Stuart Williams

Stuart Williams

Drums

I'm a freelance member of the MusicRadar team, specialising in drum news, interviews and reviews. I formerly edited Rhythm and Total Guitar here in the UK and have been playing drums for more than 25 years (my arms are very tired). When I'm not working on the site, I can be found on my electronic kit at home, or gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project. 

Articles by: Stuart Williams

View from behind a drum kit on stage

11 live mistakes every drummer makes

By Stuart Williams published

Avoid these common pitfalls and your gigs will go a lot more smoothly

Brad WIlk

Brad Wilk pays homage to three of his favourite classic snare drums in the first episode of Lauten Audio's 'Snare' series

By Stuart Williams published

The RATM drummer shows us his favourite snare drums, captured by Lauten's new Snare Mic

Dom Famularo

Drum community mourns the loss of 'Drumming’s Global Ambassador', Dom Famularo, who has passed away aged 70

By Stuart Williams published

Dom Famularo had been battling pancreatic cancer

Natal Zenith vintage-inspired drums

Natal launches Zenith: a vintage-inspired, modern drum kit in five finishes

By Stuart Williams published

Tube lugs, vintage-style shells and a new badge design all feature on this mid-price shell pack

Zildjian 400th anniversary logo

Zildjian is celebrating its 400th anniversary in London this October, and you won’t want to miss it!

By Stuart Williams published

Zildjian artists including Dennis Chambers, Gavin Harrison, Ash Soan and more are taking over the Clapham Grand

Zultan Mellow low-volume cymbals

Zultan Mellow series Professional cymbal set review

By Stuart Williams published

  • £789
  • €958
  • $907

These quiet cymbals made from traditional B20 alloy offer a solution to volume issues

John Bonham and Robert Plant during a rehearsal in Hiroshima, Japan, 1971

Whole Lotta Glove: When John Bonham punched Robert Plant in the mouth over £30 worth of petrol

By Stuart Williams published

Bonzo: "There’s never any maliciousness in these fights. We just lose our tempers sometimes.”

Chad Smith at Drumeo

Watch Chad Smith play 30 Seconds To Mars’ biggest hit in one take after hearing it for the first time

By Stuart Williams published

"What the f**k was that?!", the Chili Pepper asked his hosts at Drumeo after acing the challenge

AC/DC performing on Rock or Bust tour, 2016

AC/DC appear to have replaced drummer Phil Rudd for their upcoming Power Trip performance, but bassist Cliff Williams is coming out of retirement

By Stuart Williams published

The revelation was made via band-shared audio of rehearsal footage

Bernard Purdie

The Purdie Shuffle: Bernard Purdie tells you everything you need to know about playing his most famous groove in one succinct social media post

By Stuart Williams published

Purdie dishes out the notation and the only advice you'll need to play this essential drum beat

Steve Jordan performing with The Rolling Stones

Five songs drummers need to hear featuring… Steve Jordan

By Stuart Williams published

From funk and soul to blues and rock 'n' roll, the Rolling Stones' drummer has covered a lot of ground as a session player

Neil Peart behind Red Sparkle DW kit during Rush's 2002 World Tour

Neil Peart’s DW piccolo snare drum is up for sale, with an asking price of just under £73,500

By Stuart Williams published

Plus postage and packaging…

Travis Barker playing DW acrylic kit at Coachella 2023

Blink-182 postpone UK and Ireland shows as Travis Barker flies home due to an “urgent family matter”

By Stuart Williams published

Barker, whose wife, Kourtney Kardashian is pregnant, has shared photos of a prayer room via Instagram

Zildjian 400th anniversary cymbals from Zildjian family vault

Zildjian releases 400 genuine vintage A cymbals from its private family vault, and you can buy them

By Stuart Williams published

The collection includes 200 'new-vintage' cymbals hand-tested by Armand Zildjian, and some handled by Avedis Zildjian III

Chad Smith performing live in London, 2023

Chad Smith on his contribution to Dua Lipa’s Break My Heart

By Stuart Williams published

The Red Hot Chili Pepper recorded drums on the 2020 hit

Stewart Copeland

Want to live in Stewart Copeland’s $6 million house? It’ll cost you $25,000 a month

By Stuart Williams published

The Police legend’s Montecito home is up for rent

Charlie Watts/Mick Jagger

"Never call me your drummer again": remembering the time Charlie Watts punched Mick Jagger in the face

By Stuart Williams published

Keith Richards recalls Watts' "drummer's punch" in his autobiography, Life

Acoustic Guitar being played

Get better acoustic guitar tone with these 6 affordable and easy upgrades

By Stuart Williams published

Affordable, practical ways you can polish and upgrade any acoustic guitar's sound

Millenium MPS-750X Pro Mesh electronic drum set with real drum shells

Millenium's new MPS-750X Pro Mesh electronic drum set offers full-shells for under £800

By Stuart Williams published

Millenium makes another play for the acoustic-shell/electronic drum market

Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal

Watch: Ringo Starr's drummer Gregg Bissonette breaks down his favourite Beatles drum beats and fills

By Stuart Williams published

The All-Starrs drummer and session titan tips his hat to his boss

Side profile of a person playing a drum kit

13 easy drum songs every beginner should learn

By Stuart Williams published

Stop cramming and start jamming with these must-know easy-drum classics for beginners

Roland TD-02KV on a white background

Roland TD-02KV review

By Stuart Williams published

  • £429
  • €469
  • $599.99

This compact and affordable kit proves that ‘budget’ doesn’t exclude you from the big-name brands

Jim Dyson/Getty Images

The Killers issue an apology after inviting Russian drummer on stage in Georgia, and referring to the fan as the audience's "brother"

By Stuart Williams published

“We did not mean to upset anyone and we apologise”

Dave Grohl and Josh Freese perform on stage

Foo Fighters enlist ‘superfan’ Michael Bublé for surprise vocal guest-slot on Haven't Met You Yet

By Stuart Williams published

The Michael Foo-blé collaboration came about via Josh Freese’s drumming contribution to the singer's hit song

Wolfgang Van Halen sat at drum kit

Wolfgang Van Halen on his approach as a multi-instrumentalist: "Drums are, to me, the most important part. It's the backbone of everything"

By Stuart Williams published

As Mammoth WVH II drops, Wolfgang tells us about taking his one and only drum lesson from Eddie, and why Travis Barker and Danny Carey shaped his playing

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