# Your favorite drummers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 4, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676 "2003-01-04T23:07:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/41 "2003-01-06T19:10:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*“That’s not a rock star, that guy works in my dad’s office” \*\* Hilarious! Bun rules! I’ll add: Igor Cavelara - Sepultura Vince Paul - Pantera Both are totally brutal and fast. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/42 "2003-01-06T19:20:52Z")
Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater and Christian Vander of Magma should be included in any list of great drummers. ---
**Author:** ![li\_l\_Dickie\_Dirtz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@li\_l\_Dickie\_Dirtz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/li_l_Dickie_Dirtz)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/43 "2003-01-06T22:17:49Z")
**Simon Phillips** , studio drummer mostly, worked on some of Pete Townshend’s solo stuff. And Jeff Beck’s, too, I think. **Hal Blaine** , who’s already been mentioned I know, but come on, that guy has drummed with _everybody_. He deserves some more props. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/44 "2003-01-06T22:26:44Z")
Oskar Matzerath. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/45 "2003-01-06T23:55:02Z")
**Ringo???** He didn’t even play the drums on most of the studio sessions. Now let me agree with **Buddy Rich** and add the only two drummers that Rich said were as good (or better, but he would never admit that) than he. **Gene Krupa** - check out “Drum Boogie” sometime and hear a drum kit that doesn’t need a band. It is something else. He made music with the drums. Not many can do that. Usually it’s just noise at a specific cadence. Not with Krupa. **Chick Webb** - in my mind simply the best. Listen when the real greats of the 30s and 40s get together and talk about “the best”. It’s always Webb. Most of the recordings he made were with not so good labels (he was black), and he was also suffering from cancer, but even then, it is beyond something else. TV ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/46 "2003-01-07T00:22:06Z")
## quote: ## i hate drummers, generally, ever since i found out that any, ANY drum solo is just a vague variation of the in-a-gadda-da-vida drum solo. “That’s a bit broad, don’t you think? Your reasoning would put Iron Butterfly at the top of the pyramid and ignore the history of percussion that has come before and after it. Sorry, but that’s ignorant. At least be indifferent for a better reason.” sorry, you misunderstood me. i am not indifferent. i am malevolent, at least toward drummers. and, as a matter of fact, i don’t put iron butterfly at the top of the pyramid and ignore etc… there is no pyramid. drum solos are all in a straight horizontal line. and they are all at the bottom of that line. i have spoken!! ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/47 "2003-01-07T01:20:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TV time \* > \*\ ***Ringo???** > > He didn’t even play the drums on most of the studio sessions. > > \*\* According to [this site](http://web2.iadfw.net/gshultz/bryant.html): > [@](#): > > The rumors that Ringo did not play on many of the Beatle songs because he was not good enough are also false. In fact, he played on every released Beatles recording (not including Anthology 1) that include drums except for the following: “Back In The USSR” and “Dear Prudence”, on which Paul played drums due to Ringo temporarily quitting the band, “The Ballad of John and Yoko”, again featuring Paul on drums because Ringo was off making a movie, and a 1962 release of “Love Me Do” featuring session drummer Andy White. I originally saw this in the July 1997 issue of _Modern Drummer_ as well. I’d be interested to learn if this quote was wrong by any stretch. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/48 "2003-01-07T01:37:52Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by handsomeharry \* \*\*quote: > > ## i hate drummers, generally, ever since i found out that any, ANY drum solo is just a vague variation of the in-a-gadda-da-vida drum solo. > > “That’s a bit broad, don’t you think? Your reasoning would put Iron Butterfly at the top of the pyramid and ignore the history of percussion that has come before and after it. Sorry, but that’s ignorant. At least be indifferent for a better reason.” > > sorry, you misunderstood me. i am not indifferent. i am malevolent, at least toward drummers. > > and, as a matter of fact, i don’t put iron butterfly at the top of the pyramid and ignore etc… there is no pyramid. drum solos are all in a straight horizontal line. and they are all at the bottom of that line. i have spoken!! \*\* That’s just like saying “All guitar solos are vaguely reminiscent of _Eruption_”. _ **Please.** _ If you would like to learn differently, do some research with our friend Google concerning any of the drummers listed above (with the exception of Ringo Starr; his “The End” solo _must_ be lifted from “Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida”) along with solos. Perhaps you’ll run into some sound files that, understood within the context of the song, are much more than syncopated four-stroke ruffs and 8th-note bass drum ostinatos. Failing that, tune in to KRXO; they often play songs with good solos. ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/49 "2003-01-07T02:03:18Z")
Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. He also gets the “least original name” award. ---
