It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Drumming Global Ambassador, Dom Famularo My first time seeing Dom was watching a VHS tape where he was emceeing and performing at a Larry Londin benefit concert. It’s the first time I saw someone bash away on a vertically mounted china cymbal while his feet were doing blazing single strokes on a double pedal - all with the biggest “Dom” smile that we have all grown to love. Years later, I was attending a Vancouver International Drum Festival and won a drum set in the raffle. I nervously (like an awkward 15-year-old teenager) walked on stage and shook Dom’s hand to accept the prize. The next time we met was at a small group masterclass hosted by Tom Lee Music. I remember waiting in the lobby for Dom to arrive. As he entered the room, you could feel the energy lift. Dom bragged about how he “got a whole two hours of sleep last night” and was ready to teach. Dom was always high-energy and incredibly positive. He famously said that “he gave up negativity twenty years ago.” Dom didn’t see obstacles as “problems” he only saw “challenges.” His first Drumeo appearance was in 2018, and we filmed a bunch of courses and videos. The most popular is The World’s Happiest Drummer Plays “Eye Of The Tiger.” While filming this video, Dom was asking random strangers if they’d like to appear in the video. He had a special gift of always making anyone feel comfortable in his presence. When we were organizing the inaugural Drumeo festival, Dom was my first call. I asked him to emcee, and he accepted without hesitation. He loved the drumming community with his whole heart. Dom taught me so much about drums, but even more about how to live a good life. He taught me how we should collaborate with industry to create more drummers. It was important for Dom to teach drummers the historical drumming lineage that paved the way for what drumming is today. Dom was an amazing drummer, musician, teacher, author, mentor, husband, and father. He will be greatly missed in all of our lives. I am so thankful to know him, and for the amazing body of work he has left for all of us to benefit from. To close, I will quote Dom’s last text message to me, sent on August 30th, 2023. “We are a family bonded by a passion for a united instrument. Everyone is an equal, and we are just messengers of enthusiasm to deliver ways to have more fun doing what we love. Keep going, as you are inspiring people to aspire.” Condolences to the entire Famularo family as they go through this difficult time - Jared Falk

I had one lesson with him in 05. My favorite quote: “Always approach the instrument with the child-like wonder of kid sitting down at a drumset for the very first time.”

So sad. The guy just exuded life and positive energy, I’m truly surprised he passed, he always looked so healthy. it looked like like he could have lived until he’s 100. what a legend.

I am a classical cello teacher and I am showing to my students the video where Dom is playing Eye of the tiger to make them understand what energy and joy has to unleash from a player and his/her instrument during a performance. His way of playing and teaching drumms can inspire all types of musicians!

Watching this with tears in my eyes. I had the honor to have a lesson with him on my birthday as a gift. It was amazing and inspiring. R.I.P.

RIP Dom. You were the best!

I just love the way Dom always smiles when he plays. He loved his job.

About 30 years ago Dom did a presentation in my high school and then a few months later sat in with our jazz band. It was an amazing experience.

❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️ we will miss you, Dom. The "Drumbassador" R.I.P.

I was fortunate enough to attend one of his drum clinics, in Belgrade, back in 2005. It was an absolute treat! He was such a nice and approachable person. I chatted with him for a few minutes after and got to ask him all kinds of questions. A great drummer and even greater person. Rest in peace.💐

Amen.! Sir I never met you, but you changed my approach to drumming for ever. Thank you and GOD BLESS you.

I saw him when Billy Cobham and Dom did a drum clinic years ago. I knew who Billy was but not familiar with Famularo ….. but after that night I was a fan. I just saw him earlier this year at NAMM and had a nice quick chat. Sad to hear of his passing.

Drumeo is doing such an awesome tribute to Dom. Thank you! Man, I miss him!

