T.C. Tolliver
Born and raised in Washington D.C. TC has had the pleasure and blessings of recording and touring around the Globe with a number of Artist ranging from R/B, Jazz. Soul, to outrageous Rock groups. TC was always exposed to a variety of musical styles and influences through his parents records and listening to Radio T.V., some country and music venues. TC was mostly influenced by Jimi Hendrix, John Bonham, Buddy Miles and Billy Cobham just to name a few. TC took their art form and created his own style of drumming. His first year in High School,TC joined “J.J. and “THE INVADERS” a soul funk rock band..Two years later the band (THE INVADERS) relocated to Danbury,Conn. and joined a solo recording artist “MILT MATTHEWS” After a few months of gigging and disappointments, TC returned to Washington D.C. and joined a renown Rock Band ..called ” THE CHERRY PEOPLE” featured “Punky Meadows”.. (guitarist) of “ANGEL” was also in the band.
Switching gears musically, when the “CHERRY PEOPLE” disbanded,mid 70’s, TC’s first International R/B touring group was “PEACHES and HERB” (Reunited and Shake your groove thing) era,.. and after touring and returning to the U.S.A. from Europe, Finland and the West Indies. Changing groups and musical freedoms, TC joined a hit recording Band from Washington D.C. called “SYMBA” with the single (Hey You) The group disbanded in the early 80’s… TC moved from Washington D.C. to New York City in 1982, in search of something astounding and different, TC soon found it very quickly, after answering an ad, in the “New York Village Voice” TC found himself auditioning for “THE PLASMATICS”. ultimately being chosen out of hundreds of drummers I mean HUNDREDS OF DRUMMERS!! during the days of auditions….By 1984 “GENE SIMMONS” of …”KISS” had taken a solid interest in Wendy O. Williams and disbanded the Plasmatics to launch her solo career. Although personnel changes had ensued, T.C.Tolliver stayed on as her drummer. Wendy’s solo debut C.D. ” W.O.W.”… produced by … “GENE SIMMONS” and featuring guest appearances by fellow KISS members “PAUL STANLEY” “ACE FREHLEY” “ERIC CARR” and among others, the band was soon unleashed. In addition to drums, T.C. was also featured as a background vocalist and co-writer of the tracks… “I LOVE SEX” and (Rock and Roll”) and “BUMP and GRIND”. After releasing the W.O.W. c.d., the band went on an extensive tour of the U.S. and Europe, and another MTV video “IT’S MY LIFE” followed immediately, Wendy O. Williams’s next C.D., “Kommander of Kaos”, was produced by Manager Rod Swenson in 1985 and released by Gigasauraus Records.
Wendy, TC. and the band once again toured the U.S. and Europe. This time they had the pleasure of being joined by “LEMMY” of MOTORHEAD at the “Hammersmith’s Odeon” in London England, The “Terror Unleashed” video was recorded and released months later, throughout Europe and the U.S.A. Although TC did not record on Wendy’s next and last two albums “Maggots/The Plasmatics reunion” and “Defest and the Baddest”, he did returned to perform with Wendy, on both album’s respective tours. In 1998 an extremely despondent Wendy O. Williams in a final uncompromising act, committed suicide,
T.C. reunited with his fellow Plasmatics band mates for a special heart felt memorial/ concert event at NYC’s legendary CBGB, the birthplace of the Plasmatics, may Wendy forever rest in peace…continuing the journey, TC’s motto, “No rest for the Weary”. In ’93’ ….TC met, recorded and toured with T.M.Stevens..(“SHOCKA ZOOLOO) toured through-out Europe and abroad, after returning home from Europe, TC met “ANGELA BOFILL” a legendary jazz vocalist. TC recorded a trax on Angela’s new c.d. “Love in Slow Motion” and toured again, the United States and the Caribbean Performing before thousand’s of people at Jazz festivals and arena’s. TC has played/ recorded with various artists, and Hit Recording Artist’s such as:…”NORMAN CONNORS “ALI WOODSON, (of the Temptations), “MARION MEADOWS” “TOM BROWN” (Jamaican funkster), ”JEANE CARNE” MICHAEL HENDERSON” “LONNIE LISTON SMITH” BOBBIE HUMPHREY” KIM WATERS” “RONNIE LAWS “ALYSON WILLIAMS” “SHERRY WINSTON” “DAWN ROBINSON”.. of (ENVOGUE) “STEVIE SALAS”….”BERNIE WORRELL” “BOBBY LYLES” “ANGELA BOFILL” and a host of others. Still in search of something astounding…..once again being blessed with amazing group of musicians,TM STEVENS..VINNY MARTELL of (VanillaFudge) and “JUMA SULTAN (Gypsy Sun and Rainbows..from the JIMI HENDRIX camp..The new band is now in effect with a new name “CHOCOLATE FUDGE and RAINBOWS”…..2013 Toured with “Eric Gales” in Europe….2014 .also same year TC toured with guitarist Neil Zaza thru out Europe…the same year also a brief tour with TM STEVENS..upon returning to the U.S.A. once agin toured Europe with CHEXMATE.. Ronny Drayton on guitar…and WYZARD BASS (of MOTHERS FINEST) on Bass….now working in the studio on a new C.D. ……(to be continued)……
