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Mickey Curry

Michael Timothy "Mickey" Curry (born June 10, 1956) is an American rock drummer, best known for his longtime role as the drummer for , contributing to the artist's sound on multi-platinum albums including You Want It, You Got It (1981), (1983), Reckless (1984), Into the Fire (1987), and (1991). He has also recorded and toured with prominent acts such as on albums like Private Eyes (1981) and H2O (1982), and The Cult on (1989). Additionally, Curry has lent his skills to sessions with artists including on "" (1989) and . Born in , Curry was inspired to play drums at age eight after watching perform on in 1964, though he began formal lessons around age 11 with instructor Ned Tarantino (or Nick Forte, per some accounts). His early influences encompassed and , as well as rock acts like and , shaping his emphasis on groove, feel, and solid backbeats. By age 15, he had completed his first recording session in studios, and he spent several years performing with local bands, including a five-year stint with The Scratch Band. Curry's breakthrough came in the early 1980s when he moved to for session work, leading to his involvement with on Private Eyes (1981); around the same time, through producer , he began collaborating with on You Want It You Got It (1981). He balanced commitments between the two artists until around 1986, after which he focused primarily on Adams' projects, including a long-term collaboration spanning over four decades that produced numerous top-ten singles, and continues to tour and record with Adams as of 2025. Throughout his career, Curry has appeared on more than 100 albums and 1,500 songs, often praised for his precise timing and emotional delivery, and he endorses equipment from brands like and Zildjian.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Michael Timothy Curry was born on June 10, 1956, in New Haven, Connecticut. Curry grew up in a large musical family as one of seven boys, initially living at his grandmother's house in New Haven. His father was a multi-instrumentalist who played drums, piano, guitar, and harmonica, while his brothers contributed to the household's musical atmosphere: the oldest on piano, George and Gary on guitar, and Todd on saxophone. This environment fostered an early appreciation for music within the family, with two of his brothers later joining him in his initial band endeavors. In the 1960s, Curry's exposure to rock, R&B, and came primarily through radio broadcasts, records, and the vibrant local garage band scene in New Haven, featuring influences like , , , artists, Stax recordings, , , and —many introduced by his older brothers. Although the family was actively musical, Curry received no formal training from them, relying instead on self-guided listening and playing along to records. This foundational immersion in the era's sounds sparked his passion for percussion after watching on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 at age 8, prompting him to begin playing drums around age 11.

Introduction to drumming and first bands

Mickey Curry developed an early interest in drumming influenced by his musical family. At age 8 in 1964, he was captivated by Ringo Starr's performance with on , which ignited his passion for the instrument. His music teacher, Ned Tarantino, encouraged his parents to buy him a , leading to his start around age 11. Curry received further formal instruction from jazz drummer Nick Forte, who taught him essential techniques for navigating the drum kit and maintaining precise timing—skills that Curry considers foundational to his style. Lessons with Forte continued after high school. By age 13 around 1969, Curry formed his first band, The Rack, alongside two of his brothers as a school group in ; they performed covers of popular rock acts, honing his abilities in a casual, familial setting. His debut live performance came shortly after in his early teens, around age 14 or 15 circa 1970–1971, when he began auditioning and playing in local bars and clubs, often sneaking into venues due to age restrictions. That same period marked his entry into recording, with his first session at age 15 in 1971 at a studio, where he contributed to local demos and commercial jingles. At age 17 in 1973, Curry joined the Scratch Band, a group featuring future musical director , and they gigged extensively in and broader clubs for several years. This ensemble provided his initial substantial recording opportunities, further solidifying his experience in live performance and studio work during his formative youth phase.

