A Phil Brodie Band Tribute Page

TOMMY ALDRIDGE
Born: August 15, 1950 ... Jackson, MS, USA

One of the most in-demand (and well-respected) hard rock drummers, Tommy Aldridge has set the standard for double-bass rock drumming.

"Yamaha drums have been my instruments of destruction for longer than I would care to admit. If there was anything cooler you can bet I would be playing it. and... Yamaha hardware is real hardware. It's made for staying where you put it...city after city, night after night".
- Tommy Aldridge

TOMMY'S SETUP:
Maple Custom Absolute

ACOUSTIC DRUMS:
ASD-0105 14"x5.5" Snare Drum
ABD-1022T 22"x18" Bass Drum (x2)
ATT-1012 12"x10" Tom
ATT-1014 14"x12" Tom
AFT-1016 16"x16" Floor Tom
AFT-1018 18"x16" Floor Tom

HARDWARE:
AC-910 Arm Clamp (3x)
CH-740 Cymbal Holder (6x)
CHH-920 Closed Hi-hat Holder (1x)
CL-945 Tom ball Clamp (2x)
CS-925 Cymbal Stand (3x)
CS-945 Cymbal Stand (8x)
CSAT-924 Cymbal Stand Attachment (4x)
DS-840 Drum Stool
EX-910 Extension Rod (2x)
HS-950 Hi Hat Stand
HSAT-920 Hi Hat Stand Attachment (2x)
OC-910U Rack Clamp (4x)
RP-60 Rack Pipe
SS-940 Snare Stand (2x)
WS-904 Double Tom Stand
WS-955 Double Tom Stand

SHORT PROFILE
Tommy Aldridge taught himself to play the drums. He didn't have the benefit of affording a private teacher, and he wasn't attracted to the high school drum corps. He grew up listening to albums by Cream, the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix, and he mimmicked his heroes on those albums. He started playing double bass drums early on, in order to get a sound that he had in his head. He started out playing in clubs and at frat parties, but got his break into the majors when he was asked to join Black Oak Arkansas, an up and coming southern rock outfit. However, when he made the decision to leave the band, he experienced complications. After about a year, he was able to forge ahead, and he began working with Pat Travers. He worked with him for a few years, did a few tours, and put out a few records, until he left for England. He wanted to try living and working in England, and he began working with Gary Moore. They put out a couple of albums, and met Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads during this time. Tommy and Randy became good friends, and eventually got the chance to work together with Ozzy Osbourne's band. He was the drummer on the phenomenal Diary of a Madman tour, and describes working with Randy "highlight of my career." He stayed on with Ozzy's band as Jake E. Lee joined on lead guitar, and they put out Bark at the Moon, but Tommy was ready for a change. About this time, Tommy began corresponding with Rudy Sarzo, who had just finished his successful stint with Quiet Riot, and they began kicking around and trying to make something happen. They hired Tony MacAlpine and did a couple of albums, but it ended up not being a permanent band situation. Tommy began hanging around with John Sykes, who was in touch with David Coverdale. John and David were looking for a solid rhythm section to support their hard-driving sound, and eventually, Rudy and Tommy joined Whitesnake. Tommy toured and enjoyed the ultimate rock and roll fantasy, but eventually, it was time to move forward. Since Whitesnake, Tommy has been working as a freelance drummer, and works with many bands, including Ted Nugent

TOMMY ALDRIDGE
has performed with:
Black Oak Arkansas
Whitesnake
Ted Nugent
Aerosmith
Ozzy Osborne
John Sykes
Thin Lizzy
Yngwie Malmsteen
Pat Travers
James Mangrum
Jake E. Lee
Stan Knight
Pat Daugherty
Rudy Sarzo
Ricky Reynolds
Max Norman
Don Airey
Randy Rhoads
Bob Daisley
Jimmy Henderson
Pat Thrall
Ruby Starr
Pete Cowling
Jake E. Lee
Michael Shrieve
Gary Moore
House of Lords
Motorhead
And so many more

(Selected) Discography

Black Oak Arkansas If an Angel Came to See You
Black Oak Arkansas Street Party
Black Oak Arkansas Ain't Life Grand
Black Oak Arkansas X-Rated
Black Oak Arkansas Balls of Fire
Black Oak Arkansas High on the Hog
Black Oak Arkansas King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas Raunch 'N' Roll Live
Black Oak Arkansas Live! Mutha
Driver Project: Driver
Gary Moore Dirty Fingers
House of Lords Demons Dawn
John Sykes 20th Century
Motörhead March or Die
Ozzy Osbourne Tribute
Ozzy Osbourne Bark at the Moon (Expanded)
Ozzy Osbourne Speak of the Devil
Ozzy Osbourne Bark at the Moon
Pat Travers Crash and Burn
Pat Travers Live! Go for What You Know
Pat Travers Live in Concert
Pat Travers Radio Active
Pat Travers Heat in the Street
Pat Travers Go for What You Know
Ruby Starr Scene Stealer
Steve Fister Age of Great Dreams
Ted Nugent Full Bluntal Nugity
Thin Lizzy One Night Only
Tony MacAlpine Project:
Various Artists Dragon Attack: A Tribute to Queen
Various Artists Merry Axemas, Vol. 2: More Guitars for Christmas
Various Artists Humanary Stew?: A Tribute to Alice Cooper
Various Artists Bat Head Soup: A Tribute to Ozzy
Various Artists Metallic Assault: A Tribute to Metallica
Various Artists Not the Same Old Song & Dance: Aerosmith Tribute
Vinnie Moore Mind's Eye
Whitesnake Slip of the Tongue
Whitesnake Live... In the Still of the Night
Whitesnake Live... In The Shadow Of The Blues

VIDEOS

Tommy Aldridge: Beyond the Groove - Release Date: 2/3/1998

Tommy Aldridge: Rock Drum Soloing & Double Bass Workout
60 min. Whitesnake's drummer.

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