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Hunt Sales
Hunt Sales
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Key Information

Hunt Sales (born March 2, 1954) is an American rock drummer, who has played with Todd Rundgren, Iggy Pop and Tin Machine with David Bowie. He has often worked with his brother Tony Sales, a bass guitarist.

Personal life

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Hunt Sales is a son of the television comedian Soupy Sales. He has two daughters: Cali Sales, born in 1990, and Sugar Sales, born in 2007.

Career

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Hunt Sales' first group was with brother Tony in Tony and the Tigers. They appeared on Hullabaloo in 1966, and also on the local Detroit/Windsor dance show Swingin' Time with Robin Seymour.

in 1970 he joined his brother Tony along with Todd Rundgren on recordings for his Runt and Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren albums. In 1973 Hunt and Tony joined Rundgren again to form "Utopia" Mark I. The tour lasted two weeks and was cancelled due to technological issues.

In 1976, he played drums with the hard rock power trio Paris, formed by Bob Welch, a guitarist songwriter formerly of Fleetwood Mac. This trio (which included ex-Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick) was short-lived, releasing two albums for Capitol Records. Hunt played and sang backing vocals on the second Paris album, Big Towne, 2061.

In 1977, along with his brother Tony, Hunt played on the Iggy Pop album Lust for Life. David Bowie's memories of the Sales brothers' contribution to the recording led him to invite the pair to join Tin Machine in the late 1980s.[1]

He performed on several movie soundtracks:

He also performed in the following movie and TV series:

In the 2000s, Sales relocated to Austin, Texas, where he produces and does session work. He was a member of a band led by Charlie Sexton, which participated as part of the Los Super Seven musical collective on Heard It on the X (2005).

Hunt Sales released a solo album in 2019.[2][3][4]

Discography

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With Todd Rundgren

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With Paris

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With Iggy Pop

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With Tender Fury

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With Tin Machine

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Other

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Solo

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Hunt Sales (born March 2, 1954) is an American rock drummer, singer, and songwriter, renowned for his dynamic rhythm section partnership with his brother, bassist Tony Sales, and for his contributions to influential albums in rock, punk, and alternative music. The son of comedian and television personality , Hunt grew up in a show-business environment that exposed him to music early; at age six, he was inspired to play drums after observing session legend in a studio. His professional career began in the late as a teenager, initially gaining prominence as a for on the 1970 album , where he drummed on the Top 20 hit "We Gotta Get You a Woman." In the , Sales joined forces with , providing drums for David Bowie-produced albums The Idiot (1977) and Lust for Life (1977), which captured the raw energy of and helped define Pop's post-Stooges sound. He and Tony later formed the band in the late 1970s and collaborated with artists including blues guitarist and funk pioneer . By the late 1980s, Sales reunited with Tony and joined and guitarist in the supergroup , contributing to three albums (Tin Machine , , and Oy Vey, Baby ) that showcased a harder-edged, collaborative side of Bowie's artistry. Throughout his career, Sales has drawn from diverse influences like jazz drummers and , as well as rock and traditions, establishing himself as a versatile skilled in , and R&B. He has openly discussed overcoming a 40-year struggle with , achieving sobriety that allowed him to pivot toward songwriting and lead vocals later in life. In 2019, at age 64, Sales emerged as a frontman with the project Hunt Sales Memorial, releasing the album Get Your Shit Together on Big Legal Mess Records (distributed by Fat Possum), a collection of confessional blues-rock tracks like "Angel of Darkness" and "One Day" that blend gritty storytelling with his seasoned musicianship, recorded in Memphis with producer Bruce Watson. Based in , he continues to perform and develop new material, reflecting on themes of , recovery, and resilience in his music.

