Mike Mangini's remarkable journey with the drums began at an astonishingly young age of two and a half years old, with his innate talent and passion for music already starting to take shape. As he grew, his dedication and hard work led him to master the art of drumming, with his skills and abilities evolving at an incredible pace. By the time he reached the tender age of nine, Mangini was already exhibiting a level of proficiency and artistry that was nothing short of remarkable, as he began to mimic the legendary performances of the iconic Buddy Rich. Rich's influence would continue to shape Mangini's style and approach to drumming, as he continued to hone his craft throughout his childhood and teenage years. By the time he entered high school, Mangini was an accomplished and in-demand drummer, with a wide range of musical experiences and achievements to his name. He was a valued member of his school's bands, participating in prestigious ensembles such as the All-County, All-State, and Eastern United States ensembles, where he had the opportunity to perform alongside other talented musicians and further develop his skills.
Notably, following his graduation from Waltham Senior High School in the year 1981, Mangini chose to temporarily set aside his passion for music to instead embark on a computer science major at Bentley University. Nevertheless, he would eventually return to his initial area of interest, music, and dedicate his skills to creating software for the Patriot Missile program. Concurrently, he was actively engaged in the development of a program that sought to investigate the intricate relationships between the human brain and body.
It was the year 1987 that marked a significant milestone in the career of Mangini, as he landed one of his initial major breaks in the music industry by taking up the role of drummer for the renowned Rick Berlin Band, based in Boston. During his tenure with the band, he had the opportunity to collaborate with an accomplished bassist by the name of Philip Bynoe, who would later become a vital contributor to Mangini's work in the studio, particularly during his time with Steve Perry of Journey and more notably, during his tenure in the esteemed Steve Vai band. Furthermore, Mangini also devoted a portion of his time to sharing his expertise with private drum students in Boston, honing his skills as an educator and instructor.
The year 1991 marked a significant turning point in the professional journey of the individual in question, as they embarked on a collaboration with the renowned thrash metal band Annihilator. Specifically, Mangini's involvement with the group began in 1991, during which he contributed his talents to the creation of several tracks for the studio album Set the World on Fire. This landmark album, released in 1993, would go on to shape the band's sound and garner widespread acclaim within the metal music community.
As a result of his impressive contributions to Set the World on Fire, Mangini was subsequently invited to join Annihilator on their subsequent tour, which aimed to promote the album and its accompanying tracks. Throughout the years 1991 to 1994, Mangini shared the stage with Annihilator, performing alongside the band as they traversed the globe, sharing their music with fans and cementing their reputation as a force to be reckoned with within the metal genre.
Mangini's tenure with Annihilator, spanning from 1991 to 1994, was a defining period in his career, allowing him to hone his skills, refine his craft, and establish himself as a respected figure within the music industry.
Mike Mangini's musical journey took an exciting turn in 1994 when he was invited to join the renowned band Extreme, filling the shoes of original drummer Paul Geary. Having been acquainted with Extreme's iconic guitarist Nuno Bettencourt since the 1980s, Mangini's collaboration with the band was a natural progression.
As a member of Extreme, Mangini contributed to the recording of several tracks for their 1995 album Waiting For The Punchline, a testament to his exceptional drumming skills. His time with the band also saw him make a memorable appearance on the prestigious Late Show with David Letterman, further solidifying his reputation as a talented musician.
During the course of his touring endeavors with the renowned rock band Extreme in the year 1995, Mike, a skilled musician, found himself with a surplus of creative energy that he wished to channel into the composition of new songs. Employing his trusty 4-track tape machine, Mike meticulously recorded these fledgling tunes, carefully crafting each note and melody with precision and dedication.
As the years went by, these initial recordings would ultimately come to fruition in the form of Schizophonic, a solo album that Nuno, the legendary guitarist of Extreme, would release after his departure from the band to pursue a solo career.
As the years went by, the musical collective known as Extreme eventually came to a close in 1996, marking a significant turning point in the career of one Mike, who would soon find himself at the helm of a new musical endeavor. It was through his connection with drummer Jonathan Mover that Mike received the news he had been waiting for, namely that the renowned guitarist Steve Vai was actively seeking out talented drummers to join his live band. With his skills and experience at the forefront of his mind, Mike took the bold step of auditioning for this esteemed position, and to his great delight, he emerged victorious, his rhythmic prowess and dedication impressing Steve Vai and his team.
From the late year of 1996 and extending through the early year of 2000, Mike Mangini held the esteemed position of drummer within the esteemed live ensemble of the renowned guitarist Steve Vai, alongside the talented bassist Philip Bynoe, the virtuosic guitarist Mike Keneally, and subsequently, the accomplished guitarist Dave Weiner in the year 2000.
During this tenure, Mike Mangini had the privilege of recording several drum tracks for Steve Vai's critically acclaimed albums, Fire Garden and The Ultra Zone. Furthermore, Mike had the opportunity to rehearse and record Alive in an Ultra World while touring with Steve Vai in the year 2000, a testament to his exceptional drumming skills and dedication to his craft.
After the South American leg of the Ultrazone Tour was initially suspended in 2000, Mangini returned to his hometown of Boston and assumed the role of associate professor at Berklee College. During this time, he collaborated with former Extreme frontman Gary Cherone and bassist Pat Badger to form the short-lived band Tribe of Judah. Concurrently, Mangini continued to work with Dale Bozzio, formerly of the new wave band Missing Persons, and recorded multiple albums, including a Rush tribute album titled Subdivisions and a second full-length album with Annihilator, All for You. Additionally, he recorded tracks for artists Sal DiFusco, Bill Lonero, and Chris Emerson.
Notable milestones in the remarkable career of this esteemed musician began to unfold in the year 2005, when he took on a full-time teaching position within the esteemed Percussion Department of the renowned Berklee College of Music.
During his tenure at Berklee, he honed his craft and shared his expertise with aspiring musicians, ultimately resigning from his post in 2010 to embark on a new adventure.
Prior to his departure from Berklee, he had already made a significant mark in the music world, lending his drumming talents to the 2007 album "Metal" by the iconic Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator.
