Denny carmassi biography of michaels

1. Early Life and Influences
2. Early Career in San Francisco
3. Montrose, Gamma, and Beyond
4. Collaborations and Guest Appearances

Early Life and Influences

Denny Carmassi, an American drummer, was born into a family of drummers. His father, uncle, and brother were all percussionists. From a young age, Carmassi was surrounded by music, with his father practicing after work in their home kitchen. He often joined his father's sessions, listening to a variety of drumming techniques and being introduced to legendary drummers like Buddy Rich, Jimmy Vincent, and Richard Goldberg.

Radio exposure expanded Carmassi's musical horizons, exposing him to drummers such as Earl Palmer, D.J. Fontana, Al Jackson Jr. (who taught Carmassi how to play by listening to Booker T. & the M.G.'s' "Green Onions"), Clyde Stubblefield, Jab'o Starks, Dino Danelli, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham, and Tony Williams.

Early Career in San Francisco

After graduating high school, Carmassi began playing in topless clubs in San Francisco. He joined Sweet Linda Divine, recording an album in New York on Columbia Records with Al Kooper as producer. However, the band soon disbanded. Carmassi continued gigging with local groups in the San Francisco Bay Area until he joined Montrose and Sammy Hagar in the 1970s.

Montrose, Gamma, and Beyond

Carmassi was part of the first four lineups of Montrose. After leaving the group, he played with former Montrose bandmate Sammy Hagar as a solo artist and reunited with Montrose and Jim Alcivar in Gamma. Carmassi's career extended to collaborations with Heart, Coverdale-Page, Whitesnake, and David Coverdale as a solo artist.

Collaborations and Guest Appearances

Carmassi has also recorded with Randy Meisner, Kim Carnes, Al Stewart, Joe Walsh, 38 Special, Cinderella, Randy Newman, and many others. He toured with Foreigner in 2002 and currently performs with Mercy, featuring Linda Morrison.