Nearly a year ago, actor Chris Hemsworth surprised fans by appearing on stage at an Ed Sheeran concert in Bucharest, Romania, where he played drums alongside the British singer despite having no prior experience with percussion. This unexpected moment was part of Hemsworth’s National Geographic series, Limitless, which explores ways to challenge and enhance both mind and body.
Drummer Ben Gordon on Teaching Hemsworth Percussion
Ben Gordon, the drummer for Australian metal band Parkway Drive, recently discussed his role as Hemsworth’s tutor in drumming for the show. He and Hemsworth have been friends for around seven to eight years, having met through a mutual acquaintance after Hemsworth moved to Byron Bay. Gordon revealed that when Hemsworth was challenged by Ed Sheeran to learn drums for Limitless, he was the natural choice to help.
“So when he got challenged by Ed Sheeran to learn the drums for Limitless, I guess I was the obvious choice to call because, I guess, I’m his only friend who’s a professional drummer. So he gave me a call and asked if I would help out.”
—Ben Gordon, Drummer of Parkway Drive
Initially, Gordon thought his involvement would remain off-camera, but the process of Hemsworth learning drums was filmed and included in the show’s final edit. When asked if Hemsworth showed natural talent at the drums, Gordon admitted Hemsworth started off very badly but appreciated the actor’s willingness to embrace a skill outside his comfort zone.
“When he first came to me, he was really bad,”
Gordon said.
I have a lot of admiration for him because the whole premise of the episode was him finding something that he wasn’t gifted at, which was quite hard because he’s very talented in many areas, and diving into something that he finds uncomfortable.”
“No one in the world is good at everything, even Chris Hemsworth, so he found something he’s not good at, which was the drums,”
Gordon continued.
“He was a complete novice. He had no idea about it. He had no rhythm. But that was kind of the challenge and that’s what makes the episode fun.”
Parkway Drive’s Background and Gordon’s Expertise
Parkway Drive, the Australian heavy metal band that Ben Gordon plays drums for, was formed in Byron Bay, New South Wales, in 2003. They released their first album two years later and gained critical and commercial success over the years. Their 2007 album, Horizons, reached the top ten in Australia and appeared on the Top Heatseekers charts in the US.
The band achieved consecutive Billboard 200 top 40 placements through a string of successful albums, including 2010’s Deep Blue and 2015’s Ire, the latter topping the Top Hard Rock Albums chart and reaching number one in Australia. Parkway Drive’s latest works, such as 2022’s Darker Still—which won them their third ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album—and their recent release Sacred, continue to solidify their status in the metal scene.
Significance and Future Prospects for Hemsworth’s Musical Journey
Chris Hemsworth’s journey from complete beginner to performing drums publicly reflects a broader theme explored in Limitless: embracing challenges outside familiar talents to foster personal growth. Hemsworth’s willingness to learn a demanding instrument like drums, especially under the guidance of an experienced musician like Ben Gordon, underscores this mission.
The surprise collaboration at Ed Sheeran’s concert not only highlights Hemsworth’s evolving skills but also introduces audiences to the dedication required when tackling new disciplines. This experience may inspire others to step beyond their comfort zones, while also showcasing the connections forged through shared passions in music and friendship.
