Gregory Tristan "Tris" Imboden (born July 27, 1951) is an American rock and jazz drummer. As a performer, he has performed in studio sessions and toured with some of the most notable and highest-selling musicians of all time. He was the drummer for the multi-platinum band Chicago from 1990 to 2018. He is a multi-platinum selling artist. As an educator, he has been a drum clinician and author of tutorial materials.
Some of Imboden's most notable work include recordings with Neil Diamond, Kenny Loggins, Firefall, Richard Marx, Steve Vai, Roger Daltrey, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Chicago, Anita Baker, Julio Iglesias and Stevie Wonder.
As a full-time band member, Imboden's career has included Honk, the Kenny Loggins Band (including "Who's Right, Who's Wrong" featuring Michael Jackson, the six-time platinum Number One hit "Footloose", and "I'm Alright" from Caddyshack), and Chicago. His career with Chicago has seen the release of thirteen albums, several of them certified platinum.
Biography Aside from a brief, early move to Germany, Tris Imboden was raised in various beachside communities of Orange County in Southern California.
His formal training began in grade school, and until there was an available position in the percussion section of the school band, he drummed at home on a practice pad and studied basic music theory on the trumpet at school. He ultimately reached the position of second-chair trumpeter before switching to the then-available percussion section in junior high school. He currently resides in Malibu, California, and on the island of Kauai, Hawai'i, where he is an avid surfer.
Career Imboden began his adolescent career in various surf bands, and then achieved professional status in a high school band called The Other Half. The band performed at venues ranging from sock hops to Hollywood's venerable Teenage Fair, where Imboden said their popularity "clogged the whole entrance." Out of Newport Harbor High School, Imboden co-founded Honk in 1970. After recording some demo songs, the band's first album was the soundtrack for the surf movie Five Summer Stories, crediting Imboden as composer, producer, drummer, harmonica player, and vocalist. Imboden established a career trend, ultimately lasting through to Chicago, of occasionally being featured on harmonica. The song "Pipeline Sequence" reached No. 1 on Hawai'i radio. Being a member of Honk provided Imboden with formative future-career experience as the band honed their studio recording skills, their touring skills, and innumerable industry contacts. They worked with bands which would eventually serve as Imboden's future professional base by touring with Loggins and Messina, Jackson Browne, and The Beach Boys—and by opening Chicago's concerts. Honk went on hiatus from 1976 to 1986, when they established a tradition of periodic reunion concerts in their original home area of Southern California, as band members' schedules permit.
From 1977 to 1986, Imboden became a full-time recording and touring member of the Kenny Loggins Band, and then would do part-time work with them until 1989, for a total of 12 years of collaboration. During his full-time tenure there, he composed and performed the drum set arrangements for popular 1980s motion picture soundtracks for Caddyshack and Footloose.
From the end of his full-time duration with Kenny Loggins in 1986 until 1989, Imboden's career became a full-time composite of various part-time session recordings and live performances with various groups. His consistent work throughout that entire duration included part-time work with Kenny Loggins, stage support for Al Jarreau, and Chaka Khan. In 1986, he performed drum-set overdub sessions for Neil Diamond's Headed for the Future album. This provided a venue for Imboden's studio session collaboration with then-member of Chicago, Bill Champlin. In 1988, he was a studio session player with former member of Chicago, bassist/lead vocalist Peter Cetera on the latter's solo album One More Story.
In 1990, his career was reshaped by joining the multi-platinum Chicago. With the departure of founding drummer Danny Seraphine, Imboden joined the band as the full-time drummer in time for the band's 1991 release titled Twenty 1. As an integral part of Chicago for the latter half of the band's -year total career, Imboden would contribute to twelve Chicago records, and to tours alongside The Beach Boys, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and The Doobie Brothers. Since 2012, the drum chair has been occupied by Chicago's newest full-time member, veteran auxiliary percussionist Walfredo Reyes, Jr.
