# Help me rank rock drummers ... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 31, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460 "2010-03-31T15:44:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/21 "2010-03-31T20:41:54Z")
IANAD, but from my perspective many on this list (e.g. Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, and some others) are what I’d call “coattails” members that, while technically competent, are more recognized for the success of their aggregate group’s work. I don’t notice their technique or phrasing standing out from the mix as unique artists, nor would I place them in a different band and say that they would elevate the overall sound. I loves me some wicked drums (Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, Neil Peart) and many are inarguably amazing artists in their craft. That said, my underdog selections: Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s) Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/22 "2010-03-31T20:59:52Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > You should be able to tell from this list that I like precision and discipline. It’s possible, eminently possible, to have both within a creative framework. > … > A drummer should be able to fit into the texture of the song not use personality to overcome it. Leave the personality to the front guys (unless, like in Cowboy Mouth, the drummer IS the front man!). Then, I wonder, why Ian Paice from Deep Purple is not on the list. On every studio song he keeps basic rhythm going within well-defined rhythm section (especially with with bassist R. Glover). Since almost every Deep Purple (Mark II & III) song is very complex and requires changes in melody back and forth it gives lot of opportunity to perform percussion bridges which Ian Paice makes a form of art. You will notice that I’m a huge fan but I seriously searched for similar drummer that fills the air in the same way as Ian but at the same time – as you said – “fits into the texture of the song”. He’s just never over imposing the sound while using any empty space to fill it in with something. And yet he’s not breaking the song nor ruining it. My #1. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/23 "2010-03-31T21:19:50Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > IANAD, but from my perspective many on this list (e.g. Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, and some others) are what I’d call “coattails” members that, while technically competent, are more recognized for the success of their aggregate group’s work. I don’t notice their technique or phrasing standing out from the mix as unique artists, nor would I place them in a different band and say that they would elevate the overall sound. This may be true about Ringo, but I’ve heard a lot of praise for Copeland from working drummers. Indeed, when I’ve asked drummers for their influences, his name is probably the most mentioned. He absolutely belongs. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/24 "2010-03-31T21:57:35Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > This may be true about Ringo, but I’ve heard a lot of praise for Copeland from working drummers. Indeed, when I’ve asked drummers for their influences, his name is probably the most mentioned. He absolutely belongs. Yeah, Stewart Copeland was definitely always a drummer’s drummer, and his ranking has nothing to do with his band’s popularity - he kicks much ass. Ringo’s a little harder to justify, be he had a totally unique style (whether arrived at due to technical limitations or not) and his parts fit the songs better than just about anybody I can think of. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/25 "2010-04-01T00:36:28Z")
Isn’t Ted Kirkpatrick popular amongst rock bands? I mean, even though he’s always been in a Christian band, isn’t he well respected as a great drummer? [Ted Kirkpatrick from Tourniquet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kirkpatrick) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/26 "2010-04-01T01:26:19Z")
It’s next to impossible to do one of these things. I’ll give you my top 10: 1. John Bonham 2. Stewart Copeland 3. Ginger Baker 4. Neal Peart 5. Keith Moon 6. Dave Lombardo 7. Terry Bozio 8. Charlie Watts 9. Ringo Starr 10. Bill Ward … 11. Carl Palmer It’s really, really hard for me. My top two are absolutely solid and always have been: Bonham and Copeland. Moon has recently crept into my top five. I used to absolutely hate his drumming but, over the years, have come to appreciate him in context. Wouldn’t want to see him in any other band but the Who, though. Peart is not as robotic and mechanical as some describe him to be – he actually has quite a bit of melody and musicality in his drumming. He’s also risen in my estimation over the years. Ginger Baker has always been top 5. Charlie Watts and Ringo Starr can be a bit under-appreciated. Ringo’s got quirk and originality, as well as melody in his drumming, and Charlie just oozes laid-back cool. Carl Palmer–my thoughts on him are well documented on this board. Let’s just say I am not a fan of his drumming. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/27 "2010-04-01T06:36:32Z")
1 Carl Palmer (ELP, Asia) 2 Ringo Starr (The Beatles) 3 Keith Moon (The Who) 4 Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson) 5 Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones) ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/28 "2010-04-01T13:29:43Z")
Drummer here, who’d like to say that Etsuko Nakanishi (Shonen Knife) is great at what she does (pop punk), but is also just a treat to watch. She’s only about 4’ 10" – and she bangs the hell out of the kit and looks like she’s having the time of her life. She’s also in a trio, a good test as one poster mentioned above, and she fills a lot of space. Also, Topper Headon needs some recognition for being able to play an incredibly wide range of styles. And finally, Keith Moon! ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/29 "2010-04-01T13:38:14Z")
