# Gregg Bissonette > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gregg_Bissonette > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gregg_Bissonette.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Bissonette > Source revision: 1354369618 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American drummer This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Gregg Bissonette" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Gregg Bissonette Bissonette in 2024 Background information Born (1959-06-09) 9 June 1959 (age 67) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Genres Jazz rock hard rock progressive metal instrumental rock Occupation Musician Instruments Drums vocals Member of Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band Spinal Tap Formerly of The David Lee Roth Band Joe Satriani band Electric Light Orchestra Jughead Website greggbissonette.co Musical artist **Gregg Bissonette** (born June 9, 1959[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]) is an American rock [drummer](/source/Drummer) and vocalist. He is the brother of bassist [Matt Bissonette](/source/Matt_Bissonette_(musician)), with whom he frequently collaborates. Bissonette is known for playing and recording many different styles of music. That experience led to him winning the 2023 *[Modern Drummer](/source/Modern_Drummer)* readers poll for best "All Around" drummer and also winning their 2015 category of best "Studio" drummer. He has played on albums by dozens of recording artists, including [David Lee Roth](/source/David_Lee_Roth)'s first three solo albums and has toured as part of [Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band](/source/Ringo_Starr_%26_His_All-Starr_Band) since 2008. ## Career One of Bissonette's first recordings was on jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson's *Live from San Francisco* in 1983. Brother [Matt](/source/Matt_Bissonette_(musician)) was also in the band and on the recording. He later appeared on Brandon Fields' *The Other Side of the Story* in 1985. It featured [David Garfield](/source/David_Garfield) on keyboards. A few years later Bissonette would start playing shows with Fields, Garfield and [Steve Lukather](/source/Steve_Lukather) on guitar and with John Peña on bass as Los Lobotomys. These shows took place at the Baked Potato, a jazz club and restaurant in Los Angeles, California, playing rock, Latin, and jazz. Bissonette got his big break joining former [Van Halen](/source/Van_Halen) frontman David Lee Roth. The band included guitarist [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai) and future [Mr. Big](/source/Mr._Big_(American_band)) bassist [Billy Sheehan](/source/Billy_Sheehan). During 1985–1992 Gregg appeared on all three US [Billboard 200](/source/Billboard_200) hit albums *[Eat 'Em and Smile](/source/Eat_'Em_and_Smile)* (no.4) *[Skyscraper](/source/Skyscraper_(album))* (no.6) and *[A Little Ain't Enough](/source/A_Little_Ain't_Enough)* (no.18)[1] and the subsequent world tours.[2] In 1990 and 1993, Bissonette released drum videos *Private Lesson*[3] and *Playing, Reading & Soloing with a Band*,[4][5] respectively. *Private Lesson* covers a variety of topics including [double bass drumming](/source/Double_bass_drum#Double_bass_drum), [rudiments](/source/Rudimental_drumming) (with a [backsticking](/source/Backsticking) technique from the [snare drum](/source/Snare_drum) solo *Tornado*[6] by [Mitch Markovich](/source/Mitch_Markovich)), playing with a [metronome](/source/Metronome) and [brushes](/source/Drum_brush#Brushes). From 1994 to 2004, he played on the musical interludes for every episode for the TV show *[Friends](/source/Friends)*.[7] In late 1995, [Toto](/source/Toto_(band)) was beginning their *[Tambu](/source/Tambu_(Toto_album))* tour when [Simon Phillips](/source/Simon_Phillips_(drummer)) developed back problems. Phillips asked Bissonette to fill in for him during the tour's first leg. He played drums on one track on [Santana](/source/Santana_(band))'s album *[Supernatural](/source/Supernatural_(Santana_album))* (1999).[8] In 2007, he recorded on the album *La La Land* by Daniel Glen Timms.