Sandy Nelson's song "Teen Beat" rose to #4 on the charts in 1959. Subsequen… Read Full Bio ↴Sandy Nelson's song "Teen Beat" rose to #4 on the charts in 1959. Subsequently he signed with the Imperial label and pounded out two more Top 40 hits, "Let There Be Drums", which went to #3 in Britain, and "Drums Are My Beat". All three were instrumentals (a feat seldom, if ever, repeated).

Sander L Nelson was born on 1 December 1938 in Santa Monica, California. He attended high school with Jan Berry, Dean Torrence (who together became Jan and Dean), and Kim Fowley. After gaining respect as a session drummer, he played on such well-known songs as "To Know Him Is To Love Him" (Phil Spector's Teddy Bears, 1958), "Alley-Oop" (The Hollywood Argyles, 1960), "A Thousand Stars" (Kathy Young and the Innocents, 1960) and more.

Nelson continued to record into the early 1970s.

Let There Be Drums
Sandy Nelson Lyrics

Instrumental

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Comments from YouTube:

Antone Matos

2y↑99

Sandy Nelson and Richard Podolor, the guitar player on this record, both passed away about one month from each other this year. Rest In Peace to the both of them for making this awesome instrumental from 1961.

Sharon Elliott

2y↑4

So sad to here this. One of the soundracks of my youth.

gary brockwell

1y↑1

Find the good, always find the good???
🆘😱☠️😢💓💯 Now the band's rockin UPSTAIRS 🙏😁🥰👁️💥👁️🗣️🧐🤫😘😜

Caroline Woodward

1y↑1

RIP

Anneylee Yourds

1y↑2

That's very sad R.I.P. guys

Jessica Hughes

45w

Scott Walker was the bass player on this.

1 More Replies...

Door Kicker

4y↑46

The drums are awesome in this song. But you can’t ignore how amazing the guitar is also.

Ken Christie

It's obviously Duane Eddy on guitar.

Ruben Baez

1y↑1

🎸

Susan Zoe Bella

1y↑1

exactly!!

daniel r weir (dan)

they really do compliment each other.

John Weyers

2y↑40

As a drummer, and at 72, still playi ng, I bought, owned and studied every Sandy Nelson record as a young man. RIP my man.

mike bowers

2y↑32

Sandy Nelson is the reason I took up drumming in the 60s. He should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame !

George Styer

1y↑3

YES

daniel r weir (dan)

1y↑1

i agree whole heartedly.

ladybug

51w↑2

Can't beat it today even. No electronics.

Ernie1211

14y↑16

I graduated from HS in 1962. I listened to this, god knows how many times. I have had 45, 33, 8 track , cassettes, all of which went out of style. Now I've got it on a CD and still listen to it while driving. It's a very good relaxing music following the rhythm. I just never got tired of it. I bet I will still be listing to it in my hereafter! Long live "Let There Be Drums"!

Richard Hemenway

1y↑18

Sandy was one of the best drummer's ever.

Eric Dreizen

2y↑13

The first "star" drummer in rock n' roll who opened the door for R&R drummers to shine! The right man at the right place at the right time. Although underrated, he was in fact a very good musician. Sort of the "Gene Krupa of Rock." Very sorry to see him go! RIP.

Blujay

2y↑3

Well said. Definitely influenced by Krupa. Both had a lot of groove.

Linda Poplin

45w↑2

I remember this when I was a kid and thinking
"This is a great teaching recording!"
REALLY!!!! Sandy Nelson was one of if not the best drummers ever.

RolloffDeBunk

13y↑12

I am not a drum fan but this piece of music is epic!

Eric Shields

13y↑3

This is sixties drumming at its BEST.....Sandy on top of the beat & in charge with a great sounding Kit....and that is not to say there were not other fabulous drummers with different styles from this era.......there were many .....but I see Sandy Nelson as the guy on the throne who in the VERY early 60s was in charge & making it happen....as Sandy said : Drums are mt beat!!!

skatamick

14y↑6

wow this brings back memories. Sandy Nelson is up there with the best, a truly awesome drummer

Amy hall- scott

47w↑1

I have this on a 45 single. Flip side is Quite a Beat which also kicks ass. I inherited all my parents vinyl records when they passed. My prized possessions, and such great memories ❤

Peter Orman

3y↑6

Still have the 45 and this is still a superb drum solo.

