Hada and Stamos drumming. John Stamos filmed this clip at his house a few days ago. It brings back memories of playing drums with Stamos in the Kennedy High School Drumline. We play drums together more than most realize. For instance, we play drums over video conferences like Zoom or Facetime. And after all these years it’s amazing we still like the drums so much.
We have always had our mutual interests in magic, drums, computers, and photography. I’m so lucky to know John. Every time we hang out we have such a fun time.
Joe Wood TSOL Skateboarding. Joe Wood is a renowned musician known for his time as the frontman of the band TSOL. Before his music career took off, he was a skateboarder who frequented Skatopia in Buena Park. There, he would skate alongside his friends Scott Bunnel and Perry Peterson, known for their skill in localizing the pool.
As a younger skater, you looked up to Joe, Scott, and Perry, but also received tough love from them, much like older brothers keeping a younger sibling in line. Despite the occasional scolding, these interactions helped shape my skating journey at Skatopia.
Joe Wood’s passion for music eventually led him to front TSOL, where he significantly impacted the punk rock scene. Even today, he continues to create and perform music, staying true to his artistic roots. And his creativity as a musician expanded into different genres of music.
Joe Wood is a serious talent. If you ever get the chance to see him live take it. His performance last night blew my mind. He was on. He was in it. He took the entire club to another place in a few of the songs.
Ken Hada holding the last picture taken of Joe Wood skateboarding
Although I don’t see Joe often he is always glad to see me. Tonight when I gave him a print he said “It’s been a while Hada!”. The print is of the last time Joe Wood rode a skateboard. It was at the Old Bro original location) in Carlsbad.
Finally, I will forever be at Skatopia with Joe Wood and the rest of the locals. I am so lucky to have known such a great group of people.
Ken Hada and Hal Blaine at Zildjian QWest photo Kirsten Matt
Hal Blaine at Zildjian. It was May 12, 2012, an extraordinary day when I found myself at the Zildjian West headquarters for a special private event held exclusively for Zildjian artists. In the main room, famous drummers and percussion enthusiasts were mingling. Among the attendees was a renowned cymbal expert from the Zildjian factory in Boston, who shared fascinating insights into the craftsmanship behind the iconic cymbals.
As I wandered towards Kirsten Matt’s office, I had the incredible fortune of bumping into Hal Blaine, the legendary drummer known for his work with The Wrecking Crew. To my amazement, Hal and I hit it off immediately. Surprisingly, our conversation veered away from drums and music. Instead, we talked about life. Hal’s warmth and humility made it feel like I was catching up with an old friend rather than meeting an iconic figure for the first time.
Hal Blaine at Zildjian
Kirsten Matt captured the moment with a photo, a treasured keepsake of that unforgettable encounter.
Years, before this chance meeting, I was at my local skatepark. That morning was cold (by California standards), so I was wearing my favorite Zildjian sweatshirt. As I took a break, a familiar face approached me—Josh, a fellow skateboarder who frequented the park.
“Hey, cool sweatshirt! My grandpa drums for that company,” Josh said, pointing to the Zildjian logo.
I was momentarily stunned. “who is your grandpa?” I asked, connecting the dots.
“My uncle is Hal Blaine” Josh replied with a big grin.
We never spoke of it again. And I didn’t think I would ever have a chance to meet Hal Blaine or speak of his grandson. But that chance meeting with Hal Blaine at the special Zildjian artists’ event and the subsequent connection with his grandson Josh were reminders of the unexpected ways our lives intersect. I am lucky to have met Hal, his drumming was the soundtrack of my generation’s life.
Drumline Tryouts: 1980 memories is a song by Ken Hada from the series of songs called March. I wrote this series of songs about my time in the drumline at Kennedy. and this song is about my first encounters with the drumline. The pictures and film clips are from the drum lines between 1980 and 1982. Again the song is about the 1980 Drumline. You can hear any of the songs I wrote on all streaming apps as well as YouTube.
The drumline was my first real taste of what felt like a 1980’s male bonding and almost frat house experience. The relentless rehearsals, the inside jokes, the late-night hangouts, and the unspoken competition created an environment that was both intense and incredibly formative. This rite of passage was not just about mastering the paradiddles and flams, but about finding my place in a community that valued precision, passion, and a bit of playful chaos.
