Tom Ardolino, Longtime NRBQ Drummer, Dead at 56

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Tom Ardolino, a longtime drummer for the critically loved, commercially underappreciated rock band NRBQ, died last night (Jan. 6) following a long illness, according to the Hartford Courant. He was 56.

Ardolino joined NRBQ -- short for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet -- in 1974, taking over for original timekeeper Tom Staley. Over the next 30 years, Ardolino played on 15 studio albums, leaving his mark on songs that would earn the group a fervent cult following, if limited mainstream success.

NRBQ's fan base is said to include Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan, and their songs have been covered by everyone from Bonnie Raitt to She & Him, who recorded 'Ridin' in My Car' for 2010's 'Volume Two' and 'Christmas Wish' for their recent holiday album.