HalfFastChevy

14y↑3

Probably the best drummer ever, he started the whole drum solo thing. He was a master, and I was there to see it all.Yeah I'm old, but I heard some great music. We didn't need to see pyrotechnics and lasers, just good ole raw talent. You don't have to hide real talent behind flash.

The Bearded

2y↑7

When your music inspires rock and hip hop bands alike you know youve created some of the best beats there is!

funkydrummer14 MacPherson

13y↑18

That is one of the best sounding drum kits I have ever heard!! WOW...Double WOW!!

mottbone

2y↑2

Exactly, was thinking the same thing!

Gabriel Valentino

I found him in the mid 90s. I was getting more and more into roots rock and I just love the thinking outside of the box mentality as Sandy was the upfront musician.

Trevor Armstrong

4y↑9

This was the album that inspired me to be a drummer. Mum had this album and I played it just as a matter of interest more than anything. At the tender age of 14 I bought my first drum set with my bread run money and the rest is history. Came home from school put the the record on and away I would go, day after day. Gave mum a rest on the weekends😬oh the memories. I became quite a good drummer, held my own at least, then Led Zep hit the scene. That was it all I wanted to be was like John Bonham. I’m 63 now and still like to spin the sticks when I can🥁🥁🥁🤙🏼

Phrase

13y↑4

This song, plus Wipeout were the two main tunes that got me fascinated by drums from an early age. My parents would later regret having let me hear this stuff when I got my first kit....

Calamity Jane G

8y↑11

And still gives me goosebumps! What an amazing track.

drumrrroll

11y

Sandy Nelson BUILT the train. His chops came from a tradition. Like Buddy Rich, the 26 "American rudiments" which in turn came from the Swiss traditional rudiments, over 100 years old. Sandy Nelson took it to the Cali beach and stomped a baritone guitar on it. Surf's UP. Pure genius. The man IS legend.

Tanman3965

47w↑1

My Dad introduced me to Sandy Nelson's music.. RIP Dad 2/11/22 86.. i love my Dads taste in music, late 50's.

Linda Kirby

First record I really went crazy about. I was 10 years old !!! Love it still.

william blyth

14y↑5

had this album as a kid today i still appreciate beats

Don Lopez

3y↑8

I had forgotten about him, after all this time, I forgive myself, but hearing it again is fabulous. I had a few of his albums.

gutmensch

Ich auch! - " music is my first one and it will be the last. "
John Miles

Rusty King

2y↑2

Best unadulterated, crisp and clean sounding drums ever! Our hero Sandy on Ludwig drums!

Retired Engineer

2y↑2

So you think the drumming from 60 years ago is the best sounding ever and no one has been able to compare or exceed what Sandy did in the earliest days of Rock and Roll? Really? Have you listened to anything since the 60's??? Sandy was good but he's no John Bonham, Phil Collins, or Mick Fleetwood! Even Buddy Rich made the list, so it's not like anyone from that era has been forgotten. And what about Nick Mason who is the only member to play on every Pink Floyd album since 1965... right about the time Sandy's career tapered? Have you listened to the percussion since the 60's? Ugh. People and their romanticizing of their youth.

Dennis Motta

8y↑13

The music of the late 50s and the 60s was the greatest ever.Thank God for Rock and Roll! Dick Clark may you rest in peace for being such a spokesman for the music of my youth.

Pearl Caster

2y↑6

Fabulous.Loved it when it came out and still love it now.

Terry Jackson

6y↑1

I acquired Sandy's album with this on it about 1964 or 65 , and could hardly wait to get home and spin it . A true great at hitting things with sticks !

Freddie Barrett

11y

Sandy Nelson was the best of all time,and no digital drums.Some of these drummers today would know how to play drums if they were not digital,and acquistic.

daffodill9

15y↑13

Don't normally much like drum solos, but have always loved this record, it's quite exceptional!

kevin smyth

6y↑2

I know nothing about playing the drums but this really seems amazing to me. He appears to make it all so simple which I am sure it is not and it is impossible to stop your feet from tapping. Absolutely wonderful.

