In 1989, Roach described the drum kit as an American invention that combines cymbals from the Middle East, tom-toms from Africa and snares from Europe.

NPR: Remembering Jazz Drummer Max Roach

When the tom-toms picked up again in the finale, I mentally checked out: the gesture had been made too many times before, not just in the past three decades but in the past thirty minutes.

NEWYORKER: Number Nine

For almost as long as there have been power lists, Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise "The Toms" have jockeyed for first position, occasionally letting Mel Gibson sneak up on the rail, just to keep things interesting.

NEWSWEEK: Culture