Tommy Aldridge Drum Solo 1973 - Black Oak Arkansas: "UP"

[@frozendivots1564]

This man doesn’t get near enough recognition. Most complete rock drummer ever. He needs to be mentioned with Baker, Bonham, etc.

[@raysills6666]

👍👍👊👊👏👏✊✊

[@balddrummer8736]

I totally agree!! He’s still rocking hard as ever in his 70’s! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻🥁

[@jjohnsonmarine]

+1 also, he's completely self taught! Saw him with Whitesnake in 2018! Amazing!

[@covetprice]

Expand your circles.

[@jeffscronce8564]

Couldn’t agree with you more, I know for the most part from my generation everyone raves over Bonham, Peart and Ginger Baker. But Tommy is right there with them …

[@bobbystewart-drumsforlife1844]

How could anyone not love this solo! Tommy Aldridge is a true drumming master!

[@stevereed2472]

He's even better now

[@stixnfeet7818]

And 49 years later Tommy Aldridge can still pull off this solo! He's a drum legend indeed.

[@EstevanDrummer]

That´s so amazing, I can´t believe that much talent and stamina in one person.

[@kentconklin7294]

I met Tommy at a studio in Glendale , ca. 25 yrs ago . A soft spoken gentleman , he took time to talk , very humble about his talent . A great guy , a monster drummer

[@summersnow1779]

I was one of the lucky ones to be able to see Tommy do this solo with Black Oak back in 73. Yeah, I'm an old geezer now, but I remember at the time I never saw anybody play the drums like this before. I was in awe. Even with today's standards Tommy Aldridge is still on top as one of the greatest drummers in the world.

[@hippydippy]

Me Too!

[@mikeiman2070]

Wow! He could probably tear em up with one arm! Come to think of it, when he twirls his stick he does just that. I was fortunate to see him perform with Pat Travers and Thin Lizzy. What an amazing drummer he is! A journeyman unmatched!!!

[@gamblinggator3177]

This is boring and awful

[@koatiYT]

@@gamblinggator3177 You're boring

[@gamblinggator3177]

@@koatiYT im the chairman of the bored

[@rickykirby7452]

50 years ago and the man is still at it!! My favorite

[@drummermizike]

if this is from 1973,as a drummer i can't think of or no of any drummer who was playing double bass like this.tommy was/is one of a kind

[@chipgarrett9551]

I saw them 5 times in the seventies. The best damn drummer I have ever seen, no doubt!!!!!

[@burning4buddy639]

I saw them when they recorded their live album in 72.

[@ronmiller4776]

I saw BOA/ Tommy in 1974 in Toledo Ohio play this solo and I have never seen anything close since...definitely the best!

[@michaelcosta3098]

I was so lucky to see Black Oak many times, and Tommy's drum solos. no one had faster feet than tommy, One of the Greatest of all Time!

[@jerrywoods4066]

Ian paice

[@SuperNick090]

Dude is still ripping it up to this day !!!

[@donbray9213]

Nobody played drums like this back then. He's the father of modern rock and metal drumming

[@kennethsmith8968]

no disrespect to tommy but i think bill ward would disagree,lol.

[@edwardmolinary4890]

No disrespect to Bill Ward but he never played close to this level !!! @@kennethsmith8968

[@jerrywoods4066]

Ian paice, cozy Powell and Bonham.

[@johnpatrick9552]

Carmine Appice , Ginger motherfkn Baker 😮

[@jasonmoskowitz246]

Paul Whaley, Clive Bunker, all the jazz guys when they wanted to…

[@Jellybeantiger]

Wow,this is incredible,his double bass work was phenomenal and this was 1973!

[@bdc-muzik]

Simon Philips named Tommy as a huge influence on him....that says a lot. Simon is still one of the all time greats. Tommy has GOAT status IMO.

[@TheOnlyHollywood1]

The guy that did Sin After Sin?

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

@@TheOnlyHollywood1 yea simon phillips drummed on judas priest's 'sin after sin' album. he was only 19 years old or younger. i almost find it hard to believe that simon would view aldridge as one of his big influences.

