Eric Doyle Mensinger better known as
Eric Singer, is a
hard rockHard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and
heavy metalHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
drummer for the rock band
KissKiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and formerly for singer
Alice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
. Over the past two decades Singer has appeared on over 75 albums and 11 EPs.
Early career
Singer began playing drums from an early age, and was inspired by bands such as
Humble PieHumble Pie was a rock band from England, finding success both in the UK and the US. They are remembered for songs such as "Black Coffee" "30 Days in the Hole", "I Don't Need No Doctor", and "Natural Born Bugie"...
,
The WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
,
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
,
Black SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
,
The BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
and
QueenQueen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
and drummers such as
John BonhamJohn Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
,
Keith MoonKeith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
,
Cozy PowellColin Flooks , better known as Cozy Powell, was an English rock drummer who made his name with many major rock bands.-Early history:...
,
Roger TaylorRoger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
, Bill Ward, and
Buddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
.
Singer's first professional drumming job was as
Lita FordLita Ford is a British-born, American rock musician and singer who was the lead guitarist for The Runaways and achieved popularity for her solo career between the 1980s and late 2000s.-Early life:...
's touring drummer in 1984. In 1985 he joined
Black SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, replacing original drummer Bill Ward, who had left the band after the
Live AidLive Aid was a dual-venue concert that was held on 13 July 1985. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. Billed as the "global jukebox", the event was held simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom ...
reunion. Singer would participate in the recording of the albums
Seventh StarSeventh Star is the twelfth studio album by Black Sabbath, released in January 1986.It was originally written, recorded, and intended to be the first solo album by guitarist Tony Iommi, but due to label pressures and the prompting of band manager Don Arden, the record was billed as Black Sabbath...
and
The Eternal IdolThe Eternal Idol is the thirteenth studio album by Black Sabbath, released in December 1987. It is the first of several Black Sabbath albums to feature longtime vocalist Tony Martin. It spent six weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at 168. It was also the last full album of new material by...
and was invited by his Black Sabbath colleague
Ray GillenRaymond A. "Ray" Gillen was an American rock singer, best known for his work with Badlands, in addition to his stint with Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s and recording most of the vocals on Phenomena's classic Dreamrunner album....
to join the latter's new formed band Badlands. Singer accepted and played on the band's
self-titled debut albumBadlands is the first album by the band of the same name. This album features Ray Gillen and Eric Singer, who previously played together in Black Sabbath. This album also features guitarist Jake E. Lee and bassist Greg Chaisson...
. Singer left the group in 1989 as he would join
Paul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
as his touring drummer on his solo tour of
AmericaThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada. He also briefly appeared in the 1989 Wes Craven film
ShockerShocker is a 1989 horror film written and directed by Wes Craven. The relatively low-budget film has since become a cult classic...
. Singer played with
Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
in the music video for Culture Shock. He later revealed in an interview that he obtained that gig because he was working for Lita Ford at the time.
Career with Kiss
In December 1991, Eric Singer officially became the drummer for
KissKiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
after the death of
Eric CarrPaul Charles Caravello , also known as Eric Carr, was an American musician, best known as drummer for the rock band Kiss. Caravello was selected as the new Kiss drummer after Peter Criss left in 1980...
. Singer, who had performed with Paul Stanley on his club tour along with
Bob KulickBob Kulick is an American guitarist and Grammy Award-winning record producer, best known for his studio work with Kiss. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is the older brother of former Kiss lead guitarist Bruce Kulick, whom he suggested Kiss hire....
two years earlier, was hired and debuted with the band on the album
RevengeRevenge is the 16th studio album by American heavy metal band Kiss, released on May 19, 1992. It was the band's first album after the death of long-time drummer Eric Carr in November 1991. His replacement, Eric Singer, had played with Black Sabbath, Brian May, Alice Cooper and even Paul Stanley,...
, on which he was originally slated to fill in on some tracks while Eric Carr recuperated from
heart cancerHeart cancer is an extremely rare form of cancer that is divided into primary tumors of the heart and secondary tumors of the heart.-Primary:...
. Singer played on
Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions-Personnel:*Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar, vocals*Gene Simmons - bass guitar, vocals*Bruce Kulick - lead guitar, vocals*Eric Singer - drums, percussion, backing vocals-Charts:Album - Billboard...
and toured with Kiss until 1996, when the band reunited with original drummer
Peter Criss George Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
and guitarist
Ace FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
for the
Alive/Worldwide TourThe Alive/Worldwide Tour was a 1996-1997 concert tour by Kiss. It was the first tour with original members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley since their 1979 Dynasty Tour...
