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Derek Sherinian, a California native, started
playing piano at the age of five. "I started
off playing classical, and then I got into Elton
John and listening to pop records." He regards
his training as "a hybrid of formal and self-training".
In his junior year of high school he received
a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, which
he attended for three years, where he was able
to jam with musicians like William Calhoun (ex-Living
Colour) and Al Pitrelli (Megadeth) who recommended
him to Alice Cooper.
After Berklee, Derek moved to Hollywood and worked
at various jobs to stay afloat. "The worst
thing in the world is living in LA with big dreams
and no money!" Derek laughs.
In September 1987, Derek was hired by Buddy Miles,
drummer of Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies to go
on a national tour of R&B clubs. "It
was the first time I experienced touring and playing
6 nights a week in different cities." Derek
says.
Derek got his first big break in 1989 with Alice
Cooper to tour in support of his platinum album
Trash. From the year 1989-1998, Derek played 250
shows with Alice and played on 2 albums. About
his keyboard abilities Alice says: "Derek's
great. He's an asset to any band he's in. I mean,
the thing about him is that he can play anything.
Derek is always on time, in tune and always ready
to play...music too!"
After doing a second tour and album with Alice,
Derek was hired to tour with KISS which included
being on their Alive III album. Says Derek, "I
have been very fortunate to have been exposed
to legends like Alice Cooper and Gene Simmons
at an early part of my career."
In September 1994, Derek was hired by Dream Theater
for their world tour in support of their album
Awake. Six months into the tour, he was asked
to join the band as a full-time member. After
three releases and two world tours, Derek and
Dream Theater parted ways.
After his 4 year stint with Dream Theater, Derek
released his solo album titled Planet X. His debut
solo effort was the result of a collaboration
with Australian drummer Virgil Donati. "His
talent is unlike I have ever seen before. I knew
after jamming with him one time that I wanted
to do a band with him" says Derek. The two
turned the Planet X concept into a band by recruiting
guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine adding a new dimension
to the Planet X sound. "Virgil and Tony are
the most amazing musicians I have ever seen let
alone played with".
Derek currently resides in the Hollywood Hills
where he owns and operates his state-of-the-art
recording studio the "Leopard Room"
Derek makes all his solo , and Planet X records
there, as well as producing many unsigned bands.
You can e-mail Derek at DSherinian@aol.com
Click here to visit his official website!
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