[@gregstidham152]

Tommy Aldridge is one of the best drummers to ever play. He was a big influence on my style over the years, especially his soloing techniques. A very phenomenal player for someone who was self taught

[@Meshuggahdistortion]

50 years later Tommy is still there doing his freaking godly solos.

[@Wapohead]

Every band that Tommy has played with has been top dogs at some point in their career with him at the throne. Coincidence, I think not. I don't think he ages either. He is a true drum god!

[@markgill7138]

Tommy is rated as one of the best drummers of the modern era. And he deserves it. Not over rated at all like some some drummers like Tommy Lee

[@Warstub]

@@markgill7138 Tommy Lee is one of the "straightest" drummers I've ever heard, and I'm a fan of Motley Crue. There's just absolutely nothing interesting about his playing. He is good, really good, but not anywhere near the greats.

[@markgill7138]

@@Warstub That was 4 years ago. I'm sober now lol. I honestly don't remember making that post. I'm not even sure why I did because I don't think that Tommy Lee is that good compared to many other drummers I've listened to in that 4 year time span. I'm actually a little embarrassed for posting it

[@irishconservative3772]

Absolutely true!!!

[@BobSmith-kd6lq]

@@markgill7138 LoL

[@tec61]

Met Tommy in ‘75’ it was my 4th year playing the drums. He gave me some pointers on playing my double bass. GREAT guy,GREATER DRUMMER!!!

[@s4lroachclip]

do share more about those pointers

[@VickersDoorter]

I too started on the double bass, but found it too large, so took up the cello.

[@keithcarlson7267]

I don’t know what to say…….. But that is THE MOST LEGENDARY DRUM SOLO I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!

[@mikekeeler6362]

I don't know if I would say that I've seen a lot of legendary drum solos

[@rockmanf8214]

Tommy is the double bass master!!!! Seen him back in early years with Ozzy, and with white snake . He’s a awesome drummer , the kind that always kicks you in the balls !!! if you want it or not 😮 with them killer solo’s. GREAT JOB TOMMY!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@bubbagasm1]

Just saw him last year with Coverdale and still played an amazing solo. He is a badass.

[@pesto9]

Tommy Aldridge is special among that era's rock drummers. To me, it's evidenced by his soloing. He has a fluidity of technique/time/ideas that set him apart. He doesn't get sloppy and he keeps sense of the time and form...and he manages to be a great showman at the same time. A true legend.

[@nathanwalsh3028]

As a drummer it makes me smile every time I hear this man!!!

[@bjlheart]

This has always been my favorite drum solo! Every since the first time I heard it on Raunch and Roll!

[@markgoodson9837]

pure bad ass! SEEn these guys 15 times from coast to coast . gets better every time . been listenin for 40 years

[@Spaghetti_policy]

Back in our time kids, Tommy Aldridge was the GOAT.

[@thechuckster1971]

Still is

[@camronbay1]

He’s a legend.

[@rick3747]

I was 7 in 1973. Today, I am 56. Yesterday, I just watched a 3 month old Drumeo with Tommy. I am amazed he is 72 and doing what he loves on his terms!

[@timbrown6629]

That's because he has kept his body in peak physical shape.

[@jamesgallagher1992]

​@@timbrown6629true..though hes looked 70 forever😂👍

[@pauljones4188]

Tommy is one of the all-time best drummers! I first saw him with Pat Travers, and he blew me away. I was backstage, and I was in aw

[@jashley4]

He was a MONSTER! If You don't appreciate what's going on here, You do not know much about Drumming!!!

[@Dogheadj]

***** I saw BOA a number of times in the '70's. Anyone who has never seen Tommy Aldridge perform live needs to add one more thing to their bucket list. Absoutely outstanding drummer!!

[@user-lo1wf9nk4v]

Exactly !!!!!!

[@MIMMarketing]

Was? Still is my friend, Keeps in great shape and still doing his thing. A class act and a true professional.

[@booshting3520]

Still great

[@oiyabastard7275]

@@MIMMarketing over the mountain intro

[@steveb9151]

Just watched a video of Tommy playing almost 50 years later........he's STILL got it!

