An open letter to former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

How could anyone give a drummer songwriting/ publishing credit? They get what the band feeds them or nothing at all.
Would you give the bassist equal songwriting credit for coming up with the idea of playing the root notes of a song you wrote?
Unless the "player" puts a spin on a song that changes the dynamic of what was originally written they don't deserve a penny and are expendable.
If you muted the drum track of the majority of Slayer songs you wouldn't notice a huge difference. Plus, you could find any number of session drummers that could play the same part or much better.

Drummers...

There's a huge difference between song writing and song recording. If Lombardo did indeed "write" or "help write" the music, including the lyrics, then he absolutely deserves credit and compensation. If he was just handed the music (based on someone else laying it out or writing it) and then he played according to the direction of the band, that is, he didn't really add anything or change anything then you are correct.

A band like Credence Clearwater Revival got all their music and direction from one guy--John Fogerty. He wrote the music, he played lead guitar, he fronted the band and he was the lead singer. Most bands aren't like this.

For example Fleetwood Mac had several members writing music and bringing the music in to be recorded. Different members of the band brought in their music with the lyrics, and the others basically said "yes, let's do it" or "no, let's not record this song." It was way more collaborative.

I'm not a big Slayer fan so I don't know who the main influences are in the songs. However Lombardo is an original member so he's probably got some kind of legitimate beef as to why he's not making as much as some of the other guys in the band. Especially if he helped write the music and helped define Slayer's style in the early days due to his creative influence. Did he help with lyrics? Did he help with the format of the songs? Did he help when producing the music? Was he in the studio and there when the tracks were being cut, did he have a say about that? Etc.,