HAPPY METAL BIRTHDAY TO AYNSLEY DUNBAR!
Metal Odyssey wants to give out a LOUD Happy Metal Birthday to legendary Rock drummer – Aynsley Dunbar! Aynsley Dunbar turns a solid and cool 64 years of age on January 10th, (born January 10, 1946). Aynsley Dunbar’s association to Heavy Metal is with Whitesnake, UFO and Sammy Hagar, (to name a few), being the drummer on one or some of their respective albums. Being the drummer for Frank Zappa in the early 1970’s is a music milestone in itself. Aynsley was also a member of Journey, being the drummer for their first four studio albums, released from 1975 to 1978. Let’s be real however, Aynsley Dunbar is a fabulous Rock drummer… period. Regardless of Rock genres Aynsley Dunbar has played, at the end of the Metal day it’s all about talent and musical integrity… and he has proved it for decades. A complete list of Rock musicians and bands, that Aynsley has performed with over the decades, would be a who’s who in Rock History for certain. In celebration of Aynsley Dunbar’s birthday and legendary Rock career, I have compiled a very abbreviated list, (in no particular order), of just some of the great Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums that he played drums on and bands he was a member of. By no means is this a definitive list of albums that Aynsley Dunbar has appeared on, just a Rock solid salute to his achievements in Rock History.
Thanks for all of the great Rock Music you have created and been a part of Aynsley Dunbar.
Visit the Official Web Site of Aynsley Dunbar by clicking here: Aynsley Dunbar – Legendary Rock Drummer – Official Site
Whitesnake – Whitesnake, (1987)
UFO – Convenant, (2000)
UFO – Sharks, (2002)
Journey – Journey, (1975)
Journey – Look Into The Future, (1976)
Journey – Next, (1977)
Journey – Infinity, (1978)
David Bowie – Diamond Dogs, (1974)
Frank Zappa – Apostrophe (‘), 1974
Jefferson Starship – Winds Of Change, (1982)
Ian Hunter – All American Alien Boy, (1976)
Mick Ronson – Slaughter On 10th Avenue, (1974)
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
January 10, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I met Aynsley back in 1993 when he was drumming for Pat Travers…although I didn’t know that I had met him. I showed up early to the venue to get Pat to sign my Putting It Straight and Makin’ Magic albums. Nicko McBrain from Maiden played on those 2 so that’s why I had them in my collection. I am sitting at the table with Pat on one side and Aynslay (still unbeknown to me) asking him about the Nicko era. Apparently the two hate each other now. Anyhoo, that night at the show he is introducing his band and noted that it was Aynsley on drums. I was like, “Shit! I was sitting right next to that guy! I could have brought my Journey and Jefferson Airplane records!”
D’oh. I felt like a monkey! haha
January 10, 2010 at 8:18 pm
That story is classic… heck, everyone’s looks changes over the years… we all start looking a tad “older”, ya’ know? I’m sure if it was me, I wouldn’t have recognized him either. That is funny though… just think of the cool autographed liner notes you would be holding right now! From the sounds of it though, you probably will cross paths with Aynsley again in the future. Only this time, always carry a “current” photo of Aynsley in your wallet for reference… if anyone sees it and asks who that is, just say – “it’s my uncle Aynsley.’
January 11, 2010 at 4:14 am
The thing was that he looked super young, not like a seasoned veteran rocker.
January 11, 2010 at 6:23 am
Well then, that is a different story… now you should just carry one of his “heyday” photos on you… when dudes ask who that is… just say it’s my cousin Vinnie.
All kidding aside, when you look at his recent photos around the world wide web, he really doesn’t look worn out at all.