Deems hit the touring scene at the young age of 17 and began working professionally in the late 1920s playing with some of the world's finest jazz acts including such luminaries as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong (who nick named Deems "The Kid"), and others.
Deems billed himself as "the world's fastest drummer," as his highly polished technique characterized by the very fast, rapid-fire playing style and unyielding energy which became his trademark and distinguished his long career. Louis Armstrong was even quoted as saying he "makes coffee nervous." However, his claim of being the world's fastest drummer was challenged during a 1975 Summer NAMM Show in Chicago, when the infamous Buddy Rich stood up and asked, "Oh Yeah! What machine did you use?" This challenge invent a drum stroke counting machine was met when drummer, Boo McAfee, and electrical engineer, Craig Kestner, developed the Drumometer and World's Fastest Drummer contest.
In a 1995 interview with IE, the always good-natured Deems said he had no interest in stopping his rigorous schedule. "I am still playing because I live for it. I might retire when I get to be 100." True to his word, he continued performing with his own 18-piece Big Band until just before his death. Alhough his musical journey has ended, his dynamic style and unrelenting energy will continue to inspire young drummers everywhere. You can hear him on Louis Armstrong's Satch Play's Fats and Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy as well as his appearance in the 1956 film High Society.
Cause of death: Pneumonia
Bio by Craig Alan
Deems billed himself as "the world's fastest drummer," as his highly polished technique characterized by the very fast, rapid-fire playing style and unyielding energy which became his trademark and distinguished his long career. Louis Armstrong was even quoted as saying he "makes coffee nervous." However, his claim of being the world's fastest drummer was challenged during a 1975 Summer NAMM Show in Chicago, when the infamous Buddy Rich stood up and asked, "Oh Yeah! What machine did you use?" This challenge invent a drum stroke counting machine was met when drummer, Boo McAfee, and electrical engineer, Craig Kestner, developed the Drumometer and World's Fastest Drummer contest.
In a 1995 interview with IE, the always good-natured Deems said he had no interest in stopping his rigorous schedule. "I am still playing because I live for it. I might retire when I get to be 100." True to his word, he continued performing with his own 18-piece Big Band until just before his death. Alhough his musical journey has ended, his dynamic style and unrelenting energy will continue to inspire young drummers everywhere. You can hear him on Louis Armstrong's Satch Play's Fats and Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy as well as his appearance in the 1956 film High Society.
Cause of death: Pneumonia
Bio by Craig Alan
Deems hit the touring scene at the young age of 17 and began working professionally in the late 1920s playing with some of the world's finest jazz acts including such luminaries as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong (who nick named Deems "The Kid"), and others.
Deems billed himself as "the world's fastest drummer," as his highly polished technique characterized by the very fast, rapid-fire playing style and unyielding energy which became his trademark and distinguished his long career. Louis Armstrong was even quoted as saying he "makes coffee nervous." However, his claim of being the world's fastest drummer was challenged during a 1975 Summer NAMM Show in Chicago, when the infamous Buddy Rich stood up and asked, "Oh Yeah! What machine did you use?" This challenge invent a drum stroke counting machine was met when drummer, Boo McAfee, and electrical engineer, Craig Kestner, developed the Drumometer and World's Fastest Drummer contest.
In a 1995 interview with IE, the always good-natured Deems said he had no interest in stopping his rigorous schedule. "I am still playing because I live for it. I might retire when I get to be 100." True to his word, he continued performing with his own 18-piece Big Band until just before his death. Alhough his musical journey has ended, his dynamic style and unrelenting energy will continue to inspire young drummers everywhere. You can hear him on Louis Armstrong's Satch Play's Fats and Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy as well as his appearance in the 1956 film High Society.
Cause of death: Pneumonia
Bio by Craig Alan
Deems billed himself as "the world's fastest drummer," as his highly polished technique characterized by the very fast, rapid-fire playing style and unyielding energy which became his trademark and distinguished his long career. Louis Armstrong was even quoted as saying he "makes coffee nervous." However, his claim of being the world's fastest drummer was challenged during a 1975 Summer NAMM Show in Chicago, when the infamous Buddy Rich stood up and asked, "Oh Yeah! What machine did you use?" This challenge invent a drum stroke counting machine was met when drummer, Boo McAfee, and electrical engineer, Craig Kestner, developed the Drumometer and World's Fastest Drummer contest.
In a 1995 interview with IE, the always good-natured Deems said he had no interest in stopping his rigorous schedule. "I am still playing because I live for it. I might retire when I get to be 100." True to his word, he continued performing with his own 18-piece Big Band until just before his death. Alhough his musical journey has ended, his dynamic style and unrelenting energy will continue to inspire young drummers everywhere. You can hear him on Louis Armstrong's Satch Play's Fats and Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy as well as his appearance in the 1956 film High Society.
Cause of death: Pneumonia
Bio by Craig Alan
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