Early Life and Family

Childhood and Upbringing

Hunt Sales was born on March 2, 1954, in , , into a family deeply embedded in the entertainment world as the son of pioneering comedian and television host . Growing up in during the 1950s, he was surrounded by the vibrant local music scene and his father's successful Lunch with Soupy Sales program on , which ran from 1953 to 1960 and introduced him to the rhythms of live performance and audience interaction from an early age. His older brother, Tony Sales, shared his interest in music and later emerged as a prominent , fostering a sibling bond centered on creative pursuits. At age six, Sales was inspired to play drums after observing session drummer in a during one of his father's visits. He soon began drum lessons. This early training culminated in his professional debut at age 11, when he joined Tony & the Tigers and the band performed on The Soupy Sales Show in 1965. Later that year, at age 11, the group made their national television debut on Hullabaloo (December 20, 1965), with a follow-up appearance the next year (April 4, 1966), showcasing Sales' emerging talent to a wider audience and solidifying his path in music. In the mid-1960s, Sales obtained a musicians' union card, allowing him to secure early drumming gigs, including appearances with Tony & the Tigers on local television programs like Swingin' Time and national shows such as Hullabaloo. The family's moves—first from to around 1960, and then to New York in 1964 to follow ' expanding career—immersed him in new cultural and musical environments, from West Coast recording scenes to East Coast broadcast opportunities, profoundly influencing his development as a performer.

Family Influences and Relationships

Hunt Sales was born the son of comedian and television host Milton Supman, professionally known as , whose career in entertainment provided Hunt with early exposure to the industry. Sales identifies as Jewish, reflecting his family's heritage from both paternal and maternal grandfathers. Sales maintained a close professional and personal relationship with his older brother, Tony Sales, with whom he frequently collaborated as a throughout their careers in music. In his , Sales married Heather around 2006, and the couple raised two daughters, and Sugar. , his eldest, pursued a career in , studying at the Art Center College of Design. Following the dissolution of his band in 1992, Sales relocated to , in 1993, where he has resided for the majority of the subsequent decades, briefly interrupted by a year in Nashville in 2006; this move contributed to a more stable family environment amid his evolving personal commitments. Sales has openly discussed his long-term struggles with , including opiates and crack, which persisted for approximately 40 years before he achieved around 2018. In 2019 interviews, he attributed his recovery to a personal turning point driven by self-reflection, supported by his family, which helped him rebuild his life and career in Austin.

Professional Career

Early Musical Beginnings

Hunt Sales began his professional musical journey in the mid-1960s in , , where he formed the garage rock band Tony and the Tigers with his older brother Tony on vocals and guitar, taking on the role of himself. Encouraged by their father, comedian and enthusiast , the brothers performed in local clubs and gained early visibility through a 1966 appearance on the national television program Hullabaloo, marking their initial foray into the regional rock scene. By 1970, at the age of 16, Sales transitioned to more established rock circles, joining Todd Rundgren's backing band as the primary drummer, a position he held through 1973. This collaboration provided Sales with his first significant exposure to professional recording and touring, honing his skills in a pop-rock context while working alongside his brother on bass. In 1973, Sales and his brother briefly reunited with Rundgren to form the initial incarnation of , contributing to the band's pioneering explorations during a short-lived tour that emphasized experimental instrumentation and complex arrangements. Concurrently, in the early , Sales expanded his versatility through session work, including drumming on recordings with veteran artist and sessions with , which exposed him to diverse rhythmic styles beyond rock. To pursue expanded professional prospects, Sales relocated to in the mid-1970s, immersing himself in the vibrant music hub and positioning himself for further career advancement.

Mid-Career Collaborations

In 1976, Hunt Sales joined the Paris—formed by ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch and ex-Jethro Tull bassist —replacing original drummer Thom Mooney, and contributed drums to their second album Big Towne, 2061 (1977) on . The album featured a mix of arena-ready rock tracks, with Sales' energetic drumming supporting Welch's melodic leads on songs like "Outlaw Game". This collaboration marked Sales' transition into high-profile group settings following his early session work. Sales then reunited with his brother Tony in 1977 to form the rhythm section for Pop's backing band, providing drums and bass on David Bowie-produced albums and Lust for Life, as well as playing on —initially recorded as demos in 1975 but released that year—where Hunt provided drums on select tracks like "Lucky Monkeys" and backing vocals throughout. Their partnership extended to the live recording TV Eye 1978 Live, capturing performances from the 1977 European tour that showcased Sales' propulsive, punk-infused drumming on anthems such as "Lust for Life" and "The Passenger." This period solidified the Sales brothers' reputation in the punk and scenes, with Hunt's raw, dynamic style complementing Pop's chaotic energy during sold-out shows across the and continental Europe. In the late 1980s, Hunt Sales briefly joined the punk-hard rock band Tender Fury, drumming on and producing their 1990 album , blending aggressive riffs with edge, though the project remained a minor endeavor compared to his prior work. Sales' most prominent mid-career partnership came in 1988 when he and Tony joined and guitarist to form , a democratic band that released three albums from 1989 to 1992: the self-titled debut, , and the live Oy Vey, Baby. The rhythm section of Hunt on drums and Tony on bass provided a gritty, locked-in foundation that allowed Bowie and Gabrels to explore noisy, guitar-driven experimentation, as heard in tracks like "Under the God" and "You Belong in Rock 'n' Roll." toured worldwide from 1989 to 1992, performing over 100 shows and emphasizing the band's equal-band dynamic, with the Sales brothers' intuitive interplay anchoring Bowie's reinvention in the wave.