Tommy Thompson

14y

Our band was working with a new drummer in 65 when during a performance he had to leave at 11 but his neighbor would sit in for him...they were actually his drums. This real young little guy blew us away with his talent and before the night was over he did "let there be drums". It was a performance I still remember to this day. That's when I fell in love with this song. Tommy

RDK860

Sandy Drummed His Way to the Top 40 on 10/30/61, Peaked at No. 7, Stayed on the Chart 16 Weeks!

Carol Tassin

2y↑1

One of the first records I ever bought at 12 years old, Loved anything with drums after this & could pick a no. 1 hit by the drums more times than not.

Sam Alvarado

2y↑2

I use to play Bass with Sandy Nelson s cousins band Mainstream in CA. I got to meet him and play a gig with him in Palm Springs. He was a character and one of the smoothest drummers I've ever worked with during my 50 something years of gigging. Rest in Peace Mr Nelson.

Gary Wheeler

2y↑5

Let there be drums was the first record I ever bought. I was eight or nine in 1961 and I was mesmerized by all the different sounds he could get out of those drums.

philip norris

2y↑1

Keep on rocking, Gary.

seko24041973

4y↑3

Oh man... After 30 years I still got goosebumps by this beat... when Sandy got to temperature

Sooz

2y↑6

Oh man... whatta trip down memory lane with this awesome anthem!!
Thanks for sharing this, made my night!!🎼🖤

Muffs 55mercury

5y↑2

No doubt many future rock and roll drummers were inspired by tunes like this and Sandy's other works.

Michail Voursoukis

4y↑3

ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUMMERS! UNFORGETTABLE!

Sue Davies

1y↑1

I utterly love this, Sandy Nelson is the best drummer ever in my opinion

Marty Jewell

3y↑3

One of my favorite music pieces to test loudspeaker bass tightness and response.

MultiMusicalheart

11y

Gene Krupa is one of the best drummers-EVER. I do not think it is fair to compare, though. Each musician is unique. I love them both & Buddy Rich, etc..

GrumpyBand

11y↑2

I have had a wonderful 46 years as a semi pro pub rock drummer inspired as a kid by this record. Simple drumming by todays standard but in its day this was brilliant.

janegael

And this is why you find Sandy Nelson on lists of the top 100 drummers. He made us sit up and listen. I now follow groups for the drummer. I could live without Rob's singing but Scott Travis of Judas Priest is an amazing drummer!

Rockin Daddy

🎸 Fantastic Song ! 😎

Kaleidoscopes Danny Brigman

6y↑1

Simply the best his London recordings still sound better than anything today the best rock n roll drummer of all time my idol cheers mr Nelson keep rockin

Stuart George

4y↑11

God, this brings back some great memories. I was 8 years old when this was released and it was probably the first 45 single that I had given to me by my folks for christmas. Not sure if this was on the flip side of Teen Beat which also left a big impression on me at the time.

Leonie Pattison

QUITE A BEAT?

David SB

9y↑2

I was feeling nostalgic tonite and scanned you tube for all the old great songs.... I hear Sandy banging this out and my mind flies back to a '67 burgundy 289 Mustang with my cheerleader GF riding shotgun as we flew down the highway. Thanks so much for posting. Talent like this just isnt around anymore

TONE 007

I can remember play this as a kid, my favourite record in my dads record collection.

d M

3y↑1

My brother brought this home from a pub juke box. I had two metal pipes from a gas stove with plasters on the end and I would drum to this on the arm of a plastic 3 piece suit. I haven’t heard it for nearly fifty years and remember every note. The power of music. Thanks our kid. (Mike.) May you rest in peace.

William Covington

13y

This is the single that got me into drumming. I still get goose-bumps on hearing it. This single is the first record to feature the unique studio engineered heavy drum sound. It's an inspirational track - simple, rythmic and full of feel. The single is a master-class in how to say so much by playing so little. Essentially, Sandy Nelson is not playing for himself, he's playing drums for everyone, as such, it's a timeless piece. In another tousand years from now it will still sound great.

pfffill

RIP Mr Nelson, who took rock n'roll drumming to new places.

