Michael Mangini (born April 18, 1963) is an American musician who is the current drummer of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, following the departure of founding drummer Mike Portnoy in 2010. He has also played for bands and artists such as Annihilator, Extreme, James LaBrie, and Steve Vai. Before joining Dream Theater, Mangini was a faculty member at Berklee College of Music. Between 2002 and 2005, he set five World\'s Fastest Drummer records. Mangini appeared on the Discovery Channel show Time Warp, displaying his drum skills for high speed cameras.\n', '

Born in Newton, Massachusetts,[citation needed] to Italian parents, Mangini first started playing the drums when he was two and a half years old, being inspired by Ringo Starr of The Beatles. He would practice two to four hours a day and by the time he was nine he was already mimicking Buddy Rich performances. Other influences include Bobby Colomby, Danny Seraphine, John Bonham, Neil Peart and Terry Bozzio.\n', '

By high school, he was performing in bands and participating in the prestigious All-State, and All-Eastern United States ensembles.\n', '

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