Kilpatrick gathers pipe band drummers for Live Earth
At the special request of the event’s organizers, renowned pipe band snare drummer Jim Kilpatrick is assembling a group of 15 drummers to perform at the
July 7 “Live Earth” concert at Wembley Stadium in London.
The pipe band drummers will join an all-star group of famous drummers from various idioms from around the world, including Chad Smith, Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters; Roger Taylor of Queen; The Dohl Foundation; Joji Hirota from Taiko Drummers; and African and Brazilian ensembles.
Kilpatrick plans to take most of his drummers from House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead, along with Scott Birrell of Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia, Russell Esler and Malcolm McEwan. The pipe band drummers will probably be featured on a drum riser in the middle of the stage, surrounded by the drummers from other idioms.
Live Earth is a music event occurring in eight cities around the world that aims to attract more 2 billion people to raise awareness of global warming over 24 hours. More than 100 artists are scheduled to participate, including Madonna, Beastie Boys, Snow Patrol and The Police.
The addition of the all-star line-up of pipe band drummers to Live Earth is the latest elevation of Highland pipe and pipe band music to a worldwide market. It follows the recent release of The White Stripes‘ new CD, Icky Thump, which features Scottish smallpipes on the track, “Prickly Thorn But Sweetly Worn.”
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What a feeling that will be playing in front of 100,000 people with millions watching on telly. Has there ever been a bigger audience for anything pipe band related?
Does anyone know when they will be on
Saw it! Loved it! Couldn’t find KP though!
In response to Phil, with the world-wide coverage of this event, this is the largest audience, but it was not a featured pipe band event… just some pipe band drummers in a larger international drumming display. In 1999, City of Washington PB played the Kennedy Center Honors in the tribute to Sean Connery. The entire pipe band and some highland dancers performed a multiple song set as featured performers. The show was televised on CBS and seen by millions of Americans. As far as I know, this was the largest US audience for an actual pipe band performance. Still, good job on the Live Earth thing. That rocks!