Music news website Gigwise recently came up with their list of the top 50 drummers of all time - but did they get it right? Here, we'll be rounding up their top ten. Let's see if UG readers think they pulled it off.
First, a little on the history of modern rock drumming.
Traditionally, the bass drum, snare drum, cymbals and various percussion instruments were played by hand by individual people, just like you see in a military setting. It wasn't till around 1890 that experimentation with foot pedals began. In 1909, the Ludwig family started a drum company and patented the drum pedal system.
By the 1930s, the beginning of the modern rock drum kit were visible with four piece kits being put into production, comprised of a bass, snare, and two tom-toms.
You might think a double-bass setup was a relatively recent development, but this was first attempted in the 1940s by Louie Bellson - though it's unlikely the pedals allowed for Joey Jordison style machine gun speeds.
The real turning point for drums in the eyes of music fans was when Ringo Starr played his Ludwig kit in front of millions on television, inspiring a generation to pick up the sticks themselves.
By the 1980s, extravagant kits with a huge number of drums and cymbals arrived, some including electronic pads which triggered sample sounds, before a return in the 1990s to simpler drum set ups when independent bands came to prominence.
That's the history - but who are the best of all time, in the opinion of Gigwise?
Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, UK, Missing Persons, HoBoLeMa, Jeff Beck, Korn, Fantômas, Debbie Harry)
Best known for performing with Frank Zappa, Terry is an example of one of those who were inspired by Ringo Starr to learn how to play when he was 13. Since then he's worked with a dizzying number of bands, even stepping in for Korn's 8th studio album. Today he plays in HoBoLeMa.
Phil Collins (Genesis, Brand X, Flaming Youth, Philip Bailey, Eric Clapton, The Phil Collins Big Band)
Phil played one of the most iconic drum beats of all time for "In The Air Tonight", but the classic room sound was a complete accident. At the time, the talkback mic on the mixing desk (which lets engineers speak through the glass to musicians) picked up the drum sound and by chance, sounded great. The engineers wired it up to record, and "gated drums" became a popular production technique throughout the 80s.
Born in 1909, Gene was one of the first drummers to influence a further generation thanks to his fast performance abilities, with both John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and Keith Moon (The Who) citing him as an influence.
Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Asia)
One of the most respected drummers to emerge from the 1960s, Palmer was among the first truely progressive drummers and became one of the first to be inducted into the Modern Drummer Magazine hall of fame.
Rick Allen (Def Leppard)
Rick famously continued drumming after having his arm amputated following a car accident, but he stuck to his craft and made a comeback in 1986 with an impressive performance at the Donington "Monsters Of Rock" show.
Buddy Rich (Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra)
Buddy was the second-best paid entertainer of his time, and kept time for some of the biggest jazz stars of the day. He's also known for being one of the first drummers to perfect the one-handed drum roll on both hands.
Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan, Skysaw)
He might have started as a jazz drummer, but when he joined the 90s metal outfit Smashing Pumpkins he certainly learned to hit hard. He was part of the reformed Smashing Pumpkins lineup when they regrouped in 2005, but left again in 2009. He now plays with the band Skysaw.
Neil Peart (Rush, Buddy Rich Big Band)
Neil joined Rush in 1974, having been inspired by British rock drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, before learning about older big band and jazz drummers like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. He famously built a respectable "360" drum kit, and enjoys a travel writing hobby.
Danny Carey (Tool)
Yet another pro who began as a jazz drummer in his youth. By the time he was at university, Danny took an interest in the occult and began to apply the rules of geometry to his drum beats - a technique which still features with Tool today. The album "Lateralus", for example, centres around use of the Fibonacci sequence.
Keith Moon (The Who)
Keith was one of the drummer to give rock music a hedonistic name. A wild party guy and drummer, Keith and his band were one of the first to smash up their instruments on stage - a "technique" emulated by generations of musicians since. He had a hobby of flushing explosives down toilets, leaving him banned by a score of hotel chains around the world.
John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
It'll be hard to argue with this one. John often tops "best drummer of all time" lists, and it's well earned. One paragraph wouldn't do justice to his ability or history, but it was certainly a tragic day when he drank more than fourty shots of vodka and choked to death on his own vomit. John inspired an entire era of rock drumming, and his son Jason followed his footsteps when he performed for Led Zeppelin during their reunion show in 2007.
Not a bad list by any means - but can UG readers do better? Share your reaction in the comments.
I came here expecting a big upset.
I left feeling satisfied.
I have personal favorites not on this list, but I actually wouldn't take any of the drummers off the list to replace them. Well done.
No love for Carter Beauford... I would probably replace allen & chamberlain and second the vote on Blakley but this list is better than the one I saw earlier this year, I think in Drum Magazine..
Got to say it's better to see a list with drummers worth their own salt rather than a list of drummers from the most popular bands (which would have included Ringo, Lars, etc).
WTF? Is this a joke? They were pop-grunge at best, don't get me wrong, I like listening to some SP every once in a while, but they certainly are NOT metal.
I actually quite liked this list, yet I would have liked to see Dave Grohl on here simply because he was such a powerful drummer. But yeah a great list.
WTF? Is this a joke? They were pop-grunge at best, don't get me wrong, I like listening to some SP every once in a while, but they certainly are NOT metal.
Honestly people? in the article it said it was 50 person list, this was just the top 10. Grohl is at 16 Lars at 14 and Copeland is 12, there are a lot of drummers out there if you actually look at the list you might find your favourites too.
A half decent list, but I kinda feel like its backwards. It makes more sense bottom to top than the way its written. Terry Bozzio would only qualify for the top of the list if he stopped messing around and actually played a song. Mostly he just shows off about how big his kit is.
Def Leopard Sucks. He has one arm, big ****ing deal! Why?
It would be like saying that Tony Iommi is the best guitar player, not for his skills but because he is missing his finger tips.
i'm glad someone thought this besides me. seems like a pity vote to me, but good list otherwise
Def Leopard Sucks. He has one arm, big ****ing deal! Why? Travis Barker is a great drummer that plays in a cheese dick band. He is light years better than Rick Allen.
It would be like saying that Tony Iommi is the best guitar player, not for his skills but because he is missing his finger tips.
Dude, it's not just that he had one arm, it's that we was a fantastic drummer!! After he lost his arm, the unorthodox way he was forced to set up his kit made for some unique, very stylistic, and awesome beats!! He was what drove Def Leppard!! (Not that they were a great band, but they were good.)
And yes, playing with one arm does earn you respect. Not only is he inspirational to other people with disabilities, but playing drums with one arm would be hard! When you can play drums like Rick Allen with one arm, give me a call.
Oh, and not only was Toni Iommi great because he pioneered heavy metal, not because he had two metal-tipped fingers.
No love for Carter Beauford... I would probably replace allen & chamberlain and second the vote on Blakley but this list is better than the one I saw earlier this year, I think in Drum Magazine..
i wanted beauford on the list. one of the best drummers i've ever heard, and the best i've seen live.