Later Projects and Solo Endeavors

In the 2000s, Hunt Sales relocated to , where he immersed himself in the local music scene through session drumming for , , and indie artists. His collaborations included work with legend , funk icon , group Los Super Seven, and figures such as and the Butthole Surfers. This period marked a shift toward behind-the-scenes contributions, including production roles on punk and albums within the Texas community. Building on these experiences, Sales formed the Hunt Sales Memorial in 2017, a project blending musicians from Memphis and Austin that allowed him to transition into a frontman role with a focus on songwriting and vocals. The band's debut album, Get Your Shit Together, was released on January 25, 2019, by Big Legal Mess Records (an imprint of Fat Possum), featuring 12 self-penned tracks that fuse bluesy rock with elements of , R&B, and , co-produced by Sales and Bruce Watson. Recorded primarily in Memphis with contributions from guitarist Tjarko Jeen and horn players Jim Spake and Art Edmaiston, the album highlighted Sales' raw, autobiographical lyrics drawn from his recovery from long-term addiction. Following the album's release, Sales has maintained an active presence through pick-up gigs and local performances in Austin, without pursuing major tours. He participated in interviews, such as a discussion on his career and drumming techniques, and continues to engage in the music via mentoring and production efforts that support emerging artists. This ongoing involvement underscores his evolution from band drummer to independent creator, following the independence gained after Tin Machine's dissolution.

Musical Style and Legacy

Drumming Technique and Influences

Hunt Sales is renowned for his powerful and straightforward rock drumming, characterized by a raw punk energy infused with grooves that emphasize groove and propulsion over technical flash. His style draws from roots, delivering unrefined yet highly developed rhythms that prioritize feel and swing, often compared to the approaches of and . This signature sound is particularly evident in his tight rhythm sections with brother Tony Sales on bass, where their sibling synergy creates a locked-in, driving foundation, as heard in collaborations like Iggy Pop's Lust for Life. Sales' influences stem from his Detroit upbringing and early exposure to the city's vibrant music scene, including Motown's rhythmic precision, blended with the showbiz timing inherited from his father, comedian , who connected him to jazz luminaries like and . As a child, Sales witnessed Palmer's session work, sparking his passion for R&B and , while mentors like blues guitarist shaped his blues-inflected grooves during early recordings. He adapted these foundations across genres, incorporating progressive elements in work with Todd Rundgren's , punk ferocity alongside , and hard rock intensity in , always prioritizing a jazz-like swing over rigid categorization. Technically, Sales excels in dynamic fills and live improvisation, using intentional tempo shifts and polyrhythms to inject energy and unpredictability, as seen in performances where he varied grooves to keep audiences engaged. His session versatility spans with , blues with Fulson, and with , maintained through a rigorous practice routine of daily drumming since age 11. For equipment, Sales favors basic, reliable kits like Ludwig Classics—a 14x28 , 9x14 snare, and 16-inch toms—prioritizing tone over complexity, a preference noted in his 2019 solo album Get Your Shit Together production where he focused on kinetic, thunderous rhythms without elaborate setups.

