Bill Bruford retires from public performance

[Whitefish]

Now it is official:


http://www.billbruford.com/news.asp?DoAction=ViewArticle&EntryID=116

[gitsy]

I have always enjoyed seeing Bill play live (with Earthworks). So I read this with sadness but respect his decision.

[Ajay]

I respect his decision (although it means I will never be able to see him live), hopefully he will still do a couple of book signings when his book comes out, though.

[Steve Mahoney]

Bummer , but it is Bills life of course.

[CybrKhatru]

Wow.


There's something to be said for "going out on top"...every time I heard Bill play, he just got better and better.

[Lifeseeker66]

Wow, this is sad news for Bruford fans!

Bill, you will always be my favorite Yes drummer. I enjoyed catching you both with ABWH and the Union tour, so I will never forget your stage presence and am honored to have seen you play in Philly. Honestly, I am saddened that the 'Fab Five' never got together after Union to make at least one more album together, but I guess that's the business side of things...

Know that you will be missed!

Good luck in your retirement and I look forward to hearing you on record at least.

:drummer:

:appl[1]:

[Whitefish]

59 is too early too stop playing live. All of Bill's hero's (Art Blakey, Max Roach, Elvin Jones) all performed way into their 70's.

[Imperatrix]

I'll miss seeing him live, but it's his decision.

I wonder if he might teach a bit?

[YESOLA]

Ahh, maybe Robert Fripp can get him out one more time.

[yarstruly]

Glad I at least got to see him on the Union tour...

[Fragyle Ladder]

This article gives a little more insight.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=28957 (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=28957)

[bjlevine]

Honestly, I thought Bill was totally classy on the Union tour, opting to focus on percussion and letting Alan handle the bulk of the drumming. Their percussion duet was a highlight of that tour.

Hopefully, we'll get to dust Bill off for a special Yes 50th anniversary concert in 2018.

[Sharp on Attack]

Sad that I only saw him on the Union Tour in which he was almost reduced to add. percussion...It's much too young to retire. I find it hard to believe...

[Mike Watkins]

Thanks for the info Ladder.

Bill is my favorite drummer, and his years with Yes helped produce their best work IMO...

Love his solo efforts, the brief time with UK, his Earthworks band, etc. And of course the great KC stuff!

Good to know he will still be releasing new material.

-also looks like he's a good marketer as well :)

[Fragyle Ladder]

-also looks like he's a good marketer as well :)

You noticed that too did you? :D

[Mike Watkins]

You noticed that too did you? :Dclever chap huh?

But I do hope he's not stopping all live appearances because of some health issue. But hey it's his business.

[Fragyle Ladder]

I guess we'll all have to go to the bookstores and read that chapter.

[robusan]

Well, this is sad. But what a career. He has an amazing discography - he certainly never "stood still". I had the privilege to have dinner with Mr. Bruford after he did a clinic at my music shop in 2007. For two hours I got to hear Bill's stories about the music industry . . . It was a very impressive evening. I wish Bill the best and look forward to his book!!!

[relayeire]

59 is too early too stop playing live. All of Bill's hero's (Art Blakey, Max Roach, Elvin Jones) all performed way into their 70's.

my thinking precisely... moving into jazz was smart for him, because while a 70-year-old rocker may look silly (haven't seen one that age quite yet), you can get out on a jazz stage until you can't move anymore... oh well, two drum clinics, one Crimso show and two Yesshows (Union) are nothing for me to complain about, I guess...

[Purple Wolfhound]

I guess I consider myself lucky enough to have seen him perform live in three different bands: King Crimson, Genesis and Yes, but still pained that I wasn’t able to see him in Earthworks. I should have got that wild hair going wilder and made the trip to New York a few years back and saw him at the Iridium. Oh well, the best of luck in all of your endeavours, Bill – musical or otherwise. You’ll always be one of my favs…

:drummer:

:appl[1]:

[relayeire]

Is there some issue with his health? sometimes these things are health-related… what’s with the retroactive announcement anyway? I guess we’ll have to read the book…

For healthy musicians it’s all about gigging and keeping the music alive – not doing book tours… staying connected to music by performing is a passion as much as it is a way to earn a paycheck… has he lost the bug after all these years?

Anyway, I find the timing with the release of these collections – indeed the collections themselves – as un-Brufordian…

PS: I heard Bill may be forming a supergroup with Jon Lord, Christine McVie and Ray Thomas: Pensioners on Parade...

[Sonny G]

The world of live music will dearly miss you Bill, you we're one of the best.

[Roan's Lady]

Ahh! I only saw him with ABWH and Union - almost saw him in NYC a couple of times, but things got in the way. I hope first and foremost that he is indeed healthy (the article FL posted seemed to indicate that) and secondly that he feels a tremendous, tremendous sense of accomplishment - what a phenomenal career, so much to be proud of. Brilliantly talented, smart, and uncompromising - a true master.

