Following is an interview conducted recently with Bill Berg, the original drummer for the Flim & the BB’s. The former bandmates (Flim Johnson, Dick Oatts, and Billy Barber) were not available for this interview.
Hi Bill, so what are you working on these days?
Bill Berg: We're all busy working musicians. I've just been so busy with my music career, actually working on both coasts, so not much free time.
What has had the most influence on your style in recent years? Which aspects of music are you working on presently?
BB: For me, the new jazz players: Chris Potter (sax), Adam Rogers (guitar). But, many other kinds of music, even 'New Grass'.
Which songs / composers do you most enjoy listening to now?
BB: Still love classical, Beethoven, Mozart, but many pop composers, too, Sting, John Mayer, on and on.
What’s the most important thing you tell aspiring musicians to focus on?
BB: Dedicate yourself to your instrument and listen to all kinds of music.
Besides your early influences, what influenced your playing while Flim & the BB’s were together?
BB: Fusion music was brand new so I listened to Miles Davis, Chick Corea, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc. At first, Billy Barber wrote lots of the tunes with all our contributions but later we all wrote. No heavy rehearsal, just bringing ideas along to be elaborated on by the band. Charts were just notes to help us remember what each tune needed.
Do you listen to those (Flim & the BB’s) CDs anymore? What comes to mind? Do you enjoy them or rue them?
BB: I don't often listen to the work but whenever I do, I still feel the energy and excitement of such a diverse group of musical tastes. Still exciting!
If professional obligations and corporate commitments were non-issues, would there be a Flim & the BB’s reunion in your future?
BB: Too many years have gone by, although I would be up for it. In fact, if my calculations are right, the 'last' notes played by that quartet were in March of 1992 --18 years! So I'm surprised there's anyone out there that still enjoys our efforts.
Finally, I'm curious. I've seen some web bio information that says you're currently an animator with Disney. But I also saw another site about an animator of the same name (Bill Berg) who wasn't you. Is this confusion among the webosphere or mixed truth?
BB: There was another Bill Berg (story man) who worked for Disney in the 50s and 60s on cartoons, Donald, Goofy, Mickey.
Thanks for your time, Bill, and for your music. I look forward to hearing your new music.
BB: Thank you.
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