**Author:** ![kgriffey79](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@kgriffey79](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kgriffey79)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/50 "2003-01-07T02:40:08Z")
How old is **Chad Smith**? I’m only asking because he was brought up and because he looks SO MUCH older than the rest of the band!!! He looks like the guy from SNL (Will Ferrel (sic)). ---
**Author:** ![ZooMetropolis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e480ec/32.png) [@ZooMetropolis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZooMetropolis)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/51 "2003-01-07T02:52:22Z")
Mike Portnoy!!! and the guy from Dave Matthews Band… (I can´t remember his name) ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/52 "2003-01-07T04:36:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kgriffey79 \* > **How old is Chad Smith ?** According to the Allmusic Guide, **Chad Smith** , **Anthony Kiedis** , and **Flea** were all born in 1962, and thus have all just turned **40** (!) **John Frusciante** was born in **1971** , and so is still only **31**. Writing all these words in **bold print** makes me feel just like **Jackie Harvey!** Sometimes my **hemorrhoids** get so bad, I can’t **sit down** for **weeks** without a good supply of **Preparation H.** Thanks, **Wyeth Healthcare!** And again: > [@](#): > > _originallyl posted by gex gex_ > **Also, I’ll second Chad Smith.** Why? What am I missing here? Chad Smith fans, please respond. ---
**Author:** ![Hickory6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@Hickory6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hickory6)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/53 "2003-01-07T05:04:28Z")
I can’t believe it took so long to get to Mitch Mitchell. I’d also nominate Gary Husband, the guy who played drums on Allan Holdsworth’s “IOU”. His replacement, Chad Wackerman, was no slouch, either. I like Alex Van Halen, too, for what it’s worth. And Ringo. He just had a knack for finding the perfect part. I love the way he played just a hair behind the beat. Very distinctive sound. Made things sound just a bit slower than they really were. Best example is “I Am the Walrus,” I think. And, of course, Steve Gadd. I’m also thinking of the drummer from Toto, who’s name escapes me now. Big session stud. ---
**Author:** ![Ramanujan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Ramanujan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramanujan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/54 "2003-01-07T05:40:27Z")
i doubt if anyone’s heard of them, but the best drummer i’ve ever heard (in rock music) was the fella who drummed for **The Wicked Farleys** , and sometimes **The Swirlies** , and maybe now **The Yes Girls** (haven’t heard them yet), three low-lying boston area great-and-incredibly-original-rock bands who’ve had several overlapping members. i’ve never heard anyone even close to him in rock music. doubt if anyone’s heard him though. \>8[ ---
**Author:** ![Vanyel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Vanyel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanyel)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/55 "2003-01-07T05:49:40Z")
Definitely Animal, as in the muppet. _WOMAN! WOMAN!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/56 "2003-01-07T05:55:40Z")
My faves are: 1. Buddy Rich - he was a guest on the Muppet Show and had a drum battle with Animal, for God’s sake! 2. Neil Peart - Genius and technical wizard 3. Phil Collins - I just like the sound he makes on the skins. Very distinctive. 4. Tony Thompson - Underrated session drummer. Another one with a very distinct sound. 5. Ed Shaughnessy - For me, the sound of Doc Severinson’s Tonight Show Band. 6. Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz - “Weird Al” Yankovic’s drummer. Extremely versatile and a virtual unknown, as is his whole band. 7. Ginger Baker - Great sound. Excellent compliment to Clapton and Bruce. 8. Mick Fleetwood - Tries stuff in pop songs that most drummers wouldn’t dare. The glue that kept Fleetwood Mac together for many years. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/57 "2003-01-07T05:58:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hickory6 \* > \*\* > > I’m also thinking of the drummer from Toto, who’s name escapes me now. Big session stud. \*\* Jeff Porcaro. [http://www.povlab.org/jeff.porcaro/](http://www.povlab.org/jeff.porcaro/) ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/58 "2003-01-07T07:00:51Z")
[\*\*Marc Anderson[b/]](http://www.fathands.com/biography.htm). Anybody that can keep pace with [Steve Tibbetts](http://www.frammis.com/) gets a vigorous nod in my book. His solo work has been thus far fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![High\_Priestess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ee7513/32.png) [@High\_Priestess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/High_Priestess)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/59 "2003-01-07T09:18:20Z")
One of my favorite drummers is Yoshiki, of now-defunct Japanese metal legends X/X-Japan. He did a couple of gigs with KISS, and I think he’s actually in one of their music videos… he also drummed for Violet UK, for whom Roger Taylor did vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Wartime\_Consigliori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9d8465/32.png) [@Wartime\_Consigliori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wartime_Consigliori)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676/60 "2003-01-07T17:49:20Z")
Here’s a shout out for the great **Moe Tucker**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-drummers/146676.md?page=4)