Bobby Vandell

Drummer, percussionist and singer from Twin Cities. He is also a founding member and leader of the Minnesota band, The TC Jammers and was the original drummer in Dr. Mambos Combo. Locally, he has worked with Lamont Cranston, The Steeles, The Doug Maynard Band, The Hoopsnakes, Stockcar Named Desire, Root City and Mick Sterling, and the Stud Brothers among others. He is currently active with The Bobby Vandell Band, performing regularly on Sunday night jams at The Whiskey Junction in Minneapolis. On the national and international level, he has played drums with The Time, Jesse Johnson’s Revue, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Lyle, Roy Buchanan, Curtis Salgado, Chuck Berry, Roseanne Barr, Tom Arnold, The Shirelles, The Marvellettes, Johnathon, Al Wilson, Otis Day and The Knights, Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, Bruce Conte of Tower Of Power, Lipps Inc., and Soupy Sales. Bobby spent 1988 on the road playing drums on a world tour with Alexander O’Neal as the supporting act of Gladys Knight And The Pips. Highlights of that tour include performances at festivals with Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross and Earth Wind and Fire, with shows at the Wembly Arena in London, as well as a performance at the Apollo Theater in New York. National and international television appearances include The Soul Train television show with Jesse Johnson’s Revue, opening the Soul Train Music Awards show with Alexander O’Neal, performing on Rick Dee’s "Into The Night" television show with Roseanne Barr, a concert on BBC in London England with Alexander O’Neal, a popular music show in Mexico City with Lipps Inc., the video “Be Your Man” with Jesse Johnson’s Revue as well as an acting appearance in the 1982 movie “Purple Haze.” Recording sessions include Jesse Johnson’s Revue on A&M Records and four albums for Lipps Inc. on Polygram Records as well as playing drums and being featured on lead vocals of The Minneapolis All Stars live CD for Ben Sidran’s “Go Jazz” label. Bobby also produced and arranged the music for Roseanne Barr’s comedy album for Hollywood Records, and has been inducted various times into the Midwest Music Hall Of Fame, and he received with his TC Jammers band various Minnesota Music Awards.