Best drummers

[Heavincent]

Brann Dailor is clearly the best drummer on the planet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO7MH4lFQi8 :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Good luck finding anyone better than him.

[L.Kizzle]

He's pretty good, not the best though.

Jerome Bigfoot Brailey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR4_Ia6kvhE)

[DeuceWallaces]

Keith Moon thread over.

[DukeDelonte13]

romain goulon (no idea how to spell his name) from the german band necrophagist. No other drummer alive is at his level IMO.

[East_Stone_Ya]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oTITpJdaA2I/TSrHteMRuYI/AAAAAAAAAM8/l980UKVdf6Y/s1600/rick+allen.jpg

:bowdown:

[BurningHammer]

http://www.drummerworld.com/pics/drum43/neilpeart7.jpg

:bowdown:

[Jasi]

I'm not really into super-speedy/grandiose drummers but creative and skillful ones, such as Vinnie Colaiuta (played with Sting among others) and Yuval Gabay (Soul Coughing).

[DukeDelonte13]

They have a drummer now? Used to be a drum machine.

Yep. I was unaware they used a drum machine, but I know for a fact he recorded at least one of the albums I have. Don't remember the name of the album. Too lazy to look it up. I was blow away when I saw this guy play. His technical/musical ability is just NASTY. I think that progressive death metal is like the jazz fusion of hard rock. :oldlol: You won't find better musicianship in the genre anywhere else.

[soadrules]

Danny Carey from Tool.

[AirGauge23]

Dave Grohl back in the day.

[JMT]

Keith Moon thread over.

Thanks.

Though just out of respect someone should mention Billy Cobham.

[Velocirap31]

Jordan Mancino, these old man drummers you guys are posting don't compare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aK3QaSY-G0&feature=related

[Heavincent]

Brann Dailor is pretty crazy technically (his stuff is impossible to play), but he's got some mad groove as well.

Dave Lombardo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ivOfkqFmxg

Thomas Haake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDFXojWS6LM&hd=1

Not as good as Brann, but those are some of my other favorite drummers.

And I might get some flak for this, but I really enjoy some of Lars Ulrich's stuff too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-gxaCmqol8

[Jasper]

lots of great drummers

Saw a college dance off back in the 70's and never forget a drummer who is nameless work the drums for 15 minutes- literally awe inspiring


But this guy has some cred :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RwV-0Jcjf8

[ShaqAttack3234]

Cozy Powell is a personal favorite and a legend, imo. Sure, better technical drummers have come along, but he was ahead of his time, and a truly powerful drummer, always loved his playing with Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jeff Beck, Whitesnake ect.

Dave Lombardo is well up there, he's amazing live, a machine to play relentlessly like that for 2 hours.

Other favorites of mine are

Scott Travis
Jorg Michael
Richard Christy
Gene Hoglan
Tommy Aldridge
Vinny Appice(not the most technical drummer, but always hit them hard, perfect for Black Sabbath and Dio)
Ian Paice
Anders Johannson

[Heavincent]

Oh shit, how did I forget about Vinnie Paul?

His drumming has so much groove and taste. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lXXvUIEy2o&feature=related

[Patrick Chewing]

Neil Peart




and it really isn't close

[Heavincent]

Neil Peart




and it really isn't close

I saw Rush live a few years ago. Neil Peart puts on a hell of a show, along with the rest of the band.

[RedBlackAttack]

Danny Carey from Tool.
^^^That was the correct answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igdnqTiCOQQ&feature=BFa&list=PLD5988DC8E39A4514&lf=results_main

[takeittothehoop]

Dave Lombardo (Slayer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GOnuJRocQY Skip to 1:23

Joey Jordison (Slipknot) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4-EAK0VEV4

Metal drummers ftw

[Heavincent]

Joey Jordison (Slipknot) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4-EAK0VEV4

Not gonna lie, I find Jordison to be a pretty boring drummer.

[KevinNYC]

I prefer musical drummers myself.

Matt Chamberlain in the pocket. Does this song even become a hit without his groove? No crash cymbals during the whole song. It's a simple rock groove but who else can get this sound. I actually looked up who played on this song and that's how I learned his name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QojxbANDHdk&feature=related

[johndeeregreen]

Uh, Mitch Mitchell?

[johndeeregreen]

I enjoy Steve Gadd as well. As long as he's backing Clapton.

[Kebab Stall]

Obviously he's no where near the level of some other guys mentioned in here, but one of my favourite drummers is Tommy Lee, simply because of how hard he hits the drums. The guy near enough just beats the shit out of them and is always fun to watch.