Dave Lombardo. Definitely, Dave Lombardo. Good list, but I'd much rather see the DL drummer left out of the top 10. As previously stated, he's missing an arm, so what? Yes, it's respectable, but does it make him a better drummer? No.
I don't see the SXmashing Pumpkins or Def Leopard Drummer being up there. I like Matt Cameron a lot, he had some really cool beats when he played for Soundgarden.
Can't agree with this list at all. Some of these guys may have been good for their time period, but there are modern drummers that blow them completely out of the water - a good example is Jojo Mayer.
Its nice to see Danny Carey on the list, but there are other prog drummers that he doesn't even compare to. Nice try, though, UG.
Good list, but I'd much rather see the DL drummer left out of the top 10. As previously stated, he's missing an arm, so what? Yes, it's respectable, but does it make him a better drummer? No.
Yeah, I agree. That seemed like an unnecessary pity thing more than anything else.
I would liked to have seen a more straightforward heavy metal drummer in there too, for good measure. I'm no drummer, and a big DT fan, so I'm shouting for Portnoy.
I agree with Danny Carey and Neil Peart. But that's about it. If you guys wanted to talk about jazz or fusion drummers, Thomas Pridgen should have been in this list. Also, Brann Dailor from Mastodon DEFINITELY should have been in this.
Didn't expect Krupa or Buddy Rich... but I'm glad someone is finally giving Jimmy Chamberlain some recognition. He's terribly underrated, and his best work is definitely on the Pumpkins' lesser-known hits (Geek USA, Tristessa)
Overall, the best "top musician of all time" list I've ever seen on UG.
This is a terrible list. There are hundreds of drummers that could play circles around all of these drummers (except maybe Peart and Carey). This should be a list of most influential drummers. Plus Rick Allen is not even that good. Two arms or one shouldn't matter, he's a solid player, but nowhere close to being one of the greats.
I don't like Carl Palmer and Phil Collins. Never been that impressed by Keith Moon either, but that's just a music thing 'cos I've never been a huge Who fan
On Collins' own records (including the ones with Genesis) he made some nice things happen, but when he played with Zeppelin and toured with Jethro Tull I was like "why the f*ck is this guy so renowned, this has got to be the most unimaginative, sterile sounding drumming I have heard in a LONG time..."
With Palmer I'm like "cool gong, bro", but if you pay close attention to drumming itself it's actually a little sloppy. You probably won't notice it on a lot of ELP records, but he was actually pretty mediocre at keeping time
I would've gone for Stewart Copeland and perhaps Jon Theodore or Barrie Barlow (although I'm going nuts over that Marco Minnemann dude ever since the Dream Theater thing -> sure they did the right thing by picking Mangini, but f I could play like any of these guys I'd definetly go with Marco)
Anyone who doesn't play drums or have a good understanding of the instrument please don't start suggesting drummers that should be on this list. This list is actually good (except Rick Allen).
Wow. Good list surprisingly, exlcuding of course Rick Allen. I love the first two DL albums and its incredible that he carried on after losing his god forsaken arm but don't just give him a pity award. That's the same thing people did with the rev. Although it's good to see Gene get a nod for his achievements the man was a true golden god of percussion and set the foundation for how I play.
WTF? Is this a joke? They were pop-grunge at best, don't get me wrong, I like listening to some SP every once in a while, but they certainly are NOT metal.
Not even Grunge, they were dream pop
Surely they were kidding. What kind of "metal" band objects to moshing anyways?
Tool? really...? Tool? pissed Shannon Lucas wasn't here...such an underrated drummer
You're an idiot. Shannon Lucas is probably the most un-creative drummer I've seen. He plays blast beats almost exclusively. If you've EVER listened to Tool, you'd appreciate the complexity of the drum beats and polyrhthyms that Danny Carey plays.
I basically disagree with Jon as number one. Keith Moon deserves the spot. Actually, Gene Hoglan, Sean Reinert, Steve Flynn and Flo Mounier deserve the spot, but apparently being the best drummer ever only relates to legacy in the eyes of popular opinion. I'd like to point out that the ones I mentioned are far more technically capable than the ones mentioned on this list, but because they're metal, they don't have "soul" or "feel". Actually, these drummers are very capable of not just doing extreme drumming, but also of playing drumming with thought and feel. Listen to "Evolutionary Sleeper" by Cynic or "Crystal Mountain" by Death. Excellent examples of what I mean.
im not gonna complain since i dont know most of those drummers. Im just gonna say my fav drummer and why. Yoshiki from X Japan, is the best simply because of the awesomeness of his drumming, the incredible energy he has in a gig, composition master, piano master, and pure epicness. Hes just epic in every gig!
It's a good list, but not what I expected of some. Rick Allen and Jimmy Chamberlain over Mike Portnoy, Beauford Carter, Gavin Harrison, Will Calhoun, Martin "Axe" Axenrot, Akira Jimbo, Sandy Gennaro, Tommy Curiale, Stewart Copeland, Mike Mangini and Joey Jordison?
As far as Smashing Pumpkins' drummer, the new kid (only 21!), Mike Byrne is a phenom! From working at a McDonald's, to winning the SP drum position out of thousands of applicants.
Def Leopard Sucks. He has one arm, big ****ing deal! Why? Travis Barker is a great drummer that plays in a cheese dick band. He is light years better than Rick Allen.
It would be like saying that Tony Iommi is the best guitar player, not for his skills but because he is missing his finger tips.
In no way should Travis Barker be included on this list.
There isn't enough room on any list to write about how amazing Buddy Rich is. He not only perfected the one handed roll on both hands but the arsenal of skills and tricks he had remains unparrelled even today and nobody comes close what he could do. NOBODY.
His speed and reflexes were actually tested by some scientists just for fun using footage of him a long time ago, and I am telling you, the guy is a freak of nature. They concluded that he had supernaturally fast reflexes that no other human being could match.
Youtube his 10 minute solo from "The West Side Story" to see what I mean.
Buddy Rich should be at the top of this list. Nobody comes even close to him in terms of pure skill.
Def Leopard Sucks. He has one arm, big ****ing deal! Why? Travis Barker is a great drummer that plays in a cheese dick band. He is light years better than Rick Allen.
It would be like saying that Tony Iommi is the best guitar player, not for his skills but because he is missing his finger tips.
you my friend have no music taste i'm not a big def leopard fan but he is a good drummer and travis barker is the example of sell out and overrated wich makes this list good cause it doesn't include overrated or sellout drummers
I think in terms of "modern drumming" Dave Grohl deserves to be on this list. If only for the fact that in my opinion hes the first true "modern drum" virtouso.
Good list gotta say ...i would throw in a few more
1.Chris Adler (amazed there was ONLY one comment on him)
2.Shannon Larkin (yes, the godsmack drummer)
3.Rev (as much as i dont want to be that guy, he had a great style and great attitude) ...i am not a newborn A7X fanboy
4.Abe Cunningham (Deftones- LOVE his drumming!!!!)