[9] In 2001 he was set to play on the [Electric Light Orchestra](/source/Electric_Light_Orchestra)'s [Zoom Tour Live](/source/Zoom_Tour_Live) with his brother Matt on Bass. The tour was cancelled after two televised performances: one at the [CBS Television City](/source/CBS_Television_City) on [PBS](/source/PBS) and one on [VH1 Storytellers](/source/VH1_Storytellers). Bissonette started playing double drums with [Ringo Starr](/source/Ringo_Starr) in 2003 in his band Ringo and The Roundheads. This band also included his brother Matt Bissonette on bass. Gregg has been a member of Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band since. (2008–present) Bissonette in 2018 After appearing on a 2007 album by Spinal Tap's [Harry Shearer](/source/Harry_Shearer), Bissonette became the drummer for the parody heavy metal band [Spinal Tap](/source/Spinal_Tap_(band)) for live dates and on their 2009 album *[Back from the Dead](/source/Back_from_the_Dead_(Spinal_Tap_album))*. Credited under his own name on the actual album, when Bissonette appeared with the group live (including at the 2009 [Glastonbury Festival](/source/Glastonbury_Festival)), he drummed under the name Scott "Skippy" Scuffleton. In keeping with the band's tradition of their (fictional) drummers dying from bizarre causes, Scuffleton was later said to have sneezed himself to death. In 2013 Bissonette released his 3rd solo album where he plays drums and sings called *Warning Will Robinson*. This album also features his brother Matt on bass and backing vocals. Bissonette played on Steve Lukather's 2021 album, *I Found the Sun Again*. With eight songs on the album, he played seven songs while Ringo Starr played one. 2021 was the release of The Reddcoats debut album. The album features Gregg and Matt Bissonette on drums and bass with Andy Timmons on guitar, Wally Minko on keyboards and Mike Medina on percussion. Also in 2021 was the release of the debut album of [The Red Locusts](/source/The_Red_Locusts), again with Gregg on drums and his brother Matt on bass with Rick Springfield on guitar and vocals. Bissonette can be heard on a number of rock instrumental and [progressive rock](/source/Progressive_rock) albums, including *The Extremist* by [Joe Satriani](/source/Joe_Satriani), *Temporal* by Shadrane, *Deep Forest* by Deep Forest, *Bass Invader* by Martin Motnik, *Inner Galactic Fusion Experience* by Richie Kotzen, *Shadow King* by Steve Fister, *Revolution Road* by Rocket Scientists, *In the Eye of Time* by Vox Tempus, *Bug Alley*[10] and the soundtrack to the movie *The Endless Summer II* by [Gary Hoey](/source/Gary_Hoey).[11] In 2012, Bissonette played drums on several tracks featured on Docker's Guild's album *The Mystic Technocracy: Season 1: The Age of Ignorance*, the progressive rock space opera masterminded by the French-American musician, teacher, and ethno-musicologist [Douglas R. Docker](/source/Douglas_R._Docker).[12] In 2024 Gregg and his brother Matt's band The Reddcoats released its second album, *Reddcoats 2*, which also features Andy Timmons, Ron Pedley, Wally Minko and Mike Medina. The album is 1/2 instrumental and 1/2 with Matt Bissonette on vocals. The album is a mix of pop, funk, fusion and Beatles influenced tunes throughout. ## Discography Artist Album Year Maynard Ferguson Live from San Francisco 1983 Yarborough and Peoples Heart Beats 1983 Brandon Fields The Other Side of the Story 1985 David Lee Roth Eat 'Em and Smile 1986 Keiko Matsui A Drop of Water 1987 David Lee Roth Skyscraper 1988 Pat Kelly Views of the Future 1989 Frank Gambale Thunder from Down Under 1990 David Lee Roth A Little Ain't Enough 1991 Joe Satriani The Extremist 1992 Steve Bailey Dichotomy 1992 Tab Benoit Nice and Warm 1999 L.A. Blues Authority L.A. Blues Authority 1992 Stan Bush Every Beat of My Heart 1992 Lanny Cordolla Of Riffs and Symphonies 1992 Ann Lewis Rockadelic 1993 Robin Zander Robin Zander 1993 Joe Satriani Time Machine 1993 Circus of Power Magic & Madness 1993 Vasco Rossi Gli Spari Sopra 1993 Brandon Fields Brandon Fields 1994 Gary Hoey The Endless Summer II soundtrack 1994 Milos Dodo Dolezal/Guy Mann-Dude Milos Dodo Dolezal/Guy Mann-Dude 1994 Joe Satriani Joe Satriani 1995 Richie Kotzen Inner Galactic Fusion Experience 1995 Wayne Watson Field of Souls 1995 Bryan Duncan Christmas Is Jesus 1995 Jason Becker Perspective 1995 Andy Summers Synaesthesia 1995 Mustard Seeds Mustard seeds 1996 Enrique Iglesias Enrique Iglesias 1996 Larry Carlton The Gift 1996 Steve Vai Fire Garden 1996 Ron Kenoly Welcome Home 1996 Gary Hoey