Rock & Roll is not built on wishful thinking or divine intervention; it is built by men & woman who are willing to sacrifice the creature comforts of the material world and work eighteen hours days. Simple right? Yes! Hard work pays off for those willing to endure the trials and tribulations of the music business.

Reality Check. The average band lasts less than a year and most musicians hang up their leather jacket by age twenty-five, when they realize one needs a steady pay check to accomplish life's two prime directives: Eat and Mate. It all looks so enchanting on the internet - pictures of Rock Stars jet setting around the world with supermodels, living in lavish digs and driving down the road in a huge bus filled with groupies and pandemonium.

There is but one victor in the battlefield of Rock & Roll and that is the individual who is willing to dedicate the time and effort necessary to bring us the sound of music. Kenny Aronoff is such a victor and is considered to be one of the world's Greatest Drummers. 'I have over 200 gold records on my wall! Do you think that will get me gig? No! It won't...for I am only as good as my last performance.' Let's see what Kenny Aronoff has to tell us about all things Rock & Roll.



What made you want to start playing music?

The Beatles! I was ten years old when I sat in front of the TV watching Ed Sullivan. Up to that point I was into Jazz and Classical. I wanted to be in The Beatles, so I started my own band immediately. Fifty years later to the day, date and time of the original event, I found myself performing on 'The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY salute to The Beatles,' which featured the remaining Beatles and a host of stars.

How important is a formal education to play Rock & Roll?

You don't need a formal education, however an education where you can read and write music gives you so many more possibilities. I graduated from Indiana University and because I can read and write music, I get so much more work. I was on a fourteen hour flight and I wrote out all my parts in thirteen hours. When I hit the stage I could play the songs. fifty-five songs for four different jobs, I could never memorize all that material, but I can write it all out. I play flawless, because I can write.



Tell us what your first recording experience was like?

I loved it! It was like a game to me. How can I sound better? Let me do that again. My philosophy in life and recording: I will never be as great as I want to be, but I am willing to spend the rest of my life trying to be as great as I can be.

How do you feel about the current climate of the music business?

The music business is never going away, but the monetary aspects have changed dramatically. Nobody is buying music like before. The record labels used to make a lot of money and then they would give the artist money to make records, tour and promote their music. When I was with John Mellencamp we were given opportunity to grow and build a career. Now! If your first record doesn't become a hit you are out. It takes money to make money.



You have recorded with so many great artist: John Mellencamp, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Seger, John Forgerty, Melissa Etheridge, Jon Bon Jovi, Sir. Elton John, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewert, Alanis Morissette, The Rolling Stones... just to name a few. Are there any that really stand out in you mind?

'Blaze of Glory' Bon Jovi, Meatloaf 'Bat out of Hell ll' and, of course, all of the John Mellencamp records. I really loved this record I made with Toni Iommi. He made a solo record called 'Fused'. The band was Tony Iommi, Glen Hughes and myself. Having a trio made it very powerful with great melody lines. We were going to be a band, but Tony got the call from Sharron Osbourne to put the original Black Sabbath back together. You do the math!

How do you feel about the myth of Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll?

It is no myth! It is real as long as it does not interfere with your quality of work. Never party before going on stage. My career is more valuable than Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll. I am not a saint.

What was the last book you read?

I am currently reading 'Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle.' It is fascinating! Did you know that Israel has more hi-tech start-ups and a larger venture capital industry per capita than any other country in the world.


Is there an artist that you still dream of working with?

Jeff Beck! I would love to perform with Jeff Beck. I think it would also be fun to record with Dave Grohl.

Anything else you would like to tell us?

When I look back on my life it is not an accident. Hard work, fueled by passion and education is how I live my life. There is no room for laziness or entitlement. A guy like me will smoke your ass with hard work. Your future is your present, what you do in the present is your future. To be successful you have to create a plan and execute it. I am on my forth plan as we speak. Life moves so fast that in most cases you will have to come up with many plans. So that is why the important shit is to work really hard. Working is the vehicle through life. Work is your transportation. I am human.