Mickey Hart

Mickey Hart (born 1943) is best known as one of the two drummers from The Grateful Dead. His travels and his keen interest in all things percussion related, lead him to collect percussion instruments, and to meet many percussion masters[?] the world over.

He was influential (sometimes even single handed) in recording many dying musical traditions. (That's not well stated... I might get back to it - but anyone else want a go at it - please do...)

Mickey is now one of the main (THE main?) curators for music with the Smithsonian Institution.

He has written informative books on the history and traditions of drumming throughout time, including

Drumming at the Edge of Magic : A Journey into the Spirit of Percussion

Spirit into Sound : The Magic of Music

Planet Drum : A Celebration of Percussion and Rhythm