Forever Outdoor Village

Mike Mangini from Massachusetts is truly a magician on the drums. Most well known for working with Steve Vai and the band Extreme, he has also authored several books on music and percussion, and teaches percussion at the Berkelee School of Music.

Mangini’s calling was apparent even at the tender age of five, when he practiced drumming five to ten hours a day. Remarkably, he was not obsessed about music, and this in no way hampered his characteristic determination. He became a full-time performer in 1987, and joined thrash metal outfit Annihilator in 1991. In the years 2005 and 2006, he earned the position of the World’s Fastest Drummer, which he held until 2008.

One remarkable feature of Mike’s character is that he is practical enough to know that music will not always provide for his daily bread. He has not let stardom get to his head, and this protects him from the social problems faced by many of his peers. He is a fun, relaxed person who can have intelligent and enjoyable interactions with anyone, from close friends to interviewers.

He loves his music and excels at it, playing equally well in various genres, thus becoming a highly prolific drummer. However, he has made sure of his income by teaching at Berkelee College of Music, Boston.

Mike’s drumming has earned him a number of awards, with his designation as Associate Professor of Percussion not being the least among them. Very well grounded, he loves sports and cooking, and keeps his life outside music rich and fulfilling.