Top 20 Greatest Rock Drummers Of All Time
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 01. 2023
- These rock drummers are the best of the best. For this list, we’ll be looking at the greatest percussionists in the genre. Our countdown includes Danny Seraphine, Roger Taylor, Charlie Watts, Neil Peart, and more! Did we forget one of your favorite drummers? Let us know in the comments below.
Watch more great music videos here:
Top 20 Most Important Moments in Music History: • Top 20 Most Important ...
Top 20 Most Infamous Rip Off Songs Ever: • Top 20 Most Infamous R...
Top 10 Best Songs of 2020: • Top 10 Best Songs of 2020
Become a channel member to get access to special perks:
/ @watchmojo
Challenge friends and family on our multiplayer Trivia!
www.watchmojo.com/play/id/58764
Have your idea become a video!
wmojo.com/suggest
Subscribe for more great content!
wmojo.com/watchmojo-subscribe
Visit our shop for awesome merch!
shop.watchmojo.com/
Your trusted authority for Top 10 lists, reviews, tips and tricks, biographies, origins, and entertainment news
#Rock
#Drummer
#Music
#RockDrummer
#RockAndRoll
#RockMusic
#Bands
#Songs
#TheBeatles
#TheWho
#LedZeppelin - Zábava
Did we forget one of your favorite drummers? Let us know in the comments below.
For more music content, check out our playlist!: czcams.com/video/yxURjzEUcrI/video.html
Where Nyango Star? that haunted apple-cat thing is insane
What about these guys?
Mike Portnoy
Matt Halpern
Matt Garstka
Alex Van Halen
Tré Cool
Gavin Harrison
While all the choices are great. And I agree with Bonzo being the top pick. The most glaring omission has to be Carter Beauford. He is by far the most talented drummer I have seen and heard. Easily a top 5 drummer.
Dale Crover (Melvins, Nirvana)
The Rev?
Did everyone forget bill ward drumming for black sabbath. Helped make an entire genre and his work on rat salad and behind the wall of sleep are incredible.
His drumming is considered metal. So he wouldn't be on here.
Metal not rock sadly maybe watch mojo will do a metal drummers video one day
Knowing how things go, Bill Ward would get thrown at the bottom of the list, or maybe be given an honorable mention. John Bonham would probably be placed at the number one spot again on that list.
Black Sabbath, or any member of the original lineup, always gets thrown very low on lists or somewhere in between but never the top spot.
Metal is a sub-genre of rock so he should absolutely be on here
I don't think I put Ward in the top 20. Who would you remove to put him there? Sabbath is one of my favorite groups ever and Ward, and his unorthodox drumming, helped make then what they are. Definitely belongs in the honorable mentions part.
Cozy Powell - Bill Ward - Carl Palmer
Three names that belongs on every list about drummers.
THANKS YOU!!! I was amazed Cozy wasnt on the list.....the Stargazer intro should have been enough on its own.
How Cozy and Bill Ward is left out, is way beyond me…
Exactly Carl Palmer is probably the embodiment of Drummer,, no one can touch him behind the kit not even John Bohnam ( as much as I love John) sorry Carl Palmer would send him with his tail between his legs,, and Ringo Starr is the most overrated Drummer in the world.
Thanks for mentioning those!😇 Give my recent comment a look.Buddy would amaze you! He influenced all those people you spoke on!
I had the privilege of seeing both cozy and Carl play with Keith and Greg. Cozy hit the kit way harder, but Carl had more finesse I believe. Both should have been on this list in the top 10,
Chester Thompson, Simon Phillips, Cozy Powell, Terry Bozzio, Mike Potnoy, Bernard Purdie, Carl Palmer...and I still haven't even had my first cup of coffee yet.
Tico Torres, Jonathan Moffett, Eric Carr, Jim Gordon, so sad they are not on the list, at least at the honorable mentions.
When you get to those top 3, Peart, Moon, and Bonham it just becomes personal preference.
The professor number one. Period. Not to take away from the other drummers achievements and talent. Neil was not only the best drummer of his time, he was a superb human being and a great lyrics composer. He was also the most level headed drummer that ever lived and the most talented in my book. That’s my comment. You can argue and destroy me I don’t care because we all have our individual views and they are all important. Neil Peart is THE best percussionist of all time in my book.
I love watching his drum solos on CZcams from time to time!
Number one in my book!
Absolutely!!!