[@johndeleone6360]

Tommy was the best drummer these guys ever had..HANDS DOWN the best

[@williamwebb5346]

Tommy is definitely a pioneer in the use of double bass drumming he is up there with the greats for sure

[@rt2112]

Tommy Aldridge is definitely one of the best rock drummers. His double bass work he was doing back then still sounds exciting today! He's a great showman on top of his incredible playing! He plays the drums like a man!!!! The funny thing is he looked like he was 63 years old even in this video from 1973. LOL!

[@danriley5848]

Tommy is an absolute beast and legend of a drummer who is also just a great guy. 👍🤘

[@cl2075]

Best drum solo of '73.. One of the best drummers of all time.

[@jerrywoods4066]

Ian paice made in Japan

[@jonathanmoore1868]

Wow! I saw BOA back in the 70's. Such a treat!

[@mkp3824]

He's my favorite drummer. I saw him play with Whitesnake. Impressed me immediately.

[@summersnow1779]

Saw Black Oak on this tour and Tommy do this solo. I didn't even know who he was back then. But I remember his drum solo because I never seen anybody play the drums like that before. I was in awe. Yeah, I'm an old geezer. I think Black Oak was my 3rd or 4th concert at that time.

[@cobb_thedrummer]

One of my favorite drum solos ever.

[@kande6916]

So this is what happens when you have one of the greatest drummers in the world mix up with Jim Dandy and BOA!! You got early southern rock at its finest!!!! God I miss this band in their prime!!!

[@eloyamaya2353]

That was one of the heaviest rock drummer solos ever done and documented in a life performance . T.A. was a bad dude on those skins Rankin with the best.and to think respected and admired and played Drums for the late bad ass emmencfully talented Randy's Rhoads and Ozzy music to listen and remember for ever and ever. Thank God for grace in Rock music And thank God for helping us thru its tragedies also. Rock melodies for t he future Music of Mankind..

[@billjannusch]

One of my favorite drummers ever!!!

[@giuseppe5704]

...so powerful, so warm, in time, and smooooooth!! ❤

[@tonyrokusek270]

he certainly should be ranked as one of the greats, he really kicks ass, he's an influence in my stile along with a few others

[@suesman]

I was at the Black Oak Arkansas concert at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 17, 1979. I was 15 years old & it was a large time for sure.

[@sticktrik]

I saw this when I was 12 years old!! Never forgot how much of an impact it had in me!!!! Aldridge & Billy Cobham on Don Kirshner’s rock concert really did it for me!!!

[@DOG92594]

I was 13 years old when my mother took me and three friends to see Humble Pie at Madison Square Garden.My very first rock concert. I was already playing drums since I was eight. I didn't know who the fuck Black Oak Arkansas was at the time, but they opened for Humble Pie on that tour. I was so blown away by Tommy Aldridge that I couldn't sleep for two nights. He was a HUGE influence for me!!! Jesus, he's now 65 Years old and still completely kicks ass!!!

[@frankburdodrums8984]

That was because your parents gave you some crank not because of his drumming.

[@marceloromero6992]

Thanks for the story!!! And Frank Burdo is a moron.

[@rigid1454]

Ha ha I love Tommy Aldridge but this comment is pure gold !

[@paulwrecked7434]

Yes Tommy Aldridge IS one of the best .. come on .

[@cattowne4646]

you made a mistake,,,there can only one best,,he's it,,,all the rest are second best,third best,,etc,,etc,etc

[@gamblinggator3177]

@Jeffrey Hinkel he had no style just speed joe morello was the best sammie davis jr was better than this clown

[@anthonypacchioli4648]

@Jeffrey Hinkel you are correct sir I'm 76 been playing for57 years 42 of them "on the road" Buddy Rich will always be #1 nobody comes close to the perfection: dynamics; speed; control and technique that he had and with a Bad Heart to !

[@ironbassler747]

@Jeffrey Hinkel really?

[@ironbassler747]

@@gamblinggator3177 youre the clown ASSHOLE!!