Bug Alley 1996 Steve Fister Shadow King 1997 Steve Lukather Luke 1997 Pat Boone In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy 1997 Kalapana Captain Santa Island Music 1997 Andy Summers Last Dance of Mr. X 1997 Michael Thompson The World According to M.T. 1998 Gregg Bissonette Gregg Bissonette 1998 Paul Anka A Body of Work 1998 Bette Midler Bathhouse Betty 1998 Luis Villegas Cafe Ole 1998 Matt Bissonette Spot 1998 Bass Extremes Cookbook 1998 Kombo Big Blast 1999 Steve Vai The Ultra Zone 1999 Santana Super Natural 1999 Carl Verheyen Slingshot 1999 Matt Bissonette Spot 2 2000 Duran Duran Pop Trash 2000 Don Henley Inside Job 2000 David Benoit Great Composers of Jazz 2000 Jann Arden Blood Red Cherry 2000 Gregg Bissonette Submarine 2000 Crush Velvet Cowboys Crush Velvet Cowboys 2000 Gordon Goodwin Swingin for the Fences 2001 Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather No Substitutions: Live in Osaka 2001 Steve Mindick So It Begins 2001 Lana Lane Covers Collection 2002 Jughead Jughead 2002 Rico Garcia The Beginning 2002 Lana Lane Winter Sessions 2003 Eric Norlander Music Machine 2003 Engelbert Humperdinck Definition of Love 2003 Under-Radio Bad Heir Ways 2003 Steve Lukather Santamental 2003 Dan Ramsey Gentle Giants 2003 Robert Downey Jr. The Futurist 2004 Chester E. Smith Monster Groove Party 2004 Raizing Lazarus Raising Lazarus 2004 Rocket Richotte Salute 2004 Vox Tempus In the Eye of Time 2004 Deep Forest Deep Forest 2004 Matt Bissonette Oh No! Bass Solo! 2004 Owen Kortz Owen Kortz 2004 Ryan Cabrera Take it all 2004 Richard Marx My Own Best Enemy 2004 Matt Swindells Matt Swindells 2004 Matt Swindells Matt Swindells Here 2005 Ozzy Osbourne Under Cover 2005 Ten by Tuesday Tearing Down the Walls 2005 Dan Ramsey Everybody's Songs But My Own 2005 Martin Motnik Bass Invader 2005 Brian Setzer Dig That Crazy Christmas 2005 Steve Vai Real Illusions: Reflections 2005 Ray Charles Genius and Friends 2005 Brian Ghiglia Mystery 2006 Dave C. Norman Stratosfear 2006 Santo Garofalo Further Up and Further In 2006 Phil Soussan Vibrate 2006 Eric Norlander Hommage Symphoniqe 2006 Michele Pillar I Hear Angels Calling 2006 Globus Epicon 2006 Dave Rogers Blow Your Mind 2006 Lou Rawls Lou Rawls Christmas 2006 Various Artists 80's Metal Tribute to Van Halen 2006 Rocket Scientists Revolution Road 2006 Harry Shearer Songs Pointed and Pointless 2007 Katharine McPhee Katharine McPhee 2007 Sasha & Shawna Siren 2007 Mick Abrahams Rattlesnake Shake Guitar: Music of Peter Green 2007 Code The Enemy Within 2007 Cal Leonard and His Orchestra Mr. Irrelevant 2007 Daniel Glen Timms La La Land[9] 2007 Keith Emerson Band: featuring Marc Bonilla Keith Emerson Band 2008 Overland Breakaway 2008 Chris Boardman Midtown Moves 2008 Mustard Seeds Mustard Seeds 3 2008 Marco Cardona Instrumentality 2008 Shadrane Temporal 2008 Dick Wagner Full Meltdown 2009 Colin Hay American Sunshine 2009 Spinal Tap Back from the Dead 2009 Norm Stockton Tea in the Typhoon 2009 Jason Sadites Weve 2009 Randy Jacobs The Return of Randy Dynamite 2010 Grand Illusion Brand New world 2010 Ralf Jung The Art of Pop 2010 The Doobie Brothers World Gone Crazy 2010 Mark Nilan Jr. Hands On 2010 Ringo Starr Live at the Greek Theatre 2008 2010 Jet Velvet Jet Velvet 2010 Dave C. Norman Higher Ground 2011 Cindy Horstman and Friends Fretless 2011 Abby Cubey & Margarita Devil Dressed in Lace 2011 Barry Manilow 15 Minutes 2011 Globus Break From This World 2011 Mari Hamada Legenda 2012 Docker's Guild The Mystic Techocracy: Season 1: The Age of Ignorance 2012 Gianni De Chellis Bondage 2013 Gregg Bissonette Warning Will Robinson 2013 Ringo Starr Postcards From Paradise 2015 Mari Hamada Mission 2016 Ringo Starr Give More Love 2017 Mari Hamada Gracia 2018 Norm Stockton Grooves & Sushi 2019 Charly Zurcher Eleven 2020 Steve Lukather I Found The Sun Again 2021 The Red Locusts The Red Locusts 2021 Globus Cinematica 2022 Bass Extremes S'Low Down 2022 Mari Hamada Soar 2023 Marty Friedman Drama 2024 Matt Bissonette Common Road 2025 Mr Scary Haunted 2025 Jason Raso 777 2025 The Locustz Buzzkill 2026 Matt Bissonette Straight To The Truth 2026 [13][14][15] ## Television soundtracks - *[Mad About You](/source/Mad_About_You)* - *[King of the Hill](/source/King_of_the_Hill)* - *[Just Shoot Me!](/source/Just_Shoot_Me!)* - *[Friends](/source/Friends)* - *[Jeopardy!](/source/Jeopardy!)