John (Johnny Bee) Badanjek

Museum Induction Fri., Nov. 21, 7:30pm CSBS Museum, Oasis Pub, Place Concorde

At 16, John (Johnny Bee) Badanjek was the drummer for the Motor City's premier rock and roll band, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (7 top-40 hits, including "Jenny Take a Ride", "Devil With a Blue Dress On", 4 gold LP's). There he hammered out one of the three greatest drum breaks in the history of rock, according to Rolling Stone Magazine (On "Devil With A Blue Dress").

After the group disbanded in 1967, "Bee" toured and recorded with Edgar Winter (including ìFree Rideî), Alice Cooper (including ìWelcome To My Nightmareî), Dr. John (The Dr. John Anthology), Bob Seger, Ronnie Montrose, Nils Lofgren, Max Weinberg (Let There Be Drums), and others, providing the backbeat for some of rock's legendary tracks. In 1972, he co-founded The Rockets showcasing his songwriting skills with "Can't Sleep", "Turn Up the Radio","Takin' It Back", launching the group into national prominence. Bee toured Europe with Nils Lofgren, recently toured and recorded with The Romantics and is spending much of his time working with his new band, Broken Toys writing and demo-ing new material.

Bee was honoured with the cover picture of, and the first interview in, Bruce Springsteen's drummer Max Weinberg's book, "The Big Beat-Conversations with Rock's Great Drummers". He is a Ludwig Drums endorser - featured in book on the history of Ludwig Drums and is featured on Calato Regal Tip Drum Sticks and is a Zildjian cymbals endorser.

Johnny is also a visual artist and his original works can be seen on his website at www.johnny-bee.com/art_gallery.htm