[@LanceCampeau]

Now that's fucking rock and roll.

[@billfredeking6543]

What kills me is how they say the drummer for Judas Priest was the first drummer to bring double bass to rock and roll when truly it was Tommy Aldridge possibly the greatest double bass playing drummer in Rock and Roll history

[@DannyGadish]

Ian Paice Fireball

[@elevatorsfan]

Black Oak Arkansas, your Dad remembers them, it's up to YOU to keep older, REAL music alive!

[@lifrson]

Tommy Aldridge was and still is a truly amazing musician. As far as playing with his hands so did John Bonham during his Moby Dick solo. I love (being a self taught drummer of 38 years Neil Peart main influence along with Stewart Copeland and of course Tommy). Loved him with Pat Travers, Snortin' Whiskey, BOO BOOM Out Go The Lights. I love the way he detunes the snare and rack tom giving them a higher pitch.

[@ronwilliams1094]

Hard rock and heavy metal drumming wouldn't be what it is without this guy! Tommy was way ahead of his time! I put him alongside Bill Ward, John Bonham and Keith Moon as far as pioneers in their time. They influenced drummers and music for decades to come!

[@dandegenhardt967]

I got to see this tour. I'll never forget his solo. Yeah I'm a drummer so I can truly appreciate what this man does.

[@HuckFinn212]

His drumming on the Ozzy "Speak of the Devil" Live-Album really puts him right up there with Bonham etc.

[@DRIvINRAIN]

I would love to see him play with this band at least one more time.

[@dibber43]

One of THE greatest drummers in rock history...Tommy Aldridge

[@mjulio71]

WOW! Watching this it's impossible to realize that Tommy only began to get recognized big time until the early 80's.

[@scottpollack1007]

Tommy is ONE OF A KIND! An INCREDIBLE DRUMMER! And he’s still doing it Today!

[@travisisaacs1936]

Wow! This Tommy was awesome and now we have this guy with 47 years more experience! A true legend!

[@odeskoo]

tommy is 1 of best rock drummers of the 70s definitely a heavy hitter.

[@419FishinandPowderCoating]

My favorite drummer of all time. I was born in 74, so he's literally been playing professionally longer than I been alive.

[@curtzeek8818]

Saw these guys a lot back then. Caught them one time at a college gym in my home town and Tommy cut his wrist on a cymbal. He finished up the song and they were done for the night. Someone announced that they wouldn't be out for any encores because he had cut his wrist badly. They were a great live band. The best time I saw them was at a show with Foghat in Harrisburg at the State Farm Arena. Two cars of friends drove down to see them. Great time.

[@kevinkelly1529]

I was there. It was great despite that it's impossible to get good sound in the Farmshow Arena, and it always smells like the farm show. 🙂

[@joevecchio4687]

Don’t fuck with Foghat ☠️

[@PierricGaby928]

we love tommy......the man ....the beast....the master ....still behind the kit....

[@backbeat56]

Tommy was such an influence on my drumming. I had to play DBL bass then and DBL pedal now. BOA, one of the bands that really played so many live tours and hence got so tight. No one went to the bathroom during Tommy's solos. They went during the bass solos...;)

[@MichaelWood-d7s]

The best drum solo ever 🥁

[@DaveSpinn]

Tommy was a beast, is a beast and will always be a beast!

[@FaceDrummer]

Great post ty. 1st time I saw Tommy Aldridge was in '75 w/ B.O.A. the supporting band along with Montrose & Foghat . gr8 show

[@dougplavinmusic9902]

Tommy is a fantastic player who raised the bar for this sad band. His career soared once his contractual obligations to BOA were through. He has certainly stood the test of time and continues demonstrating his incredible artistry today.

