Pat Gesualdo / Metal Hall of Fame CEO 10 Years Of Making Metal History, Against All Odds

Original Ozzy Osbourne drummer Lee Kerslake, getting Inducted into the   Metal Hall of Fame by Pat Gesualdo. Lee being granted his dying wish and receiving his Platinum Record Awards for recording on many of the hit songs on the Ozzy albums “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of A Madman.”

Jimmy Kay sat down with Metal Hall of Fame Founder / CEO Pat Gesualdo. 

Gesualdo spoke about his 10 years of making history at the Metal Hall of Fame, beating a severe disability as a child, performing and recording as a drummer with major rockstars, to forming the non profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities).

JK: So Pat, tell us first about the Metal Hall of Fame, working with Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, numerous iconic rockstars, music industry executives, and many of the related projects.  

PG: Thank you Jimmy for your time. It’s great to speak with you!!

The Metal Hall of Fame is all about honoring the musicians and executives who have worked so hard over the years to keep Hard Rock and Heavy Metal relevant. We do the Annual Metal Hall of Fame Celebrity Gala every January. We are coming up on the 10th year Anniversary in 2026, so everyone’s looking forward to that!!

Drummer/ CEO Metal Hall of Fame Pat Gesualdo

JK: Tell us about some the Iconic Metal Hall of Fame Inductees.

PG: Well Jimmy, let’s start with us. In 2019, I heard your interview with original Ozzy Osbourne drummer Lee Kerslake. I heard him tell you that he only had 7 months to live, and that his dying wish was to get his Platinum albums for performing and recording on the original two Ozzy albums, “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of A Madman.” After hearing that, I started to try to help Lee with his quest behind the scenes. Then Sharron and Ozzy called me. It didn’t start out too well, lol, especially since Lee and the Osbournes had almost 3 decades of lawsuits, regarding copyright and royalty issues. Eventually our conversation was fine, and Sharon and Ozzy were just amazing!! They agreed to help me, and sent me the Platinum record awards for “Blizzard of Ozz,” and “Diary of A Madman” to surprise Lee for his Induction into the Metal Hall of Fame. Sharon and Ozzy also told me that Ozzy was going to write a letter to Lee, and they would put it in the package with the record awards. They asked me to read it to Lee for his Metal Hall of Fame Induction. I read the letter that Ozzy wrote to Lee at the Gala, and then you and I presented him with the awards. Unfortunate Lee died a short time later, but I was so grateful to be able to help him accomplish his dying wish. I am also grateful to Sharron and Ozzy for helping me to make that happen for Lee.

The Letter that Ozzy Osbourne hand wrote and  sent to Pat Gesualdo to read to Lee Kerslake

JK: Tell me more about some of the iconic Metal Hall of Fame Inductees.

Lee Kerslake receiving his platinum albums and Ozzy Letter

 PG: At the Metal Hall of Fame, we’ve Inducted numerous legendary bands, artists, and music industry executives. You and I Inducted Anthrax in front of 40,000 people at Heavy Montreal in Canada. Metallica has Inducted Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula.

Jon and Marsha were inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2019

Judas Priest were Inducted at Wacken Open Air festival in Germany with 80,000 fans. We’ve Inducted members of Iron Maiden. Twisted Sister reunited for their Metal Hall of Fame Induction. Wendy Dio accepted the Induction for the late Ronnie James Dio. We’ve Inducted Tom Morello, Sebastian Bach, Rudy Sarzo, and Geoff Tate. We had Kerry King of Slayer do a surprise Induction for Brian Slagel and Metal Blade Record’s 35th Anniversary. Don Airey had a surprise Induction for Black Sabbath co-founding member Bill Ward. Kathy and Kelle Rhoads Inducted their brother Randy Rhoads,  Paul Stanley did a special Induction for  

Anthrax induction at Heavy Montreal 2019

KISS manager Doc McGhee, Brian May of Queen has Inducted Joe Satriani, and there are numerous legendary Inductees over the years.  As a metal head, I am so happy to bring the Metal Hall of Fame to all the fans, as well as to help honor the artists, bands and executives. It’s all about them.

JK: Wow, what a legacy !!! Tell us about the Metal Hall of Fame All Star CD.

PG: Deko Records/ADA/Warner Music Group signed me for a special project called the “Metal Hall of Fame All Star CD.” It features Rudy Sarzo, (Whitesnake),

Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest), Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne), Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Steve Vai (David Lee Roth), Bruce Kulick (KISS), Joe Satriani (Sammy Hagar), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), guitar wizard Tony McAlpine, Bjorn Englan (Yngwie Malmsteen) and Chris Poland (Megadeth), among others. Sales from the CD go to bringing free music programs to help special needs children.

