Drumming News :
Ben Gordon, drummer for the Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive, recently spoke with Australia’s Today show about how he ended up teaching actor Chris Hemsworth to play the drums. The task? To help prepare Hemsworth for a live performance with Grammy Award-winning singer Ed Sheeran, as featured in the upcoming docuseries Limitless: Live Better Now.
Premiering on Disney+ and Hulu on August 15, Limitless: Live Better Now follows Hemsworth as he pushes himself beyond his limits, tapping into groundbreaking science and ancient wisdom to improve his physical and mental well-being. The show also includes a daring mix of challenges, including a 600-foot Swiss Alps climbing wall and a deep dive into South Korean Special Forces training. But the most surprising test? Hemsworth learning to drum in just two months to perform with Sheeran in front of 70,000 fans.
In a candid interview with Today, Gordon explained how he found himself in the unlikely role of Hemsworth’s drum coach. “I’ve been friends with Chris for about seven or eight years,” Gordon shared. The two met after Hemsworth moved to Byron Bay, where they became fast friends. When Hemsworth was challenged by Sheeran to master the drums for Limitless, Gordon was the obvious choice to help. “I guess I’m his only friend who’s a professional drummer,” he said.
Initially, Gordon thought he’d be behind the scenes helping Hemsworth prepare, but the producers had other ideas. “They filmed our sessions and wanted us to be part of the episode,” he recalled. And so, Gordon became a central figure in Limitless: Live Better Now.
Despite being a seasoned professional, Gordon didn’t sugarcoat the early challenges Hemsworth faced. “When he first came to me, he was really bad,” he said, laughing. “He had no rhythm. No idea about it. But that was the fun part of it. The whole point of the episode was for Chris to face something he wasn’t naturally good at, which is a pretty tough ask for someone like him who’s incredibly talented in so many areas.”
Hemsworth, however, embraced the challenge. Gordon continued, “He’s got the physique, but he lacked the coordination and rhythm. But he got there in the end. It was a tough journey, but that’s what made it so rewarding.”
The docuseries’ first episode, “Brain Power,” chronicles Hemsworth’s intense two-month journey to master the drums. The premise is simple but daunting: learn to drum well enough to perform with Ed Sheeran in front of a massive crowd. As Hemsworth reflects, the process wasn’t easy. “I had about six to eight weeks to learn, and I kept putting it off. About two weeks out, I realized I didn’t know the song. I was in the space of no return,” he admitted. The stress, however, worked in his favor. “Fear can be a pretty good motivator,” Hemsworth added.
After weeks of practice, blistered fingers, and mounting anxiety, Hemsworth took the stage with Sheeran. The experience was overwhelming: “70,000 people were singing along and moving to the beat. I was a piece of that puzzle. It was a universal feeling… something pretty special.”
With Gordon’s help, Hemsworth proved that with dedication and the right support, anyone can face their fears — even in the form of an intimidating drum kit.
Catch Limitless: Live Better Now starting August 15 on Disney+, Hulu, and National Geographic.
