07/16/2014    Joseph Borregiine, DPM

RE: How IL Podiatrist’s Son Became Drummer for the Band Styx

Dr. Arnold J. Sucherman was just not on ordinary
podiatrist back in the day. As a podiatrist, he
practiced by day at his office for more than 40
years at 55 E. Washington Street in downtown
Chicago. By night, he was a professional drummer
with an illustrious career.

“Arnold J. Sucherman DPM had a passion for
drumming and practiced podiatry as a sidelight”
according to his former partner, Dr. Greg
Amarantos, who is now a practicing podiatrist and
partner with Weil Foot and Ankle Institute in Des
Plaines, IL. Amarantos eventually took over the
practice when Dr. Sucherman passed in 1992 at the
age of 72. The practice is still in existence
today after Amarantos sold it to Tammi Champman,
DPM and then she sold it to Ty Hussein, DPM.

While Sucherman was studying podiatric medicine in
Chicago, he was a drummer with the Lew Diamond
Orchestra. He recorded music with Sophie Tucker
and Lena Horne and played on major radio shows
such as the Jack Benny Show and the Phil Harris
Show. He was a doctor by day and a big band
drummer by night. Dr. Sucherman was the house
drummer at the famed Chez Parre’ in Chicago
throughout the 1940s and 50's. During that time,
he worked with Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Sophie
Tucker, Joe E. Lewis, Jack Benny and countless
others. He also was a session drummer for Frank
Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Tommy Dorsey. While on
the road, at a gig in New Orleans, Arnold met a
young actress, Jo Seiwert, who was performing
together in the same variety show. They were
married and soon formed a family of their own.

All of Dr. Sucherman’s children were interested in
music, but Todd, his youngest, was fascinated with
the drums as an infant. His father taught him to
play and could read music by age five. His first
paying gig was with his brothers, “The Sucherman
Brothers” at age six. They continued to play
together and with other musicians for years. In
1988, Todd returned to Chicago and quickly
established himself as a first call musician in
the recording scene. As an in demand player for
live and session work, this led to his association
with the band Styx. Todd was called in to record
when Styx’s John Panozzo was ill. After John
Panozzo’s untimely death, Todd’s position in the
band was solidified. Todd continues to tour with
Styx and is on tour with them at the present time.

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