God Bless Tommy Ardolino! 1955 2012

[@fredobrien2250]

I've been playing in bands since 1962. One of the inspirations for my musical life was "Our Day Will Come" by Ruby & The Romantics; I always loved hearing Tommy come up front to sing that one. We opened for NRBQ many times and they were absolutely the most unpredictable, awesome good time band I ever experienced. May his spirit imbue the musicians of the future with that charm and drive!

[@jimschleich8753]

Tommy had, and embodied, class, cool, rhythm, blues, and meow. Rest In Tommy!

[@loilt5091]

Sorry, if any of you read this on another post before, but this story specifically applies to Tom; This was a few decades back and the boys were playing on Granville St., Raincouver. Terry had this beat up trumpet sitting on his keyboard and they finally got to the encore. Tom came forward, no drummer and sang "This Guys in Love With You". When it got to Herb Alpert's famous trumpet solo, the band passed the bugle, hand to hand, attempting to play it, coming full circle, back to Tom. He nailed the solo...my sides and face were so sore from smiling. Thank you, Tommy! Tommy's slidin for home!

[@MisterG2323]

RIP to a good egg and a superb drummer!

[@keithplasse4652]

Will be missed.

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

The world was a much better place with Tommy than without -- fact.

[@raymondlang]

Pure natural musical talent.

[@karmikmike2878]

I had have seen the band numerous times .......mostly at The Turning Point in Piermont NY ....... a small, intimate club, where you were never more than 20 feet from the band ....... i was usually much closer. Myself a drummer of now 43 years, and also mostly self taught, i would watch Tom to see what he was doing. His style was very unique in that not only did he play noticeably behind the beat(ala Charlie Watts), but he had a unique way of holding the sticks .......... on his snare hand, he would "Roll" the stick in his hand by turning his wrist over as well as lifting the stick up very high in the air before bringing it down and striking the snare drum, and at other times, he would hold the stick between the knuckles of his middle and ring fingers, then lift it up in the air and bring it down on the drum ........... to look at it, especially from a drummer's viewpoint, it was very strange and different, but it worked and was fun to watch. The way Tom kept time was really laid back. Way behind the beat ....... but never ever off beat or tempo drifting. The effect he created was not only highly noticeable, but also highly likable. Totally unique and in a way no one else did. It set him apart from most other drummers out there ....... i could also say that his drumming was extremely free form. No rules. No standards. He just played from the heart. I liked that a lot. He will truly be missed !

[@loilt5091]

@KM Personally, I always loved how he dragged behind, on funky time...always having fun! Kinda reminds me of Zig, with the Meters and that funky, behind the beat thing.

[@brötzmannsax]

Excellent analysis, I still watch with amazement the way he holds that left stick between his fingers coming down hard on that downbeat.

[@LightenUpMcGraw]

I'm sitting hear reading the comments with tears streaming down my face. He seemed to be such a sweet gentle soul and his musicianship was unquestioned. Glad that he was able to play a couple of songs on the new NRBQ album and he did the painting that graces the cover and that is very cool. People that really know music know how great he was and how much he added to NRBQ's very best.

[@brötzmannsax]

Tommy was always a pleasure and full of fun and smiles, it must have been those "young & restless" drumsticks!

[@VanGopherVincent]

That is just beautiful. Complete with a shout out from Earl Palmer!

[@heidivernathorbjornsen475]

Awe!!! We love you & miss you , Tommy ! May, God bless your soul dear one -thanks for all the music you gifted us with & the hugs you gave over the years ..🌹

[@ralphmunn1685]

What a great group of truly unique cats. 🙏

[@40DollarFine]

I'm starting to get weepy again. So glad to have seen him play so many times.

[@EmansAdventures]

What a Great Tribute to the Best drummer and all around Great person,Tom and I went to High school together,hung out,went to Kregees record shop in Springfield Mass.was so shocked to hear of his death.Rest In Peace my dear friend.Keep on Rockin in Heaven.

[@monkmchorning]

Ah, Kresge's. They had all the records. And the weekly charts for Billboard, WHYN, and WSPR.

[@EmansAdventures]

@@monkmchorning i knew a julian janik, i worked with him at monarch life back in the 70s.

[@monkmchorning]

@@EmansAdventures No immediate relation. One of my brother's close friends worked at Monarch. I don't remember his name though.

[@whineboyJames]

Thanks a lot. Great band, great drummer, sad loss.

[@JE-xi6bh]

One of my favorite drummers ever! My band open for NRBQ one time and the roadie said “it’s OK if you use toms drums “ I was stoked! Of course I took him up on that!

[@COD-dr1ph]

What a great story! You made my day!

[@joemartin864]

SIMPLY PART OF ONE OF OR PERHAPS THE BEST ROCK AND POP BAND ALL TIME FOR AMERICA. WACKY TABACCY, ETC

[@jsphillip60]

A great talent in a great band. What a rock solid drummer he was!

[@FamilyYT44]

Tommy was loved.

[@keithplasse4652]

Love the q.

[@baileyharp]

My heart's broken. Tommy was my favorite drummer ever. RIP

[@Maxroffe56]

I played a gig with Noble 'Thin Man' Watts opening for the Q. Wow!. Life hasn't been the same since!

[@alfrednawrocki8061]

Saw Thin Man Watts at Shuckers on the Atlanta Ocean back in the late 80's!! Great tenor player with a great band!!

[@gregdolecki8530]

I miss NRBQ with Tommy and Al. Remember Tommy Jr?

