Aaron Spears was a Grammy Award-nominated drummer and producer who worked with such notable artists as Ariana Grande and Usher.
- Died: October 2023
- Details of death: Died at the age of 47.
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Aaron Spears’ legacy
Spears was a sought-after drummer who worked with many top pop stars. After getting his start in his hometown of Washington, D.C., he gained a major credit from producing tracks on Usher’s 2004 smash hit record “Confessions.” Spears was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on the album, and he was invited to play drums at the 2005 Grammy Awards ceremony. This performance raised his profile and led to a busy career as a session musician, as well as a longtime gig as Grande’s regular drummer.
Spears went on to tour and record with such musicians as Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, the Backstreet Boys, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and many others. He was the house drummer for the third season of “The Masked Singer,” and he served as the show’s music coordinator. He also drummed on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “Songland.”
Spears’ advice to young drummers
“Keep practicing, don’t be too hasty to get to your goal, spend time refining your skills, be open to learning new things from others, be humble and have lots and lots of fun.” —from a 2019 interview for Andrew Williams Drum School
Tributes to Aaron Spears
Full obituary: The New York Times
