Favourite 60s British Drummer

Not including session drummers, pick your favourite from the above 18 60s British drummers. The criteria can be of your own choice, as long as it is only concerning their drumming, not singing or songwriting. Remember, outright technical ability isn't the only factor, and only take their work in the 60s into account.

 

I'm only familiar with three or four of the drummers listed, but of the ones I know about, I really like Ginger Baker's technique.

 

I know that the majority of Led Zeppelin's work was done in the 70's but I & II were both released in '69 and that would have earned Bonzo my vote - but even so there are a couple of decent alternatives

All the best - Andrew

 

my fave (not necessarily the best) would be BJ Wilson. He had a very dramatic percussive flair, that was just right for Procul Harum.

 

Andrew,

Bonham is now in the poll (thanks Bob!).

 

There's certainly some great names there, but I think I'd go with Mitch Mitchell. I think he's always been underrated. I've seen some footage of an early Georgie Fame performance of "Yeh Yeh" which appears to have a young Mitch Mitchell as the drummer. Can anybody confirm this? Georgie Fame always had a top-notch backing group in his early days. I think it was considered quite a prestigious gig at the time as he was really more jazz oriented than the pop he's mostly known for. Mitchell does seem to have a jazz drumming style...the Georgie Fame connection would make sense.

 

Butros, butros Could I ask that my humble vote is moved to Bonham.

Thanks in advance - Andrew

 

Andrew,

Who should I take the vote away from?

Bob

 

Tactical vote removal time Take one away from Ian Paice

Thanks Bob

All the best - Andrew

 

Andrew,

Will do!

Bob

 

My favorites,Ginger Baker,Mitch Mitchell,Charlie Watts and two not mentioned.Mick Waller and Clive Bunker.

 

This is super tough one to just choose one as there many greats in this list. My vote has to go to Mitch Mitchell though as I agree with Arin that he's one of the greatest underrated drumming talents of all-time.

 

Hal Blaine should've been included in the poll, IMO.

Oh, wait, no session drummers? Whoops, nevermind.

 

Great drummer though, maybe on another poll

 

I went for Moon (and apparently I'm not alone). Every track he plays on rocks like thunder, rolls like the sea and swings like the breeze. Technique and style: all his own. The fact that he had the CAPABILITY to perform one of those 20 minute drum solo's, but never needed one longer than a measure or 2 is a definite plus in my book.

 

Voted for Jon Bonham but also like spit me another tooth Ginger Baker.

 

Wow, thanx for including Jim McCarty - I loooooooooove the Yardbirds, the band MOST needing a worldwide search for true master tapes - sheesh, for all their hits you'd think the masters would be tucked away in somebody's sock drawer... I'd like to also nominate Vivian Prince of the Pretty Things, but would I be getting too obscure???

 

Ringo. There was no other drummer with his style and persona that could have been the Beatles time keeper.

 

Just have to go with Chris Curtis of the Searchers. View any old video you can find and the poor fellow was either completely wired or completely worn out. Plus you can't help but love that squeaky drum peddle that's on most of the early Searchers material. Curtis was also a fair songwriter too although most of his tunes were relegated to the flip side or the albums. If the line "its better to burn out" has any real value, Curtis certainly ranks as one of the 60's first to crash, even before the late 60's slaughter of Jones, Hendrix, Joplin and Barrett. For a better description of just how far off the beam he fell, get a copy of Frank Allen's book and read the Curtis material, fascinating and quite tragic.

Best!

 

What? No Al Jackson, Jr?

 

Good call.

 

Oh wait... BRITISH drummer... doh!

 

Heh...I forgot, too! Damn good drummer, anyway!

 

Hey,this thing won't let me vote. I';; try again later. I'm voting for Keith Moon.

I wonder how many of you remember who Barry Whitwam is. It too me a minute. I can't wait to see how many votes Dave Clark gets.

 

Wow, this is a tough one. There are really three that come to mind for me of the ones you have listed:

Ginger Baker
Keith Moon
John Bonham

I ultimately voted for Keith but it was a close and hard decision.