Charles Arnold Burgi III (, born August 15, 1952, Montclair, New Jersey) is an American drummer. He has performed with many rock bands and musicians, ranging from local New Jersey/New York-area artists to international groups, throughout his prolific career. He is the current drummer for The Billy Joel Band.
Career Raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Burgi graduated in 1970 from Montclair High School, where he played drums at school and local community events as a student.Mumford, Fred. "Musical Talent Reunited", The Montclair Times, March 8, 1984. Accessed July 2, 2024. "has been a while since Chuck Burgi was drumming for high school proms and church affairs back in 1970 as a senior at Montclair High School. However, the Montclair resident and drummer for the rock band Rainbow, who received a Grammy Nomination from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for its 26th Annual Awards held recently, has not forgotten his musical roots."
After having performed on several album sessions, Burgi earned a spot with the jazz fusion band, Brand X. He then experienced early mainstream success with his band, Balance in the early 1980s. This group also featured Peppy Castro, Bob Kulick, Dennis Feldman and noted arranger and keyboardist Doug Katsaros. The group scored a top-25 hit on the U.S. singles chart with "Breaking Away" in 1981. Although the song was recorded before Burgi joined the group, he had joined in time to record Balance's follow-up album, In for the Count.
In addition to Brand X, Burgi has played and toured with Al Di Meola, Hall & Oates, Joe Lynn Turner, Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult,Seigal, Buddy. "Lightening Up the Dark Side Blue Oyster Cult Could Take a Joke-but the Band Survived Anyway" Los Angeles Times, 1994-09-10. p.2. section: Calendar; PART-F; Entertainment Desk Meat Loaf, Fandango and Enrique Iglesias and has recorded with numerous other artists, including Michael Bolton, Glen Burtnik, Bon Jovi and Diana Ross.
Burgi was a member of the on-stage band in the Twyla Tharp - Billy Joel hit musical Movin' Out during the entire 3½ year run on Broadway.
Recent recordings include Billy Joel's live CD 12 Gardens Live and the 2007 Joel-penned single, "Christmas in Fallujah", exclusive to iTunes. Since November 2005, Chuck has been Joel's drummer, touring extensively, including 12 record breaking shows at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2006, 2008's double night The Last Play at Shea and the October 2008 New York Springsteen/Joel benefit for Barack Obama at the Hammerstein Ballroom. He also appears, with former Rainbow bandmate and bassist, Greg Smith, Danger Danger vocalist Ted Poley, and Trixter guitarist Steve Brown, on the self-titled melodic hard rock-styled "Tokyo Motor Fist" album, released February 24, 2017.
He is the brother of actor Richard Burgi and briefly lived in London while playing with Brand X.YouTube
Discography YearBandTitle1978Brand XMasques2016Brand XLive From Stockholm1980Daryl Hall & John OatesVoices1980Daryl Hall & John OatesThe King Biscuit Flower Hour1981David Bendeth BandJust Dessert1981The Bendeth BandThe Bendeth Band1982BalanceIn For The Count1983RainbowBent Out Of Shape1986RainbowFinyl Vinyl2015RainbowJapan Tour '84 / Live In Japan 19841983Michael BoltonMichael Bolton1985Michael BoltonEverybody's Crazy1985Joe Lynn TurnerRescue You2016Joe Lynn TurnerStreet Of Dreams - Boston 19851987Glen BurtnickHeroes and Zeros1987Meat LoafMeat Loaf Live1994Blue Öyster CultCult Classic1994Red DawnNever Say Surrender2013RainbowBlack Masquerade1998Blue Öyster CultHeaven Forbid2006Billy Joel12 Gardens Live2010Billy JoelThe Last Play At Shea (The Documentary Film)2011Billy JoelLive At Shea Stadium (The Concert)2016Shotgun WeddingSouth Of Somewhere2017Tokyo Motor FistTokyo Motor Fist2018Skull Featuring Bob KulickSkull II (Now More Than Ever)
References
External links