Professional career

Early professional work and studio sessions

Curry's professional career began in earnest in the early while still in his teens, transitioning from amateur youth groups like The Rack to paid gigs in local clubs across and . By age 17 in 1973, he joined the Scratch Band, a local outfit that provided his initial recording experience and led to performances in area venues, marking his entry into compensated music work. Throughout the late , he continued with similar regional bands, including the Yankees on their 1978 High 'N' Inside, honing his skills through consistent club dates that built a grassroots reputation in the Northeast rock scene. Around 1980, Curry expanded into the New York club circuit, commuting from New Haven and joining Tom Dickie and the Desires, a band managed by industry executive . The group recorded their debut album at in 1981, where Curry's drumming impressed Mottola enough to offer him a full , which he declined to focus on freelance opportunities. This period solidified his shift toward professional session playing, as he balanced club performances with emerging studio calls in , establishing himself as a dependable rock known for his solid groove and versatility. By late 1980, Curry's move to studios intensified, with key sessions at the Power Station that enhanced his profile. He contributed drums to guitarist G.E. Smith's solo album In the World (1981), produced by , who praised Curry's reliability and recommended him for subsequent projects. These early studio contributions, without tying him to a single band, allowed Curry to cultivate a network in the competitive recording scene, laying the groundwork for broader recognition as a go-to session player.

Tenure with Hall & Oates

Mickey Curry joined as their drummer for the recording of their 1981 album Private Eyes, marking the beginning of his six-year tenure with the duo during their commercial peak. Recommended by producer from prior session work, Curry provided the drum tracks for several key songs, including the title track "Private Eyes" and the chart-topping hit "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," which reached number one on the Hot 100. His contributions helped define the album's polished pop-soul grooves, blending tight rhythms with the duo's signature harmonies. Curry continued his involvement with the band on their 1982 studio album H₂O. He also played drums on the full-length studio album in 1984, which featured hits like "" and solidified ' fusion of rock, soul, and elements. Throughout these recordings, Curry's precise and dynamic playing supported the band's evolving sound, emphasizing layered percussion that complemented their influences. From 1981 to 1986, Curry toured extensively with , performing in major venues across and internationally, including their appearance at in 1985. His role was pivotal in delivering a solid backbeat and emotional depth to the live renditions of their material, enhancing the band's high-energy shows during an era when they achieved multiple platinum albums and sold-out arena dates. Curry's steady, feel-oriented drumming became integral to ' blue-eyed soul-rock identity, providing the rhythmic foundation that propelled their popularity through the mid-1980s.

Long-term collaboration with Bryan Adams

Mickey Curry's collaboration with Bryan Adams began in the early 1980s through producer Bob Clearmountain, who had worked with Curry on Hall & Oates sessions and introduced him to the emerging Canadian singer-songwriter. Curry debuted on Adams' second studio album, You Want It You Got It (1981), providing drums throughout the record, which marked the start of a enduring studio partnership. Over the following decades, Curry contributed to nearly all of Adams' subsequent albums, including seminal releases like Cuts Like a Knife (1983), Reckless (1984), Into the Fire (1987), Waking Up the Neighbours (1991), and extending to So Happy It Hurts (2022), where he again handled drums on multiple tracks. His rhythmic foundation helped define Adams' signature rock sound, blending steady grooves with dynamic fills that supported hits such as "Cuts Like a Knife" from the 1983 album and the multiplatinum Reckless, which featured enduring tracks like "Summer of '69" and "Run to You." Curry transitioned to full-time touring with Adams starting in 1987, following the release of Into the Fire, and remained a core member of the live band through 2020, performing on major world tours that promoted these blockbuster albums and amassed millions of attendees. During this period, he expanded his role to include backing vocals on select songs, adding harmonic depth to live performances of Adams' catalog, particularly from the late 1980s onward. His consistent presence behind the kit provided a reliable backbone for Adams' high-energy shows, contributing to the commercial success of tours tied to albums like Reckless, which sold over 12 million copies worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted this touring streak, with Curry opting to stay home with his family in 2021 amid health risks associated with resuming live events, marking the end of his full-time road commitments after over three decades. Pat Steward temporarily took over drums for Adams' post-pandemic tours starting in 2022, though Curry continued occasional studio work, as evidenced by his contributions to So Happy It Hurts. This pause reflected broader challenges in the live music industry but underscored Curry's foundational impact on Adams' career trajectory.

