I’m pretty sure this has been done before, but let’s start it anew. Plus, I want to take the discussion away from the Rush thread into this one.
My top 5:
Feel free to rip apart any of my selections. 
Meant to add a few more:
There are a thousand others who could fit numbers three through five, though. That would be a toss up.
Drummer’s drummers, in no particular order:
Bill Bruford
Alan White
Vinnnie Colaluta
Jeff Porcaro
Ginger Baker
Alan, not Alex.
:smack: Good catch.
Oh, I’d actually probably stick Phil Collins in there somewhere, too.
Here’s mine - mostly in no particular order:
You can see I like ferocious drummers mostly.
Upon immediate reflection, I think I’d have to add Gary Husband (Level 42, Alan Holdsworth) to the list as well.
Some interesting choices there. I especially like Mike Joyce–very tasty drumming. Same with Terry Chambers.
I really like Kurt Dahle for his playing with the New Pornographers.
All good choices.
I will have to add Phil Collins to the list. I saw him in concert. On the stage were two drum kits.
The show started off with a drum off between PC and another drummer (Don’t know who) Mystery drummer would play a bit. PC would copy and take it up a notch. Mystery drummer would copy and take it up a notch. Lather rinse repeat for about 10 minutes.
Wow. Unfreakin believable.
I’d assume that was Chester Thompson, Rick.
Of course, Neil Peart is, in my opinion, the hands down best drummer of all time.
I’d add Carl Palmer and Lars Ulrich to those mentioned already.
Neil Part, Bonham and Moon…of course…
with a mention for roy wooten and Bev Bevan.
Terry Chambers is easily the most underappreciated drummer of the New Wave/Post-punk era. He played with power and precision, and was egoless enough to even try new stuff, like playing with a Linn drum. Just when you thought he was just a thrasher, he comes up with all of the cool stuff on English Settlement. He seems like a drumming savant; Andy Partridge talks about hammering out all of the parts of XTC songs with Dave Gregory and Colin Moulding, then noticing that Chambers wasn’t there - he was down at the pub having a pint!
Joyce I like because of his ability to play to the style of the song. Something like “Back To The Old House” or “Oscillate Wildly” shows a tender side of his playing, while he could thrash away on songs like “Shoplifters Of The World” or “Jeane.”
I forgot to mention that Chambers was engineered, then produced by Hugh Padgham, who really gets a great sound out his drummers - aside from Terry Chambers, he worked with Phil Collins and Stewart Copeland. Gated drums and all that.
Niel Peart is #1, everyone else is #2.
Neil Peart of course
Keith Moon because he always looked like he was just giddy with the fun of playing.
Mitch Mitchell because his jazzy, powerful stlye was so perfect for Jimi
Alex Van Halen for that cool engine thingy he does in concert. Starts out slow, builds the pace and volume til he sounds like a prop plane.
Stewart Copeland for the technicrosity (???) of how he plays.
Todd Rundgren cuz he just wants to bang on the drum all day. 
I know…
In no particular order, I’ll limit this to 5 off the cuff picks.
John Bonham. For the simple fact that not only was he a great drummer, he seems to be the first to showcase his talents via the drum solo during a concert. It may have been done previously, but when you think of a live show drum solo, is there anyone that comes to mind before him?
Ringo Starr. Not what some would consider a rock drummer in many circles as defined today, but think of the range of songs he played. He knew his shit. And he always laid down a rhythym that fit whatever style John and Paul pulled out of their asses on any given album.
Phil Collins. Not necessarily “rock” to some, but the guy could hammer out some awesome sounds that were distinctly his. While singing the song. Another great live performer.
Alex Van Halen. This may be due to nostalgia of the great pre-Van Hagar years (love Sammy, but it’s Dave’s band, Eddie). But Alex kept on making great drumlines that kept most of the songs rocking. The percentage rises when you dismiss Eddie’s pussy influence on the lyrics and concentrate on the music alone.
Tommy Lee. Not very influential, but what a showman. Looks, charisma, danger, the embodiment of the rock lifestyle, and that’s before he picks up the sticks. On the Feelgood tour, I watched him in the Bradley Center in Milwaukee suspended 80 feet above me in a cage playing Wild Side while turning 360 degrees without missing a beat. And pyrotechnics doing their best to keep up. He may have kept it simple, but he made it fun as hell to watch.
Lars Ulrich. Douchebag extrordinaire. I really hate this friggin guy. As a drummer, I have to mention him for his skill on the drums. He is really, really fucking good. There are some that play faster, some that play better, but taking the whole of the success and influence he should get a mention. Even if I feel dirty for doing so and now feel the need to wash myself with industrial cleanser.
Son of a rotten bitch, I could have sworn I edited out the limit of 5. :smack:
I’m pleased to see the love for Chambers and Headon. Some names that I’d put above some of those mentioned so far:
Clyde Stubblefield (best known for his work with James Brown)
Steve Gadd (He’s everywhere)
Ian Paice (Deep Purple: heavy, stately rudiments)
Charles Connor (Little Richard’s original drummer. Widely copied. Popularised 8ths & backbeat. That’s his “Keep a Knockin’” erm “paid homage to” by Bonham on “Rock and Roll”)
Blackie Onassis (Urge Overkill: feel matters)
Phil Rudd (AC/DC - as much a part of their sound as Malcolm Young)
Charlie Watts (The Stones - after a while you hear his command over the groove)
Paul Thompson (Roxy Music)
Nick Mason (Why does Pink Floyd have a groove despite lumbering along in a slowish four?: Mason’s boogieing kick drum)