A quick sit down with Whitesnake, DIO, Dead Daisy axe shredder Doug Aldrich (9/2021)

Todd Houston: Hey Doug how's it going?

Doug Aldrich: Hey Todd I'm doing great!

It looks like you guys (Dead Daisies) are going to be here in Belvidere Il. at the Iconic Apollo Theater September 10th. How's the tour going or is this show going to be the kick off?

Yeah, we sure are. Actually, the Apollo show is the first date on the tour but we did about nine warm up gigs here in New York but yeah, we are very excited about Rockford. Great city, great people. We have about three or four Illinois shows. We always love it there and Rockford is famous for the Cheap Trick guys.

Who's in the band?

We got Tommy Clufetos from Black Sabbath on drums of course Glenn Hughes vocals and bass (former Deep Purple) and David Lowy on second guitar. We actually made the album in 2019 and sort of sat on it because of Covid but now we are finally starting to do some shows, and we have a great bill. We also have comedian Don Jamieson from "That Metal Show" opening. It's going to be great man, and we can't wait to get started.

Nice! What guitars are you bringing out on the road with you? Some Les Paul's I'd bet.

I have three guitars that I'm bringing with two are Les Paul's and one is a Scallen guitar which is very similar to a Les Paul in terms of feel and everything. My main guitar is a Goldtop that I got in 2008 which was a backup to my original Goldtop that I used with Whitesnake and DIO. Sadly, my original had the headstock snapped off. I got it fixed but really didn't want to take it on the road anymore. The one I'm using now has this big, throaty sound which is great.

So, you've played with David Coverdale obviously in Whitesnake but David was also in Deep Purple. Now you're in a band with Glenn Hughes who was in Deep Purple. Is it ever strange to you to look over across the stage and see Glenn Hughes, someone you grew up listening to wailing away?

Well, the thing is I've known Glenn for a long time, and we have been friends forever so when I look over at him, I see a friend. I have been very lucky to have worked with some great singers and people in general. I've worked with Kelly Hansen from foreigner, James Christian, etc. I took a bit of time off and then I got the call to work with Ronnie (Dio) and he just blew me away. Then of course David Coverdale, John Corabi and now Glenn. Glenn is an unbelievably talented man. He's a very sweet, kind soul and he just kicks ass. His singing is as ferocious as his bass playing!

In the past when you were with Whitesnake and Dio, I noticed that you really try to stay true to the arrangement and guitar solos that you are covering.

When I joined Dio, I asked Ronnie how I should play the solos that Vivian Campbell or Craig Goldy wrote, and he told me just stick to the parts that you think are important. I figured a solo is written a certain way and I should respect that. I can't play exactly like anybody but with Vivian Campbell we are huge Gary Moore fans, so I get what he is doing. When I see guys play my solos I like when they stick to the solos that I actually recorded.

Getting back to comedian Don Jamieson, I love how quick witted that guy is and his overall routine. I've been watching a lot of his stand-up stuff on YouTube lately.

Yeah, Don is great. With this bill you get to go out and see a band play and you're also getting lots of laughs. The thing with Don is that he's going to be joking on us too! That's part of his thing man. He'll come up to me after the show and say, "Did you hear what I said about you tonight?" And I'll be yeah; I was standing right there on the side of the stage you jerk! (Laughter)

I won't keep you too long Doug. I'm sure I'll be looming around September 10th so maybe I'll see you there and say hello.

For sure Todd. I am very excited to kick this thing off! It's going to be like no other man!

Thanks for chatting brother!