David Keith (drummer)

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David Keith
Keith with Rainbow in 2017
Keith with Rainbow in 2017
Background information
Birth nameDavid M. Keith
Born (1973-10-18) October 18, 1973 (age 50)
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
GenresRock, pop, indie pop
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1989–present
Member of
Websitewww.facebook.com/davidkeithdrummer

David Keith (born October 18, 1973) is an American drummer, composer, and producer living in Nashville, Tennessee. He currently plays and tours with Ritchie Blackmore in Blackmore's Night and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Gunnar and Matthew Nelson and Leilani Kilgore.

Biography[edit]

David Keith was born in Hartford, Connecticut.  He began playing drums at age four and took private lessons from ages eight to eighteen.  During his time playing with the internationally acclaimed William H. Hall High School Concert Jazz Band, David received an award for outstanding musicianship from Berkeley College of Music, as part of their annual national high school jazz band competition (the band also took 1st Place overall).

In 1996 David moved to New Haven, CT and joined the progressive rock band Mighty Purple, touring the US and releasing several albums. From 2000 through 2006 he played with CT legends Eight To The Bar, performing swing, R&B, and popular American music in the US and Europe, as well as recording several albums.

In 2010, David and sister Megan Chenot formed the Synth Pop band Mission Zero, releasing several albums and touring the US before disbanding in 2017. In 2012 he joined Blackmore’s Night, led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (founding member of Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow).  In 2015, Blackmore reformed Rainbow, selecting David to play drums.  

Ritchie Blackmore, self-described as "fussy about drummers playing in the groove", says about David’s playing, "Dave plays in the pocket like a metronome, without losing the finesse."

In 2023 David joined Gunnar and Matthew Nelson, twin sons of the late musician and actor Ricky Nelson and grandsons of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, as the drummer for their rock band Nelson and their tribute show to their father, Ricky Nelson Remembered.  Also in 2023, David began playing with Blues Rock guitarist and frontwoman, Leilani Kilgore.

David continues to play regularly with Ritchie Blackmore, Gunnar and Mathew Nelson, and Leilani Kilgore in addition to his in-person and remote session work and various live shows with other artists.

Styles and influences[edit]

David is proficient in many styles of music, including but not limited to pop, rock, blues, swing, R&B, soul, electronica, industrial rock, and soul music.

Drumming influences include John Bonham, Neil Peart, Steve Gadd, Buddy RIch, Peter Erskine, Bernard Purdie, Stuart Copeland, Cozy Powell, Gene Krupa, Billy Cobham as well as traditional African, Afro-Cuban and Native American tribal drumming.

Musical influences include Jane’s Addiction, The Police, Louis Prima, Steely Dan, Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack, Duran Duran, Horace Andy, Portishead, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

David plays Ayotte and Fibes drums, and endorses Aquarian Drumheads, Dream Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks, Skygel Damper Pads and No Nuts Cymbal Sleeves. (insert endorser links)

Discography[edit]

Rainbow

  • Rainbow: Memories in Rock II (2018)
  • Rainbow: Memories in Rock, Live in Germany (2016)
  • Live in Birmingham 2016 (2017)

Blackmore's Night

Mission Zero - Bruises on the Map (2011), Sky Candy (2013), People in Glass Yachts (2015), "Easy Tiger" (2017)

David Keith at the Ballroom at the Outer Space, Hamden CT, during a video shoot to promote the Mission Zero release Easy Tiger, Feb. 2017.

Boyan & Boyer feat. Mission Zero - Dj SS & Influx UK presents: DEEPSOUND VOL.2 / Formation Records, "Be Right Here" (2015)

Eight to the Bar - Hey, Sailor! (2001), Superhero Swinger Undercover (2003), You Call This Swing? (2005)

Mighty Purple - Live - Eli Whitney Barn (1997), Para Mejor O Peor (1998), How to Make a Living (2000)

My Brightest Diamond - Tear It Down (2007)

External links[edit]

David Keith drummer, Dream Cymbals
David Keith, playing drums with Blackmore's Night, 2015
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