Drummers - Tommy Aldridge
Tommy Aldridge is a journeyman drummer, pioneering heavy
metal drumming, and noted for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Black Oak
Arkansas, Pat Travers, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Manic Eden.
Born on August 15, 1950, in Jackson, Mississippi, Aldridge taught
himself how to play drums and was inspired by rock legends like Cream,
the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix.
Career
In the 1970s, Aldridge joined up and coming rockers Black Oak Arkansas
and recorded nine albums with them between 1972 and 1976. He also
undertook long tours around the US with the band.
He spent 1978 to 1981 signed with Canadian blues-rock guitarist Pat
Travers, and recorded five albums with him. Aldridge was then offered a
place in Ozzy Osbourne's band, which he accepted. Playing alongside Ozzy
and guitarist Randy Rhoads, the line up is preserved on 1987's Tribute.
After Rhoads' death the band continued to record, producing a live album
in 1982 called Speak of the Devil and a studio album, Bark at the Moon
in 1983, after which Aldridge left the group.
Aldridge joined Gary Moore to record Dirty Fingers in 1984 before
accepting an offer from David Coverdale of Whitesnake. However, before
joining Whitesnake for the "Whitesnake 1987" tour he joined forces with
longtime friend and bass player Rudy Sarzo to form "Project Driver" a
Shrapnel Records band which not only failed commercially but was a
project he personally financed and cost him his marriage. He was too
late to appear on the successful Whitesnake 1987 album, but toured with
the band extensively. He appears on Slip of the Tongue, released in 1989
which was less successful and resulted in the group breaking up a year
later.
After Whitesnake, he played in the band Manic Eden, with his former
Whitesnake bandmates, Adrian Vandenberg and Rudy Sarzo. The line-up also
included former Little Caesar vocalist Ron Young.
Aldridge has continued as "journeyman" drummer, touring and recording
live albums.
Throughout his career he has been regarded as a double bass drumming
pioneer along with Louis Bellson and Carmine Appice.
As of January, 2006 he is touring with Whitesnake alongside with band
members David Coverdale (vocals), Doug Aldrich (guitar), Reb Beach
(guitar), Uriah Duffy (bass) and Timothy Drury (keyboards).
Tommy Aldridge uses Yamaha drums and Paiste cymbals.
Discography
Black Oak Arkansas
* If an Angel Came to See You ...
* Street Party
* Ain't Life Grand
* X-Rated
* Balls of Fire
* High on the Hog
* King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Black Oak Arkansas
* Raunch 'N' Roll Live
* Live! Mutha
* Ten Year Over Night Success
Ozzy Osbourne
* Speak of the Devil (1982)
* Bark at the Moon (1983)
* Tribute (1987)
Pat Travers
* Crash and Burn
* Live! Go for What You Know
* Live in Concert
* Radio Active
* Heat in the Street
* Go for What You Know
Others
* Steve Fister - Age of Great Dreams
* Houses of Lords - Demons Down
* Thin Lizzy - One Night Only
* Gary Moore - Dirty Fingers
* Vinnie Moore - Mind's Eye
* Motörhead - March or Die
* Ted Nugent - Full Bluntal Nugity
* Ruby Starr - Scene Stealer
* John Sykes - 20th Century
* Whitesnake - Slip of the Tongue
* Whitesnake - Live: In The Shadow Of The Blues
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Aldridge
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