ThePlataf

5y↑5

Never, ever get tired of this classic!

sc0qter

14y

I remember listening to these as a kid...the man was a musician on the drums...and with such a basic "kit". A legend, no question.

Mark Palmar

2y↑5

Also the guitar is absolutely fantastic. Sandy a legend.

gutmensch

Das stimmt in meiner Kindheit habe ich es schon genossen. Und jetzt in meiner Jugend auch noch. ( BJ 49 )

Christian Nauwelaers

Ritchie Podolor. Sandy left us on February 14, 2022 alas...

Eric Howard

11y

Talent that cannot be beaten, they were not trained drummers, they were born drummers."Brilliant,,!!!!!

Donna Attard

4y↑18

i remember my parents playing this when I was really little, its now 2019 and i still remember this...

Natalie Bulling

This was my dad jam!

Terry UncleTel

11y

I totally agree with you my friend, this is one hell of a tune, too many people get into the politics of music, it is to be enjoyed so enjoy your music and to top it off, not heard this one for years and it was fuckin great to listen to it again.

Eric Gamble

5y↑9

Still have my original, vinyl, 45........one of the first records I ever owned. Love this drummer!

Felton Gailey

1y↑1

This is a treasure!

Rhys Hughes

Generations apart but so few drum solos ramp up the bass power like this piece. Simply amazing and selfish as it maybe, I desperately want it to go longer.

Björn Thorsson

2y↑1

Thank you Sandy for giving my late mother and I hours of enjoyment listening to you.

Janet Bate

3y↑12

Loved this music Haven't heard it for years.Its still great after53 years

Dean Martel

Hello Janet, How are you doing?

Liza lee Raza

He died this year Valentine's Day😥😥

María Hornos Miller

5y↑20

Looked for this theme for years, finally I found it. I love it! Outstanding Sandy Nelson!!!

Paul D

Sander L. Nelson (born December 1, 1938) is an American drummer.[1] Nelson, one of the best-known rock drummers of the early 1960s, had several solo instrumental Top 40 hits and was a session drummer on many other well-known hits, and released over 30 albums.[2] He lives in Boulder City, Nevada, and continues to experiment with music on keyboards and piano. Wikipedia.

Dennis O'Boyle

10y↑3

The top Number Seven song for 1961, Let There Be Drums by Sandy Nelson was on the charts for 16 weeks, peaking in December and attaining the 73rd spot overall for the year.

ray lieb

10y↑14

sandy,i've been a fan since 63 purchased your 1st album and loved it.You deserve much more reconition than you received.glad to see your still drumming.love it,ray lieb

John V

14y

The best drum sound ever!

mjedelman

13y↑1

One of the rock drummers *heavily* influenced by Gene Krupa. A fun record and a treat for drummers.

Bonnie Speeg

8y↑118

I believe the real original. I was 13 when this hit my ears in 1961. Instant drum love for me for the rest of my life.

Ruben Saenz

That is so cool Bonnie. I am 56 wish I could have heard it and all the other great stuff that was being released in the pre british invasion era.

Joza Texan

4y↑1

Me, too. Still have some of his 45's. He's 80 now, recovering from a stroke. Look up his FB page.

Joza Texan

@Ruben Saenz some of my old 45's and LP's "evaporated" without my permission but I still have a lot of great tunes from the 50's and 60's.

philip norris

Nice one, Bonnie.

Scott L

2 More Replies...

Maureen Dolata

3y↑5

Let There Be Drums was & is his greatest work in my opinion.

Steve Hazzard

I'm 73 and a self-taught former drummer. Sandy Nelson, The Ventures, Link Wray, Duane Eddy, The Tornados and other instrumental groups taught me the art of drumming. I'm especially grateful to Sandy Nelson for teaching me his drumming techniques when I played with a local rock band from the early to the mid 60's. In my opinion, Sandy Nelson brought drumming into the mainstream of popular music in the 60's. Thanks for posting this memory video!

Mike Chapman

10y↑24

Always wanted to be a drummer until I heard Sandy Nelson . . . I'm a guitarist now! He's too good to follow.