JK: I saw that you are doing the Metal Across America Tour. How's that going?

PG: So, Monster Energy Supercross joined forces with me on a project I started called the “Metal Across America Tour.” This features and exhibit with one of a kind memorabilia from KISS, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio and Deep Purple, among other rock icons. It also includes Original Album Cover Artwork from legendary bands, and major rock music artifacts. I am hosting the event with my state of the art Metal Hall of Fame Tour Bus. The Supercross events average 50,000 fans and millions of television viewers at each race during racing season, and held at major sports stadiums throughout the United States. I bring the exhibit to many of the races, and many festivals and promoters ask me to bring the tour to their event as well. It's a great honor to share the Metal Hall of Fame artifacts with the fans, and they really enjoy seeing it.

JK: Whether performing and/or recording with major rockstars or working with the special needs population on a Global basis, you’ve dedicated your entire life to drumming and the special needs community. Your story is amazing!! How did that come about? 

PG: That wasn’t very easy. I fought numerous disabilities as a child. I tried to speak at a young age, but was unable to do so. I had to wear braces on my legs, from my feet to my knees, in order to help me walk. I was also severely dyslexic, so I couldn’t read or write. However, at the same time, I wanted to play the drums but drum teachers had no idea how to teach me in those early days. 

I literally had to take things into my own hands, and I taught myself. My parents bought me a snare drum, then a full drum set a couple years later. It took me 1 full year of practicing at least 3 hours a day, in order to coordinate my hand and foot to hit at the same time.  

I had no idea that the drum techniques I invented as a child would retrain the synapses in my brain. This eventually allowed me to beat all my disabilities 100% as a teenager. When I was older, I used those same drumming techniques as a drum teacher, and they would become known as Drum Therapy throughout the world. They are used by medical and education professionals in over 15 countries to help the special needs population.

JK: Pat, you've made drumming, health, and education history all at the same time when you pioneered the “Healing Art of Drum Therapy.” Doctors, psychologists, special needs therapists, drum teachers, and special needs therapists in over 15 countries use your Drum Therapy techniques, and your non profit organization Drums and Disabilities (D.A.D.). How did that that come about?

PG: In 2004, I started the non-profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities). Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Administration and the WWE helped me launch the program in New York City. We did a special event with WWE Champion Trish Stratus, WWE World Champion Booker T, several NYC School teachers, and Guitar Center executives at Wrestlemania at Madison Square Garden, and at RAW at the Meadowlands.

WWE Champion Trish Stratus, and Pat Gesualdo with NYC school teachers helping launch the D.A.D. Program at WWE Raw and Wrestlemania

JK: Along with your other efforts, you’re also known as one of the top disability experts. What have you done to accomplish that reputation?

PG: I am often asked by lawyers, senators and congressmen throughout the United States to help draft special needs legislation. I also wrote the first law in the country that provides additional protection for special needs children and adults. I’ve also overseen some of the highest profile court cases of abuse or neglect of special needs children and adults. The U.S. State Department has brought me throughout the world to help disabled children, and the United States Pentagon has called on me to train and certify U.S. Military health professionals in Drum Therapy, so they can help troops throughout the world minimize both physical and mental health issues.

I was also invited to the White House to meet President George W. Bush, in an effort to help bring D.A.D. to wounded troops throughout the United States.

All in all, A few special teachers were a huge influence on me, and without the love and support of my family, I don't know where I'd be today. The D.A.D. Program is a tribute to them

Pat Gesualdo and President George W. Bush

JK: You are involved in many drumming and education endeavors. What do they entail? 

PG: I love education, especially drum education. I wrote a Drum instruction book entitled "Drum Therapy, Healing With the Drumset,” which is published by Alfred Music, the world's largest music publisher. This book helps drum educators  and music teachers to help teach their special needs students. I have BA Degree, a Certificate of Music Education, Studied Creative Arts Therapy at the New School, and I am a Graduate of the NYU music program. I had a Drum Therapy column in Modern Drummer magazine, was nominated to Who’s Who In America, and as a voting member for the Grammy Awards. I also perform and lecture in world clinic tours, where I discuss the music industry and advanced drumming techniques. On the drumming side of things, I am an artist/clinician for Pro-Mark Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, and Zildjian Cymbals.

JK: Thank you Pat for taking sometime to chat with us. Where can we find updates on all your projects?

PG: Thank you Jimmy for all your time. It is deeply appreciated, and it was a great honor speaking with you. All my official information can be found at www.metalhalloffame.org, and www.patgesualdo.net