In a message dated 9/17/03 12:48:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
ralph@nettwerk.com writes:

<< I am always blown away by Viv Prince on 60s Pretty Things records...
 there is some amazing stuff going on there.... that whole 60s drum as
 an actual melodic instrument thing (particularly on a lot of the British
 records) I think has really affected my outlook now when i check out
 people playing .... if they are rising above the restrictions of what they're
 playing, I pay attention... >>

ABSOLUTELY!  Great point!  I always viewed The Hollies drummer the same way.  
I forget his name....was it Bobby Elliot?  He played in a most melodic way.  
I've always dug Mitch Mitchell and Pete Thomas (Costello/session drummer) for 
the same reasons.  These guys have super flair and never seem to be 
overplaying even when they are getting intricate.  I totally dislike the whole "metal" 
drummer sensibility.
MB