PM360 recently spoke to Ken Freirich, Chief Executive Officer, Health Monitor Network, about making the world a better place by playing the drums.
PM360: How did you first get started with drumming?
Ken Freirich: I started playing drums when I was eight. Never took lessons. I would listen to a record and then would be able to play it. That’s also when I also started my first rock band.
What types of drums and style of music do you most like to play?
I’ve been playing on the same set my whole life—a white Pearl DX-7500 Deep Force series set from the ’80s. I saved my money to purchase the set when I was young and then when I could, I would keep adding more Zildjian cymbals. I love playing classic Rock and Roll.
What are your favorite songs to play on the drums?
I love “Whole Lotta Love” and “Rock and Roll” from Led Zeppelin, “Limelight” from Rush, “Pinball Wizard” and “Baba O’Riley” from The Who, and “Satisfaction” from The Stones.
How did your band, MedROCK, form? Do you guys perform covers or original music? What are some of the songs you perform?
I was talking to a pharma client who mentioned that he played guitar. I said we should jam some time. We did and next thing you know, he pulled in another guitar player and bass, I found a singer and we were rockin’! That was almost five years ago.
The band is a non-profit 501C3 corporation whose mission is to bring the world together through music and make it a better place through philanthropy. Whenever we play, we give money away to deserving organizations.
We perform covers, such as “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin, The Stones’ “Gimme Shelter,” and AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.” We also have original music: “Dream Hotel” and our latest, called “Share Your Gift,” are on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and our website Medrockband.com.
Do you play any gigs? Anything upcoming?
Yes! In addition to playing in NYC and NJ, MedROCK opened for the Marshall Tucker Band in Vermont to a packed house of about 2,000 people. We also played in Turks and Caicos to raise money for an elementary school music and arts education program.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we won’t be touring over the next few months.
I hear you once played with The Who. How did that come about? What did you play? What was that experience like?
I fulfilled my lifelong dream last October and played “Pinball Wizard” with The Who in LA at a star-studded fundraiser for Teen Cancer America and UCLA’s Breast Center. It was the last song of the show, after performances from Kenny Loggins, Pink, Foo Fighters, and The Who. I was so humbled by the experience. I received a standing ovation, with all these rockers and celebrities chanting my name.
