Garibaldi gave his tepid approval for the councilor to make off with the sticks but later was troubled enough by the encounter to write a scathing letter to every member of the Albuquerque City Council. KOB's story included a few excerpts from Garibaldi's letter, but we managed to get our Eyes on a complete copy of the missive.
Don,You really have to read the full letter to understand how strange Saturday's councilor meets drummer encounter really was. We don't know what the councilor was thinking but his spokesman - Councilor Ken Sanchez - told KOB that Harris would be sending the drumsticks back while Councilor Harris refused requests to go on camera.
David Garibaldi here. I'm the drummer with the Tower of Power,and we met Saturday evening at The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce gathering. Ever since our meeting I was troubled by what transpired, so I thought I'd drop you a line and express my thoughts to you.
Just to recount the events surrounding our meeting...
Prior to our show, you and your son came into our dressing room without asking and introduced yourselves to me, our guitarist Jerry Cortez, and trumpet player Mic Gillette. You wanted your son to meet us, which we were more than happy to do. We spoke for a few minutes and you mentioned that you were a lawyer and a politician and that you played saxophone at one time, had studied music and when you began to play after graduating, you said music wasn't a very good life.
You expressed this to some folks who have been very successful musicians all their lives. I'm 63 years old and have been playing the drums since the age of 10, and a working musician since the age of 17. As a boy, my dream was to travel the world playing the drums...I'm living my dream. My work is well documented and my reputation speaks for itself.
After the show I again saw you and your son backstage, and you showed me a pair of drum sticks that you had taken off of my drum set. I was pretty surprised and said that your taking them wasn't a good idea. i didn't want to make a scene and allowed your son to keep them...you said something about not knowing what the "protocol" was. Then, in the dressing room in front of most of the band members, you asked me why that wasn't ok...I replied "because you didn't ask".
Again, I didn't want to make a scene and embarrass you in front of your son and said he could keep them, but in retrospect, I should have asked for the sticks back and said what I'm saying now. Our dressing room is our sanctuary before shows where we can relax and focus on our performance, so I wasn't expecting to have to deal with you in that way.
That "protocol" you mentioned isn't really protocol...it's my property, and you had no right whatsoever to to my property. You're a lawyer and should know this. Obviously, the rules don't apply to you. The dressing room was our private area, and you had no right to be there without permission. Again, I guess you thought because you're a city council member, you can go where you want, and take what you want. Sorry. You took my property without my permission, and thought it was ok. Your now son thinks it's ok too. Where did you get this idea that you could take what's mine without asking?
You came into our dressing room without an invitation, ate our food without asking, and also took my drumsticks without my permission as a prize for your son. Yes, it only a pair of drumsticks, but sir, they're my drumsticks and they mean something to me...they represent my life and all I've worked for.
I hope we don't meet again...you're what wrong with politicians today. You represent yourself and your own interests and definitely showed how little respect you have for what I do. You're not welcome at our shows. We've been doing this for 42 years, and are serious about our craft. We're also serious about the impression we leave behind.
Your bio says you studied the saxophone with the late Jackie McLean...one of the greats. I'm a fan of his and often listen to his recordings. You studied with someone who understood the tradition of the instrument and respected it. Based on your behavior, I wouldn't include him on your bio...if he knew what you were up to, he probably wouldn't approve of it.
It was an embarrassing moment, totally unacceptable and I have no recourse but to write you, and to Cc your colleagues on the city council, so they'll know what kind of person they're working with, if they don't already. If I knew any media people there in Albuquerque, I'd be including them here as well.
Aside from this, it was a tremendous event, staffed and attended by some very nice people...my compliments to a very professional Joe Bufalino and his crew for making us feel welcome.
Respectfully,
David Garibaldi
Drummer - Tower of Power
Our bet is that for his service above and beyond the call of being president of the city council, Ken Sanchez will be owed a very important favor.
16 comments:
Don sounds like a major douche. He probobly thought he could get away with this because A) he's a City Councilor of course, B) he brought his son, and who is going to be a jerk to a kid? He is setting a terrible example for his son and his son should know why his father is sending the drumsticks back. I think David is 100% correct and validated.
What a TOOL. This is what's wrong with Albuquerque
I was at a Bob Dylan concert at Tingley a couple of years ago. A drunken Mayor Marty was refused admission to Bob's dressing room ... by Bob Dylan himself. Who in the Hell do these cheesy politicians think they are?
Don Wilkes Booth strikes again.
