This is such a great question. But it’s one that takes time to respond to. (I did respond earlier, but somehow, it was deleted).

I have so many influences that taught me various things. For songwriters, I’ve learned from everyone that’s moved me. Because I grew up with a musician and music teacher mother, and my mother’s education was classical piano and organ, I learned a lot about music and musical imagination from Chopin, Rachmaninov, Mozart and other classical composers. Then I started listening to the music my sisters (I was the youngest kid) listened to and learned about songwriting and playing from Stevie Wonder, ELO, Billy Joel, Carole King…I learned about the power of great guitar riffs from Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin.

For piano and organ, my mother – who taught me piano and guitar (I went to other teacher to study organ and drums) and my sisters. They all played piano and organ far beyond my abilities, but caused me to push myself, and eventually realize that I’d never play Chopin like they could, but I had a natural ability on drums, so without them being more talented keyboardists than me, I’d never have been a drummer! But my mother told me, “There are certain musicians with natural ability that I feel training them further can actually do them harm. I think that’s the case with you on piano.” I totally disagreed with her. I wish I continued my piano lessons a lot longer, but the most important musical influence of all in my life telling me that I had a special talent musically was huge to me in terms of self-confidence as a musician. She also told me, “You’re such a talented musician and songwriter.” It’s such a shame that you have a terrible voice.” That literally stopped me from working on my voice, which I think would have benefited greatly from singing lessons. Instead, I sang background vocals, as it was very important for getting live work.

For drums, when I was around 7, it was Keith Moon from the Who made me decide that the rock drums were going to be my main instrument (I was a pianist who played drums in our family band until then). I learned the power of great grooves from listening to Led Zeppelin / John Bonham (learning the beat for Good Times, Bad Times was like opening a new door) and a lot of R&B music. From my performing days, drummers constantly compared me to Neil Peart – who, obviously, was an excellent drummer – and it annoyed the heck out of me, because I didn’t think our styles were very similar, beyond my playing with precision and often quick and complex rhythms (I loved using ghost notes to enhance beats and learned a ton from listening to Vinnie Colaiauta ‘s technique) and drum fills. As my skills and experience grew on the drums as a teenager, Vinnie Colaiuta was probably my greatest influence. He caused me to study things like metric modulation and how he played for the song and found the perfect times to be creative and exciting to listen to without being a self-centered player (a show off). Phil Collins, from 1970s Genesis, Bill Bruford (Yes and solo) and Simon Phillips were other major influences that taught me about playing with passion. Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck Five), Max Roach, and Omar Hawkim taught me a great deal about playing jazz grooves. I love how each of those drummers would keep great grooves and find just the right place for the perfect drum fill.

Billy Cobham was another major influence on me as a drummer. He taught me to practice more. After I went to one of Billy’s clinics, which was like a spiritual event for me – I think a lot of drummers said, “Forget it. I’ll never be able to do that.” It caused me to work my tail off practicing. Did I become as good as Billy Cobham? Heck no. But I became very good and had my own style. So when drummers and musicians compared me to Peart it was really Keith Moon, Vinne C., and Billy Cobham that were responsible for what I did. I love Rush, but I didn’t become a fan until I was 16 and my drumming style was already developed. Peart was precise and did great fills, but I didn’t find his style as moving as Vinnie, Billy, Omar, and the others that moved me much more.

In summary, each player, each inspirational performance, has taught me something. Today, physical limitations stop me from being able to perform like I once did, but I still learn and love to learn from great artists.