Kenny Aronoff

Kenny Aronoff
Aronoff in 2005
Aronoff in 2005
Background information
Birth nameKenneth D. Aronoff
Born (1953-03-07) March 7, 1953 (age 71)[1]
Albany, New York, U.S.[2]
OccupationDrummer
Years active1979–present
Websitekennyaronoff.com

Kenneth D. Aronoff (born March 7, 1953) is an American drummer originally from Massachusetts. He has played in backing bands for singers such as John Mellencamp and John Fogerty, plus session work on many albums and TV shows.[3] He has taught drumming at the college level and owns a recording studio as well. His drumming skills have been recognized by magazines such as Rolling Stone and Modern Drummer.

Early life

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Aronoff was born to a Jewish family and grew up in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.[4][5] He developed an interest in music at an early age and gravitated to the drums as "drumming was one hundred percent energy."[6][7][8] He studied classical music in college both at the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University where he graduated in 1976.[1] Many classical orchestras offered him a timpani percussion position which he declined in order to study jazz and fusion drum set work, before joining some bands in Indiana.[1]

Career

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In 1980, Aronoff joined John Cougar's band, and remained for 17 years.[9]

Throughout his career, Aronoff has toured or recorded with such artists as Gorky Park, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Joe Cocker, Michelle Branch, Sammy Hagar, Tony Iommi, Melissa Etheridge, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, BoDeans, Joe Satriani and Jon Bon Jovi.[10]

Kenny Aronoff has played drums for John Fogerty live and on records since 1996.[11]

Aronoff was Associate Professor of Percussion at Indiana University from 1993 to 1997. Each year, The Aronoff Percussion Scholarship is awarded to an Indiana University percussion student.[12][13][14]

Kenny Aronoff was an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' 2001 first Annual IMA judging panel to support independent artists.[15] He performed at the Kennedy Center Honors from 2008 to 2014. On January 26, 2014, Aronoff performed at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards with Ringo Starr.[16]

Aronoff joined Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in the CBS special The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles, that aired on February 9, 2014.[17]

He owns Uncommon Studios L.A.[18][19]

Recognition

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On March 31, 2016, Rolling Stone ranked Kenny Aronoff number 66 of the 100 greatest drummers of all time. The magazine wrote, "With a sixth sense for what makes music pop and the patience to take direction, he's ended up as a go-to studio beatsmith for the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, John Fogerty, Sting, the Smashing Pumpkins, Lady Gaga and tons more."[20]

Modern Drummer named Kenny Aronoff the "#1 Pop/Rock Drummer and #1 Studio Drummer" for five consecutive years.[21][22]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Castiglioni, Bernhard. "Kenny Aronoff profile". Drummerworld. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Kenny Aronoff: Part I – Interviews – The Black Page". Theblackpage.net. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  3. ^ Herzog, Kenny (December 9, 2015). "Kenny Aronoff Is the Most Famous Drummer You've Never Heard Of". esquire.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  4. ^ Lefsetz, Bob (January 14, 2017). "The Kenny Aronoff Book". The Big Picture. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Provenz, Jessica (October 2015). "Rock Stars From Stockbridge". Berkshire Townvibe. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  6. ^ "Kenny Aronoff – Drummer For Everyone". Glide Magazine. January 10, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  7. ^ Burr, Bill (March 1, 2018). "Bill Burr's Thursday Afternoon Monday Morning Podcast 3-1-18". billburr.com. Event occurs at 08:58. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ^ Rogovoy, Seth (November 18, 2002). "For Kenny Aronoff, music and sports are all about teamwork". The Rogovoy Report. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  9. ^ Wardlaw, Matt (February 13, 2014). "Kenny Aronoff Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  10. ^ "Kenny Aronoff". Drummer World. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Kenny Aronoff on drumming with John Fogerty, John Mellencamp". June 28, 2010.
  12. ^ "Kenny Aronoff". Drummerworld.com. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  13. ^ "The Stone Age Institute Musicians: Kenny Aronoff". Stoneageinstitute.org. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  14. ^ "Aronoff Percussion Scholarship". music.indiana.edu. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  15. ^ "Past Judges". Independent Music Awards. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  16. ^ "Musician Kenny Aronoff Born To Beat The Drums". holycitysinner.com. March 7, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  17. ^ "Pop and Rock Drummer Kenny Aronoff". indianapublicmedia.org. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  18. ^ "Uncommon Studios". Uncommonstudiosla.com. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  19. ^ "Kenny Aronoff keeps time with Al Pacino in upcoming film". Indystar.com. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time". Rollingstone.com. March 31, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "Kenny Aronoff". Moderndrummer.com. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "Cool Show: Keep time with rock drummer Kenny Aronoff". Desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
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