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Last Active 05-17-12 7:20 pm
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| Top 10 "Classic" Rock Drummers
When most people think of a great-sounding rock band, they either think of the performers working together as a whole, or they pinpoint the more charismatic members such as the frontman or guitarist. What they may not realize is that it is the drums and bass guitar that are the foundation of any good-sounding rock group. While I adore both instruments, it is something about the primal energy of the drum that has inspired me to compile this list of what I think are the ten most talented "classic" rock drummers (i.e. no later than the 70s). A good drummer doesn't just have to add a million fills to a song - they also have to think creatively on their feet (and arms!) in order to keep the music flowing. While I?m sure there are several who will disagree with my picks, that's okay. Discussion is what keeps top ten lists fun! Enjoy! | | 1 | Jaki Liebezeit (Can)
"Who?" You may be asking yourself right now. "WHO??!" is my response. Can was a visionary, experimental, German-based rock group out of the late 60s and early 70s. Each of their members is a force to be reckoned with, but it was Jaki's monstrous trance grooves on earlier albums and fullblown earthquake jazz credibility on later albums that earn him the title as King of All Drummers in my book. On tracks like "Oh Yeah", he and bassist partner in crime Holger Czukay take you deep inside yourself, equating to what appears to be a psychedelic experience while completely sober. Also, Jaki's robotic treatment of his kit on "Halleluhwah" still sounds out of the future today, though recorded in 1971, and his frenetic syncopation on the album Ege Bamyasi would make hired help for Miles Davis blush. Outstanding Moments: Too many to count! | | 2 | Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart (The Grateful Dead)
Without this dynamic duo, the Grateful Dead may well have been just another name amidst the swarm of San Francisco based bands in the late 60s. Whatever jam Garcia and Co. decided to pull off - psychedelic, country, rockabilly, blues, indian, reggae, you name it - Kreutzmann and Hart were there, extracting every ounce of energy from the group's legendarily close-knit performances.
Outstanding Moments: "Alligator" and "Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)" | | 3 | Neil Peart (Rush)
Always pertinent to a healthy discussion of greatest drummers (pardon my pun), Neil is the creme de la creme of the heavy prog sound and a virtual deity to hordes of aspiring percussionists. While he's not the first drummer to perform "in the round", he certainly exemplifies the phrase "use every part of the buffalo". When Neil soloes, you listen. He's not just showing off. He's going on a journey into beat, meter, syncopation, time, and space, and he wants you to join him as much as you possibly can. Outstanding Moment: "YYZ" | | 4 | John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
Bonham. Bonham. Bonham. Even the most novice rock music lovers know his style within a millisecond. Loud, crashing, bashing, full of fun and debauchery. The life of Led Zeppelin's perpetual heavy blues party. The only reason I didn't place him higher up is because Jimmy Page sometimes collaborated with him on his sound - but who cares! This guy's an unforgettable maniac, and may he rest in peace.
Outstanding Moment: "Rock and Roll" | | 5 | Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson)
Not all drummers are savage idiots who behave like children and inspire certain Muppets. Bruford's percussive action is for more distinguished tastes - however, on tracks like Yes's "Heart of the Sunrise", he might just manage to turn over a few rogue audiophiles. He is my second favorite prog drummer behind the number three pick, um, no peeking, of course.
Outstanding Moments: "Heart of the Sunrise" (Yes), "One More Red Nightmare" (King Crimson) | | 6 | Ginger Baker (Cream)
While there are obviously a plethora of amazing percussionists out there, Ginger owns a special distinction on this list for introducing jazz-style drumming into rock music. Teamed up with guitar wizard Eric Clapton and delightful vocalist/bassist Jack Bruce, these three were an unstoppable force in the psychedelic late 60s.
Outstanding Moment: "Toad" | | 7 | John "Drumbo" French
While most music listeners are not familiar with the name, once you hear John French's eccentric approach to drumming - leaving out all the expected beats and on multiple occasions even playing in a different time signature than the other musicians - he won't soon be forgotten. He first played for avant-garde rocker Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) on the album Safe as Milk, but he really shines on the polarizing double album extravaganza Trout Mask Replica. If you're really prepared for a challenging but ultimately satisfying drummer, then French is for you.
Outstanding Moments: Pretty much all of TMR (minus the spoken word parts) | | 8 | Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer)
Battles with nuclear armadillos, a sinister postmodern circus, tales of dragons, spaceships, and vegetables - Carl Palmer can keep you on the edge of your seat for any of it. You'll feel like taking a deep rewarding breath after listening to him play - his frequent musical sparring with organist Keith Emerson is vacuum-tight. It's no wonder that these guys were one of the most popular acts of the 1970s.
Outstanding Moment: "Tarkus" | | 9 | Keith Moon (The Who)
I know that lot of hardcore fans will disagree with this one, but the only reasons I kept "Moonie" this low was because a) there are so many other deserving drummers on this list and b) once you hear his "modus operandi" of spirited syncopation, you've pretty much heard every Keith Moon fill there is to hear. However, it was this very thing which was the lifeblood of his band?'s sensational rock operas such as Tommy and Quadrophenia.
Outstanding Moment: "Happy Jack" | | 10 | Moe Tucker (The Velvet Underground)
If you want to know what the sound of a beating heart on every manner of amphetamine is like, Moe is your girl. While she made the odd decision to never employ cymbals in her songs, it was this primal thump which made the New York based Velvet Underground sound all that more chaotic and street-savvy. She is the perfect example of "less is more" when it comes to musicianship.
Outstanding Moment: "Sister Ray" | |
SgtPepper
05.20.12 | This is a good list. but Im very surprised to see 10 here. I honestly dont see her technique to be at all impressive. Dont get me wrong I like her and the Velvet Underground, but her drumming is very repetitive, though it is effective.
- Also Mitch Mitchell from The Jimi Hendrix Experience should be here. Also look into Billy Cobham from The Mahavishnu Orchestra, best drummer of the 70s next to Bonzo. | IMZA1793
05.20.12 | 3, 4, 5 and 9 are amazing. | Headspace Entity
05.21.12 | I totally agree about Mitch Mitchell, but I would have to rearrange the whole list. I'm too lazy. :P
I might place him somewhere like number 4 or 5. |
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