Gregg Gerson

• Active: '80s, '90s, 2000s
• Genres: Rock
• Instrument: Keyboards, Drums, Guitar

Biography

Over the years, drummer Gregg Gerson has either recorded or performed alongside some of rock's biggest names - including Billy Idol and the Who's Roger Daltrey, among others. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Gerson started playing drums at the age of six, and just four years later, was playing in front of audiences at small local clubs. During his teenage years, Gerson broadened his horizons by studying timpani, vibraphone and traps at the Settlement School of Music in Philadelphia, and becoming proficient at other instruments as well - flute, guitar, bass, and keyboards. Although he was fast becoming one of the most renowned all-around musicians working on the Jersey Shore club circuit, Gerson opted to relocate to New York City during the summer of 1976. Soonafter, he landed work alongside guitarist Jack Sonni (Dire Straits), as well as Carlos Alomar (David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Paul McCartney) and John McCurry (Cyndi Lauper, Alice Cooper, Billy Joel). Further gigs followed (with Ronnie Spector, Benny Mardones, and Mayday), before friend/guitarist Steve Stevens offered Gerson to join Billy Idol's backing band in the early '80s. Gerson accepted, and lent his drumming talents to arguably Idol's best album, 1983's Rebel Yell, which spawned such hit singles/MTV videos as the title track and "Eyes without a Face." During the early '90s, Gerson signed on for the recording of Roger Daltrey's 1992 solo outing, Rocks in the Head, and eventually toured alongside the former Who frontman during the latter part of the decade, as a member of the British Rock Symphony. Additionally, Gerson has served as a touring drummer for Steve Jones (ex-Sex Pistols), Wayne Kramer (ex-MC5), Belinda Carlisle, Michael Bolton, and even his old pal Steve Stevens, and has played on various jingles and commercials. ~ Greg Prato

, All Music Guide