This list became a joke when Neil was listed as #3. There has simply never been a drummer like Neil Peart, and there never will be. You're very correct in pointing out that Neil was not the typical rock and roll drummer by any stretch. The consummate drummer that all drummers looked up to. While Bonham and Moon were incredible in many different ways, and very influential, their short lives and careers, plus the lack of diversity in their overall playing styles, makes them a distant second and third to Neil. I will die on this hill.
Danny Carey is a straight up beast and deserves to be atop any drummer list. Watching him jam out in a 10 minute drum solo during Lateralus live was like a religious experience. Dude looks like a supersonic octopus.
I agree.. Also, there is no way Keith Moon was better than Neil Peart.. Absolute blasphemy
My top 3 are Peart, Mason and Carey in no particular order. and from all the loudest live show i've seen, no one made the arena shake like Danny Carrey, so loud and heavy, it's a lower back massage
Neil Peart is number 1 only because I'm Canadian. Danny and Neil were good friends and spent time discussing their talents . 🤘RUSH🤘🇨🇦 army
Agreed. He is way too low for this list
@@vinchinno definitely better top 3 than this list
I definitely don't think that Neil should be that low!! He is number ONE for sure ❤❤
Ya, if only Moon would’ve played guitar!
personal preference, Bonham was way better and deserved the #1 spot... its all about perspective
Nah man, Neil Peart is the GOAT!!! R.I.P.
bonham is better but its close for sure. dude was so talented its actually wild
My brother in law says Bonzo, I say Peart; BOTH are phenomenal! Peart lived longer and was able to play into his sixties 🫶🏻
Neil Peart the best! I saw him live at the Madison SG NYC
Neil Peart - is without a shadow of a doubt - the greatest of all time. I absolutely love every one of the drummers featured in your Top 20. However… Neil’s skills, intricate fills and creative use of that massive kit, implementation of percussion instruments from around the world, plus - being able to pull all of this off live - and don’t forget - he also has to trigger samples live, so there’s that on top of everything else he needed to do in stage - and those are the indisputable facts that put him ahead of the great Keith Moon and the great Mr. Bonham.
Now let’s talk about his writing and lyrics…
👍💯%GOAT!✌
Travis out drums Neil all day.
@@rickalan86 ur kidding. if you think travis barker is better than Neil, You're on crack.
@@rickalan86 what?!?!? He is great, but Peart is just next level. His syncopation licks are amazing
Peart was and always will be the gold standard. Rip to the goat
Carmine Appice
🔥⚡️🥁⚡️🔥
Best known for Vanilla Fudge.
He is credited with influencing later rock drummers including Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain, Aerosmith's Joey Kramer, Roger Taylor of Queen, Phil Collins of Genesis, Rush's Neil Peart, Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee, Slayer's Dave Lombardo, Richard Christy, David Kinkade, Ray Mehlbaum, Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, Ian Paice of Deep Purple, Anvil's Robb Reiner and Eric Singer of Kiss
Totally agree
Peart greatness, drumming and song writing.
Actually the drumming on Rush songs is quite boring, if you actually listen, Yawn!
@@mudstone6497 Are you drunk?
@@valeriaproductions apparently for over a year, dang scotch!
The fact Alex VanHalen and Mick Fleetwood aren’t on this list is criminal
I agree
That's shocking that Alex is not in there.
Alex and Mick belong on Top 500 list
I mean its just drummers.
Fleetwood is a beast.
No Benson from Regular Show? This list is null and void. Any drum solo that sets your bones on fire deserves #1
Lmao
I first heard this reference in college in 2011. I’m amazed people still keep it alive today
With the headband Oh Snap
Hambonin'
@@evanmills7340 lmfao!
Carl Palmer
It's a pretty good list. Personally I would have Richard wright higher on the list and Neil Peart is in my opinion the best drummer of all time.
Hard to believe Carl Palmer wasn't even mentioned in the shoddy list.
I thought about him too, and Graeme Edge of The Moody Blues, who influenced Carl.
Now THAT I agree with.
I got as far as seeing the 1st drummer from "the band". Saw your post & stopped watching this clip immediately.
La lista mas debio decir: los bateristas mas famosos
Carl Palmer and Barriemore Barlow are both missed opportunities
For some reason, Carl Palmer is always forgotten. He was a key reference for any drummer of the 70´s
Not to mention instrumental in bringing in prog rock where a drummer needn't keep a beat but feel his OWN unique style/tempo/flare and express it.
