# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/21 "2007-04-24T22:22:40Z")
I am not a fan of drum solos - but then again, I am a guitarist, so I suppose that is to be expected. šŸ˜ƒ My idea of perfect drumming in rock is \*\*Phil Rudd of AC/DC \*\* playing on Problem Child - no fills. Period - just locked-in groove. At the end of the solo, he really stretches out and adds some sorta maracca rhythm sound on top of the beat. And because his groove is so solid and simple, it really stands out. Less is More. I love \*\*Tre Cool of Green Day \*\* - he plays melodic drums and while he does play fills, they are like little lead licks that fill out the song. I love the version of **Moby Dick off the Zep DVD collection How the West Was Won**. My all-time favorite drum break is by **Bernard Purdie on Arethaā€™s Rock Steady** - in the break, when the girls are singing ā€œRockā€¦Steady; Rockā€¦Steadyā€ and then Purdie comes in with a syncopated series and hi-hat hit that just blows my hair back. Doesnā€™t get any better my friends. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/22 "2007-04-24T22:38:27Z")
[QUOTE=phungi] More specifically, the two-man drum solo between ā€œDance on a Volcanoā€ and Los Endos" by Bill Bruford and Phil Collins on _Secondā€™s Out_. And while not quite a solo, Bruford (or Collinsā€™) work on Supperā€™s Ready - ā€œApocalypse in 9/8ā€ is great. [/QUOTE] Bruford doesnā€™t play on those tracks; thatā€™s Chester Thompson. I think the only track on _Seconds Out_ from the tour with Bruford is ā€œCinema Show.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Mbossa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Mbossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mbossa)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/23 "2007-04-24T22:48:49Z")
I likes meself the electric drum solo before the last verse of Midnight Oilā€™s _Power and the Passion_. I also second the rototom solo at the beginning of Pink Floydā€™s _Time_. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/24 "2007-04-24T22:50:05Z")
Not necessarily solos ( but some of those ), but Iā€™ve been re-listening to mid-period Zappa recently and Iā€™ve rediscovered my fondness for Aynsley Dunbarā€™s drumming. Not that Zappa hasnā€™t had plenty of accomplished drummers, but Dunbar somehow stands out for me. Especially on parts of _The Grand Wazoo_. 'course Iā€™m no drummer, so I have no idea what REAL drummers think of him ;). - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/25 "2007-04-24T23:25:53Z")
Although not a true drum solo i love Lars Ulrichā€™s drum line in ā€œOneā€ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/26 "2007-04-24T23:32:48Z")
\*\*What are the greatest Drum Solos of all time? \*\* Ones that never happen. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/27 "2007-04-24T23:38:31Z")
Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. You decide. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwJAAlXomVk) ---
**Author:** ![Leonard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@Leonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leonard)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2007, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/28 "2007-04-24T23:54:22Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] I am not a fan of drum solos - but then again, I am a guitarist, so I suppose that is to be expected. šŸ˜ƒ [/QUOTE] I agree and Iā€™m a drummer. But to be fair I also donā€™t like 99% of guitar solos. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/29 "2007-04-25T00:13:37Z")
I really enjoyed Omar Hakimā€™s solo in Stingā€™s movie [Bring On the Night (YouTube clip)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbs4WJvc-hI). I donā€™t know if itā€™s apparent from this brief, choppy excerpt, but watching the whole movie itā€™s like he just takes flight. Sadly, this version isnā€™t on the album. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/30 "2007-04-25T00:30:11Z")
Cozy Cole: ā€œTopsy Part Twoā€ circa 1960 ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/31 "2007-04-25T00:57:09Z")
Count me among the drummers that hate \*listening \* to drum solos. Now _watching_ one? Thatā€™s a different kettle oā€™ fish. Iā€™ll watch a spontaneous drum circle. (And laugh to myself at the sincerity of the bad players. Kinda arrogant, hunh?) Because of that Iā€™ve really no performances to add, but I thought anyone interested enough to be reading this thread might enjoy [this site](http://www.drummerworld.com/index2.html). Itā€™s a magnificent source for info about drummers including video and soundclips. Check out the animation for YYZ on Neil Peartā€™s page. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/32 "2007-04-25T01:51:23Z")
gene krupa, buddy rich, joe morello. in that order. šŸ™‚ think iā€™ve died and gone to heaven tonight. many thanks for those links, guys. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/33 "2007-04-25T07:55:11Z")
Gene Krupa is god. But still, the first thing that occurred to me when I saw this thread title was Foetusā€™s ā€œSlung.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/34 "2007-04-25T08:19:59Z")
[QUOTE=Biffy the Elephant Shrew] Bruford doesnā€™t play on those tracks; thatā€™s Chester Thompson. I think the only track on _Seconds Out_ from the tour with Bruford is ā€œCinema Show.ā€ [/QUOTE] In the late 80ā€™s Genesis put out a VHS tape of their Mama tour. At the end of **In the Cage** Phil Collins and Chester Thompson do a duet. Itā€™s really good. The way they fade from the duet into **Turn It On** is really cool too. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/35 "2007-04-25T11:23:10Z")
[QUOTE=Fugazi] In the late 80ā€™s Genesis put out a VHS tape of their Mama tour. At the end of **In the Cage** Phil Collins and Chester Thompson do a duet. Itā€™s really good. The way they fade from the duet into **Turn It On** is really cool too. [/QUOTE] I am not sure if it was this I watched, or a Phil Collins solo concert (with Chester Thompson). They are both sitting in a sea of drums and cymbals, both playing out of their skins, and doing something that is so much more than Crash, Boom, Bam. Amazing. Best bit of drumming I have ever seen. Si ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/36 "2007-04-25T12:47:49Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] 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. [/QUOTE] The extended versions of \*Toad \* and _Sunshine of Your Love_ both feature great drum solos by Baker. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/37 "2007-04-25T13:05:22Z")
I donā€™t think there is a true solo in it, but the drumming on ā€œSurprsie Surpriseā€ by Caravan is amazing. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/38 "2007-04-25T13:07:13Z")
Iā€™ve seen a few live performances by Tommy Lee that were phenominal. One complete with a magic show where he disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/39 "2007-04-25T14:02:02Z")
What, no one has mentioned [Animal](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDU-ZyBQRnQ) yet?!?!?! (worth the watch, by the wayā€¦) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444/40 "2007-04-25T14:47:42Z")
[QUOTE=Leonard] I agree and Iā€™m a drummer. But to be fair I also donā€™t like 99% of guitar solos. [/QUOTE] Couldnā€™t agree more! If the solo _adds to the song_, I am all for it. Any hint of self-serving wanking and I check out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-greatest-drum-solos-of-all-time/401444.md?page=3)