Who Are Your Favourite Rock Drummers? These Are Mine

[@paulcoleman3081]

I've heard Ringo's drumming being knocked time and time again - often by non-musicians it has to be said - so it's great to hear someone standing up for him. One of the best rock ensemble drummers of all time: always played for the song, always played an essential role in the Beatles' "sound." Came up with interesting and original parts too.

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

Ringo Starr is my favourite drummer. His drumming was inventive and always added that sprinkle of magic to the songs without overwhelming them.

[@danfango1333]

I like Stewart Copeland, and Slim Jim Phantom.....

[@derekclacton]

In the pantheon of rock drummers, Brian Downey rarely seems to feature - talk about being ‘criminally underrated’ - my #1! 🙂 Great to see his talent recognised 👍

[@johnlawson3909]

I agree, you could identify the song by the drum pattern alone with his playing

[@michaelsingley5641]

Simon Kirke - Mitch Mitchell - John Bonham - Ian Paice - Joey Kramer ; plus Roger Earl and Mick Tucker

[@gordocanuck666]

Couldn't agree more with you regarding Ringo.... kept everything tight and interesting while playing as a band member, not as a drummer trying to impress. All those guys served their music, and were proficient enough to make rock masterpieces.

[@dw7704]

Off the top of my head - Bonham, Paice, Peart, Moon & one of Powell, Aldridge, Mover or Starr

[@skasteve6528]

Back in the early eighties, a mate of mine was a drummer in a band. He was okay but when he became manager of the band, he replaced himself. He wasn't a bad drummer and was always trying to be poached by other bands. He had that certain something other drummers in the area didn't have.... A Ford Transit.

[@wallofrock6725]

Great list. My favourites, no certain order: Neal Peart Mikkey Dee Steve Smith Gar Samuelson Cozy Powell Terry Bozzio Moonie

[@wallofrock6725]

Add Jeff Porcaro

[@peterhall4852]

Its Animal from The Muppets.

[@skasteve6528]

A vastly underrated drummer.

[@ronnienose8608]

Townsend has said that Keith wasn't a great timekeeper. He's said that he was good at following him if Townsend decided to improvise. Baker loathed BBM and hasn't got a nice word to say about Moore's playing, but then Baker was a grumpy sod.

[@markmiwurdz2248]

@ronnienose8608. You may have already heard this. If you listen very carefully to The Who track “Baba O’Reilly” on “Who’s Next” Keith Moon “loses” a little bit of timing when he comes into the song. But he manages to pull it back as Roger Daltrey’s vocal starts. Surprising that Townsend - and producer Glyn Johns, left it in! But you don’t get a metronome included when you buy a record (I think that’s a Bob Dylan quote). Stay safe and well.

[@bigredmachine1]

I'll go: 1. Bonham. 2. Moon. 3. Taylor. 4. Porcaro. 5. Gadd

[@richardgough3450]

Highly recommend you check out Black Star Riders.

[@malcolmspillett8172]

Neil Peart - Ginger Baker - Carl Palmer - John Bonham - Stewart Copeland

[@terryhand]

Lennon never actually said that. It has been attributed to Jasper Carrot - what would he know.

[@catherinewilson3880]

Yeah, Lennon would never, ever have said that about Ringo.

[@canadianintheukbrian]

I will pick the drummers I heard live , Charlie Watts , Nicko McBrain, Alex Van Halen, Neil Pert, Scott Phillips

[@RobONeill-b5e]

Bill Bruford

[@Stratboy999]

Neil Peart, John Bonham, Pat Mastelotto, Vinny Appice, Bill Bruford.

[@ElBauldo64]

Ian Paice, Deep Purple, Erik Kretz (STP), John Bonham (Lez Zepplin), Bill Ward (Sabbath), Cozy Powell (Rainbow). Drummers that wouldn't be classified as rock such as Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Bernard Purdie etc are in a different league altogether.

[@petewindsor4096]

There was a Stuart Copeland documentary series and he rated Ringo highly too. And, recently saw a KZbin clop in which Paul McCartney says how much a difference Ringo made - he could play everything. For my list I'd want to add Filthy Phil too, though.

[@6stringstandard136]

My top 5 would be Gavin Harrison, Danny Carey, Neil Peart, Marco Minnemann and Dave Turncrantz.

[@Davey-Boyd]

Akane Hirose Senri Kawaguchi Yoyoka Soma Kahokiss Kanade Soto Junna Haruna Seven Japanese female drummers that are current, and as good as anybody listed in these comments. A lot of rock fans just live in the past and ignore the superb music and talent out there today. Rock didn't die, it moved to Japan.

[@michaelbelliveau8755]

Steve Gadd Vinnie Calliuto Neil Peart Danny Carey Ian paice.. all the ones you named..and at least 100 more...are my favorites.

[@aminahmed2220]

Mitch Mitchell Travis Barker Scott Raynor Ginger Baker Phil Collins Neil Peart ❤😊

[@rudigerehrlich2375]

My go-to drummer is Jon Hiseman

[@Lespaul23]

My top five are: Ian Paice, Ian Paice, Ian Paice, Ian Paice, and Ian Paice too.

[@latheofheaven1017]

How funny! I think Ian Paice is winning on mentions, for sure. 😁

[@ravenmad9225]

Bill Ward,Lee kerslake,Charlie Watts,Phil Rudd.....Just too many to list.

[@stefanproch2240]

......Tommy Aldridge..... you shouldn't forget him😉

[@cryptotharg7400]

Frank Zappa began as a drummer, which is why all his music seems so percussive. Skunk Baxter recommends drums, also.

[@steviebarr7353]

John Lennon didn't say that about Ringo, it was Jasper Carrott....... Ringo's most impressive playing IMHO is on the BBC track I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry Over You

[@jimmcclements5229]

Neil’s last name is pronounced like the listening organ P ear t.

[@steviebarr7353]

BBM should've been named "The Joke" (an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman)

[@BrentAdams]

Honestly....I was surprised that Ginger Baker made it onto your list. Your tastes in Music lean a LOT more heavily into POP than mine. As you say..they are YOUR top 5!

[@Chip_57]

Only one for me John, Neil Peart. Moon was also a great drummer though.

[@latheofheaven1017]

Before listening to your picks, John, I'm going to give you my top five. Ian Paice. Ian Paice. Ian Paice. Ian Paice. Ian Paice.

[@Lespaul23]

Ha…I didn’t even scroll down until after I typed mine. Good call !

[@greyhoundude6112]

Dave Mattacks

[@tripledistilled2822]

Gary Moore must be pronounced with a Belfast accent! Even though he didn't seem to speak with one himself 🤔

[@cryptotharg7400]

Terry Bozzio, and Chad Wackerman.

[@petergrant7332]

Did you know that Keith moon did not use a high hat

[@JRobsonGuitar]

I did not know that! A good one for the trivia bank. I'll be listening more closely to Who tunes in future 😁👍

[@steel_horse7570]

john Bonham