Thommy Price, the drummer known for working with Joan Jett and Billy Idol, has died at the age of 68.
Price’s wife Stefunny confirmed the news that the rocker died on Friday October 10, and remembered him as a ‘devoted husband and proud father and powerhouse drummer and songwriter’.
‘His energy, kindness, humor, and unmatched rhythm left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him and every stage he graced,’ she added in the Facebook post.
Billy Idol, who worked with Price throughout the 80s, paid tribute on social media, writing: ‘Very sad to hear of Thommy Price’s passing yesterday. My condolences to his wife Stefunny, his daughter Brooklyn and the many friends, family and collaborators that knew and loved him.
‘Thommy was a fantastic musician and drummer who, in 1983, came in at the last minute and put his definitive stamp on my Rebel Yell album. He helped us to bring it to an incredible finish and toured with us on the Rebel Yell and Whiplash Smile tours. He also spent many years playing with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
‘Thommy was a friend as well as musical compatriot who brought immense talent and heart to everything he did. And I will miss him. Rock On Thommy. Love, Billy.’
New York-born drummer Price also played with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts from 1987 until 2017 and the I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll hitmaker has paid tribute to her former drummer.
Joan wrote on Instagram along with a video montage of Thommy performing with the band: ‘We lost a member of the Blackheart family, the one of a kind Thommy Price.
‘Thommy was a legendary drummer who was a Blackheart for 4 decades. He was a drummer’s drummer and admired by so many. Our hearts are heavy. Sending love to his beautiful family. We love you Thommy.’
Price – who is survived by his wife and daughter Brooklyn – also played with the likes of Scandal, Mink DeVille and Love Crushed Velvet.
He also worked in the recording studio with a range of artists, making his mark on albums by musicians including Roger Daltrey, The Waterboys, Blue Oyster Cult, The Psychedelic Furs, Ronnie Spector and Debbie Harry.
Musician Steve Conte wrote on X: ‘It beaks my heart to say RIP Thommy Price. An amazing groove drummer, fantastic human being and a wonderful friend.’
While no details have been revealed about Price’s cause of death, Conte said on social media he had suffered ‘health issues’.
‘He called to tell me he was coming to NYC soon and we talked about our kids,’ Conte said of a phone call he had with Price last week.
‘Thommy was a real warrior with all of his health issues, some of the toughest a person can deal with, he really hung in there for quite awhile. I loved the guy and will miss him forever. I wish his beautiful wife & daughter strength at this time.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.