Famous drummer to talk about life, career

Max Weinberg of Meat Loaf, Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" will be speaking at 7.pm. Monday in the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall.\nJunior Cody Bell, director of Union Board's Comedy Committee, said Weinberg will talk about his life and career.\n"He should give a very interesting perspective about his experience with (E Street Band and Max Weinberg 7)," Bell said.\nWeinberg provided the backbeat for Springsteen from 1974 to 1989 and has been a studio drummer for many other artists including Barbara Streisand. He currently fronts the side band of his own name on Late Night.\nWeinberg has been making music since he was in grade school. He started his career playing in the pit band for the Broadway production of "Godsend." While playing for Springsteen, Weinberg recorded six albums over 15 years. In 1989 he went on the Human Rights Now world tour to raise funds for Amnesty International. He played drums while Bill Clinton showed off his saxophone talent during the 1992 presidential inauguration.\nSince joining "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" in 1993, Weinberg and his band have produced a full-length jazz album. When Andy Richter left the show, Weinberg became O'Brien's main sidekick for comic relief.\nUnion Board's Celebrate the Arts co-director junior Eleni Peters said footage of Weinberg's work on Late Night will be shown during his speech. She said he is expected to give a lively talk and encourage audience participation.\n"He is really excited to come," Peters said.\nJunior Mary Hansel, co-director of Celebrate the Arts Committee, said she expects Weinberg will talk about his experiences in the music and entertainment industries. She said she hopes a lot of people attend the talk.\n"In addition to people dropping by to hear the celebrity speak, most of the fans will be fans of Bruce Springsteen and Conan O'Brien," Hansel said.\nWeinberg may even demonstrate his skills on the drums.\n"It depends on if he can borrow anything in town from local drummer of the School of Music," Hansel said.\n-- Contact staff writer Benjames Derrick at bderrick@indiana.edu.