...and to the guy who bashed Danny Carey, you clearly have no sense of the complexity of Tool!!
chamberlin is catching a little bit too much flak for being on here, he's really pretty underrated. i do agree stewart copeland should've possibly made it, and i 100% agree brann dailor should definitely at least gotten honorable mention. also, blake richardson the btbam drummer is phenomenal, but this list certainly doesn't have room for him
i'm meh with rick allen, i do hate def leppard though, so that could be why.
i'm not sure korn should be on bozio's resume there though...
Not bad, glad to see that the piece of sh it from slipknot did not make it in
Someone can't get past the masks. I think Joey Jordison is a brilliant drummer and deserves to be somewhere. Also agree with Dave Grohl and MAYBE Tre Cool. Green Day is great but Tre hasn't shown greatness in drumming in recent Green Day albums.
Also... I don't get all the apprehension about Chamberlain? He's a fantastic drummer. In and out of the Pumpkins. In the Pumpkins he was POWERFUL... just listen to the beats in Drown... and his jazz stuff out of the Pumpkins is insane.
...Phil Collins? Nothing against the guy, but...AND WHERE'S BILL WARD AND MITCH MITCHELL? D= Oh well, better than seeing a bunch of progcore drummers, I was expecting to see Mike Portnoy in all 10 positions...and they got Bonham in, so they automatically win.
^ Phil Collins is very underrated, actually (other than the EPIC beat in In the Air Tonight) ...his stuff with Genesis, specifically off Nursery Cryme, is incredible. Understated, subtle and technical all at the same time.
Def Leopard Sucks. He has one arm, big ****ing deal! Why? Travis Barker is a great drummer that plays in a cheese dick band. He is light years better than Rick Allen.
It would be like saying that Tony Iommi is the best guitar player, not for his skills but because he is missing his finger tips.
No opinions on the Rick Allen thing, but I have to agree about the guy from Def Leppard. He's really nothing special... Overall, a surprisingly good list though (though I know MANY people who would complain about Keith Moon being here).
Pretty good list. I do think the Def Lepard guy deserves some mention, because even though he wasn't that good a drummer, he did lose an arm. I would have replaced the guy from Smashing Pumpkins with Gene Hoglan though. Despite their reputation as purveyors of senselss noise, metal drummer requires some skill and creatiity, or at least an unbelievable amount of endurance, and Gene Hoglan is as good as it gets.
And if you are talking drummers that make the music better.... Ringo Starr and Nick Mason for sure..
Technically...uninteresting...
I actually think Ringo's technique is very interesting. He's left handed, yet plays a right handed kit... makes for some pretty funky beats.
And to who said Mitch Mitchell....YES.
I phrased it wrong..I meant a list based on technique is uninteresting for me. I prefer musical drummers
Ringo, Mason, Bill Ward, Copeland, Bill Bruford, Alan White etc. Some of these ARE great technically but more importantly, they are GREAT musically.
meh....they are all a bit old school.
I don't think JB is that amazing, i never thought zepplin were that amazing, I always thought the guitar was sloppy.
.....but he is dead , so that lets him make the list everytime, funny that.
WTF? Is this a joke? They were pop-grunge at best, don't get me wrong, I like listening to some SP every once in a while, but they certainly are NOT metal.
Not even Grunge, they were dream pop
I proudly know my dream pop and tracks like Geek USA, Zero, Silver**** (I'll give you the middle interlude on this one though its debatable), Siva, and quite a few others are far from dream pop my friend.
I'm a big fan of Rick Allen. Would I have in a top 50? Yeah for sure, but should he be breaking top 10? Doubtful.
I'd probably fill his spot with Portnoy, and definitely throw Ward and Paice low teen positions
I'm surprised at this. My biggest bone with these lists is that they're always called "Top 10 _____ of All Time". Influential, maybe, but if this was in terms of technical skill, this list would be loaded with jazz and death metal guys. Personally, I know a drummer or two who could play circles around half of these guys.
was expecting the same list that UG gives us over and over ... which includes slipknot's drummer, mike portnoy, Lars, A7X... lol not a bad list a all for once
It's missing: Travis Barker, some fast as shit punk drummer, and BERNARD PURDIE. If you don't know bernard purdie, look him up. He OOZES music. Really inspiring.
I don't really want to argue with the list, it's good, but I wish there was more metal on here. People like Jan Blomberg or Martin Axenrot... some of those extreme metal guys who deserve some credit just for the sheer, astounding amount of stamina and precision they have. Sure the older guys have style and feel, and I'm not going to disagree with that at all. But I think some of the modern guys definitely deserve some respect for what they're pulling off, from a pure physical standpoint.
I would have liked to see Joe Morello and Patrick Hallahan on the list. I can see why Patrick wasn't on it, because his band isn't too well-known compared to the others here, but I remain convinced that Joe Morello was the greatest drummer of all time.
Good list, but still theres so many drummers out there maybe even better than these guys. They just arent famous, beacouse people dont aprreciate people that can really play these days.
I LOVE these lists. More specifically I LOVE everyone's reaction to them. Moon, Peart, Bonzo; expected, good choice. Rick Allen is a priceless addition though!
good list i would say good thing they noticed players that play with small subtleties. yeah Chamberlain is there. Mitch Mitchell would've i think should have been there but whatever i'm no drummer rater.
good list i would say good thing they noticed players that play with small subtleties. yeah Chamberlain is there. Mitch Mitchell would've i think should have been there but whatever i'm no drummer rater.
And if you are talking drummers that make the music better.... Ringo Starr and Nick Mason for sure..
Technically...uninteresting...
I actually think Ringo's technique is very interesting. He's left handed, yet plays a right handed kit... makes for some pretty funky beats.
And to who said Mitch Mitchell....YES.
I phrased it wrong..I meant a list based on technique is uninteresting for me. I prefer musical drummers
Ringo, Mason, Bill Ward, Copeland, Bill Bruford, Alan White etc. Some of these ARE great technically but more importantly, they are GREAT musically.
Ah, I see. I whole heartedly agree... I also mentioned Bill Bruford earlier... as well as Copeland. Although.. both have some great technical chops. ;D
I don't really want to argue with the list, it's good, but I wish there was more metal on here. People like Jan Blomberg or Martin Axenrot... some of those extreme metal guys who deserve some credit just for the sheer, astounding amount of stamina and precision they have. Sure the older guys have style and feel, and I'm not going to disagree with that at all. But I think some of the modern guys definitely deserve some respect for what they're pulling off, from a pure physical standpoint.
Buddy Rich was about as fast as the extreme metal drummers. Faster when he used both hands.
