Your favorite drumming performance in a song

I'm sitting here listening to My Generation's stereo mix where Keith Moon is isolated in the right speaker. And what he's doing during this song is just bananas.

And I'm thinking "Is this the best drummed song I've ever heard?"

And I'm thinking maybe it is. But let's hear some other nominations for the title.....

 

Rush "Spirit of the Radio" comes to mind right away. Plenty of other contenders though.

 

Black Sabbath - War Pigs

 

As a left field choice - what Moe Tucker does on "Heroin" is one of the coolest things any drummer has ever done.

 

The Who - Amazing Journey/Sparks (Live at Leeds)

 

Artist: Chris Speed
Album: Emit (Songlines Recordings, 2000)
Song: Suggestible (track 2)
Drummer: the incomparable Jim Black

 

Yeah, Moon's catalog is littered with candidates. Same for guys like Bonham, Baker and Peart.

 

Tony Williams on “Capricorn”‘on Miles Davis’ “Water Babies”’album.

 

Might have to go with Bill Bruford on King Crimson's "Frame By Frame."

 

Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused

 

The Ultimate Prophecy.... J.D. Blackfoot

 

I'm a drummer (and a player of other instruments too). I had to smile when your thread title engaged me, and I hoped it would have a Keith moment, from subsequent posters. But out of the gate, you, the thread starter, went straight to Keith. Beautiful!

I'm sure we will find other examples of drumming greatness throughout your thread. Drums are exciting! I try to be exciting when I play them.

However, my submission is a bit longer than your original post - though your example was what got me hooked onto The Who when I bought my first Who album. Converted, from the first song until the last (The Who Sings My Generation).

I submit this example to you fellow forum members - I'm sure there will be be more great ones, better players, technical expertise etc.



Great thread idea. I've learned about many great drummers from this awesome forum.

AND - as I post - other people have submitted excellent examples. Just goes to show ya - Keith was no slouch. Cheers!

 

"Wipeout" - The drumming pretty much is this tune.

 

In a weird way, Moon is almost underrated. Because of his insane style and personality he's thought of a some wildman.

But he always served the music. Always.

And he could swing like a mother.

And, as was sadly proven by Kenney Jones - a *great* drummer BTW- he was completely irreplaceable.

 

I don’t even have to think about this: Kenny Buttrey on Lay, Lady, Lay.

 

Daltrey always said that being in front of Moon was like hearing a jet engine start up - A Quick One from the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus illustrates this nicely.

 

Yes, Moon was incredible on many, many levels. As for nice drumming examples there are tons from him. (I was going to say Amazing Journey but someone else beat me to it.) So how about I'm Free from Tommy. I love how Moon colors this track, unfortunately he's somewhat buried in the mix. But you CAN still hear him and he's great!

 

Boy, too many to think of but first to mind was Joe Morello on side 1 of Time Out! by Dave Brubeck Quartet.

 

Bill has MANY great moments throughout his illustrious career.

The opening to Frame by Frame is awesome. Wow! How about Heart of the Sunrise or Close to the Edge too? Oh my goodness.

Then again - this thread can give many examples of greatness, and wonderment. Drums are fun!

 

Or check him out on the James Brown cover 'I Don't Mind" on the first record. He was a fantastic r&b drummer.

 

I'm not a big Zeppelin fan, but Bonzo's crashing on We're Gonna Groove is tops in rock. Anything by Roy Haynes or Elvin Jones in jazz destroys that.

 

His solo stuff like Joe Frazier or Fainting in Coils among many others.

 

Fool In The Rain - John Bonham

 

I think what he does on their cover of Heatwave is also superb. He could swing.

 

The “Mighty” Max Weinberg on Candy’s Room