Kenny Aronoff (born March 7, 1953) is an American session drummer.

Early life

Aronoff grew up in

Stockbridge, Massachusetts Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,018 at the 2020 census. A year-round resort area, Stockbridge is ...

He developed an interest in music at an early age and gravitated to the drums as "drumming was one hundred percent energy".

Career

In 1980, Aronoff joined

John Cougar John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his catchy brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrument ...

's band, and remained for 17 years. Throughout his career, Aronoff has toured or recorded with such artists as

the Smashing Pumpkins The Smashing Pumpkins (also referred to as simply Smashing Pumpkins) are an American alternative rock band from Chicago. Formed in 1988 by frontman and guitarist Billy Corgan, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Ch ...

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, Tony Iommi, Melissa Etheridge,

Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as " rock & roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis mad ...

and

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. Kenny Aronoff has played drums for

live and on records since 1996. Aronoff was Associate Professor of Percussion at

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. Campuses Indiana University has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration of IUPUI. *Indiana Universi ...

from 1993–1997. Each year, The Aronoff Percussion Scholarship is awarded to an Indiana University percussion student. Kenny Aronoff was an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' 2001 first Annual IMA judging panel to support independent artists. He performed at the

Kennedy Center Honors The Kennedy Center Honors are annual honors given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. They have been presented annually since 1978, culminating each December in a gala celebrating five hono ...

from 2008–2014. On January 26, 2014, Aronoff performed at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards with

Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the ...

. Aronoff joined

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

and Ringo Starr in the CBS special '' The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles'', that aired on February 9, 2014. He owns Uncommon Studios L.A.

Recognition

On March 31, 2016, ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' 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." ''

Modern Drummer ''Modern Drummer'' is a monthly publication targeting the interests of drummers and percussionists. The magazine features interviews, equipment reviews, and columns offering advice on technique, as well as information for the general public. ''Mo ...

'' named Kenny Aronoff the "#1 Pop/Rock Drummer and #1 Studio Drummer" for five consecutive years.

References

External links

*
2012 Audio Interview with Kenny Aronoff from the Podcast "I'd Hit That"Kenny Aronoff Interview
NAMM Oral History Library (2017) {{DEFAULTSORT:Aronoff, Kenny Living people American rock drummers People from Studio City, Los Angeles 20th-century American drummers American male drummers People from Stockbridge, Massachusetts Lyle Lovett and His Large Band members 1953 births