[reppy]

Yeah, it's definitely crazy seeing it in person. I'm not a drummer, but the most impressive drumming I've seen live is probably when I saw Rotten Sound in 04 or 05. Watched from the side of the stage so I could see everything he was doing, was just like:eek:

Rotten Sound (and Decapitated, and Suffocation) came to mind when I opened this thread. I've seen Rotten Sound and Suffocation in concert and both were heavy and fast as hell.

"Best drummer" is pretty subjective. . people are going to have different tastes.



Obviously he's no where near the level of some other guys mentioned in here, but one of my favourite drummers is Tommy Lee, simply because of how hard he hits the drums. The guy near enough just beats the shit out of them and is always fun to watch.

Same reason I like the drummer from Wormrot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKb18QCYnnU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDBhRsoWtDQ&feature=related

[nightprowler10]

Phil Rudd..

[jongib369]

This song is a John Bonham drum orchestration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSnMZ973V4

Moby Dick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9-42mu1D9Y

John Bonham's special half time shuffle groove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohlFjyCE0gA

Fool in the rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d52M5M6OOXs

Out on the Tiles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Aooek5NC0

Good Times, Bad Times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwHZRjcXgRE

"More evidence of Bonham’s superhuman status. The first track on Zeppelin’s first album is famous for Bonham’s use of two 16th-note triplets in the beat, which was inspired by Carmine Appice’s drumming in Vanilla Fudge. What Bonham didn’t know was that Appice was using a double kick drum, so he found a way to train his right foot to do it on its own. But ‘Good Times Bad Times’ is more than a technical marvel; it’s a fiery overture for Bonham’s hyperactive pounding, as he plays on and around the beat. His drumming is powerful – practically a lead instrument – and yet it never overpowers the song. Quite an introduction."

Maybe not the best, but deserves a mention

[Norcaliblunt]

Ginger Baker hands down. Clapton even said he shits on Moon and Bonham.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U88i4Nqhp9g

[JohnFreeman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA3rJXV4R4E

[Smoke117]

Some of my favorites that haven't already been named are Jim Gordon, Levon Helm, and Jack Irons.

[Milbuck]

Some of my favorites....

Jojo Mayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTBccpkBClg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr8KYnEW-7Y

Thomas Lang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g0MGRaF1oM

Thomas Pridgen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cYlWfv3Hg0

Gavin Harrison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuSCrkLzQt8

Jacob Armen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-zeEKKXrCc

[Heavincent]

Gavin Harrison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuSCrkLzQt8


I gotta listen to more Porcupine Tree.

[JohnFreeman]

Ringo?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTnxmn2jWjo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8LZGQ4MkvQ

[Heavincent]

Mike Portnoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgANe8mtRgM

[warriorfan]

Ginger Baker hands down. Clapton even said he shits on Moon and Bonham.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U88i4Nqhp9g

there is a pretty cool documentary about him I forget what it's called though

[Bless Mathews]

Even though d styles overall better q brrt is goat drummer


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ILnvq1UZedQ

[Derka]

The thing Clapton always heralded about Ginger over Bonham and Moon was that Ginger was a complete musician; had terrific senses of tuning, melody, song structure, composition, etc...in addition to keeping goddamn near perfect time and being capable of playing AND composing in just about every style of music where any sort of rhythm was required.

Moon and Bonzo were outstanding drummers; Ginger was sooooo much more than a drummer, though.

[Derka]

there is a pretty cool documentary about him I forget what it's called though
Beware of Mr. Baker. Its a good watch. Ginger is probably one of the most cantankerous old c*nts I've ever seen be subject of a documentary. :lol

[Hotbullets]

This one has to be my favourite (for metalcore/djent fans):

Nic Pettersen from Northlan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZilMsqlxHHk)

[Knoe Itawl]

Jimmy Chamberlain, formerly of Smashing Pumpkins.

[DukeDelonte13]

buddy rich is probably GOAT.

[BurningHammer]

Honorable mention: Limp Bizkit's John Otto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tWvneQTgRU

He has a jazz drumming background.

