Rob Gardner
Born (1965-03-26) March 26, 1965 (age 58)
New York City, New York[1]
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
  • Drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
Years active1976–present
LabelsDeadline
Formerly of

Robert Gardner (born March 26, 1965) is an American musician best known as the drummer for the original lineups of L.A. Guns and Guns N' Roses, and was also the backup drummer for Hollywood Rose.[1]

Early life

Gardner was born in Manhattan, New York. His parents divorced when he was young and both had remarried. His father would move to Los Angeles, California in 1972, while his mother remained in New York.[1] Gardner moved to live with his father and attended Fairfax High in 1979, where he met future L.A. Guns members Mike Jagosz and Tracy Ulrich. He also met future Hollywood Rose member Chris Weber as well as future Guns N' Roses members Saul Hudson and Steven Adler around this time.[1]

Gardner and Ulrich decided to form a band, rehearsing in a garage at Gardner's father's house. Gardner suggested Jagosz as singer for the band. Originally in a band together called Pyrrhus alongside bassist Dani Tull,[2][3] they would officially form L.A. Guns after the group hired Danish bassist Ole Beich to fill out the lineup. Gardner was 18 years old while, Jagosz and Ulrich were 17 years old at the formation of the band. He would also serve as the backup drummer for Hollywood Rose.[1]

His drumming inspirations are John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, Ginger Baker, Ian Paice, and Mitch Mitchell.[1]

L.A. Guns (1983–85)

Main article: L.A. Guns

L.A. Guns was first formed in 1983 by Gardner along with guitarist Tracii Guns, bassist Ole Beich, and vocalist Michael Jagosz.[4][5] Jagosz was arrested and was briefly replaced by William Bailey.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Michael Jagosz came back to with the group recording the only material by this original incarnation of L.A. Guns. The material would be released as a bonus disc, titled Collector's Edition No. 1 in 1985, with the compilation album Hollywood Raw in 2004.[3] In 1985, Gardner was replaced by Nickey Alexander.

Hollywood Rose, Guns N' Roses (1985)

Main article: Guns N' Roses

Hollywood Rose reunited for a New Year's Eve concert in 1985, joined by Gardner and Tracii Guns.[10] L.A. Guns would merge with Hollywood Rose, combining their names to become Guns N' Roses.[12] The first lineup consisted of Gardner, Rose, Guns, Stradlin and Beich.[13][14][10]

Duff McKagan replaced Beich and booked shows taking place between Sacramento and Seattle, which was dubbed "The Hell Tour". During this time, Gardner quit the group and was replaced by Steven Adler.[10]

Discography

with L.A. Guns

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Brando (March 8, 2018). "Ep. 50 - Rob Gardner, ORIGINAL drummer of Guns N' Roses" (Podcast). Appetite for Distortion podcast. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  2. ^ Dani Tull music bio
  3. ^ a b Jym, Harris (August 24, 2011). "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MIKE JAGOSZ, ORIGINAL FRONTMAN FOR LA GUNS! - by Jym Harris". Proud to Be Loud. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  4. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine; Andrew Leahey. "L.A. Guns Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  5. ^ Thore, Kim (June 17, 2010). "Tracii Guns Interview". Uberrock.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Original L.A. Guns Vocalist Michael Jagosz Passes Away – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. March 30, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  7. ^ Slash; Anthony Bozza (2007). Slash. HarperCollins. pp. 88, 89, 90, 92, 93. ISBN 978-0-00-725775-1.
  8. ^ "What It's Like to Play With (and Be Sued By) Axl Rose". maxim.com.
  9. ^ The Roots of Guns N' Roses (booklet). Hollywood Rose. Cleopatra Records. 2004.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ a b c d Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Hollywood Rose Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2004.
  11. ^ (Musician), Slash (2007). Slash. Bozza, Anthony. London: HarperCollins Entertainment. ISBN 9780007257768. OCLC 271423201.
  12. ^ "LA Guns Tracii Talks Guns N' Roses, Breakup and Gilby Clarke". Guns N' Roses Central | Latest Guns N' Roses News & Videos. January 8, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  13. ^ Wall, Mick (January 20, 2009). W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose. Macmillan. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-312-54148-4. Retrieved September 16, 2004.
  14. ^ Lerche, Otto (September 28, 2008). "Historien om Ole fra Guns N' Roses" [The story of Ole from Guns N 'Roses]. politiken.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on June 3, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2015. According to Rob Gardner, Tracii and Axl set aside the Danish bassist, and when he subsequently did not change, they threw him out. Ole Beich himself has more explanations of the breach. To some of his friends, he explains that he was thrown out because he went to a concert instead of practicing Guns N 'Roses. The concert was canceled, but the others were unsure of Ole's lack of commitment and threw him out.
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