1. John Bonham 2. Bill Buford. He has to be seen live to be appreciated. 3. Keith Moon 4. Tommy Aldridge 5. Earl Palmer 6. Carl Palmer ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/30 "2010-04-01T15:32:41Z")
Thing is, there are many different arts to drumming, and a guy who’s brilliant at one aspect isn’t always great at the others. I was a big ELP fan, and I consider Carl Palmer, far and away, the most dynamic, awesome soloist I’ve ever seen. On the other hand, I’ve regularly heard it said by serious drummers and insiders that, when it comes to the fundamentals of drumming (i.e basic timekeeping) Palmer is actually subpar. I don’t KNOW that to be true, but let’s say it is. If you’re weak as a timekeeper but awesome as a soloist, do you belong higher on this list than guys who are solid timekeepers but can’t do a solo to save their lives (say, Ringo Starr)? Or… what if you’re a guy with remarkable technical skills who just hasn’t left behind a very good body of music? Terry Bozzio is a first-rate drummer in every way. Dynamic, incredibly versatile, can play a wide range of styles and tempos… his skills are WAAAY beyond those of almost every drummer on the list. Problem is, in my opinion, the vast majority of the records he’s played on just weren’t very good. Bozzio’s work is hard not to admire, but it’s even harder to LIKE. Does he still belong higher on the list than less talented drummers who’ve contibuted to FAR better records than Bozzio has ever made? ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/31 "2010-04-01T18:19:25Z")
I think there is a serious serious lack of Michael Shrieve there. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLDalZ4-53g) I also think qyite highly of Travis Barker, has good pace changes and a good groove, its not just about speed. Little bit surprised not to see Phil Collins there. I know Billy Cobham does not fit the bill, but he is a very highly rated drummer, moreso than almost everyone on that list. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbLjObdYWhQ) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYH4PC710ac) It’s pretty hard to jude that list, Neil Peart is not a very interesting drummer, certainly not in the mannner of Keith Moon. John Bonham would be in the top 10, Stuart Copeland would be in the top 3, probably Ginger Baker, ad Bill Bruford. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/32 "2010-04-02T01:10:24Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > 1. Keith Moon. > > Then skip to five, since no one else comes close. Moon created a whole new and entirely different style of drumming that no one yet has been able to follow. > > 1. Ginger Baker Yep…Moon #1, Baker #2…and I don’t care after that. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/33 "2010-04-02T01:56:38Z")
Clive Bunker, the original Jethro Tull drummer seems to be overlooked. He was considered one of the top drummers in his day. ---
**Author:** ![becbec](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@becbec](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/becbec)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/34 "2010-04-03T03:30:52Z")
Breaking the rules, but I’m disappointed not to see any mention of: Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver, previously of Guns n Roses) Lars Ulrich (Metallica) Matt Sorum’s drum solo in GNR’s “Use Your Illusion” tour is just amazing IMHO! ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/35 "2010-04-03T03:42:22Z")
Charlie Watts is just so in the damn pocket. He really drives the band in a wonderfully economical style. Bill Bruford is amazing in every way. Great great drummer. Saw him a couple two three times with Crimson. Moon is an original. Nobody played like him, before or since. And thems that think Bonham is overrated, I’ll be willing to bet that none of them are drummers, or even musicians. Every drummer, hell every musician I’ve ever known has revered Bonham. For a good example of his propulsive playing, check out Achille’s Last Stand. A song that is a good four minutes too long, but never lags because of Bonham’s amazing chops. And Terry Bozzio is just the fucking man. I never liked Rush so I can’t speak to Peart. But again, just about any drummer worships the guy. ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/36 "2010-04-03T16:27:58Z")
Only two bands I know of feature percussion as a lead instrument. The first is Flaming Lips, but they kind of collaborated on the sound; there was no particular great drummer. The second is Rush. So my entire list of Great Drummers is: 1. Neil Peart ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/37 "2010-04-03T17:02:17Z")
I’m surprised at some of the Neal Peart dissing here. I know Ruch is quite a love/hate type of band, but if you really listen to more than just “Tom Sawyer” (particularly on some of the older recordings, like say, “By-Tor and the Snowdog” from _Fly By Night_), its clear that Peart is a superior drummer with incredible chops, and that he isn’t all about long fills and to hell with everything else. The guy’s an amazing technician of the instrument. Perhaps the only fair complaint I can think of is that his style can be interpreted as too clinical. He gets my overall #1 vote on sheer technical ability alone, even if their music doesn’t really make me want to pump my fist or stomp my feet like listening to an angrier rock band would. Peart also writes very good lyrics for Rush, and if I’m not mistaken, pretty much writes them all. ---
