Rod Stewart's drummer opens new studio in Renfrewshire

Ryan Hassan has experienced more than a few 'pinch me' moments in a career which has seen him tour the world with Rod Stewart, record at Abbey Road Studios and perform in front of 90,000 people.

Ryan in his Johnstone studio (Image: Supplied) Having journeyed from a council flat in Paisley to the top of his profession, however, he wants to help youngsters follow in his footsteps by offering tuition from his new Johnstone-based premises.

Thanks to its bespoke set-up, students will be able to spend the duration of their one-to-one sessions behind a drum kit and will even have the chance to play with the exact kit he uses on arena and stadium tours.

Ryan on tour (Image: Supplied) The 37-year-old said: “Drumming has been my passion for decades now and it’s allowed me to travel the world, make incredible memories, and build a successful career.

“Not everyone is lucky enough to have access to musical instruments at school, so I wanted to establish my studio to provide more opportunities for the next generation of talent."

Ryan has previously taught drums at several places including St Aloysius' College in Glasgow and Houston Primary School, Linwood High School, Renfrew High School, St Benedict’s High School, Gryffe High School, Renfrewshire Jazz Band, Johnstone High School and Loud N Proud Music School in Renfrewshire.

“I love witnessing the moment where the penny drops and everything starts making sense to my students for the first time," added Ryan, who has been teaching drums for longer than he has been touring professionally.

“Whether it's younger kids playing along with their favourite song, a moment I remember well myself, or older musicians breaking through a barrier and taking their playing to another level, I just love seeing my students achieve their goals.

“It’s really special to hear they’ve played their first gig or started recording and releasing music, and I’ve been a part of helping them get there.

“I have also worked with care experienced students, and young people with additional support needs and disabilities, and seeing them reach milestones in their musical careers is an unbelievable feeling.”

Ryan in his Johnstone studio (Image: Supplied) Ryan has performed at some of the world’s most popular festivals, including Lollapalooza, T in The Park and The Isle of Wight Festival to name but a few.

It all started, however, when he found his passion for drumming at school when he was just 11-years-old.

“I first picked up a set of drumsticks during a music class in high school,” he explained.

“I loved it instantly, and actually started sneaking into school after hours with two friends to get more time on the drums.

“We did that for about three weeks before my friend burned a hole in the classroom carpet with a floor buffer and we got caught.”

Ryan, left, outside Abbey Road Studios in London (Image: Supplied) Despite this, the teachers realised they were keen to learn, and the school hired local drum teacher Colin McGibbon, a touring drummer for Susan Boyle, to give them lessons.

The rest was history for the former Our Lady of Peace Primary and St Brendan’s High School pupil. 

Ryan and Rod Stewart (Image: Supplied) “I knew straight away that I wanted to do this as a career and I never varied from it,” said Ryan, who also went on to train with James Murphy, Professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where notable alumni Alan Silvestri, Quincy Jones and John Mayer studied.

“I had lessons with Colin until I left school at 17, and I still go back to him for advice and practise all these years later.”

Ryan playing in Bristol (Image: Supplied) The biggest crowd he has ever played for was 90,000 at V Festival, when it was still running, an experience he describes as “unreal” and “quite hard to describe”.

“It's special to think you’re getting that opportunity, and the crowd noise is crazy," he said.

"Hearing the drums during soundcheck has always been one of my favourite things about gigs of that size but, in all honesty, some of the most special shows are the smaller club venues or the events that have significant meaning."

Another career highlight occurred recently when he recorded at Abbey Road Studios with legendary engineer Chris Bolster and assistant engineer Marta Di Nozzi.

“Walking through the doors of such an iconic studio, I really felt the weight of its history," he explained.

"It was a real “you may never be here again” type moment.

“Chris has worked with Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney, so it was a huge moment to be working at that level.”

Ryan at the SSE Hydro (Image: Supplied) The life of a drummer has, however, not been as a rock and roll as you might assume, he insists.

“I think people would be surprised that it's not like being in Led Zeppelin in the 1970s," said Ryan. 

"I generally try to be in bed watching a movie by 11pm and the majority of the tour is either sitting in a hotel room, sitting in a car, sitting on a plane or sitting in a dressing room, although it’s great when you get a day off to travel and see new places.

"Playing drums has allowed me to see a lot of the world I doubt I would have seen otherwise.”

Ryan (Image: Supplied) For those keen to also find success and joy through drumming, he has some advice.

“Something I always try to impart on my students is that anything is possible," he said. 

"Everything I’ve experienced and achieved has happened through sheer will and determination.

"I didn’t have family money or musical parents with any ‘ins’ with the industry.

"I just wanted to be as good as I could possibly be at playing an instrument I loved, and I had a drive for it to take me where I wanted to go.

“Drumming can be a hobby for fun and an outlet that takes you away from the stress of day-to-day life or it can be a career that will take you all over the world.

"Every option is available to everyone who walks through my studio door.”

To celebrate the official launch of his new lesson programme, Ryan is offering one student the chance to win five lessons plus a goody bag filled with an essential drumming kit.

The competition is open to those aged 13 and upwards.

To find out how to enter click HERE.