- Birth name: Tommy Aldridge
- Born: August 15, 1950 Pearl, Mississippi USA
- Genres: Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal, blues rock, Southern rock, instrumental rock
- Occupation: Musician
- Instruments: Drums, percussion
- Years Active: 1970-present
- Labels:
- Associated Acts: Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers Band, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Yngwie Malmsteen, Motörhead, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Vinnie Moore, Hear ‘n Aid, Pata
- Influences: Louie Bellson, Sam Woodyard.
- On the Web: TommyAldridge.com, Interview – courtesy UKDrummer
Tommy, who had no formal instruction, learned to play by listening to albums by the Beatles, Cream, and Jimi Hendrix. He got an early start on his beloved double bass drumming while playing in frat parties and clubs but his big break came when he joined Black Oak Arkansas, then an up-and-coming southern rock group.
After leaving Black Oak Arkansas Tommy has worked with Pat Travers and Gary Moore and, after meeting Randy Rhoads they both ended up working with Ozzy Osbourne on the Diary of a MadMan Tour. Tommy has described his work with Randy as the highlight of his career.
After Ozzy, Tommy joined Whitesnake for a while but later left to work as a freelance drummer. He has since worked with numerous bands including Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy, and many others.
Tommy is regarded as a double bass drum pioneer in rock drumming.
