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, includingThe Rolling Stones,The Smashing Pumpkins,Paul McCartney,Ringo Starr,Sting,Lady Gaga,Bruno Mars,Pharell Williams,Lenny Kravitz,Bob Dylan,Jon Bon Jovi,Elton John,Rod Stewart,Eric Clapton,Dave Grohl,Jack White,Garth Brooks,Alanis Morissette,Johnny Cash,Avril Lavigne,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,Jerry Lee Lewis,Lynyrd Skynyrd,and others.[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 asRolling StoneandModern Drummer.[8][9][10]
Early life
editAronoff was born to a Jewish family and grew up inStockbridge, 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 studiedclassical musicin college both at theUniversity of MassachusettsandIndiana Universitywhere he graduated in 1976.[1]Many classical orchestras offered him atimpanipercussion position which he declined in order to study jazz and fusion drum set work, before joining some bands in Indiana.[1]
Career
editIn 1980, Aronoff joinedJohn Cougar's band, and remained with the group for 17 years.[16]He has played drums forJohn Fogertylive and on records since 1996.[17]
Aronoff was Associate Professor of Percussion atIndiana Universityfrom 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 theKennedy Center Honorsfrom 2008 to 2014. On January 26, 2014, Aronoff performed at the56th Annual Grammy AwardswithRingo Starr.[22]
Aronoff joinedPaul McCartneyand Ringo Starr in theCBSspecialThe Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles,that aired on February 9, 2014.[23]
Recognition
editOn March 31, 2016,Rolling Stoneranked 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 forthe Rolling Stones,Bob Dylan,Bruce Springsteen,Neil Diamond,Eric Clapton,John Fogerty,Sting,the Smashing Pumpkins,Lady Gagaand tons more. "[8]
Modern Drummernamed Kenny Aronoff the "#1 Pop/Rock Drummer and #1 Studio Drummer" for five consecutive years.[9][10]
References
edit- ^abcCastiglioni, Bernhard."Kenny Aronoff profile".Drummerworld.Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2023.RetrievedMarch 10,2023.
- ^"Kenny Aronoff: Part I – Interviews – The Black Page".Theblackpage.net.Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 9,2016.
- ^"Kenny Aronoff interview".LEWITT.March 14, 2017.RetrievedDecember 20,2024.
- ^"Kenny Aronoff".Drummer World.RetrievedJanuary 10,2022.
- ^Herzog, Kenny (December 9, 2015)."Kenny Aronoff Is the Most Famous Drummer You've Never Heard Of".esquire.RetrievedSeptember 3,2016.
- ^"Uncommon Studios".Uncommonstudiosla.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^"Kenny Aronoff keeps time with Al Pacino in upcoming film".Indystar.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^ab"100 Greatest Drummers of All Time".Rollingstone.March 31, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^ab"Kenny Aronoff".Moderndrummer.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^ab"Cool Show: Keep time with rock drummer Kenny Aronoff".Desmoinesregister.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^Lefsetz, Bob (January 14, 2017)."The Kenny Aronoff Book".The Big Picture.RetrievedMarch 10,2023.
- ^Provenz, Jessica (October 2015)."Rock Stars From Stockbridge".Berkshire Townvibe.RetrievedSeptember 3,2016.
- ^ "Kenny Aronoff – Drummer For Everyone".Glide Magazine.January 10, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 3,2016.
- ^Burr, Bill (March 1, 2018)."Bill Burr's Thursday Afternoon Monday Morning Podcast 3-1-18".billburr. Event occurs at 08:58. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022.RetrievedMarch 10,2023.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Rogovoy, Seth (November 18, 2002)."For Kenny Aronoff, music and sports are all about teamwork".The Rogovoy Report.RetrievedMarch 10,2023.
- ^Wardlaw, Matt (February 13, 2014)."Kenny Aronoff Interview".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedSeptember 3,2016.
- ^"Kenny Aronoff on drumming with John Fogerty, John Mellencamp".June 28, 2010.
- ^"Kenny Aronoff".Drummerworld.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^"The Stone Age Institute Musicians: Kenny Aronoff".Stoneageinstitute.org.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^"Aronoff Percussion Scholarship".music.indiana.edu.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^"Past Judges".Independent Music Awards. Archived fromthe originalon July 13, 2011.RetrievedOctober 2,2011.
- ^"Musician Kenny Aronoff Born To Beat The Drums".holycitysinner.March 7, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
- ^"Pop and Rock Drummer Kenny Aronoff".indianapublicmedia.org.RetrievedSeptember 25,2022.
