WILLIE WILCOX "Drum Solo" The Trapparatus"

In the late 70s, my band Utopia prepared for our legendary "Ra" tour. I was scheduled to perform a drum solo and wanted to create something special for our fans. The tour featured a 30-foot pyramid and a drum set surrounded by a fountain that would be activated during my solo. I named the drum set the "Trapparatus," a blend of the words "apparatus" and "trap." This name reflects the innovative fusion of a traditional trap kit with a modern twist. Trap Kit: This refers to a historical setup of percussion instruments used in musical theater and early orchestras. The name "trap" comes from the idea of a small, compact setup where various instruments could be quickly accessed from a single position. The setup often included a range of percussion instruments like snare drums, cymbals, and other small items. Apparatus: This term suggests a complex device or contraption. In this case, it refers to the combination of the motorcycle and drum set. By combining these elements, the "Trapparatus" not only pays homage to the traditional trap kit but also introduces a modern, dynamic element with the motorcycle. The kit's mechanical design was created by Rick Downey and myself. Unique features included: The bass drum beater that was three feet away from the actual pedal, achieved using a parallel pedal with a long chain reaching to the front of the motorcycle kit where the beater struck the pad. A hi-hat suspended from the motorcycle frame, with only the shaft of the hi-hat and a fabricated metal pedal that pulled down on a chain inside the hi-hat to move it up and down. The entire kit was mounted on a large motor with a shaft running up to the kit, allowing it to spin during drum solos. The sonic elements were accomplished using D-Drum pads made by renowned synth designer Hans Nordelius of NORD synth fame. I went into the studio with famed audio mix engineer Rick Kerr, who had worked with Avril Lavigne, and we spent the day sampling and recording big drum sounds. These sounds were burned onto the D-Drum E-Proms and triggered by the pads, giving the motorcycle kit the sound of a huge acoustic drum kit. The road crew enjoyed spinning the kit faster than intended, which challenged me to play my solos without being thrown off. The most fun was watching the fans' bewildered reactions when they first saw the kit. A fun fact: the Trapparatus was featured in Playboy magazine, winning the Excess of the Year award. The addition of the pyramid and fountain further enhanced the theatricality and excitement of the performance, making it a standout moment of the "Ra" tour. I hope you enjoy my solo performance from one of our tours.