Brian Tichy isn’t a drummer you instinctively think about by name when recounting your “best of” list, yet he’s been the backbone behind so many of your hard rock and metal favorites. Having played with artists as diverse as Zakk Wylde’s Pride & Glory, Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Foreigner, Whitesnake, Geoff Tate’s Queensryche, Lynch Mob, Seether, and Tooth & Nail (just to name a few), Tichy is obviously one of the busy go-to guys on a short list of in-demand touring and studio drummers.
What many people may not realize, though, is that as great a drummer Tichy is, he is an equally great guitar player as well. You’ll hear those chops all over the debut CD from his current rock band, S.U.N. (Something Unto Nothing), which also features Sass Jordan on vocals and Whitesnake’s bassist, Michael Devin.
In addition, Tichy is the mastermind behind the annual Bonzo Bash, which brings together the top rock drummers from around the world every year to honor the late John Bonham of Led Zeppelin fame. At the bash, a band of top musicians is backed by numerous guest drummers sitting in (on a Bonzo replica drum kit, naturally), each playing their choice of classic Led Zeppelin tunes.
A gifted musician (not to mention Berklee grad), Tichy exudes a pure love for the art of making music. After playing a string of recent Tate/Queensryche shows, we sat down to a cup of coffee with Tichy to learn more about the man, the myth, and the drumming.
The real bibles of practice were my records. Whether it was Kiss or Zeppelin or Van Halen or Aerosmith or Nugent or Foreigner or Rush or Yes.
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