Meet Tommy Bayiokos

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tommy Bayiokos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tommy below.

Tommy , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I surely developed my work ethic through my late father Panagiotis (Peter) and in later years, – my friend and iconic songstress Laura Branigan.

My father owned a restaurant by Brooklyn College called SUGAR BOWL. He worked six days a week and well over 12 hours each day, and he even would go to check things at the restaurant on Sunday’s on his day off as well. When my mother Eleftheria (means Liberty in Greek) died on New Year’s Day 1976, he continued on even more so and raised four kids on his own; a superman in ever sense. I reflect back and I am in awe and bewildered how he managed, as at times I can barely manage myself and yet he had a business and raised my sister and two younger twin brothers.

In later years, my work ethic was renewed by my bandleader and friend, the later Laura Branigan, and we dated for eight months until she sadly departed us, She would say repeatedly to me “you have to be obsessed with it Tommy” …as she exemplified the highest of the high in musicality with world success. Since then, I have carried that mantra and torch of wisdom with me and lived it. I recently conducted several of my drum students at the prestigious renowned stage Carnegie Hall and credit Laura for that success and that standard of excellence.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My journey has not been exactly easy as the saying goes – “C’EST LA VIE” – that’s life.

Born in raised in Brooklyn, I spent part of my childhood living a full year in Greece in 1973 as my parents were set on returning and moving to Greece. We later returned as my mother had fallen sick and passed away on 1/1/1976. Returning to the states was not easy, now being more Greek and adjusting back to the American ways with language and all was difficult I recall. I was also a severe asthmatic and as fate would have it, with a doctors note at hand,… to inform the music teacher to put me on drums in school. It surely served as a outlet for me with my mother’s passing but I fell in love with it instantly and to this date it has never left me. I was then and still influenced heavily by the late great drummer Buddy Rich who I shook hands with at Lincoln Center – later years in 1984. I said to him “you were great” and he said “thank you kid” as he crushed my hand with the firmest grip. I often joke with others saying I haven’t washed my hand since…lol. During high school, I branched out also into martial arts which surely helped me outgrow the asthma. It also gave me great confidence as a performer, having been short and fat for a big chunk of my childhood; and in later years earned my black belt and was inducted in the martial hall of honors; truly a way of life. I’ve had many triumphs musically, from playing on the PIX 11 morning show, Miss America Pageants, a select show with legend Frankie Avalon and even on TV as percussionist at Radio City Music Hall with the famed Rockettes. But to be blunt and I say respectively, nothing can top and ever will top my performances and personal times with Laura Branigan, ever.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I would say:

1) “You have to be obsessed with your craft” – Laura Branigan.

2) Having loved and lost in the most profound way has transformed me into being a better man today. I have no regrets.

3) Just be yourself.

4) Always find the beauty in simplicity.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

I would spend it hands down in Greece. The food, culture, history and breathless terrain are second to none, plus I have beloved family there. There is so much to see and even to revisit; Meteora, Sparti, Anavriti, Corinthos, Crete, Mount Athos, Hydra, Milos and all. I’m forever in love with Greece!

As far as books, I would site Maryann Williamson’s book A RETURN TO LOVE, – truly a healing book as well as visceral life lessons.

Contact Info:

• Website: www. IMDb.me/TommyBayiokos
• Instagram: @tommy.bayiokos
• Facebook: Tommy Bayiokos
• Twitter: @TommyBayiokos
• Youtube: @TommyBay22 DRUM ACE & ACTOR TOMMY BAYIOKOS