Derrick McKenzie
What age were you when you started playing the drums?
I started drumming at the age of six in the 1960’s when I was sitting in the kitchen banging mum’s coat hangers on the floor!!
Who has been an inspiration in your life?
Well at the age of 10 I was inspired by a friend whi played in a reggae band, This then encouraged me to go out and play my own local gigs and then at 14 I joined a friends band.
What was the first drum kit you owned?
My first drumkit was a Slingerland 1960’s drumkit which was bought for £400. I practiced on it for hours on end until my mother came home from work and told me to stop!!
When did you join Jamiroquai?
I was firstly in a band called Candyland which unfortunately got dropped by Fiction Records. After getting over this I then joined the band Urban Species which was a rap outfit from North London. They toured Europe extensively which was a great experience.
Eventually in 1993 I met a friend of a friend who was a top producer. Two days after meeting him I got a call asking if I wanted to do an audition for a band which was Jamiroquai. I did the two auditions and the rest is history!!