Discography Select discography Year Artist Album Credit Achievement1972HonkThe Original Sound Trackfrom Five Summer StoriesComposer, producer,Harmonica, Percussion,Drums, Vocals1979Kenny LogginsKeep the FireHarmonica, Drums1984[Original Soundtrack]FootlooseDrumsBillboard #16× platinum1986Neil DiamondHeaded for the FutureDrums, Background VocalsBillboard 200 #201986Howard HewettI Commit to LoveDrums (Tracks 2, 3, 5, and 9)1987Richard MarxRichard MarxDrumsBillboard #1 singleBillboard 200 #8 album3× platinum1987[Original Soundtrack]St. Elmo's FireDrumsBillboard Hot 100 #1Grammy nomination1990Steve VaiPassion and WarfareDrums (Tracks 7, 9)1991ChicagoTwenty 1Drums1994Crosby, Stills & NashAfter the StormDrums1995ChicagoNight & Day: Big BandHarmonica, Drums1997ChicagoThe Heart of Chicago 1967–1997Drums (Tracks 7, 10)"Here in My Heart": AC #1"The Only One": AC Top 20Billboard 200 #551998ChicagoThe Heart of Chicago 1967–1998 Volume II1998ChicagoChicago's First ChristmasDrums1998ChicagoChicago 25: The Christmas AlbumDrums1999ChicagoChicago XXVI – The Live AlbumDrums2000Steve Vai7th Song:Enchanting Guitar Melodies – ArchiveDrums2002ChicagoVery Best of Chicago:Only the BeginningHarmonica, Drums2003ChicagoChicago Story:The Complete Greatest Hits1967–2002Harmonica, Drums2003ChicagoChicago: The Box [Bonus DVD]Harmonica, Drums2003ChicagoChristmas: What's It Gonna Be SantaArranger, Drums2008ChicagoChicago XXXII: Stone of SisyphusHarmonica, Drums2011ChicagoO Christmas ThreeArranger, Drums2013ChicagoThe Nashville SessionsDrums2014ChicagoChicago XXXVI: NowDrums
Complete discography Year Artist Album Credit Achievement1972HonkThe Original Sound Trackfrom Five Summer StoriesComposer, producer,Harmonica, Percussion,Drums, Vocals1973HonkHonk Harmonica, Percussion,Drums, Vocals1975Bert JanschSanta Barbara HoneymoonDrums1975Iain MatthewsGo for BrokeDrums1976La SeineLike a RiverDrums1976Iain MatthewsHit and RunDrums1976John ReidFaçadeDrums1976Harriet SchockYou Don't Know What You're in ForDrums1978Kenny LogginsNightwatchHarmonica, Drums1979Kenny LogginsKeep the FireHarmonica, Drums1980Kenny LogginsKenny Loggins AliveHarmonica,Drums, Vocals1980ThunderThunder Drums1981FirefallClouds Across the SunDrums1981FirefallBest of FirefallDrums1981ThunderHeadphones for CowsDrums1981Gary WrightRight PlaceDrums1982Jay FergusonWhite NoiseDrums1982FirefallBreak of DawnDrums1982Kenny LogginsHigh AdventureHarmonica,Percussion, Drums1982Tom SnowHungry NightsDrums1983Don FelderAirborneDrums1984Fee WaybillRead My LipsDrums1984Original SoundtrackFootlooseDrums1985Kenny LogginsVox HumanaHarmonica, Drums1986Stanley ClarkeHideawayDrums1986Neil DiamondHeaded for the FutureDrums,Background Vocals1986David FosterDavid FosterDrum Overdubs1986Howard HewettI Commit to LoveDrums1987Roger DaltreyCan't Wait to See the MovieDrum Overdubs1987Richard MarxRichard MarxDrums1987Original SoundtrackSt. Elmo's FireDrums1987Original SoundtrackThe Secret of My SuccessDrum Overdubs1988Peter CeteraOne More StoryHi Hat1988Neil DiamondBest Years of Our LivesDrums1988GirlsThat's What Dreams Are ForDrums1988Julio IglesiasNon StopDrum Programming1988Brian WilsonBrian WilsonCymbals, Drums, Hi Hat1989Clare FischerLembrancasDrums1989Michael PauloOne PassionPercussion, Drums1990Steve VaiPassion and WarfareDrums1991ChicagoTwenty 1Drums1991HonkFive Summer StoriesComposer, producer,Harmonica, Percussion,Drums, Vocals1991HonkCoach House LiveDrums, producer1991Kenny LogginsLeap of FaithDrums1991Usual