Derek Sherinian interview (excerpt)

Wendy: Will you tell me about Dream Theater?

Derek: Dream Theater and I crossed paths for the first time in 1994. They had just recorded their Awake album and I was in between gigs, Alice [Cooper] was taking a career break and I didn’t have any other gigs lined up. Their keyboard player left and I got a call that they were looking for a keyboard player, so I had an audition and went in and played and they were really cool guys. I felt that I did okay and that it could have went either way. I ended up getting a call 2 days later and they said I had the gig. I was really happy and moved to New York. We had a great run. I was with the band for 4 years, 3 albums and 3 world tours. We did a bunch of videos and then they decided to hire Jordan Rudess, who originally auditioned the same time I did in 1994 and he was actually their first choice, but he had a kid at the time and was unable to commit to touring with them, so they ended up settling with me. Four years later Jordan ended up having time in his schedule to do it and he expressed to them that he wanted to do it and they went forward with it. It is what it is.

Wendy: This turned into be a better experience for you?

Derek: Yes, everyone ended up getting what they wanted. I loved having the freedom to do the solo records and my band Planet X. I was also able to do long stints with Billy Idol, because that is a whole different energy that you are not going to get playing in any Jazz band. I like being able to play between those 2 worlds.