Impact on Rock and Associated Artists

Hunt Sales played a pivotal role in connecting the raw energy of 1970s with the emerging alt-rock and movements of the 1990s through his drumming on key recordings. During the era, he provided the driving for Iggy Pop's albums and Lust for Life (both 1977), collaborating with on production and contributing to the punk-infused sound that defined Pop's post-Stooges reinvention at Hansa Studios. His iconic tom-tom intro on "Lust for Life" exemplified this punk vitality, blending jungle beats with rock propulsion and becoming a cultural staple in media like the film Trainspotting. Later, as Tin Machine's drummer from 1988 to 1992, Sales helped craft a proto- aesthetic characterized by abrasive guitars, loud/soft dynamics, and unpolished aggression—influencing early 1990s bands such as , who drew from tracks like "Heaven's in Here" during sessions for their debut Ten. This bridging underscored Sales' adaptability, evolving from punk's urgency to alt-rock's raw experimentation. Despite his contributions to landmark albums, Sales remains an underrecognized figure in rock history, often overshadowed as a "behind-the-scenes" in favor of frontmen like Pop and Bowie. Music critics and peers have highlighted his jazz-inflected style—rooted in influences like and —as a secret weapon for rock royalty, yet he rarely receives solo acclaim. Tributes appear in retrospective press for his 2019 solo debut Get Your Shit Together, where outlets praised his resilience and raw talent after decades of session work, and in interviews tied to Bowie and Pop documentaries, such as discussions in Gimme Danger (2016) contexts that nod to the Sales brothers' role in Pop's output. In Austin's vibrant music scene, where Sales has resided since 1993, his legacy endured through performances with the Hunt Sales Memorial band in the early 2020s and informal guidance to local talents, fostering connections in a city known for its rock and heritage. His post-2019 activities, including 2022 clinic appearances at drum shops and interviews sharing career insights, have sustained his visibility amid personal challenges, demonstrating a commitment to 's evolution. Sales' family-band dynamics with brother Tony on bass innovated rock rhythm sections by creating a tight, intuitive partnership that prioritized swing and interplay over rigid structures, as seen in their work on Lust for Life and Tin Machine's aggressive grooves. This sibling synergy—honed from childhood in a showbiz household—added emotional depth and propulsion, influencing how rhythm sections integrated flexibility into punk and alt-rock, though coverage of this post-2019 remains limited as Sales continues solo amid evolving tributes to their era.

Discography

Studio Albums with Groups

Hunt Sales contributed drums to several influential studio albums as part of various rock groups, often alongside his brother Tony Sales on bass, providing a solid rhythmic foundation that blended raw energy with precise grooves. His early work with Todd Rundgren's Runt project established a pop-rock sensibility, while later collaborations with and David Bowie's showcased his ability to drive punk-infused and alternative rock sounds. These recordings highlight Sales' versatile drumming, from tight, Motown-inspired beats to aggressive, live-wire performances that propelled the bands' dynamic output. In 1970, Sales joined Rundgren for the debut Runt album, Runt, where his drumming supported the trio's eclectic mix of psychedelia and power pop, contributing to tracks like "We Gotta Get You a Woman," which reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up, Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren (1971), featured Sales' steady rhythms on introspective ballads and upbeat numbers, reinforcing the project's intimate band dynamic. By Something/Anything? (1972), Sales appeared on select tracks, adding punchy percussion to Rundgren's ambitious double album of self-produced pop experiments. His involvement extended to Todd Rundgren's Utopia (1974), where Sales' propulsive beats anchored the progressive rock outfit's ambitious debut, blending synthesizers and extended compositions in a live-in-the-studio format. Sales' tenure with the short-lived supergroup culminated in their 1976 album Big Towne, 2061, where he replaced the original drummer and delivered hard-rock grooves influenced by Led Zeppelin, supporting Bob Welch's guitar-driven songs amid the band's power-trio setup. Transitioning to , Sales reunited with Tony for Iggy Pop's (1977), a David Bowie-produced album that introduced Pop's experimental Berlin-era sound with Sales' driving rhythms on tracks like "Funtime." He also contributed to (1977), providing drums on key tracks like "Lucky Monkeys," which captured a gritty, post- vibe during sessions originally demoed in 1975. That same year, the brothers powered Lust for Life, with Hunt's iconic, tom-heavy intro and driving beats on "The Passenger" exemplifying the album's anthemic energy, recorded in under David Bowie's production. Their live rapport shone on the concert recording TV Eye 1978 Live (1978), where Sales' raw, relentless drumming fueled Pop's chaotic stage presence across Stooges classics and new material. In the late 1980s, Sales joined , , and Tony in , a democratic rock band that rejected superstar trappings. On the self-titled debut (1989), Sales' muscular, no-frills drumming underpinned the group's abrasive guitar riffs and Bowie's snarling vocals, as heard on the single "Under the God." The follow-up (1991) saw Sales adapting to more experimental textures, including horn sections and influences, while maintaining a punk edge on tracks like "You Belong in Rock n' Roll." The band's swan song, the live/studio hybrid Oy Vey, Baby (1992), featured Sales' energetic percussion on re-recorded favorites and new cuts, marking the end of 's brief but impactful run.
AlbumYearGroupRoleKey Notes
1970DrumsSupported Rundgren's breakthrough single.
1971DrumsIntimate trio sound with brother Tony on bass.
Something/Anything?1972Drums (select tracks)Contributed to pop-rock experiments.
1974DrumsAnchored prog-rock debut.
Big Towne, 20611976DrumsHard-rock power trio grooves.
1977DrumsBowie-produced proto-punk album.
1977Drums (select tracks)Gritty post-Stooges demos.
Lust for Life1977DrumsIconic beats on "The Passenger."
TV Eye 1978 Live1978DrumsRaw live punk energy.
1989DrumsAbrasive rock debut.
1991DrumsExperimental follow-up.
Oy Vey, Baby1992DrumsFinal hybrid release.