.
After five relatively quiet years, during which Singer toured with
QueenQueen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
guitarist
Brian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
, Singer was asked to rejoin Kiss in 2001 after Criss' departure shortly before the Australian and Japanese leg of Kiss' Farewell tour. Singer debuted in full "Catman" make-up and costume for the first time on the tour, causing some animosity because the "Catman" character had previously been solely portrayed by Criss, including during many of the band's successful years; even when Eric Carr replaced Criss, Carr did not don the makeup (he portrayed the "Fox" until Kiss dispensed with the makeup in 1983). Singer was replaced again by Criss in 2003 but returned to the band by the end of the year after
Gene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
and
Paul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
opted not to renew Criss' contract. Since then, Singer has been playing drums in Kiss as their permanent drummer. In 2009, Singer, along with lead guitarist
Tommy ThayerTommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...
, played and sang on the new Kiss album
Sonic BoomSonic Boom is the 19th studio album and the first in 11 years from band Kiss, released on October 6, 2009. The album was recorded at Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA and produced by the band's co-leader Paul Stanley and co-produced by Greg Collins...
, the first studio album to feature the new line-up.
Singer also was said to be a great drummer in a 2008 interview by Peter Criss, despite the fact that Peter Criss is upset about Singer using his image.
Career with Alice Cooper and other projects
When not touring with Kiss, Singer performed with
Alice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
. Singer had been a member of Cooper's band since the release of the album
Brutal PlanetBrutal Planet is the 21st studio album by Alice Cooper, released in 2000. Lyrically, it's a Concept Album that deals with themes of dark "social fiction", including domestic violence , Prejudice , War and school shootings...
in 2000. Singer had already performed with Cooper years earlier, during the tour for the album
Hey StoopidHey Stoopid is the 19th studio album by heavy metal singer and shock rock-legend Alice Cooper. It was released on July 2, 1991 with guest appearances from Slash , Ozzy Osbourne, Vinnie Moore, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars .After Cooper's smash 1989 hit album Trash, Cooper...
. Singer has featured on three Alice Cooper albums to date, namely,
Brutal Planet,
The Eyes Of Alice CooperThe Eyes of Alice Cooper is the twenty third album by Alice Cooper, that was released in 2003. Although it has been said that the title is a reference to the 2000 documentary known as The Eyes of Tammy Faye, in October 2007, Alice said that was not the case...
, and
Along Came a Spider*As with a large portion of Cooper's back-catalogue being remastered and re-released through various distribution channels, Along Came A Spider has also received the same treatment...
. Due to his growing commitments with KISS as well as with his side project ESP, he has not played in Alice Cooper's band since 2008.
He has also occasionally performed and recorded with his own
Eric Singer ProjectEric Singer Project is an American rock band. ESP was founded in the 1990s by Eric Singer, drummer for such acts as Lita Ford, Black Sabbath, Badlands, Alice Cooper, and Kiss, along with it with Bruce Kulick on guitar, John Corabi on guitar and bass, and Karl Cochran on guitar and bass...
, featuring, among others, his former Kiss bandmate
Bruce KulickBruce Howard Kulick is an American guitarist, musician and a member of the band Grand Funk Railroad. Previously, Kulick had been a longtime member of the band Kiss....
and former
Mötley CrüeMötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
lead singer
John CorabiJohn Corabi is a heavy metal singer and guitarist who has worked with such bands as Angora, The Scream, Mötley Crüe, Union and ESP , Ratt , Twenty 4 Seven , Zen Lunatic, Brides of Destruction, and Angel City Outlaws John Corabi (born on April 26, 1959 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a heavy...
. Three releases have resulted from this collaboration: the studio album
Lost And Spaced (1998), consisting completely of covers from classic rock songs; the live album
Live In Japan (2006); and the DVD
Live At The Marquee (2006).
Singer has also played in the band
AvantasiaAvantasia is a heavy metal project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist and frontman of the band Edguy. The project's title is a portmanteau of the words "avalon" and "fantasia" and describes "a world beyond human imagination"...
, replacing drummer
Alex HolzwarthAlex Holzwarth was born on 4 October 1968 in Landshut, Germany and is a professional drummer, and current member of italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody of Fire. He is also the brother of the band's bassist Oliver Holzwarth....
after a guest performance in the song "Into the Unknown" from the album
The Metal Opera Part IIThe Metal Opera Pt. II is the second full-length album by Tobias Sammet's side project opera, Avantasia. It is a concept album and a rock opera, and further information on the story can be found here. The songs carry on the story begun in The Metal Opera, with the same characters...