Mike Portnoy should definately be on this list, somewhere near the top in my opinion if not number one...but Jon is pretty tough to beat. The sheer intricacy of his beats blow a lot of other drummers out of the water. Some people disagree, but listen to Panic Attack, Honor Thy Father, Wither, Count of Tuscany, The Shattered Fortress, anything really. Its not just about speed, blast beats, or playing with adversity (even though I love Def Leppard), sometimes its about being able to make good, solid rhythms that actually sound good and flow.
This list good, but I think another drummer that deserves a mention is Alex Van Halen, but not as top 10. He's so under rated, because his brother overshadows everyone in that band and I'm not saying just because of Hot for Teacher, but his solo spot in one of the Hagar Tours of the late 80's.
Whats with all the anger towards Jimmy Chamberlain? It seems like just because he was in a popular band he all of a sudden has no artistic merit, when he is actually one of the finest drummers still around today (although they are NOT metal, more of an alt rock band). Other drummers who should have been in here are Lars Ulrich, Bill Ward, Stephen Morris, Brian Downey and The Rev.
It's nice to see a list that isn't full of wannabe metal hacks like Lars Ulrich and the Rev, who aren't talented at all and are incredibly overrated (One because he's dead, the other because he's in one of the most overrated *cough* err.. Biggest.. bands of all time)
Good list, imo. Aside from the tool from Tool and Chamberlain.
i'll be the guy to say this to all the Mike Portnoy fans out there... He's overrated, just like lars ulrich. And Danny Carey is definetly my favorite drummer on this list.
WTF? Is this a joke? They were pop-grunge at best, don't get me wrong, I like listening to some SP every once in a while, but they certainly are NOT metal.
Not even Grunge, they were dream pop
I proudly know my dream pop and tracks like Geek USA, Zero, Silver**** (I'll give you the middle interlude on this one though its debatable), Siva, and quite a few others are far from dream pop my friend.
They jump around in a few songs and mix in some Shoegaze along the way too, but many of their songs are more dream pop. Songs like: Drown, Hummer, Luna, Starla, Thirty-Three, Rhinoceros, Daydream. To name a few.
What about aynsley dunbar...that dude was phenominal too! especially on the first few journey albums. (when they were an actual band) dunbar is awesome in my book
This is a good list but neglects the metal genre, which has some amazing drummers. I mean Nicko Mcbrain is awesome. Vinnie Paul is great. And although he is a newer drummer, good luck finding many better than Chris Adler.
Nicko McBrain, i think hes good enough to get on here, watch flight 666, he takes aspirin from a hangover during one of the songs, and then sips his water, all whilst hitting the beats!
Just happy Lars from metallica is not on that list...
Lars should be on top 10 worst drummers.
What? Just...no.
Even the majority of Metallica fans realize Lars is a horrible drummer. You'd have to be the blindest of the blind fanboys to not see it yourself.
He's definitely not horrible since he definitely has an understanding of what he is doing on the kit. It's not like he's flailing randomly with no sense of rhythm. He has his style, even if it is just basic beats at varied tempos, that is what fits for Metallica. He's not the phenomenal drummer like many fans make him out to be, but I hate to see when people scrutinize him for playing his style.
" x Drummer on list? Really? What about y drummer who I think is better?" Somehow these lists always play out the same. Also lol at the people indignantly suggesting underground extreme metal drummers they found out about on the internet like everyone else knows and respects them.
wtf!?
I'm sorry.. but in what world would you even put buddy rich and someone like rick allen... in the same sentence?!?
come on people! seriously, this is the best you can come up with?!
Vinnie Colaiuta
Bill Bruford
Gavin Harrison
Mike Pornoy (not my favorite but still, extremely influencial for many)
STEWARD COPELAND
people come on!!!
I'm not trying that hard to come up with these names...
steve smith
virgil donati
someone please take over, I need to use the bathroom...
" x Drummer on list? Really? What about y drummer who I think is better?" Somehow these lists always play out the same. Also lol at the people indignantly suggesting underground extreme metal drummers they found out about on the internet like everyone else knows and respects them.
You didn't know that extremely obscure music is the greatest and only true form of music?
I can understand him not being on here, but I gotta speak up for Travis Barker here. Dude shreds the drums. That being said, this is a decent list. Didn't care for some choices, but eh, no big deal. Just another list.
You gotta have him on a drumming list somewhere. At least for his furious temper and for telling Eric Clapton to turn it down and shut the **** up. For christsakes, hes' practically been thrown out and banned from England because hes such a raging pr*ck...
Alex Van Halen is also worth a mention....
And if its metal, I'd say no one and I mean no one tops DAVE LOMBARDO.... Never mind all the extreme drummers that came after him. He set the bar to which all metal drummers are measured against so screw all those other guys.
awesome list, but they're missing metal drummers. They missed Mike Portnoy. And i believe Chad Smith really deserves to be on this list, but very good list.
Josh Freese, Dave Grohl, otherwise I dig it. I'd be a troll and say Meg White, but then some people would take me seriously and it would start a flame-fest. Oh wait, thats the point of being a troll... XD
I totally agree, and as for Rick Allen i've never heard anything that would suggest he's much of a player with one or two arms.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned him as I can't remember his name but the drummer from System of a Down has been rather inventive in the past. I'm a bit surprised by the hard time Jimmy Chamberlain has gotten but to my mind at least he hasn't really surprised me since Melon Collie although he has technically become a better drummer.
Hahahahaha, Travis Wingo (I think his name is) formerly from The Sword bashes them harder than most of the "metal" drummers all the fanboys have listed so far..
Pretty good list. Usually these suck, so I can't complain. Only difference for me would be having Neil first with Bonzo second, followed by danny carey and then Mike Portnoy (should be on this list, but oh well)
Looking through the list. Just gonna put a list of drummers that make me question the credibility.
Meg White
Steven Adler
Lars Ulrich
John Bonham I think should be a little lower than number 1... he was fantastic but not the best ever.
And Portnoy should be a bit higher, I knows he's been kind of annoying lately but that doesn't mean that he isn't one of the most technically proficient drummers alive today.
Also, if Jon Theodore from Mars Volta is on here. Why isn't Thomas Pridgen?
Keith Moon, John Bonham, and Neil Peart are great drummers for rock. This is a great list for rock, but not all time. Heavy metal, thrash metal in particular, drummers are far more complex than this list of rock drummers. Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Gene Hoglan (Death Angel), Tom Hunting (Exodus), Jurgen Reil (Kreator), and Scott Travis (Judas Priest) are some examples.
Good list. Glad to see Danny Carey so high, he is phenomenal, definitely the best drummer I've ever seen live. Definitely thought there could have been some space for Mike Portnoy or Dave Lombardo, but its a good list nonetheless.
I'm a big Metallica fan, and i'm happy because Lars isn't in the list. On the studio recordings the drums are just perfect, but he sucks playing live. He could have been on this list 15 years ago... Am i wrong?
I think he is underrated. He's arguably one of the best drummers of all time and I'm guessing that 9 out of 10 people on the street couldn't tell you what band Danny Carey plays for.
