Max Weinberg
Musician – Bandleader – Author – Drummer formerly of Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Bruce Springsteen E Street Band – The Max Weinberg 7
Daedrian McNaughton recently caught up with Max Weinberg at the Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino, Hollywood, Florida. Weinberg or Mighty Max as he is commonly referred to, is the former bandleader for the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He was at the Hard Rock supporting his friend and former band mate, Clarence Clemons for the Clarence Clemence Classic and Auction.
PGM: What brought you out tonight, Max?
Max Weinberg: Well Clarence Clemens and the Home Safe foundation. I have been attending for the past 4 years and it’s always a great event. I will do anything for the “Big Man”. As you know, when Clarence is in the room anything is likely to happen. It is a lot of fun. Fortunately I was on the East Coast, so I didn’t have to fly too far to come down here today to enjoy the drums, the festivities…..people seem to embrace the great work done by the organization. They love this event, and I know this is Clarence’s last year as spokesperson for Home Safe, I am sure it is going to be pretty wild.
PGM: How do you feel about the cause, and the work they are doing for the children?
Max Weinberg: I feel it is very important, and there is no greater issue, particularly in this grave economic times than at risk children. This is what Home Safe does, they deal with these problems to help kids overcome their problems when they can support them. It’s for a better life to a higher ground. What’s most important than that? If you really mess that up, it doesn’t matter what else you do.
PGM: What’s next for Max Weinberg?
Max Weinberg: Well I am going to get a libation (he laughs). You mean generally? Going to celebrate mother’s day. I am playing with The Max Weinberg Big Band, a fifteen-piece ensemble that mostly plays the music of Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, and Maynard Ferguson, and we start our national tour on June 11th.
PGM: When will you return to Miami?
Max Weinberg: We were in Miami at Christmas at the Fontainebleau, so we will be back here in the winter.