Johnny Kelly
Quick Facts
Biography
Johnny Kelly (born March 9, 1968) is an American drummer, best known as the former drummer for the gothic metal band Type O Negative from Brooklyn, New York. He is the current drummer for the bands A Pale Horse Named Death, Kill Devil Hill, and Danzig.
He joined Type O Negative in 1994 to replace Sal Abruscato. He had previously been the band's drum tech.
He currently endorses Gretsch Drums, Sabian cymbals, Easton Ahead drumsticks and Evans drum heads. Contributing to his long music history, he lent his drumming skill to the song Blood and Flames from Roadrunner United: The All Star Sessions.
Kelly served as a fill-in drummer for heavy metal band Pist.On on an American tour while their drummer, Jeff McManus, dealt with chronic muscle pain.
Kelly has been the drummer for Danzig for 15 years (from 2002 to 2017), and recorded drums for the band's ninth album Deth Red Sabaoth (2010), covers album Skeletons (2015), and shared drum duty on the band's latest album Black Laden Crown (2017).
Kelly is also the drummer for heavy metal band Seventh Void with fellow Type O Negative member Kenny Hickey. He also plays drums in a Led Zeppelin tribute band called Earl's Court.
On February 25, 2011, it was announced that Kelly would be replacing Will Hunt as the drummer for Black Label Society for the remainder of their European tour. He made his first live performance with the band that night at La Cigale in Paris, France.
As of 2011, Kelly is also the drummer for former Type O Negative drummer Sal Abruscato's new project, A Pale Horse Named Death.
Kelly is currently touring with Seven Witches.
On March 10, 2014, it was announced that Vinny Appice had left Kill Devil Hill, and that Kelly was his replacement.