# What are the greatest Drum Solos of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 24, 2007, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444 "2007-04-24T13:25:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/1 "2007-04-24T13:25:37Z")
I was listening to Moby Dick on the way in to work today. It got me thinking about great and famous drum solos. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by I. Ron Butterfly had some intense drum solos (and sounded great on an Organ). \*\*Bill Bruford \*\* had some great solos in his days with King Crimson. I am trying to recall a good example from **Keith Moon**. \*\*Neil Peart \*\* of Rush had some intense ones, can someone put a name to some of the specific Songs? Going way back in time, \*\*Gene Krupa \*\* made a name for himself on “Sing, Sing, Sing”, though that might not technically be a Drum Solo. He had a few short solos at different points throughout the epic song. I have heard \*\*Ginger Baker \*\* live doing a great and very long Drum/percussion solo at the Stone Pony. It was incredible, but I am not sure of a recorded song that shows off his ability as a solo. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/2 "2007-04-24T13:32:01Z")
True drum aficionados will blanch or worse when I mention this, but the first thing that came to mind when I saw the thread title was the Surfaris. Classic drum work. _Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-a, Wipeout_ ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/3 "2007-04-24T13:37:22Z")
My dad the drummer weeps over Buddy Rich’s solo on the tune _Somewhere._ ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/4 "2007-04-24T13:37:32Z")
Future Man has some mean synth-axe drumitar solos on several Flecktones albums. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/5 "2007-04-24T13:38:07Z")
[QUOTE=Jackmannii] True drum aficionados will blanch or worse when I mention this, but the first thing that came to mind when I saw the thread title was the Surfaris. Classic drum work. _Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-a, Wipeout_ [/QUOTE] I am playing it now, I don’t think this counts. It is a really simple if fast drumbeat. I might be able to do it. Two drum beats and an occasional bamf. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/6 "2007-04-24T13:49:28Z")
The beginning to “Time”, off of Dark Side of the Moon. Sure, the drums and “clock synth” and organ share equal volume, but the “main” instrument is the drum, for me, which with the counterpoint of the organ, make it the most memorable drum solo for me. Which of course means that right after I submit this I will think of a better one. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/7 "2007-04-24T14:03:42Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I am trying to recall a good example from **Keith Moon**. [/QUOTE] I nominate “A Quick One” … or perhaps some of the brief solos tangents in “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. [QUOTE=What Exit?] \*\*Neil Peart \*\* of Rush had some intense ones, can someone put a name to some of the specific Songs? [/QUOTE] We can start with “YYZ”, “The Rhythm Method”, and “The Drummer” (aka “O Baterista” or “Der Trommler”). The latter two do not appear on studio albums, but were recorded live. One more to nominate is Chuck Ruff’s drum work on Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein”. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/8 "2007-04-24T14:12:55Z")
Neil Peart’s Drum Solo in “Exit Stage left” is one of the best solo’s I have ever her. [Here](http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drum+solo+neil+pert) it is if you are interested… And a few others for your enjoyment. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/9 "2007-04-24T14:26:52Z")
Not exactly solos, but certainly great songs that feature drums as the primary instrument: **Don’t Do It** , as recorded by The Who (on Who’s Next). **Los Endos** , by Genesis. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/10 "2007-04-24T14:54:35Z")
Anyone one of Buddy Rich’s solos on **Channel One Suite**. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/11 "2007-04-24T15:22:14Z")
I do enjoy _Bonzo’s Montreux_ off Coda. What a marvelous work it is, a song itself with very little else added. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/12 "2007-04-24T16:17:38Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Going way back in time, \*\*Gene Krupa \*\* made a name for himself on “Sing, Sing, Sing”, though that might not technically be a Drum Solo. He had a few short solos at different points throughout the epic song. [/quote] Ever see _The Benny Goodman Story_? The real Krupa, who plays himself, does Sing Sing Sing and another nice solo, on a song whose name I forget. > [@](#): > > I have heard \*\*Ginger Baker \*\* live doing a great and very long Drum/percussion solo at the Stone Pony. It was incredible, but I am not sure of a recorded song that shows off his ability as a solo. > Jim I saw him in Central Park a long time ago. Great stuff, but most people I think prefer the solo on the studio Toad. I like the Toad on Wheels of Fire myself, being probably the only person in the world disappointed on hearing the extra stuff on the boxed set edition was not part of the solo. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/13 "2007-04-24T16:26:00Z")
[QUOTE=Voyager] Ever see _The Benny Goodman Story_? The real Krupa, who plays himself, does Sing Sing Sing and another nice solo, on a song whose name I forget. [/QUOTE] I have seen the movie, but I do not recall the scenes. I might have to watch it again. **lieu** , good call on _Montreux_, Bonzo will always be my favorite drummer. [QUOTE=randwill] Anyone one of Buddy Rich’s solos on Channel One Suite. [/QUOTE] I will have to look for this. **Phlosphr** , I need to check your link out tonight. [QUOTE=Kalhoun] My dad the drummer weeps over Buddy Rich’s solo on the tune Somewhere. [/QUOTE] I’ll have to look for this one too. **bordelond** : thanks, good ones. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/14 "2007-04-24T16:46:21Z")
[Joe Morello on **Take Five**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDOgYw5-pNs) ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/15 "2007-04-24T16:53:48Z")
[QUOTE=Great Dave] Future Man has some mean synth-axe drumitar solos on several Flecktones albums. [/QUOTE] I got nothin’ but love for Futch, but I think we can both agree that’s a stretch for this thread. Incidentally, for his live solos (each member of the Flecktones gets some alone time on stage) he usually does really cool improvs with midi triggers and voice/sound samples. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/16 "2007-04-24T17:12:09Z")
Not really a drum solo but I recently saw Aussie crooner [David Campbell](http://www.davidcampbell.com/biography/home.do) with a 7 piece band. He turned out to be one of the best singers I have evr heard live. For his first encore he came out and the drummer began to lay down a really nice slinky rhythm and Campbell began to sing _Begin The Beguine_. I thought, “Wow this is pretty cool. He’s going to do 16 bars basically a capella with the drummer.” But he did the whole song with just him and the drummer playing around with each other. Far more memorable than any of the dozens of actual solos I have heard. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/17 "2007-04-24T17:32:13Z")
Tony Williams does an amazing solo on the VSOP Quintet album. I think it’s on the song Lawra. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/18 "2007-04-24T17:59:05Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] [Joe Morello on **Take Five**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDOgYw5-pNs) [/QUOTE] Second this. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/19 "2007-04-24T19:03:14Z")
Cant believe I forgot: the entended intro to The Power Station’s “Some Like It Hot”, played by the incomparable Tony Thompson. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/20 "2007-04-24T20:31:33Z")
[QUOTE=Eonwe] **Los Endos** , by Genesis. [/QUOTE] More specifically, the two-man drum solo between “Dance on a Volcano” and Los Endos" by Bill Bruford and Phil Collins on _Second’s Out_. And while not quite a solo, Bruford (or Collins’) work on Supper’s Ready - “Apocalypse in 9/8” is great. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444.md?page=2)