SuspectsUsual SuspectsDrums1992FirefallGreatest HitsPercussion, Drums1993Johnny Clegg & SavukaHeat, Dust and DreamsDrums1994Bill ChamplinBurn Down the NightDrums1994Crosby, Stills & NashAfter the StormDrums1994Rosco MartinezAqui EstoyDrums1994Michael PauloSave the ChildrenDrums1994Various ArtistsVoice of the Homeless, Vol. 1Drums1995Cecilio & KaponoGoodtimes TogetherDrums1995ChicagoNight and Day: Big-BandHarmonica, Drums1995KalapanaBack in Your Heart AgainDrums1995Freddie RavelSol to SoulDrums1995Ricardo SilveiraStorytellerDrums1996Tamara ChamplinYou Won't Get to Heaven AliveDrums1996Neil DiamondIn My LifetimeMusician1996Michael PauloMy Heart and SoulDrums1996Various ArtistsSheffield Pop ExperienceDrums1997ChicagoHeart of Chicago 1967–19971997David Garfield & FriendsTribute to JeffDrums1997Kenny LogginsYesterday, Today, Tomorrow : The Greatest HitsPercussion, Drums1997Kenny LogginsUnimaginable LifeDrums1998Jeff BerlinCrossroadsDrums1998Jeff BerlinPump It!Drums1998ChicagoHeart of Chicago, Vol. 2: 1967–19981998ChicagoChicago's First ChristmasDrums1998ChicagoChicago 25: The Christmas AlbumDrums1998Clare Fischer/Metropole OrchestraLatin SideDrums1998Gary WrightBest of the Dream WeaverDrums1998Original SoundtrackFootloose [Expanded Edition]Drums1999ChicagoChicago XXVI – The Live Album1999Michael PauloMidnight PassionDrums2000Steve Vai7th Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies – ArchiveDrums2001The Howland Imboden Project2001Freddie RavelFreddie RavelDrums, Drums2002ChicagoVery Best of Chicago: Only the BeginningHarmonica, Drums2002KalapanaBlue AlbumDrums2002Holly NearAnd Still We Sing: The Outspoken CollectionDrums2002Holly NearCrushed! The Love Song CollectionDrums2002Rusty WierBlack Hat Saloon/Stacked DeckDrums2002Original Cast RecordingsFootloose [Australian Bonus Tracks]Drums2002Various ArtistsMovie SoundtracksDrums2003ChicagoChicago Story: The Complete Greatest Hits 1967–2002Harmonica, Drums2003ChicagoChicago: The Box [Bonus DVD]Harmonica, Drums2003ChicagoChristmas: What's It Gonna Be SantaArranger, Drums2003Robert LammSubtlety & PassionHarmonica, Drumscowriter of "It's Always Something"2003Steve VaiInfinite Steve Vai: An AnthologyDrums2003David FosterBest of MeDrums2004FirefallBreak of Dawn/Mirror of the WorldDrums, Guest Appearance2004FirefallUndertow/Clouds Across the SunDrums, musician2007Larry KlimasThe LedgeDrums2007Amy Hanai'alii GilliomGeneration Hawai'iDrums, percussion,and tahitian drums2008ChicagoChicago XXXII: Stone of SisyphusDrums2011ChicagoO Christmas ThreeArranger, Drums2013ChicagoThe Nashville SessionsDrums2014ChicagoChicago XXXVI: NowDrums
Videography Year Artist Title Credit1972HonkFive Summer Stories(film soundtrack)Composer, producer,Harmonica, Percussion,Drums, Vocals1980Kenny LogginsKenny Loggins AliveDrums1985Kenny Loggins"Vox Humana" (music video)Drums, performance1989Tris ImbodenLatin Rock for GringosDrums, instruction2012Kenny LogginsKeep the Fire(film soundtrack)Drums2002ChicagoA&E Live by Request: ChicagoDrums2004ChicagoSoundstage Presents Chicago LiveDrums2005ChicagoChicago & Earth, Wind & Fire –Live at the Greek TheatreDrums
Equipment Tris Imboden currently endorses and uses the following products: Groove Juice Cymbal Cleaner DW drums, hardware and pedals Gibraltar drum racks Remo drum heads Paiste cymbals Vic Firth drumsticks Beato Bags Latin Percussion
References
Discography
Videography
External links
Tris Imboden Interview NAMM Oral History Library (2020)