By: Wizard Of Roz
Bobby Chouinard played drums for almost everyone on this planet. He was born on June 20, 1953 in Brockton MA. He played with various bands in the 60's and 70's. To name a few: Ducket the Drivers, Chuck Berry, the James Montgomery Band, Mason Dixon and the Line, Robert Gordon, Leslie West, Ted Nugent, Peter Wolf, Orphan and Pierce Arrow from 1975-1979. In the 80's and 90's he would go on to play with such major recording artists as Cher ("Just Like Jesse James"), Alice Cooper ("Poison"), Michael Bolton ("How Can We Be Lovers"), Robin Beck and former Ace Frehley's Comet guitarist, Richie Scarlett. Bobby contributed a great deal to the history of music and added powerful drums to many artist over the years.
On March 8, 1997 the music world lost Bobby due to a massive heart attack. The cause of his death was due to arterial sclerosis. Bobby Chouinard was a "maniac" and I mean this in a most beautiful way. With everything he left us the world will always remember him as the powerful drummer who stood by the great Billy Squire for 16 years.
Bobby was one of my friends and even though I am writing this it is still hard to believe he is gone. But even though this musical legend is gone I would like to share some more things about my "cousin" that made him so wonderful. He showed the most amazing taste and strength in his technique. He was a big man with a big sound and a big set of drums. On songs like "Emotions in Motion," the Freddie Mercury duet "Love is the Hero,"(Enough is Enough) or the song with the loudest recorded cowbell in history "All Night Long," (Signs of Life) he had a 'classic' sound that I live for. Bobby did not need to do a million drum solos to prove his merit nor did he need a huge set (He used a four piece or sometimes 3). A video that proves this is the must see concert "Live in the Dark" with Billy Squire. Squire called Bobby his "Clarence Clemons" this means that Bobby was not only his drummer, but his partner.
I had the pleasure of meeting this sweet guy five years ago while I was working at the China Club in New York City. The club had great programs where 'big time' musicians would get up and jam all night. When I met Bobby I told him he was the greatest drummer and from that day on we were cousins. He said we were cousins so no one would bug me if he was around. To my amazement Bobby was not only a great drummer, but a great guy. He respected me as a drummer and he would let me have the honor of taking over his chair during a set when he wanted to wind down. If you saw him he looks like a monster, but talk to him and he is a total doll. He respected me as a drummer just as much as I did him and for this he is the sweetest guy on earth.
A few months ago I talked to Bobby for the last time. He was extremely happy because King Buiscut, a company/radio show was releasing an old Billy Squire show on CD. He said he couldn't wait till I heard it since he knew I adored him. 'Well I heard it baby!' Another great drummer has been taken from us. I will never forget his generosity towards my playing. My heart goes out to his family, he will truly be missed. He will always be my cousin, I lost my cousin. -Wizard Of Roz-
