Question: Who are your influences? How did you get started?

My playing has been called a mix of Tommy Lee, Alex Van Halen and Terry Bozzio. I'm totally stoked about that because all those guys have had a huge influence on my playing over the years, especially in the beginning.
The first albums I ever bought were: Rainbow-Straight Between the Eyes, Van Halen-II, Def Leppard-High and Dry, AC/DC-Highway to Hell and Black Sabbath-Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath.
All of these albums/drummers had an influence on my style and the way I developed. The deep groove of Phil Rudd, the quiet mastery of Alex Van Halen, Bobby Rondinelli's driving presence and, of course, the power and freedom displayed by Bill Ward.
I had begun playing along with the radio on some boxes I had set up in my closet. My mom wasn't ready to buy me drums because she wanted to be sure I had a genuine interst in it and that it wasn't just a faze. I'm sure she wished it Was just a faze because it became Everything to me in just the first couple of years. I am self taught and she had to listen to me suck for about 3 years.
After showing enough of a passion for it and sticking with it like I did, she finally agreed that I could get some drums. One problem...I had to pay for them. Ugh! I don't need to tell you, drums are an expensive hobby! But, I mowed lawns, did chores and washed cars until I saved up enough money to buy the first set of real drums that I ever set my eyes on. It was a mix of Ludwig and Slingerland with some crappy cymbals and the worst collection of hardware I've ever come across in my life! I didn't know it then and, I wouldn't have cared anyway. I was in heaven!
I started buying records (above) and learning by ear, mimicing everything I heard these guys doing. Obviously, I had a lot to learn but I drummed every minute of every day on anything that was near me. My legs, the arm of the couch, the floor, my bed and, when I was allowed my new, crappy kit!
I wouldn't change a thing!
I plan to post some songs on this blog. I have recording going back to 1985, I think.
Stay tuned and, thanks for reading!