What It Takes to Play Drums for Ozzy Osbourne | Tommy Clufetos

Rock drumming powerhouse Tommy Clufetos sits down with Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about the reality of life at the top of rock, why every gig matters, and how “playing at” rock is killing the feel in modern music.

Tommy goes deep on growing up in Detroit hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven, earning gigs with Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper the hard way, and spending 15 years on the road with Ozzy and Black Sabbath. He breaks down drum solos as part of the show, his love/hate relationship with click tracks, and why he’d rather drive 16 hours to a gig and crush it than complain about the grind.

If you care about groove, conviction, and the craft of being a pro drummer, this one’s a masterclass in attitude and work ethic.

Timed Highlights:

00:00 Cold open: “Pound Town” drum container practice idea

03:45 Looking like a musician: leather jackets, visual brand, and “leather and latte season”

08:10 Old‑school parenting: no phone, no TV, and raising a kid on ’50s/’60s/blues

12:30 Meeting his wife on a Rob Zombie–directed CSI episode and reconnecting in Vegas

16:55 Leaving L.A. for Nashville and why he loves the South’s “old‑school” feel

21:40 Detroit roots: hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven and baptism by fire

27:05 First time sitting in: Moni Moni, kids going wild, and learning patience for the gig

31:30 Playing for Mitch Ryder, Alto Reed, and getting in front of Ted Nugent