Beat the Odds: Rock Drummer Sandy Gennaro on The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett & Life Lessons What do The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, The Monkees, Queen, Bo Diddley, Jason Aldean, and a random fan named Dave in a backstage doorway all have in common? Sandy Gennaro. In this episode of Circling the Drain, John and Jim sit down with veteran rock drummer Sandy Gennaro, a man whose career has taken him from watching The Beatles on TV as a kid to playing arenas around the world and speaking to Fortune 500 companies about leadership, gratitude, and beating the odds. Sandy shares:
- How seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan at age 11 made him decide his life’s path, and why he literally taped a photo of a drummer to his bathroom mirror and told himself, “That’s going to be you.”
- Stories from his early band Blackjack with a pre–solo career Michael Bolton and guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS, Billy Squier, Meat Loaf, Grand Funk).
- Touring and recording stories with Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, The Monkees, Bo Diddley, and a 3‑month European tour opening for Queen.
- His powerful Dave in the Doorway story, a five-minute interaction with a fan that changed his entire life and career.
- Why he believes recognition, gratitude, and lifting others up are the real measures of success, on stage and in business.
- How a chance connection with Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean’s drummer) and his daughter’s college search led him to Nashville at exactly the right time.
This one is packed with rock & roll history, road stories, and surprisingly deep lessons about leadership, humility, and the power of small choices. Topics & Themes:
- Visualization, mindset, and “no Plan B” careers
- Working with major artists (Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, The Monkees, Queen)
- How artists treat their fans, good and bad
- The drummer’s role as the CEO of the band
- Why recognition (from roadies to CEOs) is fuel for performance
- Moving to Nashville and reinventing yourself later in life
- Sandy’s book Beat the Odds in Business & in Life