This story is unbelievable and something is up with that. Ok, was Don's last political opponent friends with the Drummer? Why is it that Politicians have to really watch every little thing said? Answer: because a political opponent is ready to pounce, twist and distort. Ok, maybe Don needs a wake up call and less expectations of freebies because of his political position in City government. Honestly, the drummer sounds a little passive aggressive. Like, ok, go ahead and steal from me at the time of the incident.... instead of saying how he really felt. Maybe the Drummer needs to speak his mind and not hold it in and Don needs to not expect anything for free. There is nothing for free.
Newsflash: When the Drummer of the band says that he would never like to talk to Don again, what that really says is that Don really needs to make amends to the Drummer. Don needs to do something positive for the Drummer and his band. For example, promote their music by making a T-Shirt that says something like, "I stole a pair of drumsticks from a really awesome band and got caught." Wear the T-Shirt on camera and promote the band's name at the next City Council meeting. Sales for their music will soar. The band will thank Don and laugh.
The follies of City Council.
Yeah, or could this be a city council hoax? Bad publicity is better than no publicity at all.
fire that councilor!
Passive aggressive - the drummer? I think NOT! He showed some class by not embarrassing the idiot in front of his son. Just shows the arrogance of these politicians. However, no matter what they do they get away with it.
No drumsticks at our next neighborhood pic nic, just thighs, breasts and wings.
On second thought, maybe breasts and thighs aren't even off limits.
Read between the lines. The Drummer in the Band is a muscian who like most starving artists pays his way to play. The money to buy another set of drumsticks just to get by with a meager pay made him upset. Local bands in New Mexico don't have alot of money to play which really is just like school funding for music programs being cut, too. Muscians are suppose to create harmony and music, so the Drummer needs to work out the hostility with Don and maybe something great will occur. Don is in a great position to offer some public PR and media attention. I'm curious about their music, so where can I get a copy of their C.D?
Don really needs to help promote that band in a way that the band benefits financially to keep on playing.
The chamber event featured a steak dinner before the show. Hint, Harris had none of the band's sandwiches, and he went back there because he was invited.
Harris's teenage kid picks up some used drum sticks, that Garibaldi gets for free because he is sponsored by the stick manufacturer, and Garibalidi says o.k. keep them.
Then later writes a letter to the world that this evil politician ate his food and stole the drum sticks, when all Harris did is ask permission to keep the ones his kid picked up.
Anyone who has been around talented musicians knows that many of them are, well, borderline insane. This guy seems to fit the bill.
don harris is a TARD!
Tower of Power is an incredible band. They have the tightest horn section in the business. Any musician who knows his stuff, knows who TOP is. I've been listening to them since 1975 (Sophomore in high school). The following is from their website (FYI)...
Oh, and for whoever asked about their CD...they have 23 albums out. Take your pick. AND...they are far from broke, starving musicians.
"For over 40 years, Tower of Power has been creating their own kind of soul music. Since 1968, Tower of Power has delivered their unique brand of music to their fans, appearing before sold out crowds as they tour the world each year. Tower’s sound can be hard to categorize, but the band's leader and founding member, Emilio Castillo, has labeled their sound as "Urban Soul Music."
Tower's rhythm section lays down a groove like no other band. The band’s horn driven sound is unique, and the way they approach everything, from writing and arranging to mixing and performing, is totally their own. Combine all of that with an outstanding lead vocalist and you have one of the most dynamic groups of musicians to ever hit the stage.
Each year Tower of Power tours the United States, Japan and Europe, playing to sold out crowds all over the world. 2009 will see the release of the “Great American Soulbook”, a collection of classic soul tunes, and the 40th Anniversary Concert DVD. Tower has never been busier or more in demand. New generations of fans come to see the band perform as their timeless music continues to excite fans of all ages
Anyone defending the councilors behavior is probably a politician, a lawyer or both. IMHO, it seems to me that oftentimes, some feel above the law and don't have to live by the rules that most of us try to live by every day. We are, after all, just the masses. I, for one, am glad that Mr. Garibaldi took the time to write that letter and show people in this town what class really looks like. Take the example people and study it. Understand what has taken place here and learn from it. Don't try to deflect or interpret or explain away bad behavior. Lastly, allow me to say that I seriously doubt Dave is what one would describe as a starving musician.
Let me help you with a suggestion;
http://www.towerofpower.com/2007/index.php?Itemid=izmuniqf
This should give you a clue.
Politicians steal from the people all the time. The last thing the world needs is a shyster city councilman teaching his child how to rip off a musician.
And to the person saying "TOP can afford it"...Yes they can, but it still does not excuse the behavior of thievery by Don Harris and his kid. Sure, they can afford it monetarily but on a moral stance, we all can't afford it.
Maybe it's a good thing you post anonymously. "Sunlight is the best antiseptic".
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