Drumming News :
In this article we will be posting a number of short bits that former Modern Drummer Managing Editor Scott K Fish has posted through the years on his personal blog about Tommy Aldridge, you’ll be able to hear the recordings Scott made of their conversations most for Modern Drummers Ask A Pro section.
Audio: Tommy Aldridge on Playing Double-Bass Drums (1982):
Posted on February 1, 2017 by Scott K Fish
This cassette, from my stint as Managing Editor at Modern Drummer, seems to have been a tape I used, circa 1982, for interview follow-ups with drummers. Tommy Aldridge, James Black, Bob DiSalle, Max Roach, Carolyn Brandy, and, I think, photographer Kirk West are all on this 90-minute tape. Plus there’s a snippet of someone (unidentified) playing drums, and a 8-bars of a song idea I recorded on nylon string guitar.
Tommy Aldridge and I were speaking through a land line in my office. I was taping our conversation using my Radio Shack suction cup mic and an inexpensive cassette recorder. I had a few letters from MD readers with questions for Tommy. Tommy’s answers here were, I’m sure, transcribed, edited, and published in MD as part of an Ask A Pro column.
The recording quality is okay. Tommy was recorded at very low volume, which I’ve boosted on this excerpt. The first reader asks if Tommy has tips for exercise on playing double-bass drums. “Everybody asks me that question,” Tommy says, and that part of his answer is a bit garbled here.
Also, at around 1:15 on this audiofile, Tommy, cites the song, Wipeout as a good double-bass drumming exercise. The song title is very soft on this tape.
Tommy Aldridge – Not the Drummer on ‘Diary of a Madman :
Posted on March 18, 2019 by Scott K Fish
This cassette, from my stint as Managing Editor at Modern Drummer, seems to have been a tape I used, circa 1982, for interview follow-ups with drummers. The tape has bits and pieces of different conversations and music.
Tommy Aldridge and I were speaking through a land line in my MD office. I was taping our conversation using my Radio Shack suction cup mic and an inexpensive cassette recorder. I had a few MD readers’ “Ask a Pro” column letters with questions for Tommy.
One reader wanted a second opinion on whether or not Tommy is the drummer on Ozzy Osbourne’s “Diary of a Madman” album. Tommy is, he says, not the “Madman” album drummer. Thirty-seven years after this conversation, this may be old news. But it is perhaps worthwhile to have Tommy Aldridge answering the question, in his own voice, for present and future reference.
Tommy Aldridge Sonor Ad 1976 :
Posted on October 25, 2015 by Scott K Fish
These days Tommy Aldridge is endorsing Yamaha. I interviewed Tommy for Modern Drummer when he was with Ozzy Osbourne. A very nice guy. Tommy was an intuitive player. That is, he played very, very well — by instinct. So, none of his interview was about what he studied, or who he studied with.
Anyway, I came across this 1976 Sonor ad and thought I’d post it.
Tommy Aldridge – Yamaha Print Ad 1989 :
Posted on May 21, 2020 by Scott K Fish
I always enjoyed looking at drum ads as soon as they arrived with Modern Drummer‘s advertising director. Print ads sometimes had great photos of drummers back when, as I’ve mentioned before, studying drum print ads for clues to drummer’ sound and technique was a favorite pastime for many young drummers.
This Yamaha Tommy Aldridge print ad is from April 1989.
Tommy Aldridge: Modern Drummer Interview 1981 :
Posted on June 14, 2016 by Scott K Fish
In my introduction to Tommy Aldridge’s October 1981 Modern Drummer interview I wrote, “Not a week would go by without [reader] letters asking, ‘When are you guys going to interview Tommy Aldridge?’” I connected with Tommy by phone for this interview, but I don’t remember the details of our meeting.
After Tommy’s phone interview I did meet him in person in May 1981 at The Palladium in New York City during Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz Tour. Tommy Aldridge was a true professional, a gentleman, and interesting to interview.
Tommy Aldridge’s full interview is now available on MD‘s Archive Page.
About Scott:
Scott K. Fish played a pivotal role in the creation of “Modern Drummer” magazine, beginning his journey as a freelance writer in 1978. He became the Managing Editor from 1980 to 1983, during which time he authored nearly half of the magazine’s feature articles. His interviews were distinguished by their depth, often delving into the “life beyond the cymbals,” a sentiment echoed by renowned drummer Bill Bruford.
With over 25 years of experience in public relations, writing, marketing, and communications, Scott continues to influence the music world through his insights. He is an active blogger, frequently sharing original interviews with artists that inform his work.
To keep up with Scott’s contributions, visit his blog at www.ScottkFish.com where he posts articles weekly. We invite you to consider supporting Scott’s ongoing writing endeavors. Your contributions will help ensure that we continue to learn about the important drummers and their impactful legacies.
You can support him at the link: HERE