Simply watch Palmer's coordination with Emerson's keyboards....simply amazing
Levon Helm but not Carl Palmer 🙄. These lists usually suck anyway.
The best "
Yes I agree Carl Palmer does not get the recognition that he deserves, I mean he does make up the band’s name! I mean Emerson Lake would probably sound like a vacation spot!
I went to a "Chicago" concert in the early 2000's and watched Tris Imboden do a drummer solo there. Since then he's been my favorite.
You thought he was better than Seraphine?
Chicago's Tris Imboden and Toto's Simon Phillips and Jeff Porcaro are easily at the top of my 76 year old list.
A very good list. Carl Palmer!
mr. neil peart was inspired by bonham and moon, but whit the time, he shift those guys .he;s not the professor for nothing,for those who don;t know rush, try ( yyz ) from exit stage left, drum solo. one of a kind,🎸🥁🎸
Let’s just call it a 3-way tie.
Neil’s writing (outside of the band) is also astounding, and he pushed drumming to new levels (to the point that when Rush toured, they wanted the live shows to sound like the albums, so while Geddy and Alex had foot pedals to add in samples of various overdubs, and Geddy also used a foot pedal synth so he could have his hands free for the bass and sing (at the same time), Neil had to sit in the middle of a massive amount of percussion gear that rotated around him!
Keith and John were brilliant drummers as well, but unfortunately became victims of alcohol addiction, fueled by the rock “lifestyle” (it’s been said that Keith wrecked hotel rooms, John wrecked people).
I so agree, how do you feel about Sandy Nelson, Buddy Rich or Robin Diaz ?
@@shellysara3934 well this was a rock drummer video. So many great jazz drummers as well. Though Buddy Rich had a mean temper. (Someone taped him abusing his band members.)
Agreed. Even if John and Keith were sober and lived a little longer, there sets likely wouldn’t have been as encompassing as the Professor’s. Nor do I think they would have the epic time signatures Neil created. But, likely would have tried to replicate.
Yes. Neil wrote a song about those guys on Rush's final album. A song called "The Wreckers".
I'm kidding. The song exists but it was actually about 'beach pirates', for lack of a better term.
No, In my opinion, as a professional musician, the order they have it for the top three is right. I would have put Danny Carey higher, but the list is almost perfect.
Mitch Mitchell with Jimi HENDRIX WAS OUTSTANDING,SETTING NEW STANDARDS,ideas in rock drumming
Are You Experienced is still the gold standard for debut albums.
This list needs Cozy Powell, Neil Peart and Bill Ward
For me, Peart is the GOAT. The most technically proficient rock drummer of all time plus all the power, speed, and feel. No one will ever touch him imo.
Couldn't agree more!!!👍🎯
Calling Neil the GOAT doesnt even scratch the surface. To me he is the GOD of drums. Everyone should bow to him. If john Bonham was alive even he would bow to Neil Peart
I totally agree. But if you would said Bonzo or Moon I would respect your choice. They are all great !
Totally agree seen Rush 15 times live blew my away every time
Absolutely, and a part of the 3 most talented musicians to ever share a stage together.
Joey Jordison was a monster with drums when he was with slipknot
Lol. Thanks for the laugh.
Yes!!!
if u ask me he deserves to be here, slipknot is among the top 3 when it comes to heavy metal influence surpassed only by black sabbath and metallica. almost all the modern metal sound thats considered either metalcore, deathcore whatever has some of its roots in slipknot, they defined the mid 2000's. joey jordison doesent really keep the rythm he creates it and every beat hit so perfect that i can easily distinguish all of them and some of them to this day still surprises me. mabye its watch mojo picking shitty examples or its just my hearing but none of these ones except ringo starr, tommy lee and phil collins sound pretty much the same and has a pretty simple rythm
@@mattizmushroom1466 or, maybe it's because you don't play the drums.
@@jonasandezekiel1109 i dont, i play the guitar and slipknot songs like sulfur, disasterpiece and eyeless are my favorites, especially when i hear the drums, his ability to play blazing fast while still hitting every beat with precision is for me astounding and the breakdown in sulfur is prolly one of my favorite breakdowns of all time
neil peart should've been #1 absolute beast! such precision, technicality and art is amazing in rock drumming! he mastered every part of drumming! and might i add he wrote almost all of rush music and lyrics!! rip neil!! also neil peart wasnt lik moon or bonham who were both alcoholics
Too bad you had to trash the 2 top Drummers of all time! Alcoholism is a terrible disease and not being one does not make you a better drummer! Excitement, groove and sheer energy does RIP Moon and Bonham!