Dom was an incredible player and educator. His joy and positive attitude were so contagious. What a brutal loss for the drumming community and the world. Rock in peace Dom ❤

the first time i saw him was in a dvd instruction video that came with the first and only drum kit that i have, i saw his energy and his trademark smile, then years later i remembered him and looked on the dvd to get his name and then search on Internet to know more of him, i was amazed by his talent and good hearted personality, its so sad that we lost him and the drumming community will feel his absence forever, there is no other Dom Fomularo, we all miss you sr rest in peace.

Condolences to his friends and family... he will be missed by many.

As a new, highly impressionable 13 drummer, back in the early 80s, I had the joy to see Dom at a clinic that our local drum shop put on. He was nothing short of amazing. But the one memory that stands out for me was his huge, infectious smile and how much fun he seemed to have on the drums. Because of that, I always tried to intentionally have fun when I played. Thanks Dom!

I met Dom at a vic firth drum clinic, he wasn't there to play but I recognized him after the clinic, and he was so humble, cool, very supportive and always had a smile. I'll miss that smile, Dom you were a legend, R.I.P Dom you were a great influence to the drum community!

Blessed to have met and hung out with Dom a few times over the years. What an incredible soul. RIP Bello. You are already so very missed.

His obvious joy at playing the drums was infectious.

Legend. Teacher. Drum God. He did our drum shop a solid. Flew in. Did lessons 1 day and a clinic the next. I was one of the few that got a private lesson. Everybody loved the guy. He was like the wise old teacher at the temple. Respected.

Dom is Huge!!!! Blessed to have him as my menthor. ❤️

What a great guy and great drummer. Dom moved people with his fantastic personality

Sad day in the drumming community. I meant Dom at NAMM January 2020 months before COVID and recently at NAMM 2023 hosting the Jeff Beck tribute. I walked up to him, hugged him, and said, "Welcome back, my friend." "He said Corran wonderful to see you again". Dom encouraged me and mentored me to keep doing what I'm doing in music journalism. A BIG THANK YOU Dom for being my mentor and friend You'll be missed.

A light has gone out. What an inspirational human being Dom was.

Rest in Peace, Dom. My deepest condolences to the friends and family of Dom.

I had the wonderful opportunity of studying with Dom in 1985-86 at the LIDC. What an inspirational teacher. Thanks, kind sir, for all you have done for us drummers.

Truly a huge loss for our drumming community!!I met Dom at expos and not only was he an incredible player,But the energy and passion he not only brought to the events and to meeting people created such a rich culture in anything he was a part of!!!RIP DOM!!!

RIP legend such a gentleman 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

Dom was.. and will forever be, my brother. Thank you for this. He was my hero and his loss is so profound. Driving Force. That's what he was, with our without a pair of drumsticks in his hand. When he was playing behind myself and my other brothers, he brought the music to a level of exhilaration. And that driving force was directly responsible for leading me on my path to teaching and choreographing dance. I had been performing and touring in the magic community for years,, and when my ex and I were expecting our first child, I was unsure of the direction my work would go. I was singing with my brothers, and Dom knew I could do more. Dom was in a flower store and started up a conversation with a man who's wife owned a dance studio... and the next day he had set up a meeting for me to meet with her. That was in 1985 and I am still choreographing, having branched out in so many areas.. Teaching children to express music, their joy, their pain.. their souls through movement and the art of dance has been my driving force. All because of my incredible, hilarious, outrageous, larger than life, brother Dom. I will forever miss all the laughter you brought, the side splitting laughter, and all the love. I will do my best to carry on your legacy of paying it forward. All you need is love.. love is all you need.

Oh man, how sad , what an awesome man and incredible inspriration to drummers and to all.💜🥁

RIP Dom Famularo thank you never to be forgotten for your playing drums teaching and showing us all how to live drumming music and each other with fun and enjoyment though we never met I feel like I've known you all my life like many others I'm sure RIH our dear friend and instructor and teacher your books are drumming secret must haves for ever

I remember watching his sit-down interviews with the likes of Ray Luzier, Troy Lucketta and many more and what you could not miss was Dom's incredibly positive aura, man was a true gentleman and always enthusiastic and charming. Some people have that smile that you can just tell they are a joyous person. Very sad to hear he has died. My condolences, rock in peace man 🙏🥁

