Today we’d like to introduce you to Pat Gesualdo.
Hi Pat, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Celebrated Drummer/Author/Clinician Pat Gesualdo had numerous disabilities as a child that prevented him from speaking, writing, walking, and being able to use fine motor skills. At the same time, he wanted to become a professional drummer, so he had to develop his own drumming program. He had no idea that the techniques he used as a child to help him play the drums would one day become known as “Drum Therapy” throughout the world. The program unintentionally helped Pat beat all his disabilities 100% by the time he was in Jr. High School.
Gesualdo made medical, education, and drumming history when he introduced the world to his pioneering “Healing Art of Drum Therapy” techniques. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Administration, and the New Jersey Education Commissioner, helped Pat launch his non-profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities) in 2004, as a special education program. The WWE Superstars, New York City School Officials, and the New York Giants helped Gesualdo launch the D.A.D. Program at WrestleMania and RAW.
Doctors, Psychologists, Neuroscientists, Special Needs Therapists, and Teachers use Gesualdo’s pioneering Drum Therapy techniques in schools, health facilities, and community centers in over 15 Countries.
His research has been featured in education Journals and has been published by the National Institutes of Health. As one of the top disability experts, Pat is often asked by lawyers, Senators and Congressmen throughout the United States to help draft special needs legislation and oversee some of highest profile court cases of abuse or neglect of special needs children and adults. Pat wrote the first law in the United States which provides additional protection for the special needs population.
Pat was invited to the White House to meet the President in an effort to help bring his Drum Therapy program to wounded troops. The U.S. Department of State has brought Pat throughout the world to help disabled children. The United States Pentagon has called on him to train and certify U.S. Military health professionals in his pioneering Drum Therapy
techniques, so they can help troops throughout the world minimize physical and mental health issues.
Gesualdo is also the Founder/CEO of the Metal Hall of Fame, which does an Annual Celebrity Charity Gala every January. It is here that Pat is responsible for some of the music industry’s most legendary moments. From having Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne Join with him to help their former drummer Lee Kerslake achieve his dying wish of receiving his Record Awards for both the “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of A Madman” albums, had Metallica Induct Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula, had Don Airey’s surprise Induction for Black Sabbath co-founding member Bill Ward, had Slayer’s Kerri King surprise Induction for the Metal Blade Record’s 35TH Anniversary, was responsible for reuniting Twisted Sister, has Inducted Judas Priest in front of 80,000 fans in Germany, has Inducted Steve Vai, Triumph, Geoff Tate, and members of KISS and Iron Maiden, has Inducted Anthrax in front of 40,000 fans at a metal festival in Canada, has had Paul Stanley Induct KISS manager Doc McGhee, and has had Brian May of Queen Induct Joe Satriani. These are just some of the memories that Pat has shared with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans throughout the world.
Deko Records also signed Gesualdo for the Metal Hall of Fame All Star Charity CD, where proceeds bring free music programs to help special needs children. Pat has performed and/or recorded with Geoff Tate, (Queensryche) Steve Vai, (Whitesnake, David Lee Roth), Grammy Award winning Producer/Engineer Neil Kernon (Elton John, Queen, Yes) Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow), Tony MacAlpine (Steve Vai, G3), Derek Sherinian (Kiss, Dream Theater), Bjorn Englen, (Yngwie Malmsteen), Joe Satriani, (Deep Purple), Chris Impellitteri (Impellitteri), Bruce Kulick (KISS), Tim ‘Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), Chris Poland, (Megadeth) for various Columbia, Sony, Atlantic, RCA, and Paramount Pictures artists and special projects.
Monster Energy Supercross has joined forces with Pat for his “Metal Across America Tour,” which features rare items and one of a kind memorabilia from Kiss, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio, and Deep Purple, among other rock icons. The exhibit also includes original album cover artwork from legendary bands, and the Metal Hall of Fame Tour Bus.