**Author:** ![ghostoflectricity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de0a6/32.png) [@ghostoflectricity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ghostoflectricity)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/38 "2010-07-10T03:59:24Z")
Er, did I miss something? Where is **Mitch Mitchell** on this list? The guy was fantastic. I know it was Ringo’s 70th this week and I always respected him; don’t know, however, if I’d put him in the top 10. John Lennon, when asked if he thought Ringo was the greatest drummer in the world (shortly after Ringo’s brief resignation and then return to the band in August, 1968), ostensibly said that Ringo wasn’t even the greatest drummer in the Beatles (Paul, John, and George each took turns on the traps in Ringo’s absence, and 8-9 months later, when Paul and John recorded “The Ballad of John and Yoko” without George or Ringo, who were both on holiday and out of the country, Paul played drums again, with John jokingly calling Paul “Ringo” while Paul sat at the drum set). Of course, John was John, bless his soul, and he could be mean and nasty while seeming incisive and profound. Anyway, did you people never hear of Mitch Mitchell? Dave Grohl has gotten a lot of votes on this thread, but if we’re talking drummers who emerged from the Seattle grunge scene of the late '80s/early '90s, how about Matt Cameron? Someone mentioned double-drummer bands (the Dead, the Allman Bros.). Among '60s San Francisco bands, I think Spencer Dryden (with the Airplane from late '66 to 1970; previously a jazz drummer and member of the Peanut Butter Conspiracy in LA) was underrated. Speaking of LA sixties bands, John Densmore (who has been a bit of a killjoy in legally enjoining Manzarek and Krieger from playing as the Doors) could hold his own, and then there was Ed Cassidy, a jazz drummer playing in Spirit with his stepson, guitarist Randy California (born Randy Craig Wolfe; he got the name “Randy California” from Hendrix himself to distinguish him from another Randy during a time when the very young RC was playing in Hendrix’s New York, pre-Experience band, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames). The last I heard, Cassidy was still active in his 80s. Someone mentioned Hal Blaine: a good choice but largely a session drummer; I think the list was supposed to focus on drummers associated with performing bands. If one goes into underappreciated session musicians, the list will be miles long. One could include, for example, Jim Gordon, who was pretty much a session drummer except for about one year as one-fourth (or one-fifth, during the time Duane Allman was in the band) of Eric Clapton’s Derek and the Dominoes. Aside from his drumming skills, Gordon was responsible (not band keyboardist Bobby Whitlock) for the piano lead on the instrumental coda to “Layla.” Aside from that, Gordon, unfortunately, went berserkers in the early '80s, slashed his own mother to death in a psychotic (and possibly drug- and alcohol-fueled) rage, and wound up in a California prison for the criminally insane, where he still resides. ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2010, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/39 "2010-07-10T11:19:06Z")
I hate to add to the “WTF” factor but no Alan White!(Yes) Really!? And while Peart is technically proficient his Drumming just has “no soul” but I am NOT a Rush fan (I take that back Rush made 5 awesome, incredible records and disappeared from the face of the Earth). And Manu Kachte kicks some serious ass! Unclviny ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460/40 "2010-07-11T00:59:23Z")
1. Mike Portnoy 2. Vinnie Colaiuta 3. Terry Bozzio 4. Bill Bruford 5. Neil Peart 6. Manu Katché 7. Stewart Copeland 8. John Bonham 9. Keith Moon 10. Carl Palmer 11. Ginger Baker 12. Charlie Watts 13. Kenney Jones 17 Danny Carey 17 Dave Grohl 17. Tony Allen 17 Dave Lombardo 18 Bill Ward 19 Tommy Lee 20. Ringo Starr I rated these before I read your criteria, but I think I’ll leave it the way it is. This probably reflects my tastes more than anything else. To a certain degree, doing this is comparing apples to eggs. None of these guys suck, but they don’t all play the same style of music. Prog vs hard rock vs world beats. etc? That kinda depends on what you like, doesn’t it? Lots of drummer have more “chops” than Bonzo (which is not to say he had none), but damn few were more entertaining or emulated (although Moon was playing in the same league). I’ve heard Portnoy play Beatles songs with heart and soul, but as much as Ringo did? Vinnie Colaiuta or Bozzio could play anything anyone else on this list has done, but would they have recorded it with the same “feel”? Maybe, but who’s to say? And how much weight do we give “innovation”? Appropriateness? Do they get credit for bringing new influences to the table? Baker brought African beats to rock, Copeland reggae (although neither were first). How about precision? Palmer was notoriously bad at time-keeping, while Ringo and Charlie Watts are human metronomes. (I rated Charlie as high as I did because I’ve heard him play music other than the Stones. He’s a monster jazz drummer! Same with Kenny Jones and his non-Who work.) The four I rated tied at 17 I know from magazines and a small number of clips, but not enough to rank them accurately (whatever that means). I know playing with Fela was more challenging than playing with Black Sabbath, but more than Tool? I don’t know. Ultimately, I just rated them based more-or-less on how difficult it is for me to play like them. And just for fun, here are twenty more names (in no particular order) to play with: Michael Schrieve Ian Paice Lenny White Chris Slade Zoltan Czorsz Alan White Omar Hakim Phil Ehart Richie Hayward Michael Travis Carmine Appice Cozy Powell Tommy Aldridge Rod Morgenstern Matt Abts Simon Kirk Mick Fleetwood Matt Cameron Don Brewer Aynsley Dunbar [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rank-rock-drummers/534460.md?page=3)