Who are your favorite drummers, and why?

What I most appreciate on a drummer usually is: dynamics, creativity, eclecticism (or versatility) and energy. I sometimes find all of these virtues present, other times just two or three of them, in the following drummers:

1) Bill Ward - astonishing level of musicianship. And sometimes that is as much about knowing what not to play;
2) Carl Palmer - his ever changing rythmic paces on the same song or piece are mind-blowing and unique, besides his versatility, and eclecticism at a high-level;
3) Stewart Copeland - his creativity allied to his eclecticism makes him freakin' unique;
4) Neil Peart - what an energetic drumming!, and he's also capable of various approaches, perhaps his admiration for Copeland's drumming helped for that. Peart admitted once that Copeland was one of his major influences.

 

Tongue tied

 

nick mason
mitch mitchell
keith moon
john bonham
ringo starr
mick fleetwood
charlie watts
bill bruford
Jaki Liebezeit (CAN)
frank beard (zz top)
mike shrieve (santana)
alex van halen
john densmore (the doors)
Pierre Moerlen/Pip Pyle (gong)

 

Which reminds me of another reason why I picked Bill Bruford - knowing what not to play. Oft quoted bit, but he got writing credit for a KC piece he didn't play on or contribute to because he thought it best to sit out and shut up - and kudos to the band members for recognizing that his non-contribution was indeed a contribution.

 

Bill Kreutzman. Because he listens.

 

Abe Laboriel Jr
Keith Moon
Dave Grohl
Charlie Watts
Ringo Star
Stewart Copeland

 

Indeed, Bruford definitely added and contributed pretty much, and I wouldn't go wrong in putting him amongst my favorites too. In my viewpoint there are very few drummers with that mind-blowing level of musicianship he is well-known for.

 

At the top of my list is Mel Gaynor from Simple Minds. Tracks like "Speed Your Love To Me" and "Come A Long Way" explain exactly why.

Also:
Stewart Copeland - he doesn't just keep the beat; he fills every open space with something unique and inspiring
Adam Woods of The Fixx - such an expressive drummer
DJ Bonebrake of X - listen to "Blue Spark"
Tony Thompson - for Chic, yes, but really for The Power Station - the drums on "Some Like It Hot" are among my all-time favorites
Terry Bozzio - so much unique work with Missing Persons
Steve Ferrone - he took over in Duran Duran briefly after Roger Taylor (also excellent!) left. The drums on "Proposition" from Notorious are incredible
Bill Berry - the fills in the intro to "The One I Love"? Need I say more?
Jeff Porcaro - too many to mention
Gina Schock - much like Stewart Copeland, she doesn't simply keep the beat; she puts in a lot of interesting fills and her drumming becomes integral to the record. "Vacation" and "Head Over Heels" are standouts.
Martin Chambers - "Mystery Achievement." F#@%!
Butch Vig - Listen to the first Garbage single, "Vow"

 

Michael Shrieve

 

DANNY SERAPHINE - Chicago's original drummer and founding member







Danny Seraphine's legendary integration of jazz chops with a rock feel has been cited as a major influence on many of today's great drummers. He has always been known for his fast chops and inspiring creativity. Several early Chicago tracks that showcase his playing include "25 or 6 to 4," "Devil's Suite," "Now More Than Ever," "Motorboat to Mars," "Skin Tight," "Make Me Smile," "Old Days," "Questions 67 And 68," "Beginnings," "I'm A Man," "Goodbye," "Now That You've Gone," etcetera, just to name a few.

 

More recently my favorites have been Stanton Moore, Bobby Previte and Manu Katche

 

Can you imagine Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa behind the skins of a top notch rock band?

 

Ringo Starr
Charlie Watts
Keith Moon

 

Benny[Papa Zita]Benjamin]who played on most of the classic Motown hits of the early to mid-sixties.

 

I mentioned him further up! Also gets my vote for the hardest hitter. It feels like your sternum is going to snap!

 

Cast my vote for drummer Ronnie Tutt, who has worked with a number of legendary artists including Roy Orbison, Jerry Garcia, Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond.

 

Al Jackson Jr. Not my favorite of all time; but I felt obligated to make mention of him as nobody had. Top 10 by any standards.

Dino Danelli as above; but I had to atone for the fact he also has not been mentioned. Top 7...

As a final mention... A proxy vote from Dave Clark for Dave Clark as the greatest of all time.

 

I can and it would be a not too dissimilar experience as listening to Ginger Baker with the Cream of the crop, top notch indeed.

...but totally different.

 

Joe Morello. How I wish that the 1963 Carnegie Hall concert were recorded to video.

 

Another vote for George Hurley! Cool!

Topper Headon- another fine choice.

 

Great choices! I can't believe I didn't thin to add Densmore to my list. Great drummer and a really nice guy (I got to meet him at a book signing not to far back).

Another vote for Mr. Below. Sweet!

Clive Bunker, OMG yeah. I love his work on those early Tull records.

 

Tony Williams
Bill Brudord
Alan White
Ringo
Bill Ward
Jack Dejonette
All 3 Ramones drummers
Charlie Watts
Mick Fleetwood

 

Levon...yes, Levon, of course...and Mick!

 

Phil Collins
William Calhoun


Oh and of course rikki rocket

 

Keith Moon - The ultimate rock and roll drummer. No one who picks on him could ever play like him. How can you NOT appreciate a guy who inspired Animal from The Muppets, fer cryin' out loud?!?

Agostino Marangolo - his jazzy/funk style, especially from the 1977-1980 period, inspired me personally as a drummer. From that time period especially I appreciate his interplay between the snare and the hi-hat which he used more for fills than the toms. But it was seeing him live in these more recent years that helped me pick up techniques that actually helped to make me a better drummer, and I was happy to get to tell him as much at the last show I saw him at.

EDIT: How could I forget Jaki Liebezeit??? I've never heard a drummer that had better timing than him. His style is immediately recognizable -- a truly unique drummer.