ROCK star Carl Palmer visited the valleys yesterday - to the delight of budding percussionists at a local secondary school.

Mr Palmer was the drummer with the famous rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer, whose biggest hit was Fanfare for the Common Man in the 1970s.

He now has a company that gives drum clinics, mostly to schools, and music therapy to people with special needs.

The 55-year-old spent several hours with pupils at Blackwood Comprehensive yesterday.

In the morning he gave a workshop to around 20 drummers, teaching them new techniques.

And later he gave a talk about his career to a hall full of Year 9 pupils. He told them that he began playing an instrument from the age of 11. "I started with the violin but I didn't like it. It made a better sound when I banged it - and that's what led me to the drums!" he said.

He added that he came from a very musical family, with a father who had 400 jazz albums.

Drumming pupil Kelly Evans, who is 16 and in Year 11, said afterwards that the workshop had been informative and fun.

"He was really nice and helpful - he showed us lots of different techniques and para diddles," she said.

Hilary Brown, head of music, said it was the second time Mr Palmer had visited the school.

l To find out more about the Drum Clinic UK company visit the website which can be found at www.carlpalmer.com