[J Shuttlesworth]

As a jazz musician, I have a different taste for drummers than most of the ones posted in this thread. One of my favorites is Ari Hoenig. He really knows how to manipulate the beat, especially when playing in odd time. At the same time, he's also very melodic and tasteful. This is one of his excerpts in 5/4:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyKSL-9kpOg
One of his tunes (he's also a great writer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5lauLy1rVY

Also, this guy, Nate Wood... and yes, he is playing bass at the same time :lol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I-Bzx0SXdQ

[Milbuck]

It's hard to pick out drummers in a "best" discussion because it's constantly evolving and too many times it just gets into sentimental opinions... I think Portnoy was listed in this thread somewhere..Portnoy in his day was a beast and a super influential drummer and inspired a ton of drummers and still does to this day... But you talk about technical ability and pure creativity, there are kids out there who blow him out of the water, some of his stuff is extremely outdated. Like Billy Rymer from DEP who doesn't have a fraction of the recognition of status of Portnoy absolutely brutalized Portnoy in a "h2h" of sorts, straight up embarrassed him, just threw out some of the smoothest, technically complex but at the same time explosive material while Portnoy did the same shit he's been doing for decades. Rymer was throwing out polyrhythms and playing with time signatures while still maintaining his groove, while Portnoy just overused the same quads he's been doing for years. It was a clinic, and yet it was the kid schooling one of the most respected drummers of decades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtsB2mKWaPw


Also, Shuttlesworth's post reminded me of another guy...totally different genre, but Chris Pennie is one of my favorites when it comes to playing with time signatures, complex rhythms, etc...

Just him messing around... https://youtu.be/TG-LJVVQpDI?t=1m36s

And some of his stuff with early DEP is just insane as far as math drumming goes, his coordination with both hands and feet and ability to layer multiple rhythms is incredible. Not the biggest fan of DEP as a band but pretty much all their drummers from Pennie to Rymer are like a different species of drummer, their minds just work differently. It's a shame Pennie has kinda dropped off since leaving DEP.

[Trollsmasher]

ringo starr
lars ulrich
charlie watts

the holy trinity

[Nick Young]

I think Kieth Moon is the best.

Modest Mouse's original drummer Jeremiah Green is my favorite drummer that's still alive.

I also like the dude in Led Zeppelin.


Also, I don't know who they are but the drummers in Tool and Primus are amazing too, just to keep up with those ridiculous time signature changes and bizarro improvisation.


The drummers in Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience are also pretty good.

[thebirdman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuhHU_BZXSk

His name is Robert Searight. Probably my favourite.

[Heavincent]

Danny Carey is ridiculous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcEW1no38KU

On a side note, Jambi is such a great ****ing song. One of Tool's best.

[LJJ]

Generally there seems to be an inverse relationship between the size of the drummers kit and his ability to contribute to the music. Drummers surrounded by 30 drums always suck huge balls.

[Smoke117]

Danny Carey is ridiculous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcEW1no38KU

On a side note, Jambi is such a great ****ing song. One of Tool's best.

Tickets sold out for their show in january in San Diego in less than a minute. I wasn't able to get through and get the three tickets I wanted. : (

[Norcaliblunt]

Garth Algar.

[Lakers Legend#32]

Keith Moon

[Smoke117]

The fact that I'm the only one that brought up Jim Gordon is sad. He is by far the best late 60s and 70s drummer...the fact that he pretty much lost his mind should appeal to the Ish audience:

Jump into the fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QghwNqlCRE)

The album is renowned for the two guitarist, but his under appreciated drumming is excellent on the entire album. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJYdJ53_tS8)

What is Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfDLN0aMEw)

Incredible Bongo Band - Apache (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY-Z6wm6TMQ)

While it has nothing to do with drumming...Harry Nilsson is one of the most absurdly underrated brilliant songwriters and singers.

[kenuffff]

it's buddy rich then like down at the bottom of a canyon is the next guy, there is no maybe there is no if there is no subjective, buddy rich is the greatest drummer to ever live. everyone else on this thread neil peart , bonham etc wanted to be buddy rich that's how good he was.

[resin_baller]

it's buddy rich then like down at the bottom of a canyon is the next guy, there is no maybe there is no if there is no subjective, buddy rich is the greatest drummer to ever live. everyone else on this thread neil peart , bonham etc wanted to be buddy rich that's how good he was.

No. Buddy Rich was like the Wilt of drumming. An all time great, who could do some amazing things, but overrated by obsessive fans. There are other drummers at that level.

I think Elvin Jones was the best I've heard, but I haven't heard every work by every drummer in the world.

[Patrick Chewing]

http://i.imgur.com/nExEtbg.jpg

[Dunaprenti]

Generally there seems to be an inverse relationship between the size of the drummers kit and his ability to contribute to the music. Drummers surrounded by 30 drums always suck huge balls.

I don't know about that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYtUYw3t0wA