At 75 years old, legendary drummer Tommy Aldridge shows no signs of slowing down. While his long tenure with Whitesnake concluded with the band’s retirement late last year, the veteran musician has kicked off 2026 with a flurry of activity, including the soft launch of a new digital hub and a series of retrospective interviews.
In a new exclusive audio clip released to subscribers of his AldridgeWorld interest list, Aldridge opens up about his deep connection with the late Ozzy Osbourne. The drummer, who was a key part of Osbourne‘s solo band in the early 1980s, revealed that their friendship dates back much further than most fans realize—specifically to Aldridge‘s first international trek.
Aldridge said (via Blabbermouth):
“My first tour abroad was with Black Oak Arkansas, and my first dates outside the U.S. were supporting Black Sabbath. That’s when I met Ozzy back in 1773,” he joked. “It was a long, long time ago. We spent a lot of time together, and I knew him before most people did, even before he met his wife. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for what Ozzy has done, not just in my career, but musically. There are experiences we shared that few people know about.”
Beyond his memories of the Prince of Darkness, Aldridge also sat down for a video interview with Robert Scott of Phantom Four. In the three-minute segment, the drummer discusses the incredible roster of guitarists he has supported over the decades, paying tribute to the late John Sykes, Gary Moore, and Randy Rhoads, while also citing Steve Vai as a standout collaborator.
Aldridge noted that he often feels he knows more about guitar players than he does about drummers, crediting much of his professional success to the “great guitarists” he has had the privilege to play alongside.
While Aldridge continues to mourn the 2025 passing of Osbourne—whom he called a “friend and brother”—he is focused on the future. His new website and YouTube channel are scheduled for a full official launch in March 2026.
The revamped platform will feature premium content filmed at his private studio, including breakdown videos where Aldridge dissects beats from songs he has never previously analyzed. He also plans to offer tutorials, playthroughs, and Q&A sessions for the next generation of drummers.
Musically, Aldridge remains active. He is a member of the supergroup Iconic, alongside Michael Sweet (Stryper) and Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake). The band has completed work on their sophomore album, which is slated for release in the summer of 2026.
Additionally, Aldridge recently reunited with former Ozzy Osbourne bandmates Rudy Sarzo and Brad Gillis to record a cover of The Who‘s “The Real Me” for singer Rick Hughes‘ solo album, Redemption, released last October.