@@Taylor.Dude. thank you, someone sees the light!
For me, Neil Peart was a technical master who also had a great feel for the instrument. So many virtuoso musicians are technically great but their style is repetitious, and almost robotic. Neil had technical mastery with great feel. Bonham, on the other hand, was a force of nature. From the baseball bats he used for drumsticks (exaggerating... a little) to the way he attacked the drums, beating them to death in the best way possible, to his time signatures which can be some of the most difficult in drumming.
Those two, 1A and 1B, have quite some distance before number 3.
add to that ,, he ( Bonham )could do with his hands what he could do with sticks
This is why I fell in love with drums. My mom did drums because of Rush. As I followed in her foot steps.
Not having Bill Ward on the list even as an honourable mention is a massive oversight. There’s quite a number of drummers here that don’t even compare to his technical capability, let alone the fact he was in THE band that inspired an entire genre.
Just watch him on War Pigs. He was a monster with his fills. He's a legend but he never makes it on top lists.
Sabbath is often overlooked. Same with Deep Purple. And Led Z. is getting all the credit.
In the main list, I would include Carmine Appice (Cactus), Carl Palmer (ELP), Cozy Powell (Rainbow, ELP) and Don Brewer (Grand Funk). And in special mentions Clive Burr (Iron Maiden), Paul Whaley ( Blue Cheer) Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) and Jerry Allison (The Crickets). Regards. 🤙🏽 5-4
Top 10: 1. Neil Peart, 2. John Bonham, 3. Alex Van Halen, 4. Buddy Rich, 5. Phil Collins, 6 Keith Moon, 7. Steve Gadd, 8. Steve Smith, 9. Ginger Baker, 10. Ringo Starr
Isn’t Steve Smith an ex football player? 😅
I'd have to add Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater fame to this list. One of the most talented and tasteful drummers I've heard and paid attention to in my 55 years alive and 45 years as a musician. His side work with other progressive rock groups to Dream Theater doing the Pink Floyd cover (Dark Side of the Moon.... literally note for note perfect) to the Beatles cover project with Paul Gilbert and tribute bands of Led Zeppelin, Rush, and the Who shows not only his talent but his versatility and appreciation for other styles of music... definitely not a one dimensional player. A complete package with a talent level of 10 out of 10.
FOR REAL!!!! How come he wasn't on here???
Should have been number 1 no questions asked. Ridiculous to leave him off a list like this
Yeah, he's not the most technical, but he's very musical and has a great groove
Mike is the best drummer I have ever seen. However, John Bonham is the best I have ever heard.
Yes...Portnoy deserve atleast top 10
Phil Collins hands down. Drummer, musican, composer, performer, songwriter, front man to name a few. Man's a musical legend. Had the privilege of seeing him live in 2021 with Genesis with his son on drums, it breaks my heart hearing him say he can't hold a drum stick when that's the passion that got him famous to begin with. It didn't stop him from absolutely smashing each and every song. Respect Phil 👊💯
I hear his boy is really great on the drums.
Where is Phil. These lists are stupid. The guy from Chicago lol
@@rustyrelicsfarm2406 Yea, Simon is great and plays a lot of instruments besides the drums, great voice too. And sound and looks just like his dad.
@@stephenmilberry7796 it was one of his youngest, think his name is nick
Nick is the one that drummed for Genesis on the Last Domino tour and I think on Phil’s last solo tour as well
Billy Cobham is in my top 10. If you don’t know his name, seriously look him up. You will remember Billy Cobham. He was co-founder of Mahavishnu Orchestra. Their music makes you feel exciting, positive energy & creativity. ‘Smokin’ jams giving you that ‘60’s & ‘70’s love&peace ‘groovy’ Fix in a unique, soulful, beautiful way. 🎼 music is universal, Brothers & sisters peace, love & kindness ☮️
Narada Michael Waldon.
My top three are Peart, Moon and Bonham.
We totally agree......if Moon is #1. 100% instinctual and looney. He gets the edge for being a loon.
Also Carl Palmer with Moon, Bonham, Peart.
