MUSIC & ARTS

Keeping the Beat with EARL YOUNG

Philly Philly

by Matt Kelchner

At the age of 82, I am still trying to climb mountains in my music career,” drummer Earl Young adds while sharing his goals for the new year. What he leaves out is that he’s already scaled some of the tall ones out there.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Young made a name for himself through the relentless musical work ethic he put in while the legendary Philadelphia Sound was riding high over the airwaves. His ability to keep a beat in perfect time, no matter the type or style of song, was second to none. “We didn’t use a drum machine or a click track in your ear to help keep time,” Young proudly details. “I was the drum machine.”

Some of Young’s favorite personal peaks that he’s climbed include winning three Grammy Awards, being inducted into the

MUSIC Musicians Hall of Fame and having five Walk of Fame Stars along Broad Street. While many would consider accomplishing one of these a life well lived, Young continues to steadily ascend with a handful of new projects in the works. “Disco Inferno” by The Trammps is a track that needs no introduction, but it’s one of the most recognizable songs that Young has played on. It also happens to be the reason behind his first Grammy. Within these tunes, Young developed unique drumming patterns that quickly became synonymous with disco and pop music. Things like repeatedly incorporating the hi-hat cymbals became his trademarks, but it was the “four on the floor” beat that was his crowning achievement. These not only reigned supreme in disco’s shining hour but remained staples in many different genres of music even to this day.

Fast forward to today and Young is hard at work with a new single, “Because of New” with The Trammps. Recording at long-running local studio Milkboy, Young says the song will be reminiscent of tunes

“We didn’t use a drum machine or a click track in your ear to help keep time,” Young proudly details. “I was the drum machine.”

he played on decades ago. “It will be something like The Trammps’ first recording in 1972, ‘Zing Went the Strings of my Heart.’”

In addition to his new album, Young also is lending a helping hand with The Sound of Philadelphia, a documentary detailing the history behind the rise of Philly Soul in the 1970s. “The Sound of Philadelphia documentary will be great,” Young says, without giving too much away. “It tells the story of all the musicians, singers, and writers involved in helping the sound of Philadelphia come together.”

As we head into 2023 with all that is on Young’s plate, he keeps his goals short and sweet. “Playing my drums and singing with my group The Trammps feat. Earl Young, having fun doing as many shows as I can do.”

Keep an eye out for the new single, “Because of New,” along with new concert dates, in the new year! PRH

Earl Young is a recipient of Philadelphia

RowHome Magazine’s Blue Sapphire Award

(2013) for Lifetime Music Achievement.