[@hingisman8047]

Total command of his drum kit...smooth...not rushed ...no wasted motion.... incredible! One of the best rock drummers ever, and pioneer of double bass

[@dmreeoogdaq]

I was about 11 or 12 when I bought Ozzy's "Speak of the Devil" album (on vinyl and I still have it). Always in love with the drums from an early age, I wasn't 2 minutes into the opening track when I wondered out loud, "WHO IS THAT DRUMMER?!" That was my introduction to Tommy Aldridge, and I think he is one of the most brilliant, musical, flowing, funky, grooving-ass drummers in the history of Rock & Roll. ...and if you haven't heard the Sabbath classics as they're done on "Speak of the Devil", give that a listen. Between Aldridge on drums & Brad Gillis on guitar, what was a "throwaway" album for Ozzy & Sharon is one of the greatest things I've ever heard.

[@russellcarter1872]

Tommy is the shit. I love Ozzys album Speak Of The Devil. It’s so raw. Brad Gillis And Rudy on bass with Tommy on drums. Kick ass from beginning to the end.

[@rodneylee4026]

I agree, that was my favorite Tommy Aldridge work.

[@mariocotocolomer1645]

russell carter totally agree

[@davidgregory5371]

Top10rockn roll albums of all time I think SPEAK OF THE DEVIL Rudy sarzo on bass

[@la111]

Tommy Aldridge one of my favorite drummers. 🥁🔥L, Amundson from Hudson Wisconsin.🎼💥⚡😎

[@ocho611]

holy shit this kit sounds good

[@grazyhorse8910]

One of the best and still is today and in his 70s

[@ssnobrakesable]

One of the best rock drummers of all time......

[@matthewpaluch777]

Tommy Aldridge (born August 15, 1950) is a veteran heavy metal and hard rock drummer. 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 and Thin Lizzy among others. 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 and John Bonham were particularly influential as Aldridge developed his drumming style. Aldridge himself has become a very influential drummer, regarded as a double bass pioneer.

[@jamesmcdermott1808]

Keith Moon of the Who was a pioneer of the double bass drum, , Ginger Baker , even Gary Lewis of Gary Lewis and the Playboys used this set up. Tommy is a great drummer but I don't think he is a pioneer .

[@Texx010]

Great stuff! At one time this entire song was uploaded on KZbin, back when they didn't have the ten minute limit on videos. KZbin axed it. I love the end when lead guitarists Harvey Jett and Stanley Knight hurl their guitars into the air and let them come crashing down onto the stage, feedback and all. Raunch and Roll at its finest!

[@Nick-zu9sn]

Look at the size of that tom over his snare...christ it's as big as his bass drum lol. Tommy's just great.

[@jackwilczynski6957]

I almost want to say its 16.

[@goldenltd1970]

@@jackwilczynski6957 yes looks like it And like 18 and 20 floor toms

[@zx14mark]

It’s a 15”. I ordered the same blue silk kit and received them in 1977. 26 inch kicks. At that ordering time I also had made a 14 inch and 16 inch rack Tom’s. All 3 over the kicks. Then in 1982 I ordered 4 power Tom’s over my hi hat. 6,8,10,12. All blue silk. Plain maple kick hoops. Flight case’s for all. You might of seen me with my kit touring with Head East in 1979. We spent most of the tours with Rush.

[@kasumigauraray]

Saw BOA at the Hollywood Palladium in December, 1973 -- with Canned Heat and Brownsville Station.

[@donwalton3286]

Saw Tommy with BOA, PT, TN, and WS. His drumming stole the show more than once.He always gave it his all and was an excellent entertainer as a drummer. In my eyes he is a RNR HOFer and living legend.

[@kurts.1811]

Don walton. Ted is quoted many times referring to Tommy as "nothing but the best."

[@jeffdarnell7942]

I saw him with Pat Travers too, as well as Ozzy.

[@zorrogash]

I was there,first time at the Shrine Mosque Spfd Mo..then at Camdenton Mo at the J-bar h rodeo arena,,then in Kansas City at Cowtown ballroom,Down to that Little Rock benifit,,one hot summer night. i seen this ,"UP" ,after Raunch and Roll, a bunch of times and any one who wasn't around those summers ,missed a premier Live rock Band .of ,,forever.proportions..I seen skynard and other Southern bands later..but those Black Oak days i never forgot.

