Dawn Richardson is an American rockdrummer, teacher, and writer of instructional books on percussion. She is best known as drummer for the San Francisco-based band 4 Non Blondes from 1991 to 1994.
Musical career
Early life and education
Dawn Richardson was born in Pasadena, California. At the age of 13, after a friend's idea to learn a new instrument intrigued her, she broke away from playing the trombone and picked up a set of drumsticks instead. Richardson began taking lessons from Jim Volpe, a drum teacher and "local rock guy" in Southern California. Richardson earned her undergraduate degree in music, concentrating in percussion, at California State University, Los Angeles. She has studied with the principal percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and with studio musicians such as Steve Houghton and Greg Goodall.
4 Non Blondes
Richardson joined the band 4 Non Blondes in 1991, after the band had achieved local popularity in the San Francisco area. At the time, 4 Non Blondes had just been signed to Interscope Records. Richardson met the band through mutual friends and was asked to audition for them after the departure of their original drummer, Wanda Day. Richardson was hired directly after her audition, and relocated from Hollywood to San Francisco. The group's 1992 debut albumBigger, Better, Faster, More! received Gold and Platinum status in the US, was the No. 1 album in eight countries, went Gold in 16 countries, and went Platinum in seven. In 1993, the band's single "What's Up?", a rock song written by lead singer Linda Perry, topped the charts, reaching No. 1 in twelve countries. However, after touring North America and Europe, the group disbanded in 1994 while in the middle of recording their second album. On May 11, 2014, Richardson and 4 Non Blondes reunited to perform at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, in a fundraiser to benefit the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.
Later career
In addition to 4 Non Blondes, Richardson has been a member of bands such as The Loud Family, The Martinis, Bad Radio, Dolorata, and Kindness. With Joe Gore, she formed the instrumental duo Mental 99. She has performed, recorded, or toured with Tracy Chapman, Shana Morrison, Penelope Houston, Gus, Angel Corpus Christi, and The Paul & John. She is the author of six books, including most recently an instructional book with an accompanying video, Chart Topping Drum Fills. Richardson plays music and teaches drum lessons in San Francisco.
