Ronnie Vannucci Jr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ronnie Vannucci, Jr.
Born	15 February 1976 Las Vegas, Nevada

Ronnie Vannucci, Jr. is the Drummer for the American Synth rock band The Killers.

[edit] Biography

As a kid, Vannucci claims to have banged on every object in his parents' house like a drum. At age 6, he became the youngest musician to perform in a Las Vegas band; he played drums for "Play That Funky Music White Boy" at a lounge in Caesars Palace. In fourth grade, Ronnie won his school's talent show for drumming. In junior high, Vannucci listened to punk rock and Britpop and wore white combat boots. He learned to play guitar from his dad after quitting the junior high school jazz ensemble over "creative differences". Ronnie attended both Clark and Western High Schools and formed his first band, Purple Dirt. During this time he'd listen to The Cure and Depeche Mode. Vannucci started teaching private lessons while drumming in a variety of bands that played everything and everywhere, from a desert show to a wedding.

He joined the Killers in 2002 by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, who co-founded the band. Later, it was Ronnie's idea to sneak the Killers into the Alta Fam Fine Arts Building on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus for practice. After an all-night practice, Ronnie headed off to his day job as a photographer at the Little Chapel of the Flowers.

[edit] Miscellaneous Facts

• His parents bought his first drum kit from a heroin addict.

• Previous bands he was the drummer for include Attaboy Skip (ska) and Free Food (cover-band). Attaboy Skip had a big underground following amongst Las Vegas high school students in the 1990's. Free Food was an all-cover oldies/classic rock band that played at local Las Vegas prisons and homeless shelters.

• Resembles Jason Lee, the star on the hit NBC show, My Name is Earl

• Attended York University

• Attended University of Las Vegas

• Studied classical percussion

• Is married

• Co-wrote the song "Believe Me Natalie" with Brandon flowers on the album Hot Fuss

[edit] External links

• Ronnie Vannucci Jr. at the Internet Movie Database
• Interview with RockPress.com (9/12/2004)
• The Killers bio at VH1
• Fanlisting
• The Killers official site, from Island Records
• The Killers official site (U.K.), from the Vertigo label
• The Killers fansite

The Killers
Brandon Flowers | Dave Keuning | Mark Stoermer | Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Discography
Albums: Hot Fuss | Sam's Town
Singles: "Somebody Told Me" | "Mr. Brightside" | "All These Things That I've Done" | "Smile Like You Mean It" | "When You Were Young" | "Bones" | "A Great Big Sled"
Related articles
Marrakesh Records | Island Records | Las Vegas | "Crystal"
This box: view • talk • edit