Originally drawn to the drums by hearing marching bands in parades as a child in his native Massachusetts, Smith began studying the drums at age nine, in 1963. After high school, he studied music in Boston at the Berklee College of Music from 1972-76. 

In 1974 at the age of 19, Smith’s professional career began with his tenure in the Lin Biviano Big Band, which he toured and recorded with for the next two years, while continuing his Berklee studies. At that same time, he also performed with bebopper Buddy DeFranco and was a member of free-jazz group The Fringe, featuring George Garzone. Whilst touring with rocker Ronnie Montrose, Smith was asked to join the popular rock band, Journey, which brought his playing to the attention of a rock audience.

With Journey, Smith toured around the world and recorded numerous successful albums and over the past 40 years he has played on many hits with such diverse artists as Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Zucchero, Claudio Baglioni, Andrea Bocelli, Y&T, Dweezil Zappa, Ray Price and Savage Garden. 

Smith began leading his own jazz-rock-fusion band, Steve Smith and Vital Information, while still a member of Journey. The group recorded its first album (Columbia Records) in 1983. The band’s 2007 Hudson Music release, Vitalization, garnered critical acclaim around the world and featured Steve’s interest and abilities with rhythms from India including the South Indian rhythmic vocal art-form: Konnakol.

Smith’s calendar often includes many drum clinics in which he is able to display his phenomenal techniques and concepts to drumming students around the world.

And….We cannot wait to have him here at Drum Depot!!

You can find out all you need to know about Steve here:

www.vitalinformation.com/index.htm