. Two
EPs-Computers and technology:* External Power Supply, an external AC adapter * common External Power Supply, EU standard for mobile phone chargers...
and one full album have been released with Singer's performance on the drums:
Lost in Space Part ILost in Space is an EP to the Avantasia album The Scarecrow.- Track listing :#"Lost in Space" #"Lay All Your Love on Me" #"Another Angel Down" #"The Story Ain't Over" #"Return to Avantasia"...
,
Lost in Space Part IILost in Space is an EP to the Avantasia album The Scarecrow.- Track listing :#"Lost in Space" #"Promised Land" #"Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" #"Scary Eyes"...
, and
The Scarecrow-Personnel:* Tobias Sammet – Vocal, Bass guitar, Additional Keyboards* Sascha Paeth – Guitars,* Miro – Keyboards, Orchestration* Eric Singer – Drums-Guest vocalists:* Roy Khan * Jørn Lande...
, and on several songs from
The Wicked Symphony-Track listing: -Personnel:* Tobias Sammet - Lead vocals, Bass guitar, Keyboards, Organ * Sascha Paeth - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass guitar Producer* Eric Singer - Drums * Miro - Keyboards, Orchestration...
and
Angel of BabylonAngel of Babylon is the fifth full-length Avantasia album by German power metal vocalist Tobias Sammet, released on April 3, 2010 along with The Wicked Symphony...
.
Equipment
Singer is a loyal endorser of
PearlFounded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
drums, hardware and pedals, Terry Bozzio Attack signature drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals and
Ddrumddrum is a division of Armadillo Enterprises, Inc. that manufactures drums, percussion, and electronic drum triggers.-Acoustic drums:ddrum is a sister company to Dean guitars and produces drums that fall into one of several series, each following a motif of beginning with the letter "d" and grouped...
acoustic drum triggers.
Actual Kiss live set-up (2009–2010)
Drums
Pearl
Pearl Masters
Smoked acrylic
- 24" x 15" bass drum x2
- 12" x 8" Tom
- 13" x 8.5" Tom
- 16" x 14" floor tom
- 18" x 16" floor tom
- 8" x 7" Tom (to left of hi-hat)
- 10" x 8" Tom (to left of hi-hat)
- 14" x 6.5" free-floating snare
Cymbals
Zildjian
- 14" Avedis Rock Hi-Hat x1
- 21" K Custom Hybrid Ride x1
- 19" Z3 Medium Crash x8, 8" Splash on the upper part (inverted),
- 16" Oriental China Trash x1
- 9,1 / 2" Zil-Bel X1
- 8" A Custom Splash x1
- 6" A Custom Splash x1
- 12" Z3 Splash x1
Percussion
Latin PercussionLatin Percussion, also known as LP, is a brand of percussion instruments, specializing in ethnic instruments engineered and manufactured to withstand the rigors of use in a drum kit, orchestral percussion section, and similar applications...
Hardware
Pearl
- C1000 straight stand x 5
- Pesados boom stand B2000
- H2000 hi-hat stand
- S2000 Snare Stand
- P2000C pedal x2
- CH70 Cymbal boom
- T2000 double Tom stand
- 75X Cowbell Adapter
- HA100 Hi hat adapter
Drumsticks
Zildjian
- "Eric Singer Artist Series" size 2B
Electronics
DDrumddrum is a division of Armadillo Enterprises, Inc. that manufactures drums, percussion, and electronic drum triggers.-Acoustic drums:ddrum is a sister company to Dean guitars and produces drums that fall into one of several series, each following a motif of beginning with the letter "d" and grouped...
- Pro Drum Triggers (on each drum)
Miscellaneous information
Singer has his own Signature Series snare drum and artist series drumsticks, "Pearl Signature Series Eric Singer" snare drum and Zildjian "Eric Singer Artist Series" drumsticks.
Singer's cymbal setups can include up to 8 of the same 19” Z3 Medium crash cymbal. He also uses Attack drumheads. Singer uses a variety of Pearl snares live and in the studio, including his own Signature model. He also has been known to use the
Steve FerroneSteven "Steve" Ferrone is a British drummer.He was a member of the Average White Band, and has recorded and performed with numerous other high-profile acts, including Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Scritti Politti...
signature snare, various Brass models and Free Floating snares for live use.
External links