Marco White


Location: Oshkosh, WI

Challenge: Missing parts of fingers on left hand, Bipolar Disorder

Website: www.happydrumming.com

Marc "Marco" White is an American drummer was born on 7/19/1960 in Chicago.

Marco started to play the drum set at age 12 and had natural ability from the start. He must have played to thousands of records as a teen and then John Bonham with Led Zeppelin took over his drumming world. He joined his first professional band at 19 right out of High School, this after losing parts of 2 fingers on his left hand (1/2 middle and 1/4index) which he overcame.

Marco layed in bands throughout the 80’s. Played gigs as big as Summerfest, opening for the Bellamy Bros. Wisconsin State Fair and more. Then came the move to Madison,Wi. to take his drumming to a new level a band called ‘Mighty Vumba’ presented a great opportunity.

This 9 piece world music band recorded a CD called 'Afrockin Rumba' which gets great reviews. This band had the whole package, booked solid, merch(T-Shirts etc etc etc) many fans. Great memories. Then came “Apples and Oranges” a power pop band that mixed originals with covers and was the “Battle of the Bands” winners in 1995 (UW-Madison Battle of the Bands)

He formed his own instrumental trio called "Hip Pocket" in late 95' and it just cooked. Covers by The Meters, Jeff Beck, Miles Davis will give you the idea that this band played at a proficient level.

Marco made the pages in Modern Drummer magazine in 1998. "His demo tape displays his grasp of the fundamentals and nuances of each style he plays. He consistently adds color and character to the foundation he sets for each song" That’s high praise coming from the worlds #1 drum magazine.

Marco also lives with the day to day challenge of Bipolar Disorder. Marco adds "It's an ongoing challenge and it means medication and a ton of awareness as to where my mind is at. Manic or depressed? I have suffered through depression so deep that I was bed ridden for months. Or, I can have so much bounding energy that it\'s go go go non stop. Thankfully, after being diagnosed in 1998, I have managed it well. Drumming plays a huge therapeutic roll in managing it".

Around 2000 Marco really began laying the framework for what is now Happy Drumming.

Teaching began taking more of a priority while still playing occasional live gigs with bands. As a member of the Professional Drum Teachers Guild with endorsements with Soultone Cymbals he also writes for Nature’s Pathways with a “Holistic Health w/ The Art of Drumming” column. He now books 4 or more Expo’s per year and books clinics, workshops and teaches online (You Tube and Skype) A lesson with Marco’ is FUN and will leave you feeling great, no matter what level you may be on.


Marco White