Nrbq Drummer Ardolino Dead At 56

He passed away after a long illness in Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday (06Jan12).

The musician initially joined New Rhythm and Blues Quartet (Nrbq) as a replacement for original drummer Tom Staley back in 1974 and he then went on to record over 15 studio albums with the group before releasing his own solo record, Unknown Brain, during the band's hiatus in 2004. He later returned to perform with the rock group during a number of reunion shows.

Nrbq announced the star's death with a post on its official Facebook.com page on Friday. It read, "Friends, We regret to inform you that Tom Ardolino passed away today. Tom will be missed but his spirit lives on through those who were touched by him."

Remembering his late pal, former Nrbq guitarist Al Anderson tells the Hartford Courant, "He was a great drummer and a great guy. He had a totally unique style of drumming that nobody can ever duplicate. That was one of the baddest rhythm sections in the world."