Giosepe dos Santos

é DEMAIS ESTE SOM.
FAN-TÁS-TI-CO!!!

Chris Woodworth

If you want to hear a live version of this, the show “That’ll be the Day” features this in most of their performances - with two drummers and some pretty spectacular effects.

Dave Kirby

4y↑26

I remember my Jr.High School Band teacher, Mr. Henley, bringing this record to our class one day and playing this song and telling us drummers that he wanted us drummers to play like this one day and we should practice hard and to drive ourselves to play like this and to remember this one song for the rest of our lives..and I have. great song

henneau !

Radio London, the Big L

Myles Jackson

3y↑1

Drummin Up A Storm....first Sandy Nelson 45...still playing it 50 years later...have all his albums

Peter Orman

I have always loved this. It still sounds great after all this time.

Damond Smith

R.I.P. Sandy Nelson. 12-1-38--02-14-22. The G.O.A.T. drummers.

GothikGem

Sandy Nelson demonstrates a perfect example here, of how drums can sing too, just as well as other instruments with melodic note facilities.......
Let There Be Drums, indeed!!!

Lance Cunningham

10y

The sound of this recording is A +

ThePlataf

5y↑5

First time I heard this, back in 1961, my hair stood on end. Couldn't believe that drums could sound so incredible!

Moonlighter

10y

One of the best instrumentals ever !

colin carney

14y

How many guys made a 45 just drumming? He's the ultimate. 50 years and no one to match him.

Stephen Powell

One cool tune from 62 years ago ,When obviously before I were born in the Early 1970s ,Back in 1961 these were the Rock and roll Years 🎸🎼🎵🎶🎸🥁🎹 Great music ,Great cars and Fashion ❤️❤️❤️

Vicky Groce

Heard this record all my like. Still as fresh and thumping as when new. Best instrumental EVER!

alleneh

14y↑15

I was 13 and I still have this 45 in my collection somewhere, along with a couple of his albums. Now I'll have to dig them up.

Katkat

3y↑4

I remember my brother had this when I was a little girl (early 60's). I remember him playing it and me liking it. I thought I'd look on YouTube to see I was remembering the name correctly. I was surprised I found it! Love it!

philip norris

Nice one, Kathy.

OMFGHUGEWOLF

12y

Love it!

Anne Ni Liam

5y↑1

Not many drummers nowadays could hold a candle to him

Jacqueline Kirby

3y↑1

This used to be played at Saturday night hop in local tennis club. Was aged 14 and working. Couldn't afford to play tennis. Could just about afford the 2/6 entrance to the hop! It was the only record when everyone stood still and just listened in awe. I've never forgotten it.

Dogtablet

What a tune! Fabulous drum sound too.

wkbaker3rd

2y↑1

I was intoxicated by this
when it came out and Continues to be a huge influence on me

Robert Shaefer

3y↑93

My wife & I were having lunch at a local diner in Boulder City on Monday the 26th 2021 and as we were about to leave when the door opened & lo & behold Sandy Nelson came in on his wheelchair!! I went up to him and we had a great talk & I told him he was the first drummer star I ever knew. He seemed to appreciate the kind words and I KNOW it made my day!!!!!

Richard Scally

Great!.

David Boysel

2y↑2

What a fantastic story he was a hero of my fathers my father loved instrumentalist and had met Herb Alpert thank you for sharing your experience my father told me I was conceived to this song and album

Duncan Stark

Sad to say that Sandy passed away here in Boulder City on February 14th.

Christian Nauwelaers

2y↑2

TOO BAD he left us on February 14...Such a fab drummer (who also played other instruments).

Ronald Gould

That's so cool

1 More Replies...

Chambers John

12y

still magic after all these years, great.

A Roberts-Weatherill

13y

Fantastic!!! Lots of memories on this.

ggwildlife

7y↑1

still a legend of a tune!

mark styles

I was 12 or so, when this came out. I was already playing and writing songs, although i wasn't in a band yet.. This was one of the most exciting songs of the year to me. I had never heard a song, that put so much attention to the drums.. Sandy Nelson made a huge impression on me.

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