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Zambetti, Teddy (1958–Present)

Drummer and songwriter who attended Georgetown University where he studied psychology and established a cabaret show which is now known as GEMA (Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance) Rocks.

After graduation, he relocated to L.A. and joined The Burrito Brothers.  He was with them for most of 1981, appearing at venues such as Billy Bob’s Texas and The Palomino Club.

It was a short-lived tenure, followed by several years with his brother’s outfit, Malibooz.  They released Malibooz Rule! in 1981 and Dr. Rhino and Mr. Hyde in 1982, as well as making the cut on The History of Surf Music Volume Three:  The Revival 1980-1982.  These were followed by Hang 11 (Mutant Surf Punks) in 1985.

In 1986, Teddy was part of Britt Bacon’s band, aEckey Thumpa, a group created to accompany Chad & Jeremy on The British Invasion Tour.  This resulted in the album, It’s in Your Head.  He was also a member of The Johnny Z. Band, which released Bring Back the Night in 1987.  In 1992, he was back with Malibooz on Malibooz Yule – A Malibu Kind of Christmas.

He spent fifteen years as the music director for The Groundlings, an L.A.-based improv group.  A few of the artists with whom he worked at this time included Will Ferrell, Lisa Kudrow, and Conan O’Brien.

In 1999, he took communion with Malibooz on their ambitious project, Living Water (The Surfer’s Mass) and played percussion on the Walking Wounded CD, Raging Winds of Time.  He put on his producer’s hat for Diego Sandrin’s Ten Songs in the Key of Madness, as well as playing drums in Diego’s band.

In 2007, the variety show he had started while still in college evolved into GEMA Rocks and debuted at The Orpheum Theater.  Then he was asked to be a panelist for an event titled “On Air:  Careers in Radio Broadcasting” The Apollo.  In 2008, GEMA Rocks enjoyed its third annual run, and Teddy emceed at the 125th Anniversary of Gretsch Drums at The Highline Ballroom.

He has also worked in a variety of roles for Sirius Radio, including Creative Director, In-House Composer, and Senior Director of Music Production.

Sources:

  1. http://members.chello.at/thomas.aubrunner/gib6.htm
  2. http://www.faqs.org/copyright/dont-give-it-up-and-1-other-title-songs/
  3. http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,125000,00.html
  4. http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/2109506-eckey-thump
  5. http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,110690,00.html
  6. http://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/maliboozyule/xmas.html
  7. http://articles.latimes.com/1994-09-29/entertainment/ca-44439_1_sound-problem
  8. http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/05/entertainment/ca-28958
  9. http://www.flipsideweb.com/pages/Oldies/surf-instro/index.html
  10. http://www.answers.com/topic/malibooz
  11. http://www.taxim.com/items/tx2040.htm
  12. http://www.walmart.com/ip/3308213
  13. http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/news/030108_career_apollo_radio.shtml
  14. http://www.nyhoyas.com/article.html?aid=132
  15. http://www.gretschdrums.com/?fa=news&art=887&showPress=showPress
  16. http://www.gema-hoyas.org/gema_rocks_teddy.cfm
  17. http://gusfs.publishingconcepts.com/default.aspx?page=CareerServicesSpotlightZambetti
  18. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/+/Zambetti/