Kenny Aronoff

Aronoff was born to a Jewish family and grew up in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.^[11][12] He developed an interest in music at an early age and gravitated to the drums as "drumming was one hundred percent energy."^[13][14][15] He studied classical music in college both at the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University, from which he graduated in 1976.^[1] Several classical orchestras offered him a timpani percussion position which he declined in order to study jazz and fusion drum set work, before joining some bands in Indiana.^[1]

In 1980, Aronoff joined the backing band of John Mellencamp, who was using the stage name Johnny Cougar at the time. Aronoff remained with Mellencamp's band for 17 years.^[16] He has played drums for John Fogerty live and in the studio since 1996.^[17] Aronoff was Associate Professor of Percussion at Indiana University from 1993 to 1997. Each year, The Aronoff Percussion Scholarship is awarded to an Indiana University percussion student.^[18][19][20]

Aronoff was an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' 2001 first Annual IMA judging panel to support independent artists.^[21] He performed at the Kennedy Center Honors from 2008 to 2014. On January 26, 2014, Aronoff performed at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards with Ringo Starr.^[22] Aronoff joined Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in the CBS special The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles that aired on February 9, 2014.^[23]

On March 31, 2016, Rolling Stone ranked Kenny Aronoff number 66 of the 100 greatest drummers of all time. The magazine wrote, "With a sixth sense for what makes music pop and the patience to take direction, he's ended up as a go-to studio beatsmith for the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, John Fogerty, Sting, the Smashing Pumpkins, Lady Gaga and tons more."^[8] Modern Drummer named Kenny Aronoff the "#1 Pop/Rock Drummer and #1 Studio Drummer" for five consecutive years.^[9][10]