AGREE... WITH BONHAM 1...
When you think of the ultimate rock n roll star, Moonie is that person.
@@relicofgold Moonie was the original rock star! Moonie had the rock n roll lifestyle. Crazy indeed.
James "The Rev" Sullivan from Avenged Sevenfold. Just absolute pure energy. He passed before his time.
He 100% belongs here I was looking for this
@@ozzieberkowitz303 1000%
It's sad that the band was so artistically versatile and inspired yet it had to degrade itself into selling nfts
Keith Moon will ALWAYS be my favorite! I saw The Who twice with Moon and was never interested in seeing them again without him. RIP Moon. Peart is probably the best technically of rock drummers! I'd love to see a metal drummer list!
My biggest regret in missed live performances was never seeing Moon in concert. I saw The Who with Kenny Jones in the late 1970s, and it was a pale imitation.
@@exhaustguy Yeah, I'm surprised they chose him, frankly. He was not dynamic at all, just your average competent drummer, nothing more. You know, like you'd picture a drummer for Air Supply.
A metal's drummer list would probably mention Dave Lombardo, Vinnie Paul, Pete Sandoval, Derek Roddy, Joey Jordison, to name a few.
@@exhaustguy Ikr, although Zac Starkey is doing a pretty good job.
@@alann5003 But no Entwistle. Townsend and Daltrey once described The Who now as more of a cover band, and they aren't wrong. Still a good watch and definitely some of the concert video of more recent concerts seems more electric than when I saw them in Baton Rogue in 1980.
My top 20, in no particular order:
- Chester Thompson
- Stewart Copeland
- Ian Paice
- Phil Collins
- Carl Palmer
- Bill Bruford
- Barriemore Barlow
- Terry Bozzio
- Nigel Olsson
- Bill Ward
- Neil Peart
- Ringo Starr
- Chad Smith
- Nick Mason
- Terry Chambers
- Mick Fleetwood
- Paul Thompson
- John Densmore
- Michael Giles
- Chris Frantz
Never list again 😭😭
Wait?! You don’t even have Bonzo as top 20??
I feel Neil Peart is best ever; Bonham 2nd. Bonzo could do “drumming improv” if you will; he could fill a slight gap or tone change in Plant’s singing. He was quick and fast and hit hard!
@@charissayoung7959 Sorry ... Bonham never did much for me. I realize he was the perfect drummer for Zeppelin, but I always had a love/hate relationship with that band anyway. And Bonzo's drumming never really stood out to me as much as all the other drummers I listed.
@@enemysteve48steve90 Eat me.
Cannot believe you left Carl Palmer (ELP) off the list!!
And what about the duo of Mickey Hart & Billy Kruetzman from the Grateful Dead?
Cozy Powell is a particularly startling omission.
(Carl Palmer and Carmine Appice too)
RIP Neil Peart
Ringo is my favourite drummer.
He has just two drum solo
(The end and hello goodbye)
But his tempo and musical still very good.
By watching drum cover of
Rain , come together , she said , long tally sally , here comes the sun and a day in life we can understand he is one of the best drummer ever.
I always thought he sucked and was totally replaceable until I heard his isolated drum tracks where I recognized every song just from his parts. That's how distinctive he was. I never thought that way again.
I can't really rate Ringo as the "best" drummer.
He's in his own unique category with no other drummer. As a result, he's incomparable to other drummers.
As Zach says, you can recognize *many* Beatle's songs just by Ringo's drumming choices. And he always served the songs and never filled over vocals. And he has crazy stamina and precision. And he also not only had perfect timing- he could also dynamically vary that timing during the same song. And he was left handed playing on a right hand kit. And he was self taught so he wasn't flattened into being a standard drummer. And all that with a sense of humor, professionalism, and consistent kindness and humility.
One of a kind.
No matter the Top - Whatever number list, there is the top 20 or whatever and above them all is Ringo, he IS the MAN, period. Think of Babe Ruth of baseball fame, still sets the pace for most every other player. There is Ringo and then everyone else.
There is no drum solo in Hello Goodbye. He only had one on vinyl and that was THE END.
im glad to see Ringo get the recognition he deserves. Growing up, others would always discount him and his playing but I always told them no one else could have complemented George, John, and Paul as well as Ringo. It wouldn't be the Beatles without him.
