Kid Rock Percussionist 'Looking Forward' to Concert at Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte

Fans of Kid Rock have an opportunity to see one of his two percussionists Saturday at Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte.

Larry Fratangelo is prepping for a concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the high school and a summer tour with Kid Rock beginning in June.

Tickets for the concert at the high school are $5. Tickets for the upcoming tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre are considerably more.

Fratangelo, 60, of Clinton Township, grew up in Trenton and has played percussion for some of the biggest names in music including Aretha Franklin, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Prince.

Before he takes the stage Fratangelo will be holding clinics for percussionists of all levels during the Downriver Day of Percussion along side well-known Detroit jazz musicians Michele Ramo and Sean Dobbins.

Fratangelo is no stranger to teaching percussion. He's has had several students during his many years as a professional percussionist including Chad Smith--the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Patch wanted to find out more about the Downriver rocker, so we did what any self-respecting journalist would do--we asked him questions about his life.

Here's Patch editor Nate Stemen's interview with percussionist Larry Fratangelo:

How long have you been a percussionist for Kid Rock?

I've been with Kid Rock for five years in the Twisted Brown Trucker Band.

Where did you go to school?

I graduated from Trenton High School. I also graduated from Michigan State University with a history degree in social sciences and anthropology.

What got you into music?

I didn't start until fifth grade. These days that's a late start. My son started when he was in a highchair.

What instruments do you play when you're on tour with Kid Rock?

I play some drums and percussion. I play hand drums from around the world: congas, which are Latin and African drums played without sticks. I also play tambourines, shakers, wind chimes. I never leave the stage. I don't get a break.

In which Kid Rock songs can we hear your percussions?

"Rock and Roll Jesus" is when they first called me and I first got with the band. I've written music for "Bawitdaba," "Cowboy," "Picture." I've written music for hand drums for all the songs. A lot of those songs (with me playing hand drums) aren't on the records.

When do you go back on tour?

We're touring again in June with seven shows at Pine Knob (DTE Energy Music Theatre).

What kinds of things do you do when you're not on tour?

We record or take a break. We are going to be touring from June to October. We'll probably do some TV shows or movie awards.

Do you have a tour bus?

We use a tour bus or fly. The band has two buses. Bob (Kid Rock) will have different ones with small hot tubs, beds in the back, back lounges, front lounges.

What's the craziest thing to happen on Kid Rock's tour bus?

You never know what's going to happen on Bob's bus.

What's your favorite type of music to play?

I like funk and improvisational music and world music. It's very rhythmic. I like the jazz attitude where you use the tools as vehicles to explore our musicality. That tends to be in funk more.

Tell me about the Downriver Day of Percussion at Wyandotte Roosevelt High School.

I'm really looking forward to it. Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is one of my proteges. If you look on "Mother's Milk" it shows my name with "dad" next to it.

I'm looking forward to working with the young percussionists and helping them. It's about having respect for the instrument. I try to teach them to just touch the instrument everyday.

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