Thommy Price, the drummer known for his work with Joan Jett and Billy Idol, has died at the age of 68.
The news was confirmed by his wife Stefunny, who said he passed away on Friday (October 10) and called him “a devoted husband and proud father and powerhouse drummer and songwriter”.
“His energy, kindness, humor, and unmatched rhythm left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him and every stage he graced,” she added.
Price played with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts from 1987 until 2017 and Jett was among those to pay tribute to him on Instagram. “We lost a member of the Blackheart family, the one of a kind Thommy Price,” she wrote. “Thommy was a legendary drummer who was a Blackheart for 4 decades. He was a drummer’s drummer and admired by so many. Our hearts are heavy. Sending love to his beautiful family. We love you Thommy.”
Jett attached a video montage to the post of Price drumming with the band, alongside an excerpt from her Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction speech in 2015. “Thanks to all of The Blackhearts throughout the years, especially the great Thommy Price, who for 32 years has been the heartbeat, the pulse, the roaring compulsion of this band,” she said in the speech. “Thommy should have been inducted with us tonight, and I want to recognise him in front of you all now.”
Price also played regularly with Billy Idol in the 1980s, and Idol posted his own tribute. “Thommy was a fantastic musician and drummer who, in 1983, came in at the last minute and put his definitive stamp on my ‘Rebel Yell’ album,” he wrote. “He helped us to bring it to an incredible finish and toured with us on the Rebel Yell and Whiplash Smile tours.”
“Thommy was a friend as well as musical compatriot who brought immense talent and heart to everything he did. And I will miss him.”
Price was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1956 and also played with Scandal, Mink DeVille and Love Crushed Velvet. He also played on studio records by a range of artists, including Roger Daltrey, The Waterboys, Blue Oyster Cult, The Psychedelic Furs, Ronnie Spector and Debbie Harry.
No details have been revealed about his cause of death, and he is survived by his wife Stefunny and daughter Brooklyn.