Pat Gesualdo is the author of the book “Drum Therapy, Healing With the Drumset.” (Alfred Music Publishing). He has a Certificate of Music Education, a BA Degree, Studied Creative Arts Therapy at the New School, and is a Graduate of the NYU music program. Pat performs and lectures in world clinic tours, was nominated to Who’s Who In America, and is an artist/clinician for Pro-Mark Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, and Zildjian Cymbals.
Official Websites:
www.metalhalloffame.org
www.patgesualdo.net
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Developing outreach and implementing programs
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
DRUMS AND DISABILITIES
Drums And Disabilities was founded by celebrated drummer Pat Gesualdo. Pat made medical, education, and drumming history when he introduced the world to his pioneering “Healing Art of Drum Therapy” techniques. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Administration, and the New Jersey Education Commissioner, helped Pat launch his non-profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities) in 2004, as a special education program. The WWE Superstars, New York City School Officials, and the New York Giants helped Gesualdo launch the D.A.D. Program at WrestleMania and RAW.
Doctors, Psychologists, Neuroscientists, Special Needs Therapists, and Teachers use Gesualdo’s pioneering Drum Therapy techniques in schools, health facilities, and community centers in over 15 Countries.
His research has been featured in education Journals and has been published by the National Institutes of Health. As one of the top disability experts, Pat is often asked by lawyers, Senators and Congressmen throughout the United States to help draft special needs legislation and oversee some of highest profile court cases of abuse or neglect of special needs children and adults. Pat wrote the first law in the United States which provides additional protection for the special needs population.
Pat was invited to the White House to meet the President in an effort to help bring his Drum Therapy program to wounded troops. The U.S. Department of State has brought Pat throughout the world to help disabled children. The United States Pentagon has called on him to train and certify U.S. Military health professionals in his pioneering Drum Therapy
techniques, so they can help troops throughout the world minimize physical and mental health issues.
METAL HALL OF FAME
Pat Gesualdo is the Founder/CEO of the Metal Hall of Fame, which does an Annual Celebrity Charity Gala every January. It is here that Pat is responsible for some of the music industry’s most legendary moments. From having Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne Join with him to help their former drummer Lee Kerslake achieve his dying wish of receiving his Record Awards for both the “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of A Madman” albums, had Metallica Induct Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula, had Don Airey’s surprise Induction for Black Sabbath co-founding member Bill Ward, had Slayer’s Kerri King surprise Induction for the Metal Blade Record’s 35TH Anniversary, was responsible for reuniting Twisted Sister, has Inducted Judas Priest in front of 80,000 fans in Germany, has Inducted Steve Vai, Triumph, Geoff Tate, and members of KISS and Iron Maiden, has Inducted Anthrax in front of 40,000 fans at a metal festival in Canada, has had Paul Stanley Induct KISS manager Doc McGhee, and has had Brian May of Queen Induct Joe Satriani. These are just some of the memories that Pat has shared with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans throughout the world.
Deko Records also signed Gesualdo for the Metal Hall of Fame All Star Charity CD, where proceeds bring free music programs to help special needs children. Pat has performed and/or recorded with Geoff Tate, (Queensryche) Steve Vai, (Whitesnake, David Lee Roth), Grammy Award winning Producer/Engineer Neil Kernon (Elton John, Queen, Yes) Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow), Tony MacAlpine (Steve Vai, G3), Derek Sherinian (Kiss, Dream Theater), Bjorn Englen, (Yngwie Malmsteen), Joe Satriani, (Deep Purple), Chris Impellitteri (Impellitteri), Bruce Kulick (KISS), Tim ‘Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), Chris Poland, (Megadeth) for various Columbia, Sony, Atlantic, RCA, and Paramount Pictures artists and special projects.
Monster Energy Supercross has joined forces with Pat for his “Metal Across America Tour,” which features rare items and one of a kind memorabilia from Kiss, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio, and Deep Purple, among other rock icons. The exhibit also includes original album cover artwork from legendary bands, and the Metal Hall of Fame Tour Bus.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Hard work, dedication, and patience is the key to help obtain success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.metalhalloffame.org