Mr. Famularo helped more people than people may think, me included, as he also was the primary impulse for the re-publishing of the Chapin book. I spent years reading his name at the end of the foreword, at the back of the book, not even knowing who he was, not even his face, until his first Drumeo appearence. 🤴

I met Dom once in South Africa where he came to do a clinic at a smallish local music store. Keep in mind we were (and still are) starved for this caliber of musicians/drummers coming to visit us. Anyway, I sat in the second row trying to absorb everything he played and said. I felt like there needed to be three of me to be able to take in all of his passion and infectious persona. After watching a phenomenal performance from him and drooling all over the floor, he was walking around chatting with everybody and eventually my turn came... I really messed it up with my star-struckedness and started babbling incoherently, trying to get everything out all at once. He slapped me on the shoulder and laughed out loud and said, "Relax, friend, I feel the same way watching some other musicians sometimes. It's all good, how are you, what's your name?"' I was instantly disarmed and relaxed. I will NEVER forget how kind he was to me during our short two-minute chat. He was a huge inspiration and is hugely missed. Love you, Dom, and thanks for just being You. 🥰🏆🎼🎵🎶🥁

His death is a tremendous loss for the drumming world. I saw him at a clinic back in 2007 and I was blown away. At age 54, he DESTROYED any metal drummer I heard of at that point with how fast he played double bass. Godspeed, Dom. Your love for drums will inspire people for generations.

Dom Fam was A Prince.. Drumming Royalty... Gone Too Soon but Never, Ever to be Forgotten. Thoughts of solace and condolences to All of his Family and Friends - Rest In Peace Mr. Famularo. The Ambassador.

R.I.P king legend dom famularo 😢💔

I was very close to Dom and was his student, friend and colleague. For over 16 yrs. There will never be another Dom I loved him like a brother/father. I miss him dearly. I was at his 70th birthday party and sadly that was the last time I saw him as he passed away month later. My son Dom and I had lunch plans worked out at a slightly later date after his party but he passed before we got to see him again. I did speak to Dom shortly before he passed and even though he knew his end was near he was still positive and encouraging to me! He was truly a wonderful drummer and man! I miss him and think of him everyday. I will be attending a memorial that Charmaine his wife is planning in the new year! “ as Dom would say “Onwards and upwards” ❤

What a great remembrance for a fantastic drummer, educator, and all-around wonderful human being. Well done Drumeo. I will miss Dom's always smiling face and awesome energy.

Tears at the end. “I believe in you”. Oh man.

I just loved his energy when he interviewed musicians in The Sessions Panel. It was just a ton of fun seeing him interact with all kinds of musicians and that can only come from someone who was a tremendous musician himself. He will be missed not only by the drumming community but by musicians from all over the world.

Dom: such a lovely (drummer-)spirit. I am sad to experience he's left us drummers behind here, us all alone. I never met him or followed a lesson but I was always so impressed by his being, his smile and enthusiasm. Hard to believe he has moved to another place, a spiritual world. Thanks Dom for all your smiles, music contributions, glue and all.

Thanks for this amazing tribute to Dom. He was my first drum clinic in Halifax in 98 or 99 at Musicstop. Hip Pickles opened and then Dom wowed the crowd. The first time I saw a drum kit set up sideways. Everybody leaving there was dancing and wanted to play the drums. I again had the fortune to see him at the 2010 Cape Breton International Drum festival, where he was the emcee! It has been a joy to follow him on social media and learn from his material through various drum teachers I have had.

One of the most inspiring human beings I've ever encountered, Thank you Dom for being an amazing musician and incredible person . This world will miss you !

Thank you! I will never forget remarkable drum clinics of Dom in Moscow! It was amazing! A lot of passion, energy, true love of drums. RIP

Myself and two others back in the 1980S were in the Canadian navy band , We went to the Sabian factory in New Brunswick . Dom just happened to show up the same time ,what a great to down earth human being with a great sense of Humour

One of the most inspiring drum clinic's i've been to was with Dom. I helped him set up his kit for the Drum Clinic. He was the nicest person i had ever met. It stuck with me how passionate he was about drumming and how much joy it brought him. Dom is one of a kind. He will be dearly missed. My condolences to his family and his friends.