[@chrislawerson1155]

Damn this is ahead of its time for 73, totally metal sounding. Reminds me of van halen hot for tracher as well, or im sure they got their ideas from this dude

[@sngwrter49]

And David Lee Roth got the idea for his image from Jim "Dandy" Mangrum as you can clearly see from this video. He has stated that himself.

[@Slicklickz]

@@sngwrter49 And Shawn Lane was the guitar player when VH 1 was released.

[@jeffdarnell7942]

Roth was a Jim Dandy's fan and copied him to the point that everyone in Hollywood wanted him out of the band when he first got there... because EVERYONE saw him as a Jim Dandy copycat. But then Dave grew on folks...like a wart!!

[@josephesposito3499]

Van Halen based their act on these guys look it up

[@SuperRowdyone]

These guys and Thin Lizzy were without a doubt the best live draws of the 70's....oh and let's not forget Skynyrd.

[@PillowMethod]

Still Amazing! 🙏🏽🤘🏽👍🏽🥁😝 In my top ten- always....

[@PillowMethod]

Always has been one of my favorites. He is a show within the show :) Thanks for posting! I still have my Tommy Aldridge Instructional Drum video :)

[@luftschutz]

Best drummer that ever lived!

[@hogan0407]

The man was a beast then and is still a beast now! The first time I saw Tommy was in 1973 in Monroe, La. with BOA. I'm 67 now and still a huge fan!

[@marviveedee7198]

The only thing that gives away the year 1973 ,is Tommy's band mates .Tommy however is miles ahead in time .That double bass work ,the impressive stick twirling ( who else was doing fancy stick tricks in 1973 ). Tommy might as well be a time traveller from the year 1987 .Awesome

[@jonesy2111]

BOA forever! They tore the house down when I saw them back in the 70s when i was in Junior High School. Still love the music I dug when I was 14 years old. Tommy Aldridge is one of the premier drummers of all time.... he has his own style and sound and you can hear it

[@poojockmcplop1038]

When drums sounded like drums and cymbals sounded like cymbals and drummers were way ahead of their days 👍🏻🤘

[@merc1110]

Yes!!!! One of the greatest drummers of all time. I seen him in a drum clinic... let me tell ya' he put on a preformance that would silence all critics. Tommy was a monster on the drums that day.

[@seanod7157]

My new favorite drummer, why did I never hear of this guy?

[@williamsidebotham1668]

Because you never listened

[@jasonprivately1764]

This guy is a legendary beast behind the kit

[@FOHguy]

This band was so f**king fun live in their day Like J Grils Band was in the 70s. You just KNEW you were gonna have a good time.

[@MrPercussionPete]

Given the time, 1973, this was absolutely amazing, no one played like Tommy. A true master at work here, and he was only 23 !

[@jasperjenkins7729]

Saw Pat Travers open for Rush in Detroit (pine knob) in 80 or 81. Saw Neil watching Tommy do his solo from the side of the stage. HELLLLO.

[@74Diamondgirl]

I bet that was an awesome show!!!

[@oldsrocket8841]

They're very good friends to this day.

[@sticktrik]

Aldridge introduced Peart to the Evans drumheads that were used here on Tommy’s Ludwigs!!! If you have the “All the worlds a stage” album by Rush,you will see that Peart used the original Evens “Glass drum heads on his chrome Slingerland kit!!!

[@hpman2391]

Yep Davenport IOWA same tour🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@garyunsworth726]

Tommy has always been one of my ultimate drummers

[@jorgepaul5049]

Damn that was the year I was born. The first time I saw Aldridge play was on the Ozzy albums.

[@jasperjenkins7729]

I think he only played on Bark at the Moon. Blizzard of Oz & Diary of a Madman was lee kerslake of uriah heep. Tommy did the live tours tho.

[@SamuraiBud]

Tommy Aldridge is a beast

[@gregcooper8489]

Tommy truly one of the best always in every band. Still is...................................

[@Motherloadrocks]

that drum set sounds damn good and tommy is killing it

[@streetsinger6975]

Always been my Fave!!!!! The Man!!