Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste | |
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Birth name | Joseph Modeliste |
Born |
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
December 28, 1948
Genres | Funk, second line, jazz, rock |
Occupation(s) | Drummer |
Instruments | Drums, percussion |
Years active | 1965–present |
Associated acts | The Meters, Dr. John, The Rolling Stones |
Website | www |
Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste (born December 28, 1948, also known as Zigaboo) is an American drummer best known as a founding member of the funk group The Meters. He also cofounded The Wild Tchoupitoulas and has worked extensively with other musicians, notably Keith Richards, Robert Palmer, and Dr. John.
Modeliste is widely considered an innovator in modern funk and New Orleans style drumming. Due to his work with The Meters, Modeliste is credited as an integral part of bringing New Orleans second-line grooves into popular music.
Modeliste has written over 400 songs (as an individual and collectively with The Meters), and his work has been released on over 36 albums nationally and internationally. He is also well known for his drum grooves appearing in dozens of hip hop samples, television and film.
Modeliste was listed in Modern Drummer’s 2013 reader poll, and also graced the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine in August 2012. He still tours and performs extensively—namely in New Orleans and in the Bay Area of California where he currently resides.
Modeliste was a founding member and drummer of the funk group The Meters. The Meters were formed in 1965 and became well known in the vibrant New Orleans music scene. The band was eventually signed to Allen Toussaint’s record label Sansu Enterprises and served as Touissant’s house band. Over the years The Meters became staple artists and the purveyors of the traditional New Orleans funk sound.
Modeliste’s work with The Meters would solidify his status as an innovative and skilled drummer; this was further displayed when Modeliste, along with The Meters, were invited to tour with The Rolling Stones in 1975 and 1976 serving as their opening act.
The Meters also served as the backing band for acts such as Dr. John, Robert Palmer, Lee Dorsey, Paul McCartney, Betty Harris and many more—all with Modeliste on drums.