Rick Allen is the only one I have a problem with. I understand that what he did was amazing, coming back from that terrible injury. But drum beats to an ACDC song are more difficult then any Def Leppard song. I would of liked to see someone on the metal side of drumming be on this list over him.
I would have added Mike Portnoy for sure, and maaaybe replaced the def leapord guy with Lars Ulrich...Dave Grohl Deserves mention, but idk if he belongs in the greatEST drummers.
decent list. i love how people think that just coz a band's big that the drummer is great... Lars Ulrich is not that good. Mike Portnoy is great but the people who listen to generic music only started understanding this when he filled in for The Rev.
If you added Dave Grohl to the list, you'd have to add Sully Erna of Godsmack, because Sully Erna plays drums too. Oh, and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, because he plays drums too.
WTF? Is this a joke? They were pop-grunge at best, don't get me wrong, I like listening to some SP every once in a while, but they certainly are NOT metal.
Their first album, Gish, is considered Heavy Metal and every once in a while they release a song like Tales Of A Scorched Earth which is undeniably Metal.
I'm starting to think UG purposely posts these articles in order to watch the arguments unfold. But I must say this is one of the best "Top Musician" lists I've seen.
Whiteboy_az :
Wow.....A "greatest" list that actually makes sense, never thought I'd see one of those on UG.
nothing against smashing pumpkins but there are much more deserving drummers (ex:chad smith,joey jordison, dave lombardo) that should have been listed. also: pumpkins NOT metal! other than that, its a very good list for ug standards. carry should be number one though. the first time i saw tool i had basically the worst seat in the house, behind the stage forth row from the top but having a good view of him made it all worth it.
Fine list. Based on its criteria, though, there are some glaring omissions. Billy Cobham, Lenny White, and Vinnie Colaiuta come to mind. As far as metal goes, guys like Brann Dailor or Chris Adler have chops, but Sean Reinert and Gene Hoglan have more chops, and much more developed senses of time.
I went through all 50 drummers on their list and was unimpressed with the lack of matt cameron from soundgarden/pearl jam
Agreed. No Grohl is a surprise too.
Plus, to those moaning about no Lars Ulrich, he is one of the worst drummers i've ever heard. How the hell Metalica got so big with him keeping time is a mistery.
Slaytan666 :
Jimmy Chamberlain? Really? How about George Kollias? Or GENE HOGLAN? Even Animal from the muppet band is better.
Just went through the whole list of 50 drummers. A lot of drummers that people are saying should be in the list, are in the list, but no GENE HOGLAN!!!!!
Thank you so very very much for including Danny Carey from tool. I believe him to be one of the greatest drummers of his time just because he adds so much feel and beat to the band. Tool in itself is such a amazing band, with Maynard James Keenan describing scenes in his head to the audience in such detail and depth that only some storytellers can only dream of. but, Danny Carey brings such a devout musical ability to the band that i dont believe tool would be the same without him.
Nick Mason of Pink Floyd
Ginger Baker of Cream
Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree
Bill Bruford of Yes and King Crimson
Brann Dailor of Mastodon
Zach Hill of Hella
Gavin Harrison didn't even make it into the top 50 on Gigwise's site. I think Gigwise needs to actually listen to music... There's no way Ringo Starr is better than Harrison.
i think brann dailor, joey jordison, dave lombardo, mike protnoy, travis barker and *flameshield up* jimmy the rev sullivan should be up there somewhere
Could have easily substituted the dude from Def Leppard with Mike Portnoy. Glad to see Danny from Tool up there. He totally deserves it. The man is a beast. Awesome list.
i think brann dailor, joey jordison, dave lombardo, mike protnoy, travis barker and *flameshield up* jimmy the rev sullivan should be up there somewhere
Jordison is too one-dimensional. Barker just flat out isn't very good. Portnoy, Lombardo, The Rev and Dailor are all great though.
None of these people are good except for Moon or Bonham. This is a typical UG list. Seriously bad. Totally forgot Darren King or Carter Beauford. Guys who are way more inventive and better than anyone on this list. This list is bollocks
LOL. Metallica is one of my favorite bands but Lars is so overrated as far as drumming ability goes. No mention of Portnoy though? hmm Personally think he is better than Danny Carey
None of these people are good except for Moon or Bonham. This is a typical UG list. Seriously bad. Totally forgot Darren King or Carter Beauford. Guys who are way more inventive and better than anyone on this list. This list is bollocks
if you don't think Buddy Rich is good, I'm questioning if you know what drumming is.
*****
Rick Allen on the list made me think of when Travis Barker broke his arm and was playing 1 handed on a tour, almost seemed like he was almost rubbing it in Rick Allen's face.
Just happy Lars from metallica is not on that list...
Lars should be on top 10 worst drummers.
What? Just...no.
Even the majority of Metallica fans realize Lars is a horrible drummer. You'd have to be the blindest of the blind fanboys to not see it yourself.
He's definitely not horrible since he definitely has an understanding of what he is doing on the kit. It's not like he's flailing randomly with no sense of rhythm. He has his style, even if it is just basic beats at varied tempos, that is what fits for Metallica. He's not the phenomenal drummer like many fans make him out to be, but I hate to see when people scrutinize him for playing his style.
This. Although it would be nice if he were able to hold a decent double-bass rhythm to truly do songs like Dyers Eve and One justice live.
i think brann dailor, joey jordison, dave lombardo, mike protnoy, travis barker and *flameshield up* jimmy the rev sullivan should be up there somewhere
The only one of those who deserves to be up there is Dave Lombardo. He is the measuring stick to which ALL other metal drummers are compared to.
Mike Portnoy isn't listed because progressively Terry Bozio and Neal Pert are LEAGUES ahead of him.
Travis Barker isn't listed because Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa are LEAGUES ahead of him.
You've chosen drummers that are emmulators of real innovators. The Rev was a good drummer, but not worthy of being in a Top Ten...
The only ones that are missing in my opinion are
Dave Lombardo - for the sake of Metal
Neal Pert - for the sake of Prog Rock
Dave Grohl - for the sake of MODERN Rock
Ginger Baker - for the sake of Classic Rock. (Yes I know Bonham AND Keith Moon are listed... Overrated!)
Anything other than these and whoever is already on the list are merely emmulators of a sound already pioneered or perfected by these drummers.
And for what its worth, Dylan Elise from New Zealand can run rings around Travis Barker any day. Look up his youtube page. His skills will floor you.
Really, really happy to see Jimmy Chamberlin on the list. It's a shame more people haven't heard of him. He was the thundering backbone of the Smashing Pumpkins, and every Pumpkins fan out there misses him like hell.
although he drummed on the greatest song for song album ever. beatin the hell out of the drums in standard 4/4 time and lots of cocaine dont make you the best of all time.
Damn right Danny Carey deserves some recognition. After doing all that DMT he can still have total control over his motor skills. That's superior genetics right there.
