Postby Robert Bluman » Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:31 am
It's actually not speculation. They are on payroll, signature products or not. But hey, believe what you want as it makes no difference. I can't divulge how I know this because revealing that in a public forum would be disrespectful, but it comes directly from the people involved. WillyZ I was saying Yamaha only needs it's TV drummers along with Gadd and Weckl to sell drums, I didn't say Gadd and Weckl are on TV. By TV drummers I mean, Anton Fig, Teddy Campbell, guest artists on TV shows, etc. Anything that shows that Yamaha logo on television.
Back to the endorsements, forget what I know that comes direct from the sources, just think from a business standpoint. In every other field endorsers are on payroll. They are paid. Athlete's , actors, and celebrities. Do you really believe that the greatest musicians on the planet are playing instruments with logo's on them, appearing in ads and videos promoting products for only free gear in return? Really? That's fantasy. They are being paid, it's all business. Any top drummer even the "lesser knowns" receive tons of free gear. Last year I took a lesson with a Yamaha artist in L.A. A lesser known artist but we know him, he works constantly. He get's tour support, is in ads occasionally and has about 300 cymbals 800 pairs of signature sticks, about 3 years worth drum heads , and 5 drum kits. All in his studio space where I took a lesson. He paid 0 dollars for the gear. This drummer does not get paid a salary, but he receives all the perks. What would be the difference between this drummer and Dave Weckl on the endorsement chain? Do you really believe that drummers such as Vinnie, Dave, and Gadd who are more successful and more famous, and historic innovators, endorse products for the same return as the drummer I took a lesson with? Minus the facts that I have been privy to, just use logic. There is no way. No way famous drummers suddenly switch playing brands without money being a factor. I know the stereo type is that musicians are bad with money, but let's not be ignorant folks! It's all business.
Kurtis, are you saying because they don't need the money that they don't earn it? Do you think Tiger Woods needs the money from Nike? He earns over 5 million in tournaments alone. It's the same business model, on a lesser scale. A drummer like Vinnie is the equivalent of a Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan in sports. Did you know that Alicia Keys receives $300.000 per year to be a Yamaha artist? Do you really think Dave Weckl or Vinnie Colaiuta are that naive, and don't realize they should be being paid? HAHA! Willy believes the Vinnie commercial. I love it! I guess you also believe that Brad Pitt wears Polo cologne because he likes the smell. I'm not saying Vinnie didn't work with Paiste to develop a slightly different 602 model and get a sound he likes. But if he loved the 602's so much, why was he playing Z's for 40 years prior? Do you think one morning Vinnie woke up and decided he would leave Yamaha for Gretsch, and Gretsch for Ludwig? He was approached by Paiste, he was approached by Ludwig. Approached with monetary and contractual benefits. These people are being paid, the same way others are being paid! You think somehow someone invented a rule that everyone in the world will be paid for endorsing products, except drummers? You guys drank serious kool aid. HA!