Tommy Aldridge
Encyclopedia : T : TO : TOM : Tommy Aldridge
Tommy Aldridge is a journeyman drummer, noted for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers and Whitesnake.
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's 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. 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.
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
Ozzy Osbourne
- Tribute
- Bark at the Moon
- Speak of the Devil
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
- House of Lords - Demons Dawn
- 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 Still of the Night
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.