Now lets just wait for someone complaining that Lars Ulrich didnt make it on the list
I'm glad it's acknowledged that he's not on the list. I love the music he writes, he's a great songwriter, but he's one of the laziest drummers of all time in a live setting.
I find it humorous that most people think this should be a "metal drummer only" list, and they also think Chamberlin isn't a very good drummer. Those comments are priceless.
The only one of those who deserves to be up there is Dave Lombardo. He is the measuring stick to which ALL other metal drummers are compared to.
You've chosen drummers that are emmulators of real innovators. The Rev was a good drummer, but not worthy of being in a Top Ten...
Those seem like conflicting ideas. Bill Ward was the drummer all metal drummers were compared to until people like Anthony Gray (of Venom), Dave Holland (of Judas Priest), Clive Burr (of Iron Maiden) influenced drummers of bands like Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, etc.
So Bill Ward should be listed for the reasons you noted, not Lombardo. Lombardo's good, but a lot of bands around at the time like Bathory, Death, Kreator also had drummers who were doing what Lombardo was doing.. and in my opinion, better.
Kinda bogus Rick Allen was added because of 1 arm and Bozzio because he has a huge drumkit... Drop them 2, add Grohl and Stewart Copeland, and the list is pretty good!
I find it humorous that most people think this should be a "metal drummer only" list, and they also think Chamberlin isn't a very good drummer. Those comments are priceless.
The only one of those who deserves to be up there is Dave Lombardo. He is the measuring stick to which ALL other metal drummers are compared to.
You've chosen drummers that are emmulators of real innovators. The Rev was a good drummer, but not worthy of being in a Top Ten...
Those seem like conflicting ideas. Bill Ward was the drummer all metal drummers were compared to until people like Anthony Gray (of Venom), Dave Holland (of Judas Priest), Clive Burr (of Iron Maiden) influenced drummers of bands like Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, etc.
So Bill Ward should be listed for the reasons you noted, not Lombardo. Lombardo's good, but a lot of bands around at the time like Bathory, Death, Kreator also had drummers who were doing what Lombardo was doing.. and in my opinion, better.
What? The drumming on the contemporary Bathory albums is a complete joke in comparison. I love those albums, I'm just not sure at what point the drumming on Under the Sign of the Black Moon is 'better' than anything Lombardo was doing. But that's just me.
As far as Death went, I love Chris Reifert's playing on the first album and in Autopsy. His replacement was Bill Andrews, who had the honor of playing on the two least interesting albums drum wise. He was an extremely boring drummer, and no where close to Dave Lombardo. The new remaster of Human features rehearsal tracks of the band playing Human songs with the Leprosy/Spiritual Healing lineup, and the drumming absolutely kills the ideas.
I find it humorous that most people think this should be a "metal drummer only" list, and they also think Chamberlin isn't a very good drummer. Those comments are priceless.
The only one of those who deserves to be up there is Dave Lombardo. He is the measuring stick to which ALL other metal drummers are compared to.
You've chosen drummers that are emmulators of real innovators. The Rev was a good drummer, but not worthy of being in a Top Ten...
Those seem like conflicting ideas. Bill Ward was the drummer all metal drummers were compared to until people like Anthony Gray (of Venom), Dave Holland (of Judas Priest), Clive Burr (of Iron Maiden) influenced drummers of bands like Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, etc.
So Bill Ward should be listed for the reasons you noted, not Lombardo. Lombardo's good, but a lot of bands around at the time like Bathory, Death, Kreator also had drummers who were doing what Lombardo was doing.. and in my opinion, better.
What? The drumming on the contemporary Bathory albums is a complete joke in comparison. I love those albums, I'm just not sure at what point the drumming on Under the Sign of the Black Moon is 'better' than anything Lombardo was doing. But that's just me.
As far as Death went, I love Chris Reifert's playing on the first album and in Autopsy. His replacement was Bill Andrews, who had the honor of playing on the two least interesting albums drum wise. He was an extremely boring drummer, and no where close to Dave Lombardo. The new remaster of Human features rehearsal tracks of the band playing Human songs with the Leprosy/Spiritual Healing lineup, and the drumming absolutely kills the ideas.
Iommianity wrote:
bladerunner110 wrote:
I find it humorous that most people think this should be a "metal drummer only" list, and they also think Chamberlin isn't a very good drummer. Those comments are priceless.
The only one of those who deserves to be up there is Dave Lombardo. He is the measuring stick to which ALL other metal drummers are compared to.
You've chosen drummers that are emmulators of real innovators. The Rev was a good drummer, but not worthy of being in a Top Ten...
Those seem like conflicting ideas. Bill Ward was the drummer all metal drummers were compared to until people like Anthony Gray (of Venom), Dave Holland (of Judas Priest), Clive Burr (of Iron Maiden) influenced drummers of bands like Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, etc.
So Bill Ward should be listed for the reasons you noted, not Lombardo. Lombardo's good, but a lot of bands around at the time like Bathory, Death, Kreator also had drummers who were doing what Lombardo was doing.. and in my opinion, better.
What? The drumming on the contemporary Bathory albums is a complete joke in comparison. I love those albums, I'm just not sure at what point the drumming on Under the Sign of the Black Moon is 'better' than anything Lombardo was doing. But that's just me.
As far as Death went, I love Chris Reifert's playing on the first album and in Autopsy. His replacement was Bill Andrews, who had the honor of playing on the two least interesting albums drum wise. He was an extremely boring drummer, and no where close to Dave Lombardo. The new remaster of Human features rehearsal tracks of the band playing Human songs with the Leprosy/Spiritual Healing lineup, and the drumming absolutely kills the ideas.
That's opinion. Having seen Bathory and Slayer both live around the same time in '87, I preferred Bathory's drummer. I'm not saying Lombardo is bad. Quite the contrary, he's great. But he wasn't doing anything revolutionary. He was just the one that got the limelight because he was in a band catapulted to fame because of Metallica.
Yeah, Lombardo really isn't that great. Not bad, but certainly not the measuring stick. Tomas Haake is leagues above him, as is Romain Goulon.
Glad to see some recognition for Barker and Tre Cool, both of which just get the more childish of the br00tal metulz fans hating on, and the jazz elitists. Both are ****ing good drummers.
Also, disturbed at the lack of Josh Freese, even in the comments. He does literally everything and anything, and he does it well.
I can possibly see why Travis Barker is loved by everyone... he's got chops and speed.. but I don't really hear anything he adds to the songs (for Blink, that is.. love his stuff in the Transplants). Overall, I think he's good.. but definitely not one of the best.
I do like Blink's first drummer better.. he seemed more in sync with the songs. I can appreciate syncopation and manic beats... but not in every song.
This list definitely needed some Steve Gadd and Vinnie Colaiuta in the Top Ten. Gadd's widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time, and Colaiuta managed to play one of Frank Zappa's most fiendish pieces one-handed while eating sushi .
