Grosse Pointe North High School Alumni
Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan (MI)
Brian Pastoria
Grosse Pointe North High School
Class of 1975
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BRIAN'S PROFILE
| First Name | Brian |
| Last Name | Pastoria |
| Graduation Year | Class of 1975 |
| Gender | Male |
| Current Location | Detroit, Michigan |
| Hometown | Detroit, Michigan |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| About Me | I am grateful and blessed to have had a career in what I love...Music. I have been fortunate to meet a lot of incredible people and look forward to impacting people's lives through the power of music. Born in 1957, Brian Pastoria grew as part of a musical family in East Detroit, a city known for its gritty rock ‘n’ roll. At the age of 13, after playing piano for 4 years, he got his first set of drums and proceeded to learn his trade, playing to records ranging from early Motown, Beatles and Rolling Stones to Chicago, Aerosmith, J. Geils, Grand Funk and Led Zeppelin. His drumming style developed into a thoughtful blend of driving rock ‘n’ roll and Motown soul. From 1977 to 1993, Pastoria became a founding member of the Detroit band’s Adrenalin and DC Drive. While sharing stages with bands such as Aerosmith and Bob Seger, Brian & his brother Mark co-wrote the song “Road of the Gypsy” which was featured in the Motion Picture and soundtrack “Iron Eagle”. Both Adrenalin & DC Drive established a reputation as one of the most exciting and hard working American rock bands. Brian cites some of his main influences as Motown’s Benny Benjamin, Danny Seraphine, John Bonham, Charlie Allen Martin, Charlie Watts, Al Jackson Jr., Johnny “Bee” Badanjek, Bernard Purdie, Don Brewer, Joey Kramer, Stephen Jo Bladd and Max Weinberg. “I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to play and tour with so many people who inspired me. I learned to play drums by listening to my favorite songs and bands, and I’m grateful to have them as teachers.” “I always felt that so much of life was about the rhythm and groove. Playing drums with so many great people and being part of the drumming community has made a few dreams come true for me…I would recommend it to anyone!” Brian was featured in the Sept '85 of issue of Modern Drummer and Most recently he was also featured in Jules Follett's much talked about book of Drummers from around the world called "Sticks N Skins". While amassing his wide range of performing experiences, Pastoria's intuitive grasp of music commerce led him to the business side of the advertising world and music production. Pastoria's teacher's are some of the biggest names in the recording industry, such as legendary former Motown Records musical director Maurice King and fabled Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler and Grammy award winning producer Vini Poncia. Brian and his brother Mark Pastoria found a smooth transition from recording and performing to producing, creating & recording music for artists like Aretha Franklin, Dave Mason, Mark Farner (Grand Funk), The Four Tops, Alto Reed, Kirk Franklin, P Diddy, Will IAM (Black Eyed Peas) Karen Clark, Paul Hill, D-12, & others. At the same time creating advertising campaigns for clients like Birmingham Chrysler Jeep, Pizza Hut, Rinke Toyota, and the MotorCity Casino. They have also written hit commercials for Detroit Edison, KFC, Pizza Hut, The City of Detroit, McDonalds, Buick, Metro Airport, The Wellness Plan, The Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, a whole list of car dealers. Their combined experience in production, and their recording and production facility in Harmonie Park, has been producing Grammy Award winning songs & artists & hit commercials over the airwaves in Detroit since the early 90’s. Under one roof is a creative group that c...(read more) |
Class of 1975 Alumni
→ Reunite with 65 class of 1975 alumni that have joined.
Virginia Constantine
Class of 1986
Catherine Torakis
Class of 1989
Joe Karle
Class of 1985
Jim Shook
Class of 1978
Phil Dillon
Class of 1972
Robert Muhleck
Class of 1971
Hilary Rogers
Class of 1979
Kathie Lintula
Class of 1972
Russ Livermore
Class of 1979
Gautham Kalahasty
Class of 1989
Jerry Harrell
Class of 1972
Jacob Rees
Class of 2016
Lynn Lombardo
Class of 1973
Michael Metcalf
Class of 1971
Sara Delaney
Class of 1995
Katherine Koller
Class of 1988
Jenny Rohde
Class of 2004
Dan Dereeret
Class of 1973
Recent Class of 1975 Reunions
Plan a Class of 1975 Reunion for Free
Grosse Pointe North Class of 1975 40th Reunion
Invited Classes: 1975
Date: Oct 10, 2015
Description: Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Lochmoor Club on October 10 at 7:00. Dinner, DJ, and dancing. Please register ...(read more)