RIP Tom Ardolino, NRBQ drummer

[RGMike]

http://courantblogs.com/sound-check/tom-ardolino-dies-nrbq-drummer/

[Wayback]

A sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbdRokO73eM

[urth]

http://courantblogs.com/sound-check/tom-ardolino-dies-nrbq-drummer/

Just learned of Tommy's death, and I am completely gutted. He was one of the best, most swinging drummers I've ever had the privilege to see, let alone know. He was the engine that drove NRBQ, probably my favorite band ever. And he had a passion for weird, out-there music that I have never seen rivaled. A true original, I will miss him.

It's weird, I was just thinking a day or two ago that I'd heard he wasn't in great health, didn't have insurance, and was hoping he was doing OK. Sad to hear that he was, in fact, not.

RIP Tommy, hope you are jamming away wherever you are. Peace

http://www.nrbq.com/index.html

Here's a video of the band's classic lineup (w/ Big Al on guitar) doing Rocket In My Pocket. Tommy's in the pocket, just behind the beat, but completely rock solid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeTzFUPaSmE

[urth]

A sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbdRokO73eM

Weird that of all the Q songs on Youtube, Wayback and I would post different versions of the same song. So here's a different one from several years later, "Want You To Feel Good Too," that also features the supremely swinging Mr. Ardolino as well as Terry, Joey, and Al.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEsTO6uslhI