Rocky Dzidzornu Explained

Rocky Dzidzornu
Birth Name:Kwasi Dzidzornu
Birth Date:28 February 1932
Birth Place:Gold Coast
Death Place:California, U.S.
Alias:Rocky Dijon
Occupation:Percussionist

Kwasi "Rocky" Dzidzornu,[1] [2] also known as Rocky Dijon, was a Ghanaian-born percussionist known for his 1960s and 1970s work with rock and R&B artists.

Biography

Dzidzornu was born in the British Gold Coast colony (later Ghana), on 28 February 1932. In the 1960s and 1970s, he played with acts such as the Rolling Stones, Nick Drake, Ginger Baker, Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Taj Mahal, Joe Walsh.[3]

In 1968, producer Jimmy Miller enlisted Dzidzornu to record with the Rolling Stones.[4] He played on the albums Beggars Banquet (1968) and Let It Bleed (1969). He also appeared in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus concert and film. In 1971, he appeared on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" from Sticky Fingers. Bill Wyman also enlisted him on his 1976 solo album Stone Alone.

War's drummer Harold Brown has named him as an important influence, and also credits him with teaching Ginger Baker.[5] Critic Ned Sublette has written that the addition of his conga drumming on "Sympathy for the Devil" transformed the song from "a dirge, and a dull one at that...making it come alive".[6] [7]

Dzidzornu died in California on 13 March 1993.

Selected discography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rocky Dijon Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More . . 2023-12-06 . Born: February 28, 1932 in Ghana; Died: March 13, 1993 in California..
  2. News: Coddington . Lew . 1976-01-26 . Taj Sends Audience Sailing . . ...conga players Larry McDonald and Kwasi (Rocky) Dzidzornu. . 12.
  3. http://www.blakkpepper.com/2016/06/ladies-lords-take-a-bow-for-master-drummer-percussionist-from-ghana-kwasi-rocky-dijon-dzidzornu/ "Ladies & lords take a bow for Master Drummer & Percussionist from Ghana Kwasi 'Rocky Dijon' Dzidzornu"
  4. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-ranking-rolling-stones-exhibit-navy-pier-2017-htmlstory.html "Ranking the Rolling Stones: Moments that matter from the Navy Pier show"
  5. Jim Payne and Harry Weinger, The Great Drummers of R&B Funk & Soul (Mel Bay Publications, 2007),, pp. 148ff. Excerpts available at Google Books.
  6. Ned Sublette, "The Kingsmen and the Cha-Cha-Chá", in Eric Weisbard, ed., Listen Again: A Momentary History of Pop Music (Duke University Press, 2007),, p. 90. Excerpt available at Google Books.
  7. See also Stephen Davis, Old Gods Almost Dead: The 40-Year Odyssey of the Rolling Stones (Random House Digital, Inc., 2001), . Excerpts available at Google Books.