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Tommy Aldridge

Whitesnake

Tommy Aldridge

About

Paiste Artist Since
February 2003

Nationality
United States

Main Affiliation
Whitesnake

Other Affiliations
Ozzy Osbourne
Gary Moore
Pat Travers Band

Setup

Videos & Pics

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Biography

With his hard-hitting style, flair, and showmanship, Tommy Aldridge continues to be a major influence in hard rock and heavy metal drumming. Tommy 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, however, and he mimmicked his heroes on those albums. He started playing double bass 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.

Setup Cymbals

Signature Blue Bell Ride "Rhythmatist"
  • Details

    Sizes: 22"
    Volume: Medium
    Weight: Heavy

    Sound character: Dry, slightly dark, raw, melodic. Fairly narrow range, fairly clean mix. Heavy yet controllable feel. A clear, glassy ping over a dry and slightly dark, harmonic layer of wash. Very distinctive, tight and deep bell. Well suited for all types of musical styles that require clear stick work and a strong bell. Developed in co-operation with the legendary "The Police" drummer Stewart Copeland.

  • Sounds

Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash
  • Details

    Sizes: 18", 19", 20"
    Volume: Medium
    Weight: Heavy

    Sound character: Bright, explosive, full, sparkling, warm. Wide frequency range, fairly clean mix. Even, giving feel with a powerful attack, sharp response and a nice sparkling fade. A strong, full, durable and cutting crash with radiant sound.

  • Sounds

PST X Swiss Medium Crash
  • Details

    Sizes: 18", 20"
    Volume: Medium
    Weight: Medium

    Sound character: Aggressive, bright, energetic, trashy. Medium range, complex mix. Responsive feel, explosive attack. Powerful, cutting effect cymbal for exotic accents. A good cymbal for noisy crash riding at higher volume levels.

  • Sounds

RUDE Thin Crash

Signature Fast Crash

2002 Crash

2002 Medium

2002 Wild Crash
  • Details

    Sizes: 18", 20"
    Volume: Loud
    Weight: Medium

    Sound character: Hissing, roaring, metallic, shimmering. Narrow range, fairly complex mix. Very responsive, balanced feel, especially controllable while crash/riding. A strong, piercing, crash paired with a growling decay. Very sturdy crash cymbal for louder musical applications in aggressive drumming styles.

  • Sounds

Signature Reflector Heavy Full Hi-Hat
  • Details

    Sizes: 14"
    Volume: Medium
    Weight: Heavy

    Sound character: Fairly dirty, full, cutting, rich. Fairly wide range, complex mix. Very responsive feel. Full, barking and piercing, yet somewhat cushy open sound. Tight and rough chick sound. A very balanced hi-hat with a healthy dose of dirt and a note of darkness, featuring enhanced power for players that require a consistently strong pair of hi-hats.

  • Sounds

2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hat