Johnny Rabb is an American drummer characterised by his incredible speed and his ability to play single stroke rolls as well as modern Drum and Bass style beats with considerable style and ease. Johnny currently performs with his original duo Ten Finger Orchestra & Johnny Rabb, rock band U.S.S.A. (with Duane Denison, Paul Barker and Gary Call) and his Drum ‘N’ Bass group BioDiesel (featuring Clay Parnell and Borahm Lee). Rabb has added turntables to his arsenal of innovative drum sounds. Johnny refers to his drum / turntable set up as DrumJockey. The visual antics of the TFO & Johnny Rabb show include juggling routines using drumsticks while they are playing.
Johnny earned the distinction of “World’s Fastest Drummer” as recognized by the Guinness World Records, by playing 1,071 single strokes in 60 seconds on a live broadcast of VH1’s Rock and Roll Record Breakers.
Johnny Rabb received his first drum set at the tender age of three. With the support of his parents and the influence of live concerts and instructional clinics, Johnny began to excel at a tremendous rate. Johnny’s dedication to his new love and eventual life’s pursuit led him to the prestigious Berklee College of Music to pursue degrees in Education and Performance.
After the course of study and musical experimentation, Johnny relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he invented the award-winning RhythmSaw.Playing with touring notables such as Tanya Tucker and Hank Williams III provided the excitement of live performances, along with the creative contribution of writing and developing children’s books/videos and educational workshops.
Johnny was asked to participate in an event sponsored by the Nashville Percussion Institute by founder Boo McAfee. Johnny has the uncanny ability to play single-stroke rolls at an incredible speed. With the assistance of McAfee and a device named the DRUMOMETER, the first competition for The World’s Fastest Drummer was born. Johnny won hands down and, in doing so, came to the attention of the Guinness World Records committee. Johnny was asked to defend his title live at the Guinness World Records Experience in Orlando, Florida. The attempt was documented by VH-1 for a show called Rock & Roll Record Breakers. Johnny not only defended but broke the existing world record of 1026 to play 1071 single strokes in 60 seconds.
Johnny is featured in seven interactive displays at the Guinness World Attractions, including Orlando, FL, Gatlinburg, TN, Hollywood, CA, and Copenhagen, Denmark.
Johnny is currently participating in a number of clinics throughout the world to outstanding reviews. He performed a memorable show to a capacity crowd at the Montreal Drumfest and also performed in France, Italy, and at the Musik Messe in Frankfurt, Germany… a tour together with Marco Minnemann and Thomas Lang.
Johnny has been a faculty member for the KOSA Festival for the past two years. He was honored to be able to play at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Nashville, TN.
He has published his own instructional drum videos, children’s books, and solo album. He has designed “The Rabb Pack,” a Signature Series of cymbals for the MEINL Cymbal Company. Johnny believes that education is the most important element for the future and continues to find opportunities to share his knowledge with musicians worldwide.
Johnny is an active clinician performing hundreds of dates per year. He is a product specialist for the Roland Corporation providing clinics and training on the full line of V-DRUMS and electronic percussion instruments. He keeps busy with teaching, conducting master-classes and other workshops for DW/PDP, PRO-MARK, REMO and MEINL.
He has played with other artists/groups SheDaisy, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams III, Deana Carter and Mindy McCready. In 2003, Johnny had the honor of touring with jazz trumpet legend, Maynard Ferguson.
He continues to perform freelance with MASAKing (Japanese DJ/HPD-10 artist), Chris Patterson (Drumjockey/Percussion/Steel Pan).
Johnny resides in Nashville, TN and has worked in all aspects of the drum business. From owning a stick business to a performing artist, he continues to explore the drum world as a clinician, solo artist and touring studio drummer.
Source: Evans.com and johnnyrabb.com
