"Friends, We regret to inform you that Tom Ardolino passed away today. Tom will be missed but his spirit lives on through those who were touched by him."

Originally a fan of the band, Tom Ardolino succeeded the group's original drummer, Tom Staley, in 1976. He remained with the band for 30 years, playing on 15 studio albums and at thousands of its legendary live shows.

After NRBQ went on hiatus in 2004, Tom released a solo album, 'Unknown Brain', on cd by Bumble Bee Records in Japan, and on vinyl LP in the USA on Mystra Records.