David Keith (drummer)

David Keith
David Keith
	Keith with Rainbow in 2017
Background information
Born	October 18, 1973 (age 51); Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres	Rock, pop, indie pop
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Drums
Years active	1989–present
Member of	Rainbow; Blackmore's Night; Leilani Kilgore; Nelson; Mission Zero;
Website	www.facebook.com/davidkeithdrummer

David Keith (born October 18, 1973) is an American drummer, composer, and producer living in Nashville, Tennessee. He plays and tours with Ritchie Blackmore in Blackmore's Night and Blackmore's Rainbow, and also with Gunnar and Matthew Nelson.

Biography

David Keith was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He began playing drums at age four and took private lessons from ages eight to eighteen. During his time playing with the William H. Hall High School Concert Jazz Band, Keith received an award for outstanding musicianship from Berklee College of Music as part of its annual national high school jazz band competition (the band also took first place overall).

In 1996 Keith moved to New Haven and joined the progressive rock band Mighty Purple, touring the US and releasing several albums. From 2000 through 2006 he played with Eight to the Bar, performing swing, R&B, and popular American music in the US and Europe, as well as recording several albums.

In 2010, Keith and sister Megan Chenot formed the synth-pop band Mission Zero, releasing several albums and touring the US before disbanding in 2017. In 2012 he joined Blackmore’s Night, led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (founding member of Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow). In 2015, Blackmore reformed Rainbow, selecting Keith to play drums.

In 2023 Keith joined Gunnar and Matthew Nelson as the drummer for their rock band Nelson, and for their tribute show to their father, Ricky Nelson. Also in 2023, Keith began playing with blues rock guitarist and frontwoman, Leilani Kilgore.