Gregg Bissonette - Private Lesson

Biography

Gregg Bissonette, (born June 9, 1959, Detroit, Michigan) is an American drummer. Gregg was born in a family of musicians. His father Bud Bissonette plays drums, his mother Phyllis plays piano and vibraphone, and brother Matt Bissonette plays bass guitar. Gregg started learning to play the drums at age 5 from his father. Gregg went on to study at the University of North Texas where he was featured in the famed One O'Clock Lab Band. After college he soon joined Matt in the Maynard Ferguson Big Band.

Musical Influences

Bissonette was the drummer for Steve Vai and played on multi-platinum releases from David Lee Roth, including the albums Skyscraper and Eat 'Em and Smile. He has recorded and toured with an array of other rock artists, including Electric Light Orchestra in 2001.

In 2002, he was involved in the band Jughead with Ty Tabor of King's X, Derek Sherinian, and brother Matt.

In 2003 he and his brother Matt backed Ringo Starr on a promotional tour of the United States. The two brothers backed Starr again in 2005 at live shows at Irving Plaza in New York City in June 2005, at the Genesse Theatre in Waukegan, IL for the PBS show SoundStage, and the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, as well as on several TV appearances (CBS This Morning, etc.)

Lesson

Gregg covers a variety of styles and techniques on drumset from rudimental snare segments to dynamic brush demonstrations. He also demonstrates rock, Latin, funk and jazz styles, double bass, solo and fill ideas.