Apart from that, it's actually pretty decent. Danny Carey is in my opinion the best drummer in the world right now.
Dave Lombardo (Slayer) the guy pretty much invented the blast beat
best double bass drummer ever.
Negatory. The original drummer of Napalm Death had the first recorded blast beat. And then Mike Smith perfected it. You could also argue that blast beats have been being used since hardcore punk was huge. Beastie Boys when they were hardcore punk utilized a LOT of blast beats.
Dave Lombardo (Slayer) the guy pretty much invented the blast beat
best double bass drummer ever.
Negatory. The original drummer of Napalm Death had the first recorded blast beat. And then Mike Smith perfected it. You could also argue that blast beats have been being used since hardcore punk was huge. Beastie Boys when they were hardcore punk utilized a LOT of blast beats.
As far as double bass... meh. Who cares?
I should actually clarify here.. I didn't mean to imply Napalm Death had the FIRST RECORDED blast beat... but the drummer at the time (198..3, I believe?) was the first person to use the term: "Blast beat".
I totally agree with Jimmy Chamberlin being on the list, but what's the deal with this line: "He might have started as a jazz drummer,"...?
What an idiotic phrase. That makes it sound as if jazz drummers are dismissible. There are tons of jazz drummers who would put anyone on this list to shame.
I totally agree with Jimmy Chamberlin being on the list, but what's the deal with this line: "He might have started as a jazz drummer,"...?
What an idiotic phrase. That makes it sound as if jazz drummers are dismissible. There are tons of jazz drummers who would put anyone on this list to shame.
I had really hoped to see Jean-Paul Gaster (the drummer for Clutch) on this list. Seriously overlooked drummer and band for that matter. Otherwise a very good list.
oh no, this list does not contain *insert non-mainstream drummer, likely from some obscure prog, tech metal, or jazz/fusion that you enjoy but 99% of the world is unaware of* therefore it is a bad list.
seriously, why do people always get mad at lists like this? if you don't agree, it's not the end of the world. get over it already. though i find it hilarious that people in this thread are asking why the Rev is not on this list. he's a solid drummer, but lightyears away from the top 10 of all time, considering for the average tech death, jazz, fusion, or prog drummer could outplay him no problem.
I just have to laugh at the nerds posting the most obscure drummers they can google in order to look cool. This list is great.
It's always good to see Jimmy Chamberlain pop up. It's a shame he couldn't stay sober more often because the guy can play like a motherf***er when he's focused.
He hasn't really been around long, but if you're in to modern drumming at all check out Mark Giuliana, he plays with so many jazz groups and leads one himself. One of my personal favorites is his drumming in Heernt's Pi~3.141425, his drum solo is incredible along with the band's togetherness.
Aside from that I agree with everything on the list, very wide spectrum of genre's covered and the cream of the crop in all of them!
Troll bit: The drummer for LMFAO so kicks these guys ass.
I laugh at the mention of the "geometric inspiration" for Danny Carey. People still fall for that bullshit? Great drummer though.
You do need to take into consideration that the average Tool fan eats up and believes every and anything far fetched that the band comes up with. I'm sure Adam Jones can say that he farted into a mic and ran it through 16 distortion pedals and that is the solo for Jambi and Tool fans will believe it.
what is this based on? fame?? there are plenty of drummers in the extreme metal scene that could easily kick their asses in terms of speed, techniue and musicianship
Not one person would be saying Rev should be top 10 if he was still alive. He was damn good, but if you honestly think he was top 10 of all time your scope is pretty limited. Props to UG for holding out on that one.
I respect the hell out of Allen for carrying on after his accident, but balls of steel isn't enough to put you in the "greatest of all time" category. Otherwise, surprisingly solid list.
I'm sure Adam Jones can say that he farted into a mic and ran it through 16 distortion pedals and that is the solo for Jambi and Tool fans will believe it.
Any list that has Phil Collins in the top 10 is invalid.
He played the greatest drum fill of all time. That in itself is worthy of a high spot.
Also, no Travis Barker? That is disheartening on so many levels. Very few modern rock drummers have shown the musical diversity he has, and his style is an incredibly unique blend of intensity and discipline. I can't give the same praise to his bandmates in blink-182, but that is no excuse to leave him out of the top 20, much less the top 50.
Probably a controversial choice, but I'd Brooks Wackerman
That man get's such little respect because people know hiim as "that one drummer bad religion had", but he's phenomenal, every beat he does is basically unconventional and awesome, and his shit with Suicidal Tendencies is pretty excellent too.
No Stewart Copeland and instead there is Tool? Fail list has failed
I'm sorry what?
Any drum list without Danny Carey would have disappointed me
Copeland's a great drummer but Carey's nothing short of incredible
I would have liked to see Portnoy and Gavin Harrison here but on the whole, great list
what is this based on? fame?? there are plenty of drummers in the extreme metal scene that could easily kick their asses in terms of speed, techniue and musicianship
People like you give metal a bad name
Some incredible drummers on this list, and some not so spectacular ones.
Good list gotta say ...i would throw in a few more
1.Chris Adler (amazed there was ONLY one comment on him)
2.Shannon Larkin (yes, the godsmack drummer)
3.Rev (as much as i dont want to be that guy, he had a great style and great attitude) ...i am not a newborn A7X fanboy
4.Abe Cunningham (Deftones- LOVE his drumming!!!!)
...and to the guy who bashed Danny Carey, you clearly have no sense of the complexity of Tool!!
Glad to see Buddy Rich on there, that man is
ridiculously good.
Reckon Steve Gadd should be on there too. Listen to Paul Simon's "Late In The Evening" and the wicked groove all throughout that song. But that's just my preference. Interesting list.
Good list really. But as said in earlier comments, good on DP's drummer for drumming with one arm, its admirible and he drums well. But hes not that fantastic, seems sympathetic to include him.
John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Buddy Miles, Neil Peart, Keith Moon,Ginger Baker, Stewart Copeland, Gavin Harrison, Dave Grohl, and Kris Myers. There's your top 10.
I'm not a drummer, but seriously if you want to hear some lessons in metal drumming, Chris Adler is far above any other, joey jordison included, especially the New American Gospel album, the drums made that album epic.
Big deal, he lost an arm! That doesn't make him a better drummer!!
Bad band =/= bad drummer. Much like how bad band =/= bad guitarist. I'd expect more from UGers than outraged cries of disapproval that drummers from their favourite bands did not make it on this list...oh wait.
Best drummers of ALL TIME regardless of genre is impossible to name, which makes this utterly fruitless, and some of the choices are ludicrous anyway...
Also, are people really suggesting Chris Adler, Matt Greiner etc. are some of the best drummers of ALL TIME? REALLY? Jesus...
Best drummers of ALL TIME regardless of genre is impossible to name, which makes this utterly fruitless, and some of the choices are ludicrous anyway...
Also, are people really suggesting Chris Adler, Matt Greiner etc. are some of the best drummers of ALL TIME? REALLY? Jesus...
