Doug Aldrich (born February 19, 1963) is an American hard rock guitarist. He founded the band Burning Rain with Keith St. John in 1998 and has played with Whitesnake, Dio, Lion, Hurricane, House of Lords, Bad Moon Rising and Revolution Saints. He is currently a member of The Dead Daisies. He has also released several solo albums. Doug toured with former Deep Purple bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes' band in 2015. It was announced in early 2016 that he would be replacing Richard Fortus as guitarist of The Dead Daisies.[1]

Doug Aldrich
Aldrich performing in 2022
Aldrich performing in 2022
Background information
Born (1963-02-19) February 19, 1963 (age 61)
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres
OccupationGuitarist
Years active1982–present
Labels
Websitedougaldrich.burningrain.net

Biography

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Aldrich began playing guitar at age 11, inspired by his older sister's Jeff Beck albums. Aldrich's first guitar was a cheap Les Paul-copy purchased from a Sears catalog. Fresh out of high school, Aldrich met the girlfriend of Kiss drummer Eric Carr, who told him that he was the type of guitarist Kiss was looking for to replace Ace Frehley. He subsequently auditioned for Kiss in 1982 but the spot ultimately went to Vinnie Vincent.[2] Aldrich said that although the members of Kiss treated him very well during the audition process, Gene Simmons told him to "lose this number" when Aldrich attempted to talk with him again months later.[3]

Aldrich joined L.A. glam band Lion in 1983, recording two albums and one EP before the band broke up in 1989. He was briefly a member of Hurricane, replacing founding guitarist Robert Sarzo in 1989. He participated in the writing and recording of Slave to the Thrill (1990) before leaving the band.

In early 2014, Aldrich joined the critically acclaimed production show Raiding the Rock Vault at the Tropicana Las Vegas, where he performed six shows a week with other rock 'n' roll greats including Robin McAuley (formerly Survivor, MSG), John Payne (Asia), Howard Leese (Bad Company, Heart), Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot) and Andrew Freeman (Offspring, Last in Line), among others. As of late 2015 this collaboration was still on ongoing project.[4]

During 2015, Aldrich joined the Glenn Hughes solo European tour as guitarist, along with drummer Pontus Engborg, to complete the power trio with Hughes on bass and vocals.[5]

In late January 2016, it was announced that Aldrich was replacing Richard Fortus as guitarist in The Dead Daisies, as Fortus would be participating in the Guns N' Roses reunion.[6] As of late January 2016 Aldrich was in Nashville with The Dead Daisies, working on a follow-up album to Revolución (2015). As a member of The Dead Daisies Aldrich is being reunited with bassist Marco Mendoza; the two previously performed together in Whitesnake. In November 2016, Aldrich performed with The Dead Daisies on the Kiss Kruise VI event.

Equipment

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Aldrich performing with Dio in 2002

Aldrich was previously endorsed by Jackson Guitars. He used their Dinky and Soloist Superstrats as well as his own signature model which has bridge and neck position humbucking pickups were "Full-shred" pickups which Seymour Duncan specially wired. California-based Suhr Guitars currently offers Aldrich signature humbucking pickups.[7]

He plays various Gibson Les Pauls, Fender Stratocasters through Suhr/ Cameron hot-rodded Marshall JMPs and Vintage Modern amps. In 2016, Aldrich became an official endorsee of ESP Guitars.

Aldrich sums up his philosophy of playing this way, "I'm not one of those guys that follows whatever is trendy. I'd rather do what I do best and do it to the best of my ability."[8]