* - *[Wheel of Fortune](/source/Wheel_of_Fortune_(U.S._game_show))* ## Movie soundtracks Gregg Bissonette's movie soundtrack credits include the following: - *[The Devil Wears Prada](/source/The_Devil_Wears_Prada_(film))* - *[Bourne Supremacy](/source/The_Bourne_Supremacy_(film))* - *[Sex and the City](/source/Sex_and_the_City_(film))* - *[Superbad](/source/Superbad_(film))* - *[Encino Man](/source/Encino_Man)* - *[Payback](/source/Payback_(1999_film))* (1999) - *[The Endless Summer II](/source/The_Endless_Summer_II)*[11] - *[Waiting for Guffman](/source/Waiting_for_Guffman)* - *[For Your Consideration](/source/For_Your_Consideration_(film))* - *[Best in Show](/source/Best_in_Show_(film))* - *[Hope Floats](/source/Hope_Floats)* - *[The Craft](/source/The_Craft_(film))* - *[A Mighty Wind](/source/A_Mighty_Wind)* - *[2 Days in the Valley](/source/2_Days_in_the_Valley)* - *[The Bucket List](/source/The_Bucket_List)* - *[Forgetting Sarah Marshall](/source/Forgetting_Sarah_Marshall)* - *[Finding Nemo](/source/Finding_Nemo)* - *[American Pie](/source/American_Pie_(film))* - *[American Pie 2](/source/American_Pie_2)* ## See also - [Jazz portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Jazz) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["David Lee Roth"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-lee-roth/chart-history/tlp/). *Billboard.com*. Retrieved 2020-04-15. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Bio ‹ Gregg Bissonette"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110318190215/http://greggbissonette.com/bio/). *Greggbissonette.com*. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved 2020-04-15. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-PrivateLesson_3-0)** Gregg Bissonette (1990). [*Private Lesson*](http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22866873) (VHS). New York: DCI Music Video. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [22866873](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/22866873). Retrieved 2013-03-13. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Playing,_Reading_&_Soloing_with_a_Band_VHS_4-0)** Olson, Rex; Bissonette, Gregg (1993). [*Playing, Reading & Soloing with a Band*](http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/32400704) (VHS video). Miami, Florida: CPPMedia : DCI Music Video. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [32400704](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/32400704). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Playing,_Reading_&_Soloing_with_a_Band_sheet_music_5-0)** Bissonette, Gregg (1993). Bill Reeve (ed.). *Playing, Reading & Soloing with a Band* (Musical score). Chris Brady. Miami, Florida: Manhattan Music. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [68957968](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/68957968).[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Tornado_6-0)** Markovich, Mitch (1966). *Tornado*. Rudimental Contest Series (musical score ed.). Creative Music. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [7895690](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/7895690). 10-305. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Gregg Bissonette on Dream Gigs with Ringo Starr and David Lee Roth, Avoiding the Spinal Tap Curse"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/gregg-bissonette-drummer-interview-ringo-starr-david-lee-roth-1033240/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. 28 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-AM_credits_8-0)** ["Supernatural - Santana"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/supernatural-mw0000243930/credits). *AllMusic*. Retrieved 21 December 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-danielglentimmsdiscography_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-danielglentimmsdiscography_9-1) ["Daniel Glen Timms: Discography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110709155126/http://www.danielglentimms.com/albums.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.danielglentimms.com/albums.html) on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2013-02-24. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-bugalley_10-0)** ["Gary Hoey: Discography"](http://garyhoey.com/discography/bug-alley/). GaryHoey.com. Retrieved 2013-02-24. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-endlesssummercredits_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-endlesssummercredits_11-1) ["The Endless Summer II: Credits"](http://garyhoey.com/discography/the-endless-summer-ii-soundtrack/). GaryHoey.com. Retrieved 2013-02-24. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["LION MUSIC - the progressive, neoclassical & hard rock label"](http://lionmusic.com/cd/mystictechnocracy.htm). *lionmusic.com*. Retrieved 2017-12-05. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-gballmusiccredits_13-0)** ["Gregg Bissonette: credits"](http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gregg-bissonette-mn0000802210/credits). allmusic.com. Retrieved 2013-02-07. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-gbofficialdiscography_14-0)** ["Gregg Bissonette: Discography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110711131245/http://greggbissonette.com/discography/). greggbissonette.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved 2013-02-24. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-gbdiscogscredits_15-0)** ["Gregg Bissonette"](https://www.discogs.com/artist/255889-Gregg-Bissonette?superFilter=Credits). discogs.com. Retrieved 2025-02-11. ## External links - [Official website](https://greggbissonette.co) - [Drummerworld: Greg Bissonette](http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Gregg_Bissonette.html) - [Greg Bissonette](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084375/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) v t e Joe Satriani Guitarists Andy Fairweather Low Eric Caudieux Mike Keneally Rai Thistlethwayte Bryan Beller Bassists Matt Bissonette Nathan East Dave LaRue Stuart Hamm Doug Wimbish Allen Whitman Chris Chaney Drummers Jonathan Mover Simon Phillips Gregg Bissonette Manu Katché Jeff Campitelli Vinnie Colaiuta Marco Minnemann Joe Travers Kenny Aronoff Studio albums Not of This Earth Surfing with the Alien Flying in a Blue Dream The Extremist Time Machine Joe Satriani Crystal Planet Engines of Creation Strange Beautiful Music Is There Love in Space? Super Colossal Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards Unstoppable Momentum Shockwave Supernova What Happens Next Shapeshifting The Elephants of Mars Compilations The Beautiful Guitar The Electric Joe Satriani: An Anthology Original Album Classics The Complete Studio Recordings EPs Joe Satriani Dreaming #11 Additional Creations Live albums Time Machine Live in San Francisco Satriani Live! Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock Satchurated: Live in Montreal Singles "Surfing with the Alien" "Satch Boogie" "Flying in a Blue Dream" "Friends" "Summer Song" "Cryin'" "Ceremony" "Until We Say Goodbye" "Starry Night" Related articles Discography G3 Deep Purple Steve Vai Chickenfoot SATCHVAI Band Ibanez JS Series v t e David Lee Roth Albums Eat 'Em and Smile Skyscraper A Little Ain't Enough Your Filthy Little Mouth DLR Band Diamond Dave EPs Crazy from the Heat Compilations The Best Greatest Hits: The Deluxe Edition Songs "California Girls" "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" "Yankee Rose" "That's Life" "Tobacco Road" "Just Like Paradise" Former guitarists Eddie Martinez Sid McGinnis Steve Vai Jason Becker Steve Hunter Joe Holmes John 5 Former bassists Willie Weeks Billy Sheehan Matt Bissonette Marco Mendoza James LoMenzo Todd Jensen Former drummers John Robinson Sammy Figueroa Gregg Bissonette Ray Luzier Pat Torpey Jimmy DeGrasso Former keyboardists Brett Tuggle Edgar Winter Related articles Discography Crazy from the Heat The David Lee Roth Show Van Halen Manny Roth Strummin' with the Devil: The Southern Side of Van Halen v t e Globus / Immediate Music Yoav Goren Jeffrey Fayman Mark Richardson Lisbeth Scott Anneke van Giersbergen Robert Fripp Related articles Astra Heights E.S. Posthumus Gerrit Kinkel Productions Pfeifer Broz. Music Two Steps From Hell X-Ray Dog APM Music Feeder Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Norway Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche Biographie Other IdRef --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gregg Bissonette](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Bissonette) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Bissonette?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.