CLEVELAND – Patrick Carney was not nervous before his first live drum show in over a year, just honored.
Longtime fan of the Indians and half of The Black Keys, the Grammy-winning rock duo from Akron, Ohio, Carney took the spot on Monday at the Cleveland premiere for drummer John Adams, who is recovering from surgery cardiac.
Adams missed his first home debut since 1973, ending a series in which he sat on top of the bleachers in the left field and hitting hard whenever the Indians were hitting.
Carney was thrilled to be able to replace Adams.
“I’m happy to be here for John,” Carney told the Associated Press about two hours before the Indians hosted the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. “It’s the best place in the house and I wish John could be here, obviously. When I heard that he wasn’t healthy enough to survive, I thought it was a good way to pay him respect and show him some love.”
Before he could start hitting, Carney was tasked with drumming by Adams during a video presentation in the first inning.
The appearance of Carney did not awaken the Indians, who managed only three hits and were eliminated 3-0 for the Royals.
Carney said he watched the Indians’ first game in Cleveland when he was “5 or 6 years old” and that one of his close friends who accompanied him in that game decades ago was participating in the debut.
Like so many musical acts, The Black Keys hasn’t been on a stage since just before the COVID-19 pandemic ended normal life.
“This is my first show since last January,” said Carney. “Crazy. This is going to be fun.”
Carney said he is looking forward to resuming the shows and that he and his bandmate Dan Auerbach may have an announcement next week about their plans.