
Geoff Nicholls
Geoff Nicholls is a musician, journalist, author and lecturer based in London. He co-wrote, co-presented and played drums on both series of ‘Rockschool’ for BBC2 in the 1980s.
Before that he was a member of original bands signed by Decca, RCA, EMI and more. ‘Rockschool’ led to a parallel career writing articles for many publications, from the Guardian to Mojo, but most notably Rhythm magazine, for which he was the longest serving and most diverse contributor.
During this time Geoff toured the USA with Hugh Harris for Capitol-EMI, spent many happy years with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, recorded and gigged with Chicago blues legends including Carey Bell, Mojo Buford, Louisiana Red and Nappy Brown. More recently he infiltrated the folk-world-music scene with MoltenAmba.
He has taught on the Guildhall Music School’s Jazz and Rock Summer School from 1985 to 2025 and for many years lectured in music business and copyright law.
Meantime he has written award-winning books (e.g., ‘John Bonham, A Thunder of Drums’, 2002, with Chris Welch) and series for radio (1993’s ‘Byte The Music’ for BBC Radio 3 won First Prize Gold Award at the New York Radio Festival). ‘The Drum Book’ (1997, fully updated in 2008) remains the definitive account of the evolution of the modern drum kit.
Latest articles by Geoff Nicholls

Istanbul Agop Signature Ride Cymbals
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Contrasting Lenny White Epoch and Idris Muhammad Signature rides inspired by Zildjian's vintage Ks

Premier Series Classic Kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
As Premier unveils its cut-price route to a top-notch kit, we tread the Classic path

TRX LTD Series Cymbal Set
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Shiny Turkish cymbals with a modern edge

Robert Daniels Custom Snare Drum
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
A one-off, hand-crafted cherry wood snare

Mapex Falcon bass drum pedals
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Super intuitive single and double kick pedals

Amedia Old School Series cymbals
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
New Istanbul cymbalsmiths already the most diverse of them all?

Sonor Force 3007 Rock Kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
A Canadian maple set for stylish rockers

Sabian Alu Bell And Vault Collection Radia Nano Hats
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Unusual and cool percussive additions

Aquarian Super-Kick and Regulator Bass Drum Heads
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Aquarian's funky Super-Kicks: dark, fat and recommended

Mapex Black Panther Black Widow Snare
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
The perfect tone with brooding dark looks

Mapex Black Panther Cherry Bomb Snare
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Dare to be different with an alternative size and wood

Mapex Black Panther Velvetone kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
The logical extension to Mapex's hugely popular Black Panther snare range

Meinl Classic Custom series cymbals
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Meinl's Classics are updated with a new alloy and a serious polishing

Yamaha Club Custom Kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
The Club Custom name is resurrected with a vintage-style kit championed by Steve Jordan

Zildjian Swish Knocker And Z3 Ultra Hammered Chinas
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
New specialist cymbals from Zildjian

Premier Spirit Of Iron Maiden
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Affordable APK-based kit made under Premier's imaginative licensing deal with Iron Maiden

Vintage drum gear: Sonor kits
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Two classic sets from the long-standing German drum company

Vintage drum gear: Phil Collins' Pearl DLX kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
The Genesis drummer's only Pearl kit was considered the best for playing In The Air Tonight

Morgan Davies Snare Drums
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Two beautiful snares from a new British drum builder

Techtonic Unplugged Rock kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
We test electronic kit maker Soar Valley's new acoustic drumset

Dixon Artisan Custom Traditional Maple Series kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Another impressive Artisan kit from Dixon shows this company means business

Tribute: Joe Morello Interview
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Rhythm Re-visited: Geoff Nicholls meets a drum legend

Vintage drum gear: English Rogers kits
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
The strange case of American Rogers drums made in North London
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