Bio
National Touring Drummer | Recorded / Performed with Rock Icons | 40+ Years Experience
John Poole is a Boston, Massachusetts–based musician, drummer, recording engineer, and producer with more than four decades of performance, recording, and touring experience. A Berklee College of Music alum and former member of ASCAP, John built a career that bridges live performance, studio production, and original composition. In addition to his performance work, he has written, recorded, and produced numerous original compositions that stream worldwide, including the singles Daydream and Racing the Clock, available across major digital and streaming platforms.
Rooted in jazz and the classic and progressive rock traditions of the 1970s, John’s playing combines technical precision with feel, power, and musicality. His influences span iconic drummers including Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, John Bonham, Simon Phillips, and Steve Smith—a foundation that continues to shape his dynamic approach behind the kit.
As a performance and composition major at Berklee, John refined his foundation in both drumming and songwriting—skills that have defined his musical approach for more than 40 years. In addition to his performance and production career, John spent nearly two decades (1979–1997) as a drum instructor, teaching students of all levels and conducting clinics focused on technique, musicality, and real-world performance insight—experience that continues to influence both his playing and mentorship of other musicians.
Over the course of his career, John has performed in venues of all sizes—from clubs to major theaters, casinos, and fairs across the United States. Notable appearances include The Viper Room and The Troubadour in Hollywood, CA., Foxwoods Grand Theatre (CT), and the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. where he performed at the 2024 “She Rocks” Awards with award winner Britt Lightning.
John has performed and/or recorded with an accomplished roster of artists, including Joe Vitale (Joe Walsh, CSNY, Eagles), Simon Kirke (Bad Company), Gary Hoey (Lou Gramm Allstars), Jon Butcher (Jon Butcher Axis), Britt Lightning (Vixen), and Bumblefoot (Asia, Guns N’ Roses). He also recorded with Tony Franklin of The Firm on the FLP Project, further strengthening his studio credentials.
In addition to his work as a performer, John is an accomplished recording engineer and producer. Since 2015, he has released six classic rock tribute albums distributed worldwide, featuring music associated with legendary artists including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Journey, Styx, Kansas, Rush, Van Halen, Tom Petty, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Stevie Wonder, among many others. These albums were released under John's record label, Flying Blind Records.
John recently toured extensively across the United States with Michael Yorkell Productions, performing in theater, PACs, casino, and festival settings with multimedia productions including The Brothers Doobie, Forjoury (Foreigner/Journey tribute), Long Time Gone (CSNY tribute), and Voices of Rock (Arena Rock tribute). He also recently collaborated and performed with Boston music legend Jon Butcher in Jon Butcher and Summer of Love.
In recognition of his musicianship and contributions to the music community, John was nominated to the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp Hall of Fame in 2015.