers Dynasonic.

I own a set of "Alice Cooper White" LA era Camco's similar to what he played, they are in rough shape and I am in the process of cleaning up. Note the gold plated hardware....hoping to clean these up and post some before and afters.

Well I can ask him for you. He lives down the street from me.

I am also friends with Whitey and he is a very interesting guy and great drummer. Whitey was indeed using an L.A. era Camco set on both Alice Cooper and in the movie "The Rose". Whitey hates wraps on drums and in fact he has a Rogers kit that he uses frequently that he removed the wrap himself and gigs with frequently.I have seen Whitey show up for gigs with all his hardware in the bass drum ( no cases !). He loves Regal Tip JoJo ( seconds) series Rock model drumsticks as well.

Whitey mentioned to me once in the 1980's he bought a set of custom Rogers from Rogers. He ordered them specifically with no finish on them. Just the drums.It would cool to hear him tell the story himself. However, he said it cost him $50 more to get drums with NO finish as it was to get them with a wrap. Those Rogers are the same drums he used with David Wilcox and all the other gigs he would do around Toronto . If any drum kit should end up in the rock n' roll hall of fame these would it. The Rogers were 13,16, 22 with a metal Dynasonic. As well he had 2 white Ludwig concert toms 10" and 12". On the concert toms was written "Yah" on the 10" and "Shur" on the 12". AS well they had the tags from Jack Daniels bottles hanging by the strings from the tension rods.

I would go and see Whitey play as often as I could in the 90's when I was back in toronto. he had a house gig on Wednesdays down off front st.. It was a treat to go and see him play on a regular basis. One night at a bar in Missisauga he did his solo . Kind of what I remember seeing on the Alice Cooper video from the 70's when he is playing his Camco's with his top hat on.

Anyway, Whitey is playing his solo in this road house on a wednesday night and I'm thinking I could be in Maple Leaf Gardens as it sounded o good.

Anyway, I could go on about Whitey for a lot longer but I won't. Another thing he told me about himself which made a lot of send\se about his playing is he was a gymnast when he was a younger "I had a routine". That itself says just about more than anything about Whitey's drumming.

I gotta pick this up later.

Cheers.RT

He was a great dancer in the day.He taught George how to do all those James Brown moves!...Good times to remember.

This has been a very fun subject to read! On the initial reading of the original post, I thought there may not be anyone on this forum that would know the answers. Incredibly gratifying to know that so many of you knew the answers! Once again, a great forum and a wonderful bunch of members. Happy Holidays to all! Cool1

i got to play opposite him on a bill for a week in the 90's. if any of you know where he's playing these days, please let me know! i'd love to see him again. and might be a good opportunity to meet some more local vintage drum freaks!

adam