Mark Ely

    Mark was born in Santa Barbara, California in the spring of 65'.   The war in Vietnam was beginning to escalate and political unrest echoed throughout the country.  The Beatle's played their last concert in Candle Stick Park.  A new era was beginning.

    Mark's early influences were the result of his babysitter's boyfriends.  Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk, and Alice Cooper were always resounding through the house.  At the age of 4, Mark showed interest in the drums.  His cousin Joe played drums in local bands and encouraged Mark to pursue the instrument.  Until the age of 13, Mark's interest would remain between flying radio-controlled airplanes, model rockets and his mom and dad.

    At the age of 13, Mark became enthralled with drums and Rock-n-Roll.  Rush, Queen, Kiss and Led Zeppelin became the staple on which he would build.  Simon Phillips, Neil Peart, John Bonham, Steve Gadd are just a few of the tremendous percussionists from which Mark would draw for inspiration and instruction.

    Mark has played with various bands: Headz or Tailz, Pegasus, Dorian Grey and The State Street All-Stars.  Over the years he has had the opportunity to open for artists such as Ted Nugent, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Loverboy.  After college he continued to play drums and percussion with bands.  Some local area bands in which he has played include Dirty Needs, Band X, Planet Groove and Blues Tractor.

Mark lives in Rome with his Australian Shepherd "Sydney".

Words to live by: "The point of the journey, is not to arrive..."

Favorite Book: Atlas Shrugged