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Tommy Aldridge (born on August 15, 1950, in Jackson, Mississippi), is a heavy metal and hard rock drummer who has pioneered double bass drumming. Tommy is noted for his work with numorous bands and vocalists, most notable being Ozzy Osbourne, Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers, Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake.

Aldridge taught himself how to play drums and was inspired by rock legends like Cream, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin and drummers like Joe Morello and John Bonham. Throughout his career Tommy has been regarded as a double bass drumming pioneer along with Louis Bellson and Carmine Appice.

In the 1970s, Aldridge joined up and coming rockers Black Oak Arkansas and recorded nine albums with them between 1972 and 1976. He also undertook long tours around the US with the band.

He spent 1978 to 1981 signed with Canadian blues-rock guitarist Pat Travers, and recorded five albums with him. Aldridge was then offered a place in Ozzy Osbourne's band, which he accepted. Playing alongside Ozzy and guitarist Randy Rhoads, the line up is preserved on 1987's Tribute. After Rhoads' death the band continued to record, producing a live album in 1982 called Speak of the Devil and a studio album, Bark at the Moon in 1983, after which Aldridge left the group. (read more...)