Matt was born in Long Beach, California in the rock n' roll heyday of the 1960s. After watching the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show he became entranced by Ringo Starr and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a drummer. The Beatles opened the door to Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and the Doors. At 14-years-old Matt was wailing with his band The Prophecy alongside the likes of Van Halen and Devo at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go and Crazy Horse West. Over the next few years, Sorum honed his chops in numerous session gigs with artists such as Shaun Cassidy, Belinda Carlisle, and King Solomon Burke, solidifying his reputation as a go-to studio drummer. Matt then joined the Cult, touring with Metallica and Aerosmith. In the summer of 1990 Duff McKagan and Slash of Guns n' Roses caught the tour-ending gig of that tour and were blown away by Sorum, inviting him to join Gn'R. After ten years with the band Matt turned his talents to behind the board, working with numerous artists and writing six movie soundtracks under the banner of Orange Curtain Records. Upon finishing a two year run with the Cult, Sorum, McKagan and Slash founded Velvet Revolver with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots. 

A Grammy Award winning musician and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Sorum has made an everlasting impact on the world of music. Sorum continues to produce, make music, and tour with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and other musicians. Matt now devotes considerable time and energy to his philanthropic interests, and is especially dedicated to fulfilling his role as Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Adopt the Arts.