Solo and Memorial Project Releases

In 2019, Hunt Sales launched his solo career under the moniker Hunt Sales with the album Get Your Shit Together, released on January 25 by Big Legal Mess Records, a of Fat Possum. The 12-track record marked a significant shift for Sales, transitioning from his renowned role as a to and primary songwriter, delivering confessional blues-rock songs centered on themes of personal recovery, struggles, and life's hardships. All were penned by Sales himself, drawing from his experiences with and redemption, as evident in tracks like the introspective ballad "Sorry Baby," which portrays the relentless pull of . The album was co-produced by Sales and Bruce Watson, who also handled recording and mixing at Easley McCain Recording in , with additional engineering by Joe V. McMahan. Sales performed vocals and drums throughout, supported by a ensemble of musicians from Austin and Memphis scenes, including bassist Alexander Lynch on most tracks and Mark Stuart on "Tides That Bind," alongside Watson's guitar work that added raw, kinetic energy to the proceedings. The project blended Sales' thunderous rhythm style with soulful, street-level poetry, earning praise for its unfiltered authenticity. Promotional singles from the album included "One Day," a gritty reflection on self-worth released in late with an official video directed by Sales' daughter , and "Angel of Darkness," a rollicking track premiered in that highlighted his battered vocal delivery. The full tracklist features: "Here We Go," "Angel of Darkness," "Sorry Baby," "Tides That Bind," "I Can't Stop," "One Day," "Magik," "Way on My Own," "Shimekra's Got the Hook Up," "Bitch Done Left," "It Ain't Easy," and "Cleveland Street Memphis." Following the album, Sales continued releasing music as Hunt Sales Memorial through sporadic singles, maintaining his focus on introspective rock without issuing another full-length project as of November 2025. Representative examples include "Ain't No Victim" in 2022, a defiant anthem addressing resilience; "As I Sit Here," "Black and Gray," and "Diamonds" that same year, exploring themes of reflection and hardship; and "Will You Still Hate Me Tomorrow" in 2023, which delves into regret and interpersonal tension. These tracks, available on platforms like and , underscore Sales' ongoing evolution as a solo artist while building on the raw emotional core of his debut.

Selected Guest and Session Credits

Hunt Sales contributed to several recordings by in the early 1970s, including tracks that highlighted his versatile work during that era. In the same period, he provided drum tracks for sessions with , supporting the bassist's innovative grooves in mid-1970s productions. During the late 1980s, Sales produced and drummed on demos and the debut album Garden of Evil (1990) for the hard rock band Tender Fury, bringing his rock experience to their punk-infused sound. He led the Space Shot Orchestra in the mid-1980s, serving as producer, drummer, and engineer on releases like the single The Sphinx (1983) and the album Requiem for a Yuppie (1986), which blended electronic rock elements. Following his relocation to , in the 1990s, Sales participated in various local sessions throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including jams with the supergroup Los Super Seven, featuring artists like . He appeared on the 2001 compilation DVD Hullabaloo: A Music Flashback - Volumes 5-8, performing drums with the Ballgame Trio on the track "Meet the Mets." In the 2020s, Sales continued sporadic pick-up gigs and uncredited contributions in the Austin scene, such as a scheduled showcase performance with the Hunt Sales Memorial at SXSW in 2020 (canceled due to the ).

References

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