Todd Sucherman
Todd Sucherman | |
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Todd Sucherman performing with Styx on June 13, 2008 in Hinckley, MN | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Todd Sucherman |
Born |
Chicago, Illinois | May 2, 1969
Genres | Hard rock, progressive rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, drummer |
Instruments | Drums, percussion, vocals |
Years active | 1987–present |
Associated acts | Styx, Spinal Tap, Brian Wilson |
Website |
www |
Todd Sucherman (born May 2, 1969) is an American drummer, who is best known for having been a member of Styx since March 1995.
Early Life
Sucherman grew up in a musical family and followed in his father's footsteps by playing the drums. His father, Arnold J. Sucherman, was a doctor by day and a drummer by night, playing in the house band at the famed Chez Parre' in Chicago. His mother, Jo (Seiwert) Sucherman, was an actress in the 1950s and 1960s.
Sucherman started playing drums when he was two years old. When he was six, he had his first paying gig with his brothers under the name "The Sucherman Brothers". The band consisted of Paul on keyboards, Joel on bass, and Todd on drums.
Sucherman attended Niles West High School, and then the Berklee College of Music from September 1987 to May 1988. There he studied with Skip Hadden, Ian Froman, and Gary Chaffee, a world-renowned educator.
Career
In 1988, Sucherman returned to Chicago and quickly established himself as a noted session musician. As an in-demand player for live and session work, Sucherman recorded with Styx in March 1995 when they decided to re-record "Lady", now titled "Lady '95", for their 1995 Greatest Hits album, though he was uncredited. In February 1996 when it came time for the Return to Paradise tour and drummer John Panozzo was unable to perform, Styx asked Sucherman to join them for the tour. After John Panozzo's death on July 16, 1996, Sucherman became a full-time member, appearing on the 1997 live album, Return to Paradise.
In addition to Styx, he has played with such artists as Brian Wilson, Tommy Shaw, Peter Cetera, Brian Culbertson, The Falling Wallendas, Steve Cole, and Spinal Tap, among others.
In September 2008, Sucherman was a featured artist in the prestigious Modern Drummer Festival. He also appeared on the cover of the October 2008 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, and in 2009 Modern Drummer Magazine voted him number one Rock Drummer in the World.
Gear
The gear he currently endorses are Pearl drums, percussion and hardware, Remo drumheads, Sabian cymbals and Pro-Mark drumsticks. Biological Cousins: Sylvia Seiwert, Luke Seiwert
Personal Life
On November 30, 2013, he announced via Instagram that he and his wife are expecting a baby.
External links
- Official website
- Todd Sucherman discography at Allmusic.com
- Todd Sucherman Drummerworld page
- Todd Sucherman interview in English and German