[@LightenUpMcGraw]

Yes yes yes so nice to see this tribute to the great late Tom Ardolino. It's such a shame, seems like if he had taken better care of himself he might still be alive and in NRBQ today. Guess thats water under the bridge now, I miss him and didn't even know him. BTW I'm a drummer and he is just one of the very best I have ever heard bar none. Check out his playing live on Conan O'Brian doing "Over Your Head" I still can't quite figure out what he's doing and how he's doing it. RIP Tom Ardolino.

[@NickRatnieks]

I'm so pleased to find this- it was such sad news to hear that Tom had left his drum stool. I can remember talking to a singer/guitarist- Al Fuller- that toured with the Q and he said Tom was a fabulous guy. He seemed to be utterly in his element drumming- it was his life. A very sad loss to music and humanity.

[@christinebecker8174]

Great drummer Gone too soon

[@philwilson7816]

I love the LIVE recording of NRBQ " God Bless Us All " But when Terry asks Tommy " hey I wanna hear that drum thing one more time" on That's Neat That's Nice. AWESOME DRUMMER !!!!

[@TheZambonisOfficial]

WOW! What a great bunch of one of the top souls/spirits to hit the earth and the drums. Thanks soooo much. Now I have somethng to show my son when he is old enough to understand why I loved Tommy so much.

[@gregorychanin4225]

I miss my friend. Happy new year Tommy. 💜🥂Meow.

[@fenwyfrnk]

tom ardolino drummin' on a chip bag. that makes me happy

[@azqxwc]

@TomCoteMusic I was fortunate enough to know Tommy and to have spent time with him the day before he passed. He will always be very important to me and I'm more than belssed to have known him. I love you Tommy and will miss you always! -You're Buddy, Kay Vee!!!!

[@clarkhowell8267]

It's always good when you can get some Tommy!!!! Always.

[@FreshMusicLibrary]

A very sad event for music, drummers and Tommy's entire family. His energy and love of music was endless. I'll never forget playing a show with Hal Blaine honoring his contributions to music and Tommy was in the audience being the most amazing fan at the show sparking the life of everyone in attendance. You'll be missed but heard forever in the music you played on.

[@fanfabfour4]

God bless you Tommy . God bless us all !!

[@ClarkHowell]

Best drummer ever , , , , EVER!

[@NKBobcat]

He was a great guy. Sad to go so young.

[@gregdolecki8530]

Alcoholism

[@sayetka]

Tommy was the greatest drummer that ever lived...no comparison!!!

[@hihats]

genius I tell you genius!

[@acme401]

So sad....I loved Tommy. Glad I got to drink with him once many lifetimes ago....

[@vardziegirl]

RIP TOM. best drummer since louis belson. hands down. whap. whap. whap. darling guy.

[@Rootsgal]

Sad to learn this....he was the best drummer and he was so humble.

[@77hodag]

Much respect, Tommy, you had a great life, just too damn short!

[@Gaglias123]

My favorite drummer!!! Hands down.

[@mikeaimer]

Thanks, that was good for the soul!

[@smoovegittar]

Thank you for this. Days of Gold.

[@FredTheValet]

Thanks for this - it made me smile through the tears.

[@whitestarline1000]

we miss you tommy

[@COD-dr1ph]

I came here to say nobody swings harder than Tommy. Just listen to Earl Palmer :-)

[@DaveTypeII]

I got to hear him twice. Met him both times. Incredibly wonderful, hysterically funny guy. I'm not meaning to be maudlin here, but....Who's going to play those drums now?

[@pretorious700]

AND A DAMN FINE LAD HE WAS!!!

[@leftchicago]

When Earl Palmer says your the sh*t, you're the sh*t!

[@loilt5091]

Hear! Hear!

[@krisscanlon4051]

Wow that's big props! Palmer...holy moley

[@emblemsluck]

thank you from a Q fan

[@nelsensalling8676]

I've been a musician for 50 years and I've played with all kinds of drummers. They each have their own style of kicking the kick drum and putting the drum stick on the snare by creating their own "Pocket". Some are like a "Metronome being very precise in kicking the bass drum and putting the stick to the snare. Tommy had a way of popping the snare drum just a little bit ahead of the groove to create this amazing beat that made you tap your feet or want get up and dance and that's the basis of a "Hit Song". He created this every time he played live and every time they recorded a song. This style inspired me to write songs with a groove. I included an old NRBQ song in my second solo album. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIrCgYCurMSWkM0&start_radio=1

[@rominaardolino2682]

R.I.P.

[@40DollarFine]

Thank you for this!

[@ClarkHowell]

Yes... yes ..... oh yes

[@rustycunningham2369]

Amen!

[@DarrellE78]

He bears an uncanny resemblance to Jimmy ''Jam'' Garvin.

[@williambaxter4628]

That's, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin.

[@wecbarnard]

2:35 awesome

[@whitestarline1000]

love!!!!! read my article on tommy ardolino at digital journal

[@markgillman7637]

Link?

[@jaymusseato]

>bye bye tom! ...i'll never fergit'cha!

[@LightenUpMcGraw]

Ah I meant "late great" sorry

[@krisscanlon4051]

NKOTB does not mix with NRBQ...BOOM!

[@j1thom]

INDEED!

[@wecbarnard]

also, 3:30 FTW

[@4darin5]

better than ringo!

[@musicofanatic]

Adams is likely a worse drummer than Ardolino is a steel player...I love 'em so anyhow!

[@Jason.Loewenstein]

Thank you for this!