Godspeed Dom ... you'll be greatly missed 😔🙏🏻

A true inspiration and a wonderful legacy. Rest in Peace.

Oh wow, just seeing this. I saw Dom at the first drum clinic I ever went to in Mobile, AL 30 years ago. His energy, passion for drums, enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge, and kindness were infectious. I remember being utterly blown away by his skills and the sounds he was able to get out of his small set. It was nice to see those cymbal tricks I saw 30 years ago in the intro to this video. I incorporated some of those into my playing. What a legend. He’ll be missed sorely. I’m sure he is playing drums up in heaven.

That you so much Drumeo for doing this for Dom 🥁 such a great inspiration for drummers and musicians ❤

😢! Grande Drummer!!! Grazie di 💚! RIP.

Thank you Dom and thank you Drumeo. He continues to lift us up, that final speech got in my heart, rest in peace

Dom Famularo....excellentissime !!!!! 🥲🥲🥲🥲

😔 an inovator of style! was blessed to watch you teach at drum clinics in Perth Western Australia

He was so full of Life always had a smile on his face and most likely smiling down on us all right now, he was on person I wished I could have met personally

What a great drummer!!

H3 Had a grand love the the instrument, as we All do. Total immersion. Dom = Inspirational teacher, "The Tony Robbins of the Drumming and Music World ."

Thank you for everything Dom I’m gonna miss u. Ur cover of “the eye of the tiger” will always be the best. Thank you so much ❤

What a pleasure to watch. True musician,legend.

Bad times... I can't believe it.

Always loved watching and listening to Dom. Such passion. Such an advocate for a great musical instrument. We were blessed to have him on this earth with us.

He was just an amazing teacher and drummer

What a beautiful human being. God speed! ✌️

I live in New Zealand and I would go to every clinic he presented when he came to the country. He was so much fun and I loved taking my family and drum students to see him. I have to admit, I'm a bit rocked to find out he's dead.

Saw him in Norway(Bergen) in the late 90ies I belive. First drumclinic for me. I was a young metal drummer, and damn he blew my mind.... what an experience. He totally killed it❤

This poor guy. What a godamn shame…. He was so positive in everything he did. You folks at Drumeo are stand up guys and gals for doing this tribute to him.

What a great tribute to a legendary drummer, Dom Famularo.🥰🥰

Wish I had the opportunity of meeting our beloved Dom. Wait -- I DID! Chances are if it wasn't for Drumeo, probably it'd be a lot harder to see him perform and have access to such a nice masterclass on technique and charisma. This channel is just as gold as his smile. Thank you Jared and all the Drumeo team. You're proving Dom was right. Um grande abraço diretamente do Brasil.

I still have a really good double bass DVD hosted by Don featuring Portnoy, Lang, Bitter, etc that I still watch from time to time. Guy's passion and enthusiasm for playing the drums is undeniably inspirational.

I have heard of Mr Don through the years, but not really until y’all had the specials with him. Thank you for introducing him to another drummer!

I love Dom, I remember him a lot! a great inspiration for all drummers!

Awesome tribute to the late and forever great Dom Famularo. My only interaction with him was online when I left a comment talking about my struggles with drumming and making some significant breakthroughs which I thought would never happen but did only because I persisted. He responded with a simple "Fantastic!" That made my day.

Enthusiasm!❤ Thinking about him really makes me consider what’s important in life, and where our focus should be. Important for a guy like me when things get shaky. Thanks Dom, your interviews are required material for learning positive life skills.