[ladybugjt68]

Glad I got to meet him in NYC a couple years back !!!!

[Roan's Lady]

Glad I got to meet him in NYC a couple years back !!!!



What a great shot, Ladybug! :D

[witeskyn7]

Bill Bruford. A True Master.

It saddens me a little that I never got to see him
perform. He's the one most* responsible for my becoming
a drummer and percussionist as well. (*Amongst others.)


Bill if you ever read this,

Thank You, Sir.




:yesbird: :drummer: :yesbird:

[crystal]

HAVE A NICE LIFE, bILL:beerchugr:

[crystal]

:drummer:

[Meng]

I hope first and foremost that he is indeed healthy (the article FL posted seemed to indicate that) and secondly that he feels a tremendous, tremendous sense of accomplishment - what a phenomenal career, so much to be proud of. Brilliantly talented, smart, and uncompromising - a true master.
Couldn't have put it better myself.

Having just missed out on the Fragile tour (:mad:) I remember how chuffed I was to finally see him on the ABWH tour.

One of the very best.

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

it's his desicion...and he left a great work for us fans! Every artist has to know when to quit.

[miar]

Very sad to hear about the retirement.. but I understand him and will always support him - whatever he decides to do.
Bill is and will always be my favourite drummer :)
I

[oliasdoug]

Wow...another end of an era, so to speak.

I feel fortunate to have seen Bill on the 1978 tour with UK, as well as the 1996 tour with the 6-man King Crimson. Bill, wherever he performed & whoever he performed with, never failed to amaze. Such an intelligent and pleasantly-outspoken gentleman, too.

And as a few others in here have been forthright in stating--and as much as I love Alan--Bill was always the penultimate Yes drummer. Alan is a fantastic drummer, but Bill's style was unique, innovative, and always pushed Yes to be better and better with each successive album.

Enjoy your retirement, Bill. You have definitely earned it.

[spoukeego]

bill's been one of my fave drummers for years. so unique. one note and you know it's him. had the pleasure of seeing him perform live 7 times. would've been 8, but on the way to an earthworks show in '92, i heard on the radio it was re-scheduled... to the night before!!!

[profusion]

I'm saddened, but also suprised. In recent years, Bill had expounded on the virtues of live performance and described himself purely in those terms. It's one thing to not want to tour anymore--I can relate to that every time I have to face an airport or stay at a hotel. But not even to sit in at Ronnie Scott's club in London every now and then? The man is British jazz royalty, in addition to being a rock legend. He could basically just show up and play anytime he wanted.

Although I'm equally in the dark on this, my suspicion is that the finances and hassle of keeping a band/project together play a role. He was an economics major, I believe. ;)

[bondegezou]

Is there some issue with his health? sometimes these things are health-related…

No, there's no indication that this is health-related.

Henry

[kmcpro615]

oops....

[kmcpro615]

I'm saddened, but also suprised. In recent years, Bill had expounded on the virtues of live performance and described himself purely in those terms. It's one thing to not want to tour anymore--I can relate to that every time I have to face an airport or stay at a hotel. But not even to sit in at Ronnie Scott's club in London every now and then? The man is British jazz royalty, in addition to being a rock legend. He could basically just show up and play anytime he wanted.

Although I'm equally in the dark on this, my suspicion is that the finances and hassle of keeping a band/project together play a role. He was an economics major, I believe. ;)

No need to be saddened. The finances and the hassle may have indeed played a role in his decision, but it's also an indication that he has handled his finances well and is indeed in a position to effectively retire from the road.....and for that I think we should be happy for him.

As healthy as he seems to be, I don't think we've seen the last of him. Just for the time being perhaps........

KMCc:)

www.myspace.com/kurtmichaels1

[90125yes]

at least bill can still do new music

fancy doing something with YES ???

[bondegezou]

at least bill can still do new music

fancy doing something with YES ???

Bruford has repeatedly made it very clear that he has no interested whatsoever in rejoining Yes.

Moreover, the most recent reports say Bruford is, sadly, also retiring from studio work.

Henry

[Write a punch line]

Now that really stinks. He's just done now eh?

[yarstruly]

People often do change their minds...I remember a few years ago Tony Kaye said he'd retired from the music business....now there he is in Circa...anything can happen..

[tribute1969]

He STILL thinks he's in The Beatles..
They "retired" from live performances a long time ago..

No, that was Rick during his drinking days..nevermind...

Bill performed at a "drum clinic" here in Music City a few years back during one of our SE Chapter YesFans Gatherings...

No, NOT at our gathering, down on Music Row...

[Whitefish]

I can understand Bill wanting to retire. Earthworks is great, but financially is it worth the effort? Bill has no interest in revisiting any bands of his past. No doubt, he never has to work another day in his life. I do think however, that he will continue making music and recording albums.

[bondegezou]

I do think however, that he will continue making music and recording albums.

He's said otherwise, that he isn't recording any new work either now (although he's got a final album due out later this year).

Henry