Drumline Tryouts: 1980 memories
“Drumline Tryouts” stands as a tribute to those formative years. The song is part of a larger collection I began writing in the 1990s called March. I wrote the chords and arrangement for this and the rest of the songs in the collection back then. Revisiting these old compositions and breathing new life into them has been a journey in itself. Although I wrote the music in the 1990s, I didn’t know what stories these songs would eventually contain.
While I played drums, arranged, and recorded most of the tracks, I was fortunate to collaborate with Joey Grijalva, who brought his guitar expertise to the table, and Don Duckworth, whose bass lines added depth to the composition. Their contributions helped shape the sound of “Drumline Tryouts,” but the essence of the song remains deeply personal. Every beat, every chord progression, and every lyric is infused with the memories of my high school days, capturing the essence of that unforgettable rite of passage.
Skateboarding on Mother’s Day? In a world where skateboarding events often prioritize competition and sponsorship deals, “Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama” stands out as a rare beacon of grassroots skateboarding. Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama is a celebration driven not by corporate interests, but by the pure love of the sport. Founded by author Barb Odanka, this event embodies the essence of skateboarding for the sheer joy of it.
Photographing Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama offers a glimpse into a world where skateboarding isn’t about prizes or recognition. Instead, this yearly event is about the simple pleasure of rolling on four wheels. Each photograph captures moments of enthusiasm and unfiltered creativity. Mothers and their children revel in the freedom of expression that skateboarding provides.
Against the backdrop of the Laguna Niguel Skatepark, these images tell a story of authenticity and community. In fact, this is a place where skaters of all ages and backgrounds come together to share in the thrill of riding. From beginners finding their balance to seasoned veterans, Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama embraces skateboarding in its purest form—a celebration of freedom, creativity, and the boundless joy of rolling with friends.
As the event continues to thrive year after year, it serves as a reminder that, at its core, skateboarding is about more than just tricks. Skateboarding is about connection, camaraderie, and the simple pleasure of riding. In a world that often moves at breakneck speed, Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama offers a chance to slow down, connect with others, and rediscover the joy of skateboarding for the sheer love of it.
Ken Hada Drums at John Stamos’s House: 40 Years of Rhythm and Friendship.
Ken Hada Drums John Stamos drumming
Join me in this special video as I reminisce on 40 years of drumming. With John Stamos, right from the comfort of his home! And guess what? We’re bringing the thunder with our Zildjian cymbals! From our first jam session in 1980 to the present day, it’s been an incredible journey.
Ken Hada Drums at John Stamos’s House
In this video, we’ll take you behind the scenes of our jam sessions at John’s house, where we’ve been helping each other’s drumming skills grow through dedicated practice and collaboration. You’ll also get a glimpse into our shared roots, as we reflect on our days playing drums in the marching band at Kennedy High in La Palma, California.
Get ready to witness the power of mutual support and camaraderie in music, as we blend our experiences from the marching band to the comfort of John’s home studio!
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Mary Kissed The Ground, a musical memoir of my days in the Kennedy High School Marching Band. Transporting me back to the energy of the 1980s. I recall the creativity that fueled the genesis of this series of songs. Next, with both intuition and attention to detail, I crafted the arrangement and chords. Lastly, I will lay the foundation for what will evolve into my musical journey.
I recorded the basic tracks in the 1990’s. And capture the essence of my musical vision in its rawest form. I left out the words to save myself from facing them.
essentially 2 songs
“Mary Kissed the Ground” emerges as a multifaceted narrative, encapsulating two distinct chapters of my journey. The first part, a lyrical flight from Scotland to Ireland, embodies the boredom of intercontinental flight. The melody soars across vast expanses of sky, it carries the echoes of the band, color guard, and drill team. And that we were all moving farther away from our hometown.
In the second part, the focus shifts to the poignant moment of landing at Shannon Airport. Where a Drill Team officer kissing the ground serves as a poignant reminder of the transition. The transition from a world governed by rules to one defined by us. It wasn’t just time away from our home lives. It was time away from the world that formed us.
I originally this work “The Epic,” and later titled it “March.” Rooted in the shared experiences of the Kennedy High School Marching Band. These songs serve as a musical testament to the camaraderie and the spirit of adventure that unite us all.
“Mary Kissed The Ground” is but one chapter in this unfolding saga. Alongside other finished songs such as “Band Bus Ride,” “Parade,” and “5th Move.” Together, they form a symphony of memories. A melodic journey through the triumphs and tribulations of youth. Finally, a timeless testament to the enduring power of music to transcend time and space.
Mary Kissed The GroundMarch is a collection of songs written and recorded by Ken Hada