Discography

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Year Artist Album Notes
1983 Mansfield Gonna Rock You b/w Overdrive EP
1986 Lion Power Love EP
1987 Lion Dangerous Attraction including "The Transformers (Theme)"
1989 Lion Trouble in Angel City
1990 House of Lords Sahara Guest Guitar
1990 Hurricane Slave to the Thrill
1991 Bad Moon Rising Full Moon Fever EP
1991 Bad Moon Rising Bad Moon Rising
1992 W.A.S.P. The Crimson Idol Lead Guitar on "Arena of Pleasure"
1993 Bad Moon Rising Blood on the Streets EP
1993 Bad Moon Rising Blood
1994 Doug Aldrich Highcentered
1995 Bad Moon Rising Junkyard Haze EP
1995 Bad Moon Rising Opium for the Masses (different title: Free)
1995 Bad Moon Rising Millwall Brick Promo EP
1997 Doug Aldrich Electrovision
1997 Doug Aldrich The Electro-Lesson / Guitar Instructional Video Video
1999 Bad Moon Rising Flames on the Moon Compilation
1999 Burning Rain Burning Rain
2000 Burning Rain Pleasure to Burn
2001 Doug Aldrich Alter Ego Compilation
2002 Dio Killing the Dragon
2003 Dio Evil or Divine – Live in New York City Recorded 2002, DVD
2005 Bad Moon Rising Full Moon Collection Box-set
2006 Dio Holy Diver – Live
2006 Whitesnake Live... In the Still of the Night DVD&CD, Recorded 2004
2006 Whitesnake Live: In the Shadow of the Blues
2008 Whitesnake Good To Be Bad
2010 Dio Electra Single
2011 Whitesnake Forevermore
2013 Whitesnake Made in Japan CD/DVD, Live
2013 Whitesnake Made in Britain/The World Records 2CD, Live
2013 Burning Rain Epic Obsession
2015 Revolution Saints Revolution Saints
2016 The Dead Daisies Make Some Noise
2017 The Dead Daisies Live & Louder Live
2017 Revolution Saints Light in the Dark
2017 The Dead Daisies The Covers: Live at Planet Rock EP
2018 The Dead Daisies Burn It Down
2019 Burning Rain Face the Music
2019 The Dead Daisies Locked and Loaded: The Covers Album Compilation
2020 Revolution Saints Rise
2020 The Dead Daisies Lockdown Sessions EP
2021 The Dead Daisies Holy Ground
2022 The Dead Daisies Radiance
2022 The Dead Daisies US Fall Tour EP EP
2023 The Dead Daisies Best Of

Other works

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  • 1989 – One – Minoru Niihara
  • 1989 – Cutting Air Act 1 – Air Pavilion
  • 1996 – La Saga du Metal 7 – Melodique – Progressif
  • 1997 (Japan) & 1999 (Europe) – Windows – Mike Vescera Project
  • 1998 (Japan) & 2000 (Europe) – IgnitionMark Boals
  • 1999 – A Tribute to Early Van Halen – The Atomic Punks (Ralph Saenz)
  • 1999 – Here BeforeStone
  • 2000 – Mikazuki in Rock
  • 2001 – Art of Mackin' – Ghetto Dynasty
  • 2001–2002 – Superhero & More...Brian McKnight
  • 2002 – (1989–2002) From There to HereBrian McKnight
  • 2003 – Wake the NationsKen Tamplin and Friends
  • 2003 – Guitar Zeus 1 – Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus
  • 2003 – Sho(照)Twist Songs – Sera Masanori
  • 2003 – Wild SoulsOn The Road
  • 2005 – The Real Thing – Christian Tolle
  • 2007 – Live for TomorrowMarco Mendoza
  • 2007 – Wolfman Jack's Halloween Special: Fun for Kids
  • 2007 – JacarandaMasanori Sera
  • 2008 – AnthologyHouse of Lords
  • 2009 – Play My GameTim "Ripper" Owens
  • 2009 – Spirit of ChristmasNorthern Light Orchestra
  • 2009 – Conquering Heroes – Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus
  • 2009 – Stargazer – Stargazer
  • 2009 – Pulling the Trigger – Cooper Inc.
  • 2010 – Harder and Heavier – 60's British Invasion Goes Metal
  • 2010 – Celebrate ChristmasNorthern Light Orchestra
  • 2011 – OceanaDerek Sherinian
  • 2013 – ArtpopLady Gaga (guitar on "Manicure")
  • 2013 – Living Like a RunawayLita Ford
  • 2013 – Lions & LambsAlex De Rosso
  • 2013 – Star of the EastNorthern Light Orchestra
  • 2014 – I'm Not Your SuicideMichael Sweet
  • 2014 – On the Road – Wild Souls
  • 2014 – Eye of the Nine – Eye of the Nine
  • 2014 – Knights of Badassdom – Brendan McCreary
  • 2014 – Songs from the Vault, Volume 2Raiding the Rock Vault
  • 2014 – Yurica / Hanatan – The Flower of Dim World
  • 2015 – Hard to Bleed – Phill Rocker
  • 2015 – Rise of the Animal – Wolfpakk
  • 2016 – Now and Then – Christian Tolle Project
  • 2017 – Just a Lie – David Scott Cooper
  • 2017 – Howling Wolves – Sera Masanori
  • 2017 – Jake J and the Killjoys – Jake J and the Killjoys
  • 2017 – Star of the EastNorthern Light Orchestra
  • 2018 – All for MetalDoro Pesch
  • 2018 – Forever Warriors, Forever UnitedDoro Pesch
  • 2018 – La Beriso 20 Años – Dónde Terminaré
  • 2018 – Backstage To HeavenDoro Pesch
  • 2018 – Point Blank – Christian Tolle Project
  • 2019 – You're The Voice – The Planet Rock All Stars
  • 2019 – IRONBUNNY – Tettsui no Alternative
  • 2020 – Truth in Unity – Chris Catena's Rock City Tribe
  • 2020 – Make a WishShortino
  • 2020 – Dalej1ONE
  • 2022 - New DirectionMarco Mendoza
  • 2024 - Temple Of BluesCactus

