18 Facts About Tommy Aldridge

Tommy Aldridge is noted for his work with numerous bands and artists since the 1970s, such as Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore, Whitesnake, Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy, Vinnie Moore and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Self-taught, Aldridge was initially inspired by the music of Cream, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

Drummers such as Joe Morello, Ginger Baker, John Bonham and Mitch Mitchell were particularly influential as Tommy Aldridge developed his drumming style.

Tommy Aldridge himself has become very influential, and is regarded as a double bass drum pioneer in rock music.

Tommy Aldridge subsequently recorded several albums with the band between 1972 and 1976 and toured extensively.

Tommy Aldridge has said that he wasn't particularly fond of Black Oak Arkansas' music and his intention when joining the band was to use the opportunity as a springboard to make a name for himself in the industry, something he says he's not particularly proud of in hindsight.

Not happy with the band's heavy use of hashish, Tommy Aldridge attempted to leave Black Oak Arkansas.

Tommy Aldridge spent 1978 to 1981 with the Pat Travers Band, recording five albums over that time.

Tommy Aldridge had known Osbourne for several years, as Black Oak Arkansas had toured with Osbourne's previous band Black Sabbath extensively in the 1970s, and Tommy Aldridge's new friendship with Rhoads would lead him to join Osbourne's band a few months later.

Tommy Aldridge has stated that working with Rhoads in Osbourne's band was one of the "musical highlights" of his life.

Tommy Aldridge appeared on Osbourne's Bark at the Moon album in 1983 as well as a pair of live albums before leaving the band in 1984.

Tommy Aldridge has been an in-demand drum clinician since the early 1980s, and much of his work involves drum clinics and festivals each year.

Tommy Aldridge left Whitesnake in 2007 to pursue alternate musical endeavours.

From 1997 to 2001 and again from 2007 to 2009, Tommy Aldridge was touring with the John Sykes-fronted version of Thin Lizzy alongside Scott Gorham, Darren Wharton and Marco Mendoza.

On January 25,2013, it was announced that Tommy Aldridge had rejoined Whitesnake for the third time for the band's upcoming "Year of the Snake" tour.

Tommy Aldridge plays Yamaha drums, a company he has been with since 1982 and currently uses Absolute Maple Nouveau series drums from Yamaha.

Tommy Aldridge uses Remo drum heads and signature ProMark drum sticks.

Yamaha has made Tommy Aldridge a custom "soon to be released" Signature Snare drum that is a 7x14 stainless steel model with die cast hoops and black chrome hardware.