- Source: Rocky Dzidzornu
Kwasi "Rocky" Dzidzornu, also known as Rocky Dijon, was a Ghanaian-born percussionist known for his 1960s and 1970s work with rock and R&B artists.
Biography
Dzidzornu was born in the British Gold Coast colony (later Ghana), on 28 February 1932. In the 1960s and 1970s, he played with acts such as the Rolling Stones, Nick Drake, Ginger Baker, Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Taj Mahal, Joe Walsh.
In 1968, producer Jimmy Miller enlisted Dzidzornu to record with the Rolling Stones. He played on the albums Beggars Banquet (1968) and Let It Bleed (1969). He also appeared in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus concert and film. In 1971, he appeared on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" from Sticky Fingers. Bill Wyman also enlisted him on his 1976 solo album Stone Alone.
War's drummer Harold Brown has named him as an important influence, and also credits him with teaching Ginger Baker. Critic Ned Sublette has written that the addition of his conga drumming on "Sympathy for the Devil" transformed the song from "a dirge, and a dull one at that...making it come alive".
Dzidzornu died in California on 13 March 1993.
Selected discography
1968: Beggars Banquet (The Rolling Stones)
1969: Five Leaves Left (Nick Drake)
1969: Let It Bleed (The Rolling Stones)
1970: The Road to Ruin (John and Beverley Martyn)
1970: Ginger Baker's Air Force 2 (Ginger Baker's Air Force)
1970: The Answer (Peter Bardens' Village)
1971: Sticky Fingers (The Rolling Stones)
1971: The Real Thing (Taj Mahal)
1971: Happy Just to Be Like I Am (Taj Mahal)
1974: Fulfillingness' First Finale (Stevie Wonder)
1974: Perfect Angel (Minnie Riperton)
1974: Mo' Roots (Taj Mahal)
1975: Music Keeps Me Together (Taj Mahal)
1975: It's My Pleasure (Billy Preston)
1975: The Boys Don't Do It (Hugh Masekela)
1976: Stone Alone (Bill Wyman)
1976: You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind (Joe Walsh)
1976: Music Fuh Ya' (Musica Para Tu) (Taj Mahal)
1977: Brothers (Taj Mahal)
1981: Magic Windows (Herbie Hancock)
1998: Do What You Like (Ginger Baker)
2009: Valleys of Neptune (Jimi Hendrix)
References
External links
Rocky Dzidzornu at Discogs.com