Parkway Drive’s Ben Gordon Taught Chris Hemsworth Drums For Limitless Episode

Chris Hemsworth learned drums from Parkway Drive’s Ben Gordon for a Limitless: Live Better Now episode.

Parkway Drive drummer Ben Gordon recently gave actor Chris Hemsworth an intensive crash course in drumming for the “Brain Power” episode of his upcoming NatGeo/Disney+ series Limitless: Live Better Now. The two have been friends for years, and when Hemsworth needed help, Gordon was the first to get the call.

The challenge was set after Hemsworth agreed to perform live with Ed Sheeran in Bucharest, in front of a crowd of 70,000. Before training began, Parkway Drive’s Gordon says Hemsworth’s skills were far from ready for such a stage. “When he first came to me, he was really bad,” Gordon said of his friend‘s drumming ability during a Today Show interview, noting he had “no rhythm” or “coordination.”

Over months of practice, Hemsworth built up the basics, working on timing, coordination, and endurance. The sessions were designed not only to prepare him for the gig but also to push him outside of his comfort zone, a core theme of the Limitless series. It’s not clear whether he learnt any Parkway Drive drum beats in the process, sadly.

When the night of the show arrived, Hemsworth joined Sheeran on stage, seated behind the drum kit. It was a huge leap from where he began, and Gordon says the effort Hemsworth put in was key to pulling it off.

Parkway Drive took to social media today to share a sneak peek at Hemsworth joining the band at one of their rehearsals ahead of the first three episodes dropping tomorrow.

The “Brain Power” episode airs Friday, August 15 on Disney+ and Hulu, with a National Geographic broadcast set for August 25. Limitless: Live Better Now follows Hemsworth as he travels through six countries, taking on three challenges aimed at testing and improving both mental and physical resilience.

You can check out the trailer featuring Chris Hemsworth practicing with Parkway Drive below: