Proof positive that Jim Gordon was one of the most melodic rock drummers of his generation.  It wasn't every studio musician that got asked to play on Beatles' records.  His style is so distinctive. His fills are flat-out creative.  Talent on loan from God.

This guy’s timing is impeccable. He plays beautifully to the song and his films are perfect. But that timing...wow

Jim Gordon’s attorney said his case was the saddest he ever handed. Lots off tragic endings in the world of music and this one has to be one of the worst. The man deserved a better fate. Bless you Mr Gordon and thank you for the beautiful music you created.

Love how he keeps a constant rhythm on the snare drum at sections of this track without using the hi hat. Definitely was one of the best session drummers up there with Hal Blaine, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, and Bernard Perdie.

Damn. RIP Jim... one of our finest drummers. Sad story - but now your hands are no longer silenced.

"the best drummer in the world"
(cit. Jeff Porcaro)

Been a fan since the '70s, then listening recently to Traffic's "Low Spark...", on the title track he plays quadruple fills on 4 toms in a row and it's perfection! He's a big reason why that was their best album.

Jim and Hal. Hal and Jim. They played on everything you’ve ever loved.

This is some really impressive drumming. He does all kinds of things but never steps on the song. Another great performance of his was on B W Stevenson's My Maria.

And Jim Gordon is the guy who gave the world the much used Apache drum break from the Incredible Bongo Band album. Great drummer.

He also played on The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and Smile Sessions.

We did not know much about schizophrenia at the time Jim was diagnosed with it and he self-medicated thinking it was keeping "the voices at bay."  Unfortunately, we did not have the medications we have today in the 70s.  Also, most of the musicians he was around were experimenting with drugs and did not notice anything out of the ordinary.  Sad all the way around, but he left us some great music to enjoy.  

Jim Gordon was not a super technical drummer but he had the most perfect time. He never dragged or rushed and he was always very solid and percussive. His work on Low Spark by Traffic is as good as it gets. He usually played single headed toms where they could be moved up high in the mix without overtones drowning out the other instruments which really made the music pop. He was a big man that towered over his drum set but he played with a musical finesse that was unmatched. Also his live playing with Derek And The Dominos was amazing. He had a right hand that could keep these sixteenth notes going forever without getting tired.

Are you telling me that Jim Gordon plays on three songs featured in Goodfellas?

Jim tearing it up as usual...amazing.

Listen  to live version of “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad.”

great!!!!! thanks for sharing, He was a giant, I can understand why he was Jeff Porcaro's favorite drummer

Oh damn, I didn't know the drum part was like this. One of the guitars sounds way more country that it does on the stereo track too.

And the keys sound dreamier too. Wtf. I have a feeling Spector's "wall of sound" is a scam, all the good parts are hidden

On Different Drum - 1967 Stone Poneys, going out of the bridge into the chorus Jim holds the beat back just a bit, which gives the chorus lift. Tempo stays the same. The drums created some magic there.

Outside of musician circles nobody knows who this guy is. He eclipsed every drummer in the session world. His demons finally caught up to him.