Nick D'Virgilio

Nick D'Virgilio — American drummer and vocalist — is one of contemporary progressive rock's most versatile figures, known for Spock's Beard and for a session résumé crossing quite different genres. In Spock's Beard he combined roles rarely held together: he was the band's drummer and, after Neal Morse's departure in 2002, took on lead vocals as well — an uncommon situation in progressive rock, whose repertoire demands rhythmic complexity and elaborate vocal lines at the same time. His session work is equally notable. He recorded with Genesis, played in musical theatre productions and took part in dozens of records by artists of diverse origins. He is the kind of musician called when a project needs someone who can read, perform and understand arrangement — not merely someone who plays well. That breadth is what defines his career. Progressive drummers are usually recognised for technique; D'Virgilio is recognised for being able to apply it in contexts running from symphonic rock to pop, without the result sounding out of place in any of them.