February 20, 2025

506 - Rich Scannella: Drumming for Tonic as well as Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia, Book: "Ghost Notes", Being a “Polite Pain” to Grow Your Social Circle

1 hour 46 minutes

Rich Scannella has played for some of the most iconic superstars in the music industry. Rich has played, toured, and or recorded with legendary artists: Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia, Tonic, Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem), Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Joe Elliot (Def Leopard), Neal Schon (Journey), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), and Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf), to name a few. He has toured the USA, Europe, UK, Japan, Canada, and South America.

Rich began drumming at age 9 under the direction of his father, Joe, a band leader and Juilliard graduate. It was in his father’s jazz band that Rich first gained invaluable experience, and he turned pro at age 16 by joining the Trenton Musicians Union Local #62. His dad’s influence soon gave way to a love of rock & roll and he never looked back.

Along the way he attended New York City’s premier drum school Drummers Collective. Hungry for all the knowledge he could get, he focused intense study with session great Bernard Purdie and Saturday Night Livedrummer Shawn Pelton.

By the 2000’s Rich had become an in-demand player both live and in the studio; appearing on TV shows and movie soundtracks including Dog The Bounty Hunter and One Tree Hill, in addition to the Jennifer Hudson and Amy Adams movie Lullaby. Since 2011 Rich has been the drummer for Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia. He continues a full schedule of playing, recording and teaching, and can be found sitting proudly behind his kit most nights of the week. Rich Scannella endorses DW Drums, Paiste Cymbals and Vater Drumsticks, and AHEAD products.

In 2014 Rich Scannella began teaching at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

As of June 2021, Rich has been playing and touring with Tonic.

In this episode Rich talks about:

Being a “polite pain” to grow your social circles

How to inspire as an educator

Staying focused and self motivate

Drumming for Tonic as well as Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia

Playing live without a click

Big ears, Big Eyes”

Rich’s book “Ghost Notes”

Subbing for Tico Torres

One off gigs with Springsteen