Dom spread so much positive energy that it still phisically exists and will stay with us for long long time

I was blessed to see Dom at a drum clinic for Drum Headquarters in St. Louis in 1983 (yep - 40 years ago). Dom truly inspired that 18 year old to aspire to greater drumistic heights. I recorded the clinic on cassette (for those that remember that format - I actually still have it!). That tape was my Playlist for the next 6 months. I learned all Dom's "From Flam to Groove" exercises. I remember Dom telling the audience - "It's Your Move" placing the knowledge and ball in our court and encouraging us to run with it. I was blessed again last May to see Dom at the Chicago Vintage & Custom Drum Show and have a minute to tell him the impact that clinic had on me as a young drummer. I was amazed whe he recalled specific details of the clinic. Dom, thank you for Inspiring me and all drummers to Aspire! May you rest in peace.

That was a lovely tribute. Just cried my eyes out on a bus during Eye of the Tiger

Oh Dom. We've lost a force of nature, what a life. A true gent.

Thanks for doing this!! I miss him everyday!

Amazing! ❤

May a say you guys are fantastic i mean hole of Drumeo team top notch in every way. We all going to miss Dom Famularo very much.

He was a great drummer, one of my favorites😥

I remember the video from this channel with Dom playing Eye Of The Tiger with starts in a house then on to Mill Lake Park then Highstreet Mall...you could tell the man wanted to play and beat the ever loving crap out of the kit smiling wider than anything you did see. His message was inspirational to those who want to play...the world has lost an incredible talent and honestly one hell of a guy. To the people at Drumeo, nicely done tribute.

I love this guy always happy by playing drums and it's nice

Absolute legend and such an inspiration to keep learning and having fun while doing it

Excellent tribute to Dom. Thank you guys so much for making this video.

Thanks guys, you are the best! ❤

That was an amazing tribute! I first saw Dom in the Drumeo Method, where his enthusiasm was incredible.

Man, I only knew Dom from seeing him interview Stewart Copeland on the Sessions Panel. That interview made me pursue my dream of being a musician. Dom was so captivating and personable... Seeing this video made me sad. My condolences to all those close to him.

Funny story with Dom. I was at the TUDW Drum Festival in Australia and we had been eating alot of Italian Food, anyway I was struggling with some wind issues and while I was backstage in the green room I accidentally let one go. Luckily no one was in the room but I could hear Dom (as everyone could, from 100 metres away!) talking and walking into the room. I exited immediately (before he could see me) as I was walking down the hall I heard a massive yell 'WOW MAN WHO DID THAT ONE'

Fantastic drummer and human being, he'll be sorely missed in the community.

Amazing drummer! Should try and get Assaf Seewi to do a drum solo on here!

He's always smiling, what a drummer, what a human been!

His Sessions interviews were amazing. He had a way of putting his guests at ease, get them to open up, and he didn't interrupt them all the time.

Regarding open handed playing you talked about... I saw him in Belgium at a drumming clinic looong ago, and I remember that he spoke about traditional vs matched grip playing instead, but I'm thinking he might use the same reasoning. He said that he just first learned traditional, then learned matched because it is easier to play on a drumset. And then said that there is really no reason to explicitly learn traditional to play the drums, and you should not worry that you can't do that. That was great to hear for me so I stuck with matched grip. And another great tip that he shared was: do daily stuff with your weaker hand, like brush your teeth with the left hand. First it's funny but then you realize it's actually useful :)

God bless Dom. I feel privileged to have met him and shake his hand. One thing that is often overlooked is the fact that he was an absolute beast on the kit! That cymbal technique is just awesome.

I've just learnt by chance that Dom has passed away ?! What a pity, that is so sad ! He was always so full of energy and inspiring ! RIP Dom, thoughts to your family.

Gone too soon. Even more tragic that we can't see him on the channel anymore 😭. The last big video he did was such an embarassment of riches. Not only did it get me focusing on different techniques (Fr, Ger, Am grips, Gladstone, GL Stone, Moeller, etc.), but the big takeaway from watching Dom at work is the mental thing: having a clear, positive mindset (ie have fun!) and let ideas flow (no judgment while playing). Fly on Dom!

I have to add that Dom killed "Eye of the Tiger ". That was way more awesome than the original drum track. ❤️🔥❤️🔥