Yes, Yes they are. Chris Adler is a great drummer.
Being that I am not a drummer and haven't done much research into drummers, from what I have read I agree with the list. But judging drummers is hard, there are so many, and not every band plays songs where the drummers full talents can be shown.
I am glad Lars Ulrich didn't make the list. I know teen drummers that can play better.
This list is good, but there are always going to be debates about this subject (and best guitarists bassists and so on.)
Why not just listen to awesome music and not care who the "best" drummer is.
An alright list. I'll be disappointed if Mike Portnoy, Clive Burr, and Yanic Bercier aren't anywhere in the other top 40.
If you don't know who Yanic Bercier is, search for Quo Vadis on YouTube or something.
I also don't think the dude from def Leppard should be on this list good but not top ten of all time maybe give metal some love and put Nick menza on there
although he is a relatively new drummer i still think that Matt Greiner should make the list somewhere, but not necessarily in the top ten. He is incredibly skilled and really under-rated
So uhh, this website is Ultimate-Guitar.com.....just thought I would point out that if you came to this site that you are more than likely a guitar or bass player. Very, very opinionated guitar and bass players.
Best drummers of ALL TIME regardless of genre is impossible to name, which makes this utterly fruitless, and some of the choices are ludicrous anyway...
Also, are people really suggesting Chris Adler, Matt Greiner etc. are some of the best drummers of ALL TIME? REALLY? Jesus... Yes, Yes they are. Chris Adler is a great drummer.
Hah hah so much fail. Just in metal Tomas Haake >>>>> Chris Adler
Lol at you guys mentioning Travis Barker and all that overrated drummers... Jeff Porcaro deserves to be on the first place on the list. Simon Phillips is another great drummer who should be up here.
If you added Dave Grohl to the list, you'd have to add Sully Erna of Godsmack, because Sully Erna plays drums too. Oh, and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, because he plays drums too.
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. And if you are, you seem to be implying that Grohl is a guitarist who just happens to drum. Just take a look at Nirvana's post-Bleach career. Look at Them Crooked Vultures. Hell, even that one Queens of the Stone Age album he recorded with them! Grohl also did all the drum tracks for the first 2 FF albums. Tom Petty even wanted him to be his drummer.
I love how people don't realize that a "best drummer" list will always be somewhat biased. There's alot of drummers out there that could arguably be placed in a top 10 and a final cut is then made, often based on authors personal taste and the drummers influence on other musicians. Sometimes the cut is also made to favor great drummers who usually don't get enough credit (Jimmy Chamberlin in this case). Besides, the definition of being the best/greatest drummer is not the same with everyone. Is it for example simply the technique of the drummer that is important? Is it his creativity that matters? Or is it perhaps the improvisational skills of the dummer that weighs the most?
On a personal note I have to say I like the list. Not that many of my personal favorites are on it, yet I don't argue with the choices. Which makes it feel solid to me. I was pleasantly surprised that Chamberlin was on the list, he might not be one of my picks but he does deserve much more credit then he usually gets. Now I'm just waiting for the first list to give more credit to Matt Cameron of Soundgarden, he's probably not the greatest drummer in the world but just as Chamberlin he deserves more cred then he is getting.
Also I never understand that there is always some people who wants Buddy Rich of these lists. That man was an unbelievable monster behind the kit and no drummer has ever been able to match his technical mastery. He is also one of the most influential drummers of all times, being a main inspiration to many of the other drummers you find on these lists.
If you added Dave Grohl to the list, you'd have to add Sully Erna of Godsmack, because Sully Erna plays drums too. Oh, and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, because he plays drums too.
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. And if you are, you seem to be implying that Grohl is a guitarist who just happens to drum. Just take a look at Nirvana's post-Bleach career. Look at Them Crooked Vultures. Hell, even that one Queens of the Stone Age album he recorded with them! Grohl also did all the drum tracks for the first 2 FF albums. Tom Petty even wanted him to be his drummer.
+1 Dave Grohl is an all round talented musician and songwriter. His drumming started his career and he has made a profound contribution to the world of drumming. He was the reason I started playing the drums and there is no reason why he shouldnt be up there.
This list was alright, but i can't say I agree with a good part of it. I mean I can understand people like Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa Kieth Moon, and John Bonham who are very unfluential, but also, very good. I can't understand really Chamberlinfor instance, given he is competent, but I far from virtuouso I would think. And Rick Allen, yeah he may be good being able to drum with an arm and that does show talent as he can do it in a different way, I don't consider him top 10, before or after. Carl Palmer is good and Terry too, but I'm iffy on them. Overall, it was an alright list.
okay to all of the people saying barker this and lars that i can only imagine that none of you even play the drums or if you do you must not be very skilled. before you start saying who the best drummer is hey why dont you pick a pair of sticks up first then talk...
This is a terrible list. There are hundreds of drummers that could play circles around all of these drummers (except maybe Peart and Carey). This should be a list of most influential drummers. Plus Rick Allen is not even that good. Two arms or one shouldn't matter, he's a solid player, but nowhere close to being one of the greats.
dude, get out of town. i agree that those are some top end drummers but i would have liked to see Buddy Rich as number one. He drums circles around the drummers you thik drum circles around everybody. guarenteed he is the best. too bad he died
Those are 2 of my favourite drummers. Although i think Frank wright (AKA tr'e cool) and Dave Grohl are bloody brilliant i am not sure they should be top 10 maybe top 50. I think the list is good as is, It is based on most influential drummers, not most skilled. Skill hasn't got everething to do with it, take slash for instance, 1 of the greatest riffs of all time (sweet child of mine) is composed of around 8 frets i think, it is not that difficult, or complex, but it is still a great riff. A true drummer can make simplicity sound awesome, that is why i like tr'e and dave.
Although Frank wright (AKA tr'e cool) and Dave Grohl are 2 of my favourite drummers, i am not sure they should be top 10 maybe top 50. I think the list is good as is, It is based on most influential drummers, not most skilled. Skill hasn't got everything to do with it, take slash for instance, 1 of the greatest riffs of all time (Sweet Child Of Mine) is composed of around 8 frets (give or take), it is not that difficult, or complex, but it is still a great riff. A true drummer can make simplicity sound awesome, that is why i like tr'e and dave.
As for Smashing Pumpkins, wheather you want to believe it or not they play metal, "Zero" IS METAL, Billy Corgan doesn't have a strong voice throughout the song but the heavily distorted guitars give that metal sound to it. Billy even quoted it to be under the genre "cybermetal". Look it all up on wikipedia if you don't believe me. My phone is kinda stuffed so ignore the first one i was just working out this site and I don't know how to delete posts.
Nice list. Here's another opinion;
Buddy Rich
Ringo Starr
John Bonham
Danny Seraphine
Bobby Colomby
Bill Bruford
Phil Collins
Gene Krupa
Buddy Miles
Ginger Baker
