Few drummers can claim to have played at events as culturally diverse as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Woodstock festival, but both fell effortlessly within the remit of Bruce Rowland. Along the way he taught the young Phil Collins, played on the original recording of Jesus Christ Superstar and drummed with folk-rock innovators Fairport Convention.
His appearance with a military band came before he found fame as a rock drummer, backing Joe Cocker during his explosive performance at Woodstock in 1969. He provided the backbeat behind the singer’s interpretation of the Beatles’ With A Little Help From My Friends, one of the highlights of the Woodstock movie. His versatility was wittily celebrated in a spoof job description that Fairport Convention placed in the music