Devo Drummer Alan Myers Has Died - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 06-26-2013, 10:11 AM

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Alan Myers, Devo's drummer during their period of greatest success, died Monday of brain cancer. Myers' death was first reported on Facebook by his friend Ralph Carney, a jazz musician who knew Myers in Devo's hometown of Akron, Ohio (and the uncle of Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney).

Myers became Devo's third drummer when he joined the band in 1976. Known for his precision on the kit, his playing featured on Devo's first seven albums, including 1978's Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! and 1980's Freedom of Choice, which included the single "Whip It." He left the band in 1986 over a lack of creative fulfillment as the group increasingly used electronic drums, according to the 2003 book We Are Devo!

100 Best Debuts of All Time: Devo, 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

After leaving Devo, Myers worked as an electrical contractor in Los Angeles, and since 2005 had played improvisational music with his wife, Christine Myers, in the group Skyline Electric. He had also performed with his daughter, Laena Geronimo, in the experimental ensemble Swahili Blonde.

Myers' former bandmate Gerald Casale praised the drummer on Twitter as news of his death spread. The Devo founder called Myers "the most incredible drummer I had the privilege to play with for 10 years. Losing him was like losing an arm."

In subsequent tweets, Casale wrote, "I begged him not to quit Devo. He could not tolerate being replaced by the Fairlight and autocratic machine music. I agreed . . . Alan, you were the best – a human metronome and then some."

Drummer Josh Freese, who joined Devo for their 2010 reunion, has cited Myers as one of his major influences. "An underrated/brilliant drummer," Freese tweeted. "Such an honor playing his parts w/Devo. Godspeed Human Metronome."

Marvo301 · 06-26-2013, 01:49 PM

Alan Myers

TheCars1986 · 06-26-2013, 01:55 PM

Always considered his drumming style underrated. Very good on "Whip It" and "Secret Agent Man".

ABlairican Pie · 06-26-2013, 07:49 PM

I was a huge fan of Devo over thirty years ago. Very sad.

The band was definitely ahead of their time.

robyrob · 06-26-2013, 09:49 PM

i love Devo - some of their best songs are the ones with the weirdest rhythms and time signatures

ABlairican Pie · 06-27-2013, 07:46 PM

When I first heard Devo in 1979, I thought it was the weirdest stuff in the world!!! But then I totally got into it.

06-26-2013, 10:11 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,366	Devo Drummer Alan Myers Has Died Link Alan Myers, Devo's drummer during their period of greatest success, died Monday of brain cancer. Myers' death was first reported on Facebook by his friend Ralph Carney, a jazz musician who knew Myers in Devo's hometown of Akron, Ohio (and the uncle of Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney). Myers became Devo's third drummer when he joined the band in 1976. Known for his precision on the kit, his playing featured on Devo's first seven albums, including 1978's Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! and 1980's Freedom of Choice, which included the single "Whip It." He left the band in 1986 over a lack of creative fulfillment as the group increasingly used electronic drums, according to the 2003 book We Are Devo! 100 Best Debuts of All Time: Devo, 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! After leaving Devo, Myers worked as an electrical contractor in Los Angeles, and since 2005 had played improvisational music with his wife, Christine Myers, in the group Skyline Electric. He had also performed with his daughter, Laena Geronimo, in the experimental ensemble Swahili Blonde. Myers' former bandmate Gerald Casale praised the drummer on Twitter as news of his death spread. The Devo founder called Myers "the most incredible drummer I had the privilege to play with for 10 years. Losing him was like losing an arm." In subsequent tweets, Casale wrote, "I begged him not to quit Devo. He could not tolerate being replaced by the Fairlight and autocratic machine music. I agreed . . . Alan, you were the best – a human metronome and then some." Drummer Josh Freese, who joined Devo for their 2010 reunion, has cited Myers as one of his major influences. "An underrated/brilliant drummer," Freese tweeted. "Such an honor playing his parts w/Devo. Godspeed Human Metronome."
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06-26-2013, 01:49 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Alan Myers
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06-26-2013, 07:49 PM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	I was a huge fan of Devo over thirty years ago. Very sad. The band was definitely ahead of their time.
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06-26-2013, 09:49 PM	#5
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,182	i love Devo - some of their best songs are the ones with the weirdest rhythms and time signatures
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06-26-2013, 01:55 PM	#3
TheCars1986 #VLSKMS Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 22, 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 8,606	Always considered his drumming style underrated. Very good on "Whip It" and "Secret Agent Man".

06-27-2013, 07:46 PM	#6
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	When I first heard Devo in 1979, I thought it was the weirdest stuff in the world!!! But then I totally got into it.