267 - Tris Imboden: From Southern California to Chicago - Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros.
May 8, 2017

267 – Tris Imboden: From Southern California to Chicago

What can be said about Tris Imboden to summarize his iconic career? The Southern California, self-proclaimed “surfer dude” has shaped the sounds of many of the most prolific artists from the 70’s, 80’s 90’s and today. Fresh out of high school, Tris co-founded the band “Honk” which appeared on the soundtrack for the cult-classic “Five Summer Stories.” From the relationships he made  while in Honk, Tris became a full time member of the Kenny Loggins Band, and went on to work with Loggins and Messina, Jackson Browne, and The Beach Boys. He’s been heard on soundtracks of two monumental movies: Caddyshack and Footloose and eventually began working with Chicago’s Peter Cetera. This relationship helped reshape Tris’ career, landing him a full time position in Chicago, replacing current and founding drummer Danny Seraphine in 1990. In 2016, Imboden took another monumental leap in his career by being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Chicago.

Tris Imboden talks about:

  • His early days as a drummer and a surfer
  • Starting his band “Honk” and landing a #1 hit in Hawaii
  • Creating a hit song for a cult classic
  • How and why the sessions starting rolling in
  • His love for Nate Wood
  • How he got the Chicago and his approach to replacing iconic Danny Seraphine
  • His battle with cancer and his resolve to help others kick the habit
  • The honor of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
  • Much more

Resources / People / Links mentioned:

Tris Imboden Plays:

  • Vic Firth Drumsticks
  • DW Drums
  • Piaste Cymbals
  • Remo Drumheads
  • Beto Bags
  • Gibralter Hardware

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