Remove ads
Kenneth D. Aronoff (born March 7, 1953) is an American drummer, best known for his work as a session and touring musician. He has toured and recorded with a wide range of artists throughout his career, including The Rolling Stones, The Smashing Pumpkins, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sting, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Pharell Williams, Lenny Kravitz, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Jon Bon Jovi, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Jack White, Garth Brooks, Alanis Morissette, Johnny Cash, Avril Lavigne, Joe Cocker, B. B. King, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Beyoncé, Mick Jagger, Ray Charles, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, Santana, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Celine Dion, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson, Michelle Branch, Sammy Hagar, Melissa Etheridge, Jerry Lee Lewis and Lynyrd Skynyrd.[3][4][5]
Kenny Aronoff | |
|---|---|
 Aronoff in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kenneth D. Aronoff |
| Born | March 7, 1953[1] Albany, New York, U.S.[2] |
| Occupation | Drummer |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Website | kennyaronoff |
Aronoff has also taught drumming at college level and owns the recording studio Uncommon Studios L.A.[6][7] He is considered one of the greatest drummers in history, with his drumming skills having been recognized by magazines such as Rolling Stone and Modern Drummer.[8][9][10]
Remove ads
Aronoff was born to a Jewish family and grew up in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.[11][12] He developed an interest in music at an early age and gravitated to the drums as "drumming was one hundred percent energy."[13][14][15] 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]
Remove ads
In 1980, Aronoff joined John Cougar's band, and remained with the group for 17 years.[16] He has played drums for John Fogerty live and on records since 1996.[17]
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.[18][19][20]
Aronoff was an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' 2001 first Annual IMA judging panel to support independent artists.[21] 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.[22]
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.[23]
Remove ads
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."[8]
Modern Drummer named Kenny Aronoff the "#1 Pop/Rock Drummer and #1 Studio Drummer" for five consecutive years.[9][10]
Remove ads
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
Remove ads