A CirdecSongs Chat with Pat Mastelotto

PAT MASTELOTTO is one of those musicians I’d heard before I actually became aware of his existence.

In the eighties, a band called Mr. Mister had a hit single called “Broken Wings.” While I was familiar with the tune, I was primarily into college and progressive rock. Tunes that made the radio barely got on my radar. But I knew that song, even if I couldn’t name the drummer. That drummer’s name is Pat Mastelotto.

The first time I actually learned Pat’s name was in 1994, when he became a member of King Crimson’s “Double Trio” lineup, sharing drum duties with Bill Bruford. As a diehard Bruford fan, I thought Pat’s presence was superfluous. It didn’t take long to hear how wrong I was.

I’m also a huge fan of intelli-pop band XTC. Their Oranges and Lemons album ranks among my all-time favorites. In particular, I love a tune called “The Mayor of Simpleton.” Well, guess who the drummer is?

With Trey Gunn (left) and Markus Reuter in Tu-Ner

Yet chances are that wasn’t the first time I heard Pat play, either. In the seventies, he was a studio musician playing with the likes of Al Jarreau, Patti LaBelle, and the Pointer Sisters, who were staples in my parents’ record collection.

The man was everywhere! Kenny Loggins, Matthew Sweet, Cock Robin, Eddie Money, and The Sugarcubes have all gotten the Mastelotto treatment. “Six Degrees of Pat” could very well be a thing!

I met Pat for the first time in August of ‘96, when King Crimson came to St. Louis, Missouri, to open the HORDE Festival. To be honest, I was hoping to talk to Adrian Belew that day. But I saw Pat on the festival grounds and called out to him. He responded by walking directly to me, extending his hand for shaking, and talking to me for twenty minutes before signing my Crimson program.

Since then, we’ve spoken several times when I saw him with The Crimson ProjeKct, Tu-Ner, and Stick Men in addition to three King Crimson lineups. He’s not just a super-talented musician. Pat is a wonderful human being.

I’ve been hoping to interview Pat for quite some time. Alas, something always seemed to get in the way. We finally found ourselves a window and agreed to chat. But, as fate would have it, I got a text from Pat the night before we were supposed to talk, telling me “Something has come up,” and we might need to reschedule. No big deal. These things happen. I’ve waited this long. I can wait a little longer.

The next morning I got a surprise. The “something” that came up was that Pat was ill, as in “Pat needs AN URGENT HEART PROCEDURE” ill! He gave no hint how serious things were. And I thought I had a gift for understatement!

I got in touch with Deborah Carter Mastelotto, Pat’s wife, who informed me that the procedure went well and Pat was recovering comfortably. Whew! I told Deborah that I would reach out to Pat in a few days, after he had a chance to rest.

Not an hour later, I got another surprise. It was Pat texting me, asking me if I was ready to do the interview!

Say WHAT now?

How MY name came to Pat’s mind under those circumstances is a complete and utter mystery. Maybe he just needed something to do. Hospitals can be pretty dull, after all. So, after a quick bit of scrambling, I conducted my first ever chat featuring my guest in a hospital bed.

I can’t thank Pat Mastelotto enough for going above and beyond to take part in this CirdecSongs chat.