Drumming legend Vinnie Colaiuta has officially signed an endorsement with Gretsch Drums. Colaiuta, best known for his work with Frank Zappa and Sting, is one of the most respected drummers in the world.
His career of more than four decades has included a multitude of recordings, soundtrack work and collaborations with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Jeff Beck, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Joe Satriani, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, among many others. Now, after all this time, the drummer has picked up a new, redesigned custom Gretsch USA kit for his new tour with Sting.
Rock Paper Scissors, which will also feature Peter Gabriel, will visit nineteen cities throughout the summer. Colaiuta says "I was in free fall and I've landed softly. My sound is Gretsch. Home is where the heart is, and I've come home."
The new Gretsch kit for Colaiuta was handmade in Ridgeland, North Carolina, at the company's U.S. factory. Its finish makes it unique, above all its cobalt blue lacquer, created specifically for the Rock Paper Scissors tour.
The set, which bears the musician's signature, consists of custom 18x22, 7x8, 7x10, 8x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x18 and 4.5x12 drums; 5x14 solid steel snares; and a DW rack, hardware and a 9002 double pedal. Colaiuta holds a Grammy, is No. 49 on the list of the "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time" and has won a total of eighteen drummer awards from the international press. As if that weren't enough, Colaiuta was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1996.
