Frank Briggs

Inducted 2024

 

Frank Briggs was born and raised in Rome, NY and spent his formative years playing the drums and gigging in local schools and clubs. His first band, “The London Tymes,” was formed for a Strough Junior High talent show,. He recorded a single for B&W Records (a subsidiary of RCA Records) in 1968, at age 12 and by age 17 he was in a local Utica band that played up and down the east coast.  During this time, Frank discovered Jazz Fusion and was heavily influenced by drummers Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, and Jack DeJohnette (of Miles Davis fame). 

   

Frank studied music at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY before joining 805, a popular local band that eventually signed with RCA Records. Frank left 805 in 1986 and started working freelance. He taught privately in Syracuse, and to date has given one-on-one lessons to well over a 1,000 students. He began writing his first instructional book while playing and recording with local Syracuse bands

 

In 1988 Frank moved to Los Angeles to further his music career. During his first 6 months in Los Angeles, Frank was asked to perform the Winter NAMM Show for the prestigious Noble & Cooley Drum Company, which lead to endorsement deals from drumstick, cymbal and drum manufacturers. A few months later he landed a gig with Platinum-selling R&B recording artists Atlantic Starr, recording and touring internationally with the group from 1989 to 1993. Frank recorded 3 albums for Higher Octave Records, an album for Japanese superstar Minako Honda on EMI/Sony (Japan), and a gig with Jennifer Batten of Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck fame

 

In 1994, he published his first instructional book “Complete Modern Drum Set”, which remained in his publisher’s Top 10-selling percussion methods for a couple decades. To date, he has 11 books and 2 DVDs published. His instructional materials have been cited by Modern Drummer Magazine as an instructional title that set the standard for the industry and are still used by colleges, drum schools, private drum instructors and pro drummers worldwide.  

 

From 1996-2016 Frank lead his own band; contracting, music directing, composing and performing for Fortune 500 companies’ general sessions, product launches, and award shows. In addition to 805 and Atlantic Starr, Frank also toured and/or recorded with a host of diverse musical artists.

 

In 2020, Frank retired completely from performing and teaching music and purchased a homestead cabin in Joshua Tree, CA to use as a vacation home for him and his wife. He is currently enjoying being creative in other areas; like building steampunk-themed lamps, furniture and landscaping projects, and playing drums for fun.