- Tony Richards
Tony Richards born Anthony Richard Orlando. He is an American musician and drummer. He was the original drummer from the Heavy Metal band W.A.S.P. 1982-1983.
Early in his career, he chose to use his first and middle name as his stage name so he would not be confused with Tony Orlando of
Tony Orlando and Dawn . This was a great move, especially when his band included a bass player named Don, thus prompting many who knew his full name to call them "Tony Orlando and Don" much to his dismay.He played for various bands in his early days before moving from Phoenix, AZ to the Los Angeles, CA area. He started making a name for himself in 1980 as one of the hottest drummers in the LA Heavy Metal scene with a band called DANTE FOX, later to be known as Great White. With fellow band mates Don Costa W.A.S.P./
Ozzy /M80 , Mark KendalGreat White , Jack RussellGreat White , they frequently rocked the most popular heavy metal clubs in Hollywood and LA such as the Troubador, Roxy, Whisky, & Starwood.In late 1982 Tony and Don left
Dante Fox after being recruited by Blackie Lawless to form W.A.S.P.. Don left soon to join Ozzy Osbourne before any albums were cut. Tony left the band after recording their first album, W.A.S.P.. Tony is now playing in a band called DellaVella with Carl Della Vella on bass guitar and Lee Oliver on lead guitar.External links
* [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/Tony_Richards_WASP.html History of Tony Richards - W.A.S.P. & Great White days - Interview Part I]
* [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/tony_richards_WASP_Part2.html Tony Richards - W.A.S.P. days - Interview Part II]
* [http://members.tripod.com/verderiverband/ DellaVella official website]
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