Pat started playing the drums at the age of 10. When he was 16, he was playing in popular local bands and, while in school, commuted three hours to Lake Tahoe every night for a gig. Starting in the 1970s, Pat worked for many bands and as a studio session drummer, most notably for Mr. Mister, Scandal, Al Jarreau, Pointer Sisters, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, XTC, Hall & Oates, Rembrandts, and King Crimson.