since we're having such a good debate with the "best bassists" question...?

Question

...who do you guys have as the best drummers of all time, and why?

i sort of have a golden triangle of british drummers that i think are the best 3 of all time:

1. john bonham...obviously, he was sensational, he could play the instrument with more power than anyone has ever witnessed...some of his solos are just sick

2. keith moon...he was probably legitimately insane and it probably helped him...he really went at it with speed and intensity, if nothing else

3. phil collins...this is the one you guys might not have thought of...his skill as a drummer is found more in his solo work, songs like in the air tonight and against all odds are such strong drum tracks

Answer 1

Some of my favourites :~



Mick Fleetwood

Often cited as half of one of the best rhythm-sections in Blues-Rock / Rock, he is still woefully under-rated by the masses, and written off for being 'soft-rock'.



John Bonham

Where to begin?! One of the most amazing drummers Britain has ever produced, and he was one of Sandy Denny's drinking buddies.



Keith Moon

Moon-the-Loon ~ there'll never be another like him! And he was another of the regular drinkers with John and Sandy.



Mitch Mitchell

Often un-noticed behind the presence of Jimi, Mitch had a great style, and only really came to the fore on songs like 'Manic Depression'.



Barriemore Barlow {Jethro Tull}

Like his bandmate, lead guitarist Martin Barre, Barriemore is one of those drummers whose work you hear and admire, but you never remember his name! But there is something about his style, especially his millitary snare, that should have him on more people's lists.





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:)

I typed and posted this without reading any of the others, so it's a pleasant surprise to see that MusicFan has also chosen to mention Barriemore Barlow!

Answer 2

Well, if you're not specifying Rock -



Buddy Rich is the 3 Greatest Drummers of all time



For Rock-related.



Moon & Bonham are the greatest hard-rock & heavy-metal drummers, respectively IMO



but my personal preferences are --



Laurie Allan (Gong, etc.) - never played the same thing twice

Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine, Matching Mole, Solo) - Genius.

Phil Collins - (especially early Genesis -1971-76) - Subtle & Tastful.

.

Answer 3

I have to say Neil Peart, Bill Bruford, Barriemore Barlow

Peart - exquisite drumming in Rush for over 30 years. Brilliantly uses the entire drum kit plus assorted other percussion.

Bruford - metronomic accuracy, but never metronomic in feel. Plays polyrhythms with the best of them, and seems to specialize in capability to play in 7 against 5, for example.

Barriemore Barlow - an unlikely choice, to be certain, but I'm a big Tull fan, at least of the period '68 - '82, and Barlow's drumming has Peart-ian importance in the band's arrangements during their Prog leanings from '72-'78, and every Tull album in that span features his elegant stick work.

Answer 4

Not a big fan of Godsmack, nor would I label him a "best drummer" but-



Sully Erna is actually a dang good drummer. I worked at a venue they played at last year and they had about a 10 minute drum session and he got out there on another set of drums and he beat those things pretty danged good.



I was impressed.

Answer 5

Collins is an Amazing Drummer IMO



My Top 3



John Bonham

Neal Peart

Carmine Appice

Answer 6

Billy Cobham

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKYGa8A9Fog

Answer 7

Although not rock, one of the best drummers I ever heard was Buddy Rich:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgeX9iYOFSQ



In rock I would pick John Bonham, Neil Peart, and Carmine Appice as the best drummers.

Answer 8

Bill Ward wasnt too bad either. But you do have to admire the way Phil can sing as well.

Also a couple of obscure names: Cozy Powell and Jeff Campitelli. Two awesome session musos!

Oops, guess I should throw Tommy Lee into the mix. I love his style. He makes it look so easy. And the spinning drumkit bit? WOW!

Answer 9

I think that I admire Phil. Not only for being able to survive, but for being able to sing and play at the same time.

Answer 10

Phil gets little credit for his drumming. He's actually damn good. Check out his complex rhythms on Genesis' "Down & Out'. Amazing.

Answer 11

ginger baker-check youtube "toad" video

corky laing

frank beard

Answer 12

lots of underground metalcore drummers are amazing. but nobody knows who they are except me so it doesnt even matter