Rich Holodak - Biography
Rich was born in Yonkers General Hospital, Yonkers, New York on October 28,1951. He grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and started playing drums at the tender age of 13. Rich studied professionally under Carl Ferraro for 4 years, and played drums and percussion throughout his high school and college years in such musical organizations as Concert Band, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band and Jazz Band. His high school -- Hastings High -- won the New York State Secondary School Music Award (NYSSMA) each of the four years he attended, so he got a fine introduction to formal ensemble playing and played with some "very hip cats". Some of these groups' performances were professionally recorded and he has kept these fine mementos for posterity (and to impress his grandkids!).
Rich has been the drummer for many fine bands over his 34 year career, from fledgling groups like Grafitti and W.O.H.A. (Wart on a Hog's Ass) in the 60's, Barbed Wire Choir and The Poor Boys in the 70's, RoadWork and Flashback in the 80's, to Heartwood & Steele and The Big Beat Blues Band in the 90's.
His influences span the gamut: rock, pop, R&B, blues and jazz, although his first love is the blues. He spent many an hour listening to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, early Fleetwood Mac, Taj Mahal, The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and Johnny Winter. (He'll never forget listening to the first Led Zeppelin album for the first time in the high school library!) He also had many other favorites which have forever influenced his style: from groups as diverse as The Beatles, Procol Harum and Jethro Tull, to Van Morrison, Marshall Crenshaw, John Hiatt.
Rich currently plays a black lacquer Sonor drum kit but he still smacks his original (now vintage) 1964 Capri pearl, Slingerland kit, which he may decide to bequeath to his 14 year old son, Chris (also an excellent drummer!). He is married (20 years!) to Carol, has 2 sons (Chris - 14 and Mark - 8) and lives in Yorktown Heights, NY. For the last 20 years, Rich has worked for IBM where he is currently an Advisory Systems Integration Specialist.