John Patrick Pugwash Weathers is a drummer from Wales who worked with the band Gentle Giant, which was best known for its progressive rock music in the 1970s. Although he started in a temporary position in the band, he quickly became a permanent fixture after his success in the album Octopus in 1972.
He was best known for his drum bashing style, but he also played numerous instruments including the xylophone. He stayed in the band until it formally disbanded in 1980 and after that took on numerous temporary positions in different bands.
He joined the band Man in 1983 and he only left when he heard rumors that his favorite band Gentle Giant was reforming. He was the longest serving drummer that the band Man had in its career and he also wrote/co wrote many of their songs.
John Weathers was born in 1947 and began playing drums at an early age, joining The Vikings in 1964 for a short time. He ran away from home at the age of 15 and went to live with his aunt. He returned home two years later to take advantage of the need for drummers in many bands and his parents were very proud of his success in the Eyes of Blue band which won an award.
He then spent much of his life performing and did not stop playing the drums until 2001 due to arthritis in his foot. He continues to work with the latest reincarnation of Wild Turkey to record albums, never letting his health get in the way of his loves.
He has also been reportedly drumming a little for the band, despite the arthritis that would plague him if he did not have something he loved to keep his mind off it.
Despite battling Spinocerebellar Ataxia, a disease akin to multiple sclerosis with the symptoms of arthritis, Weathers still maintained a healthy career as a drummer and musician, joining several bands over the course of his life, and helping to write some of the music for bands such as Ancient Grease and Gentle Giant. Weathers never let his disease affect what he did; instead becoming a high energy drummer for every band he worked and played for.
The nickname ugwash was for a childrens comic book hero Captain Pugwash in the 1950s and 60s, though the reason for the nickname has unfortunately been lost to history.
John Weathers is also an ornithologist in his spare time.
Author Resource:-
Drew Mers is an advertising consultant to to Empire Rehearsal Studios, which rents music rehearsal studios to bands and musicians in Manhattan (New York City) and Queens.
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