Brian Tichy American drummer, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Date of Birth: 18.08.1968 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Musical Influences
2. Formal Education and Collaborations
3. Partnership with Billy Idol
4. Associations with Foreigner
5. Innovative Use of the Speed Bag
6. Later Collaborations and S.U.N.
7. Current Projects and Legacy

Brian Tichy: A Renowned Drummer, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Songwriter

Brian Tichy, renowned for his exceptional drumming prowess, is an American musician who has showcased his talent as a drummer, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He has performed with notable bands such as Whitesnake, Foreigner, Billy Idol, and Ozzy Osbourne. In 2015, Tichy became a permanent member of Operation: Mindcrime.

Early Life and Musical Influences

Born on August 18, 1968, in Denville, New Jersey, Brian Tichy began his musical journey at a young age. Inspired by his Czech and Slovak heritage, Tichy developed a keen interest in music and started playing drums at the age of eight and guitar at twelve. His musical influences include legendary bands like Kiss (particularly Peter Criss), Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, and their drummer Nicko McBrain.

Formal Education and Collaborations

Tichy pursued formal music education at the prestigious Berklee College of Music from 1986 to 1990. Throughout his career, he has toured and recorded with numerous bands, including Seether, Velvet Revolver, Pride & Glory, China Rain, and others.

In addition to his collaborations, Tichy formed his own band, Ball, where he handled lead vocals and guitar. Despite the band's potential, their album "American Aggression" remained unreleased due to the closure of Tichy's label, Time Bomb Recordings. However, in 1999, a collection of their demos was released in Japan titled "Grand Human Disaster Scenario."

Partnership with Billy Idol

Tichy's songwriting contributions to Billy Idol gained prominence in the late 1990s. Their partnership resulted in Idol's debut CD in 1993. In 2004, they collaborated on "Devil's Playground," released on Sanctuary Records in 2005, which earned acclaim and led to a successful tour. Additionally, they recorded a Christmas album titled "Happy Holidays" in 2006.

Associations with Foreigner

Brian Tichy joined Foreigner in 1998 and remained with them until 2000. He returned briefly in 2007 to replace Jason Bonham and again from 2008 to 2010. Tichy contributed to their album "Can't Slow Down" during this tenure. In 2011 and 2012, he filled in for Mark Schulman on multiple occasions.

Innovative Use of the Speed Bag

Beyond his drumming abilities, Tichy gained notoriety for his unconventional use of a speed bag. Typically employed for boxing training, Tichy incorporated it into his drumming technique. He installed several speed bag setups inside Foreigner's equipment truck, playfully dubbing it the "Speed Bag Truck."

Through his YouTube videos and live performances, Tichy showcased his mastery over the speed bag, transforming it into a musical instrument. He notably integrated it into his drum kit for the first time on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" in 2012. This marked a significant milestone in the use of speed bags in professional drumming.

Later Collaborations and S.U.N.

Tichy joined Whitesnake in 2010 and departed in 2013 to focus on his own band, S.U.N. (Something Unto Nothing). S.U.N. featured Sass Jordan on vocals, Michael Devin on bass, and Tommy Stewart on drums. Marty O'Brien replaced Devin in 2012.

Current Projects and Legacy

Brian Tichy remains an active and respected musician. His versatile talents, exceptional drumming skills, and innovative spirit have established him as a true icon in the music industry. His contributions to influential bands and his unique approach to the speed bag have left an indelible mark on the world of rock and roll.