10 Best Drummers of All Time

[drummer]

This is my whole thing drummer. We have to come to grips with the fact that there quite literally MILLIONS of people that play drums in this world. To say some one is the best is impossible. What Criteria could you even base it on?

That's why I worded it "Who are the 10 best drummers of all time to YOU." rather than simply, "Who are the 10 best drummers". There's a difference. Of course 10 best drummers couldn't really be named. People are influenced and inspired for different reasons and that's why these lists will always vary. But if someone thinks Neil Peart is one of the best drummers of all time than more power to them. I don't happen to think so but everyone's entitled to his opinion.

[angus242]

I dunno. Change the title of this thread to "10 favorite of all time" and I think most of the bickering goes away. Of course, you're all on your own with how good of a band Rush is.

[drummer]

All posts past this point that have anything other than their top 10 favorites will be deleted. See, I told you we could all get along.

[NPYYZ]

It's evident by some of these lists that there are many drummers that would make the top 10's if they were to get more exposure. There are a lot of amazing drummers out there flying under the radar.

No doubt. Out of the 5 I listed as my current favorites , I'm guessing Mangini is the only one many have even heard of.

[ludleg]

These are the drummers that captured my imagination the most, and who had the most influence on me. All comments are obviously IMHO
1. Ringo Starr - best 'serve the song' drummer I have ever heard
2. Mitch Mitchell
3. Ginger Baker
4. Keith Moon
5. John Bonham
6. Manu Katche
7. Simon Phillips
8. Russ Kunkel
9. Steve Upton (1st three LPs for British band Wishbone Ash are superb!)
10. Vinnie Colaiuta

[porkpieguy]

Here are the top 10 drummers that have had a major influence on my playing OR they inspire me to go and practice (even though I may not try to emulate what they do).

1. Carter Beauford – I was first drawn to his broken hi-hat patterns.
2. Jeremy Taggart – The guy just explodes out of the gate.
3. Darrin Pfeiffer – Learned the entire self-titled Goldfinger CD. Saw him live, and he’s too crude to hang out with, but a heck of a drummer.
4. Jared Byres (of Bleach) – I love the patterns he played on the Bleach records.
5. Dave Grohl/Taylor Hawkins– Where do I begin? IMO, I think these guys make up the best rock band walking the earth at this moment. I love Grohl’s take/philosophy on making music.

6-10: As for the next 5 on the list, I’d just like to dedicate the extra space to all of my local drumming and musician friends that have continued to play and have been a huge encouragement to me over the past 20 years. We’ve borrowed (stolen?) each other’s ideas on a regular basis, seen each other play live time and time again, borrowed each other’s equipment, crashed on each other’s couches, had pity parties due to significant others, recorded in crummy studio after studio, dealt with temper tantrums, etc. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.

[gdmoore28]

My top ten most influential to me:

1. Ringo
2. Mitch Mitchell
3. Ginger
4. Bonham
5. Buddy Rich
6. Bill Bruford
7. Clyde Stubblefield
8. Ian Paice
9. Don Brewer
10. Every other drummer who appeared on every record that reached the top 40 on radio from 1959 to the late 1990s, when rap predominated and I stopped listening to music radio at all.

GeeDeeEmm

[slinglander]

Drummers who've influenced me in one way or the other:
B.J.Wilson
Jon Hiseman
Mitch Mitchell
Ginger Baker
Billy Cobham
Ansley Dunbar
Simon Phillips
Gary Husband
Cozy Powell
Vinnie Colaiuta

[JRS1988]

In no particular order:Here are my favorites

Tony Williams

Terry Bozzio

Louis Bellson

Vinnie Colaiuta

Steve Smith

Steve Gadd

Bill Bruford

Mark Craney

David Garibaldi

William Kennedy

[gdmoore28]

Drummers who've influenced me in one way or the other:
B.J.Wilson
Jon Hiseman
Mitch Mitchell
Ginger Baker
Billy Cobham
Ansley Dunbar
Simon Phillips
Gary Husband
Cozy Powell
Vinnie Colaiuta

How could I have forgotten to include Ansley Dunbar in my list? Thanks for listing him, too.

GeeDeeEmm

[Canadian Bob]

To ME ?

Joe Morello
Buddy Rich
Louis Bellson
Gene Krupa
Clyde Stubblefield
Ed Shaugnessey
Neil Peart
Charlie Watts
John Bonham
Ringo Starr

And a whole lot of others too! Man this is like the "Desert Island - Favourite Movie " game !!

