Drums & Demons

The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon

By: Joel Selvin

Narrated by: David Bendena

Jim Gordon was the greatest rock drummer of all-time. Just ask the world-famous musicians who played with him—John Lennon, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Joe Cocker, and many more.

They knew him for his superior playing, extraordinary training and technique, preternatural intuition, perfect sense of time, and his “big fill”—the mathematically-precise clatter that exploded like detonating fireworks on his drum breaks. And as bestselling author and award-winning journalist Joel Selvin reveals, the story of Jim Gordon is the most brilliant, turbulent, and wrenching rock opera ever.

This riveting narrative follows Gordon as the very chemicals in his brain that gifted him also destroyed him. His head crowded with a hellish gang of voices screaming at him, demanding obedience, Gordon descended from the absolute heights of the rock world—playing with the most famous musicians of his generation—to working with a Santa Monica dive-bar band for $30 a night. And then he committed the most shocking crime in rock history.

With full cooperation from the late Gordon's family and based on his trademark extensive, detailed research, Joel Selvin’s account is at once an epic journey through an artist’s monumental musical contributions, a rollicking history of rock drumming, and a terrifying downward spiral into the unimaginable madness that Gordon fought a valiant but losing battle against. One of the great untold stories of rock is finally being told.

©2024 Joel Selvin (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

Profoundly Sad

A good telling of the biography of Jim Gordon. I am haunted by this account of his descent in to the chaos and destruction of his schizophrenia. This account also gives a good account of his stellar accomplishments as a musician. Jim was a drummer, one of the best.

It’s a sad story

I liked the story but it’s a very sad one. But he did play on some of the most recognizable music in the last 50 years

Tragic and Triumphant: Rock n Roll Meets True Crime

This is a compelling look at one of Rock’s most important drummers—-both famous and infamous, a musician’s musician. Or in this case, a drummer’s drummer.
As definitive a character study as it is one of the world’s most impressive Rock n Roll resumes, this is a must read study on the healing power of music (chronicling the 15 years he survived the scene); as much as an eye opener to the demons of mental illness.

Genius and Tragedy

This is the book I didn’t realize I was waiting for, but I’m glad I found it. I am an aficionado of music of this time period and have read many books about the musicians and those who traveled in their circles. When I was exploring the Layla period, I read up on Eric Clapton and found Bobby Whitlock’s wonderful book, along with others. Jim Gordon was mentioned in many of the books about this period, and I’d heard his beat on so many records of my childhood and teen years. I had learned about his psychiatric problems and his horrible crime, but I didn’t know the other details of his life. I wondered how he’d come to such tragic circumstances, and this book explained with compassion how he got there. It was much more than alcohol and drugs. Despite everything, my heart goes out to Jim Gordon, as well as to those who paid the price of his behavior. This book filled in missing details about Jim and added to my knowledge of the musical time period. It is well written and narrated. I purchased it as soon as I saw it and I’m glad I did. Highly recommended.

Highly Recommended Audiobook

I highly recommend this audiobook, it is well written with excellent narration. “Drums & Demons” is the life story of Jim Gordon a gifted musician. Each chapter moves quickly as we’ve learn of Jim’s success in the music business and his struggle with the challenges mental illness.
Jim’s story left me wondering why so many gifted artists enjoy success and unfortunately suffer from the effects of mental illness. I’m sure I’ll be listening to this audiobook again.