Chad Wackerman

Chad Wackerman
Wackerman at the 2007 The Hague Jazz festival
Background information
Born	(1960-03-25) March 25, 1960 (age 57) Long Beach, California, U.S.
Genres	Jazz fusion, jazz, rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instruments	Drums, percussion
Years active	1978–present
Associated acts	Bill Watrous, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Andy Summers, Ed Mann, Albert Lee, Men At Work, Colin Hay, Dweezil Zappa, Tom Grant, Allan Holdsworth, Steven Wilson
Website	chadwackerman.com

Chad Wackerman (born March 25, 1960) is an American jazz, jazz fusion and rock drummer, arguably best known as a drummer and percussionist in Frank Zappa's band, but also known for his work with Allan Holdsworth and others. In addition, he has worked with others as a band member, session musician, sideman, and bandleader of his own jazz trio, as well as his solo career. He is the older brother of Brooks Wackerman, the current drummer of Avenged Sevenfold and formerly of Bad Religion.

Chad Wackerman was raised in Seal Beach, California, in a family immersed in music. His father, a drummer, is an award-winning music teacher who has taught at both high school and middle school levels with a specialization in jazz. Chad and his brothers, John, and Brooks Wackerman are all proficient drummers and multi-instrumentalists. John recorded an album titled Drum Duets Vol.1.

Wackerman joined the Bill Watrous band in 1978 and later went on to work with Frank Zappa for seven years, from 1981 to 1988. Gaining and keeping a place in Zappa's band was not easy; Zappa demanded high musical standards and imposed exacting discipline in rehearsal and on tour. The auditions for his band were grueling, according to Steve Vai and Wackerman himself. Two pieces of music, "Mo and Herb's Vacation", and "The Black Page" were considered exceptionally difficult. Only three drummers throughout Zappa's career were able to play them successfully: Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, and Vinnie Colaiuta.

In addition to appearing on Zappa's rock albums and tours, Wackerman performed with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1983 on a concert and recording session of Zappa's compositions.