[not him]

Let me see now. Going strong for 40 years. Both the bass player and guitar player are considered at the top of the game by many. Rush's sales statistics also place them third behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band. They are all very normal guys, that are still alive, in a profession where many succumb to drugs, alcohol, or many of the other paroles of being a Rock star. Not bad for three Canadian kids! Not sure what else they can do.

I met Geddy at his house when he lived in the beaches and must say he was the nicest most down to earth person. He thanked me after out talking for some time about stuff for just talking to him like normal people do.

[Lexer]

John Bonham
Steve Gadd
Buddy Rich
Steve Smith
Jeff Porcaro
Clive Burr
Alex Van Halen
Vinny Appice
Neil Peart
Phil Rudd ( he did so much while doing so little) the sound of his drums on " for those about to rock" is killer. They are Sonar drums.

[scorch whammin]

My top ten would probably be....in no particular order...
- John Bonham
- Vinnie Colaiuta
- Steve Gadd
- Steve Smith
- Buddy Rich
- Dave Weckl
- Neil Peart
- Gavin Harrison
- Tommy Igoe
- Keith Moon

[makeemsing]

It's hard to really dictate a "Best drummer" as each drummer will always have a strength or a weakness. Buddy Rich for example had some nasty chops but often would over play rather than make the band swing. Anyhow, my list is based more off of who I enjoy listening to than anything.

1. Sonny Payne. (His work with Frank Sinatra swings like no other.)

2. Gene Krupa (You cannot deny at what he has done for the drums)

3. Elvin Jones (While the guy didn't have much of an off switch he was innovative with his style.)

4. Buddy Rich (While an amazing player he wasn't my favorite to listen to for the reasons above.)

5. Papa Jo Jones (Tastefull, scary technique.)

6. Carter Beaford (Very tasty playing. Often find nice ways to sneak choppy licks in his playing.)

7. Louie Bellson (His brushwork and his version of Caravan...Enough said.)

8. Akira Jimbo (His approach is rather odd but I like it. Very few can program an entire orchestra into his playing and make it work.)

9. Dennis Chambers (His speed is amazing, his technicality is amazing.)

10. Art Blakey (This is for Albert....Enough Said. Haha)

[Icetech]

So much wrong in these lists... Bohnam over Ward? no way EVER... no purdie? no stublefield? sigh....

[drummer]

Lists will always be subjective.

[inthpktplayer]

Who ever pays attention to lists?

[FlyByNight]

So much wrong in these lists... Bohnam over Ward? no way EVER... no purdie? no stublefield? sigh....

There's nothing wrong with the list of drummers who inspire us. Since you decided to comment her, may we see your list? All other posts without a top 10 list will be deleted as stated above.

[inthpktplayer]

There's nothing wrong with the list of drummers who inspire us. Since you decided to comment her, may we see your list? All other posts without a top 10 list will be deleted as stated above.

Didn't know you'd been deputized.

[FlyByNight]

Didn't know you'd been deputized.

I think I just got a little carried away.

[Icetech]

I was jesting I won't bother making a list.. as my list would be different from everyone elses and i find lists silly.. hell mine would include for a few...

Smelly from NOFX
Bill Stevenson from The Descendents
whoever the hell the drummer from DRI was...
Purdie..
Jabo
Stublefield

Ohhh... Almost forgot.. Ronnie Tutt... Kicked serious *** live.. had to be ready to jump into any song with 2 seconds notice and just rocked it hard...

But like i said.. i don't do lists so disregard

P.S. ill take groove and feeling over technique and speed anyday of the week..

[inthpktplayer]

I think I just got a little carried away.

P.S. ill take groove and feeling over technique and speed anyday of the week..

This

[Vhyle]

I can't do top 10 BEST either. That's impossible.

But my biggest influences and favorites? Sure!

Neil Peart
Virgil Donati
Gergo Borlai
Tony Royster Jr
Mike Mitchell (recent discovery)
Mike Portnoy
Jojo Mayer
Martin Lopez
Frost
Trym Torson
Vyl

No particular order, lol

[Pearl MCX Man]

All the lists that I have seen so far in this thread are great and I agree with all those who posted them. There are so many, many great drummers in this world.
I think Rickthedrummer should be on the top .