Other bands and session work

In addition to his primary commitments, Mickey Curry contributed drums to Jude Cole's self-titled debut album released in 1987, providing a solid rock foundation across the record's tracks. He followed this with session work on Survivor's 1988 album Too Hot to Sleep, where he played additional drums, supporting the band's sound during a transitional period. Curry's involvement with The Cult marked a significant foray into , drumming on their 1989 breakthrough album , produced by , which included the hit single "" and achieved multi-platinum status. He returned for the band's 1991 follow-up , delivering powerful performances amid lineup changes, contributing to its raw, psychedelic edge. Further highlighting his versatility in rock circles, Curry played drums on the 1989 collaborative album YUI Orta by Ian Hunter and , blending classic rock influences with fresh energy. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s into the 2010s, he undertook selective session work with prominent artists in rock and alternative genres, often as one-off or short-term engagements. These included drumming on Cher's 1991 album (tracks 1 and 5), Tina Turner's 1986 release (track 7), Alice Cooper's 1991 effort , Elvis Costello's 1986 album King of America, ' projects, Steve Jones' 1988 solo album Fire and Gasoline, and various recordings with co-founder Joe Bouchard. These collaborations underscored Curry's reputation as a reliable session player, drawing on his early studio experience to deliver precise, genre-spanning grooves without long-term band affiliations.

Recent activities and projects

Following the , Mickey Curry stepped away from touring with after 2021, with assuming drumming duties for the band's ongoing tours. He continued his long-term collaboration through occasional studio work, contributing drums to Adams' 2022 album . In July 2025, Curry performed at the 'Rock and Roll Drum-O-Rama' event at the Cultural Arts Center in , where he joined fellow drummers Rich Dart and for live demonstrations of techniques, performances of rock tracks with special guest bassist Dean Falcone, and a group finale, followed by a Q&A session. Curry appeared in media s in 2025, including a July discussion on with East Haven Public Television, where he reflected on highlights from his work with and . In September 2025, he gave an to Drum Depot, discussing his and drumming techniques. He remains active in local rock scenes through select events and maintains longstanding endorsements with drum brands such as .

Musical style and equipment

Influences and technique

Curry's drumming influences draw from a blend of rock icons and session masters, emphasizing groove and musicality over technical showmanship. Early on, he was inspired by Ringo Starr's straightforward yet effective style after watching on at age eight, which sparked his interest in drums. Other key figures include of Led Zeppelin for his powerful rock dynamics, as well as session drummers like , , whose feel-oriented approaches shaped Curry's preference for serving the song rather than flashy solos. He also cites drummers such as Pistol Allen and , along with stalwarts like Roger Hawkins and Al Jackson, for instilling a deep appreciation of R&B grooves and pocket timing. In his technique, Curry is renowned for delivering solid, precise backbeats and emotional dynamics that anchor rock performances, allowing him to adapt seamlessly across subgenres. His playing prioritizes a tight —maintaining impeccable time and feel, often with click tracks in studio settings—while varying intensity to match the track's emotional arc, as heard in his contributions to ' pop-rock hits and The Cult's harder-edged Sonic Temple album. This versatility stems from his rock roots but extends to broader contexts, where he balances subtlety in pop arrangements with aggressive propulsion in , always focusing on musical empathy over complexity. Curry advocates for simplicity in drumming, crediting his early club and bar gigs starting at age 14 for developing adaptability and a no-frills approach that keeps the music moving forward. He practices rudiments regularly but avoids overly elaborate fills, instead honing a reliable groove that supports the ensemble, a philosophy reinforced by influences like and who championed "feel over flash." This pocket-centric style has made him a go-to session player, capable of elevating diverse material without overpowering it.

Gear preferences and endorsements

Mickey Curry is a long-time endorser of drums, having collaborated with the brand throughout much of his professional career spanning over four decades. His primary is the Absolute in a Pink Champagne Sparkle finish, constructed with hybrid and shells for balanced tone and projection suitable for both studio and live applications. This setup typically includes a 24" × 16" , a 12" × 9" tom, 14" × 13" and 16" × 15" floor toms, along with 14" × 5.5" and 14" × 7" snares, paired with 800 Series hardware for stability during performances. As a Zildjian artist, Curry favors their Avedis and series cymbals for their versatility in settings, reflecting his preference for , responsive sounds with good wash and stick definition. His current cymbal configuration consists of 15" hi-hats, a 12" , 17" and 18" crashes, a 21" Sweet ride, and a 19" Medium Thin Rivets crash, which he has refined over years of touring to ensure consistent projection and durability. Curry's endorsements with and Zildjian have remained consistent into the 2020s, supporting his adaptation of gear for high-reliability needs in Bryan Adams' extensive world tours, where the focus is on quick setup and roadworthy components without frequent changes.

References

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