Tribute albums

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  • Crossfire: A Salute to Stevie Ray Vaughan (1996)
  • Forever Mod: A Tribute to Rod Stewart (1998)
  • Little Guitars: A Tribute to Van Halen (2000)
  • Bat Head Soup: A Tribute to Ozzy (2000)
  • Metallic Assault: A Tribute to Metallica (2000)
  • Tie Your MIX Down: A Tribute to Queen (2000)
  • Stone Cold Queen: A Tribute to Queen (2001)
  • One Way Street – Let the Tribute Do the Talkin': A Tribute to Aerosmith (2002)
  • Spin the Bottle: An All-Star Tribute to KISS (2004)
  • Metallic Attack: Metallica – The Ultimate Tribute (2004)
  • We Salute You: A Tribute to AC/DC (2004)
  • Numbers from the Beast: An All Star Salute to Iron Maiden (2004)
  • An 80's Metal Tribute to Van Halen (2006)
  • Butchering the Beatles: A Headbashing Tribute to the Beatles (2006)
  • Flying High Again: Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne (2006)
  • Frankie Banali & Friends: Led Zeppelin Tribute – 24/7/365 (2007)
  • The Omnibus Album: This Is Guitar Gods (2007)
  • Northern Light Orchestra: The Spirit of Christmas (2008)
  • We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year (2011)
  • A World with Heroes: KISS 40th Anniversary (Calling Dr. Love) (2013)
  • Thriller: A Metal Tribute to Michael Jackson (2013)
  • This Is Your Life: Tribute To Ronnie James Dio (2014)
  • Super Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne:(Japanese Edition) (2014)
  • The House is Rocking: A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan (2015)
  • Immortal Randy Rhoads: The Ultimate Tribute (2015)
  • Moore Blues For Gary: A Tribute To Gary Moore By Bob Daisley And Friends (2018)

Film and television

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References

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  1. ^ "GN'R members Richard Fortus, Dizzy Reed leave The Dead Daisies; Doug Aldrich in". Metal Insider. January 28, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  2. ^ Classic Rock presents Whitesnake The Official Magazine pg.127
  3. ^ "DOUG ALDRICH RECALL'S HIS AUDITION TO REPLACE ACE FREHLEY IN KISS". Backstage Pass. Backstage Pass Rock News. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  4. ^ Aldrich, Doug. "Doug Aldrich – back at Raiding The Rock Vault". Doug Aldrich. Doug Aldrich. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  5. ^ Hughes, Glenn (June 2, 2015). "GLENN HUGHES announces DOUG ALDRICH as guitarist for European tour". Glenn Hughes. Coast to Coast Fanzine Bulletin News. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  6. ^ "Doug Aldrich joins, Richard Fortus & Dizzy Reed depart". The Dead Daisies. January 29, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  7. ^ "Suhr Aldrich Pickups". Suhr. January 20, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  8. ^ "Doug Aldrich Biography". Lastfm. July 24, 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
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