Ian Paice's intro to Fireball is arguably one of the most identificable and iconic rock drumming intros. The perfect percussionist or the Deep Purple repertoire.
Don’t even have to look, John Bonham from Led Zeppelin will always be my favorite and imo one of the best drummers of all time! Rip to a true legend!
Same here!
I agree with your opinion. He's one of the best drummers of all time. R.I.P. John Bonham.
The Goat
John Bonham was the first drummer to push his sound out to compete with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Robert Plant. He was the absolute animal on the drums. Was, Is and will forever be my favorite drummer.
Exactly
Just flip Peart and Bonham. I love Zeppelin and Bonham is incredible, but Peart is the greatest, hands down. I do think Danny Carey was underrated as well, even though I’m not a huge Tool fan.
Danny Carey is top of my list. Many great drummers but Carey is my favorite
You could honestly throw a blanket over Peart, Moon, and Bonham in terms of who is the greatest
At the start of the video, my first thought was that they will forget Carl Palmer from ELP. I was right. He's under appreciated.
Peart's career spanning 4 decades and his evolution and ability to continue to learn and impress with his drumming, percussion and creativity during that time makes him the undisputable GOAT. Moon and Bonham had shorter careers sadly so we will never know how good they would have been in the long run. And if we want to compare them as musicians there's no contest with Peart as the lyricist of his band Rush.
Danny deserves a top 10
Solo 11 años de carrera y aun es la máxima leyenda de la batería. Larga vida al rey " Bonzo".
Phil Collins, Danny Carey and Bill Bruford deserve a higher spot on this list. Also, Neil Peart at #3? He should be #1 for sure!
Missing cozy powell and bill ward. Amazing and influental drummers!
Neil Peart is by far the greatest drummer ever
Thats a meaningless statement and as such I can't refute it. What does the greatest drummer actually mean? When did music become a compettive sport?
Ginger Baker of Cream and John Bonham of led zeppelin were on another planet and nobody can hold a candle to them.
Dissapointed to not see alex van halen on the list. He was an absolute legend on the kit and helped create the hypnotic van halen sound
This is Mojo, not the most influential lists.
he’s in my top 5
I agree. But like the poster said, this is Mojo. It’s just white noise. There’s no criteria/standards used.
The Fact that Alex Van Halen was left out of this list shows how much this people know nothing of what they think they know.
Alex is on Top 500 list. More specifically ranked between 490-500
Don't forget Cozy Powell played with Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group
Ikrr i never really seen him on any list. rip mr powell
Yes, Carl Palmer should be somewhere on this list!
Carl Palmer is definitely deserving of being on this list.
No doubt!
Tim Alexander of Primus is insanely underrated. A few months ago I watched him play Rush's, "A Farewell To Kings" in its entirey and he nailed every note. That's ignoring the amazing work he did throughout the Primus discography. And being worthy of being Les Claypool's rhythm guy says plenty. He influenced Danny Carey, who made this list.
I definitely agree, Herb is a killer drummer. Love his playing with Primus
What Queen song was played at 0:11 ?
@@Caroline7652 Don't Stop Me Now
You might want to check out Tim's solo work, Laundry.
Also, he was a Blue Man Group drummer for awhile in Vegas.
absofuckinglutlley!
id have Neil as #1 no question about it
Yea he really is the 🐐 of this genre
The guy was a drumming genius. May he rest in peace.
I would put Vini Lopez, Bruce Springsteen E Street band’s first dummer and John Densmore, the drummer of The Doors in the top five drummers. Both drummers along with Danny Seraphine of Chicago and Neil Peart of Rush had such a sense of timing and finesse, just as Ringo Star of The Beatles. These drummers along with of Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and Keith Moon of The Who - who could forget Quadrophenia - and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin are my top eight Rock n’ Roll drummers.
Bernard Jurdie is the David Gillmour of drummers. His lazy syncopation ghost note style is an iconic rif on old blues drum standards. You can hear his skip step shuffle in Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain", and in the Police's "Walking on the Moon". Purdie played it on Steely Dan's "Babylon Sisters" and "Home At Last". He also recorded with Rich Havens, Joe Cocker, BB King, Hall & Oates, Nina Simmone, Dizzy Gillespie, and Cat Stevens.
Mick Tucker of Sweet is definitely in the top 20 for sure 👍
Some good calls coupled with some 100% shockers. Whoever compiled this has a bright future working for Rolling Stone magazine,
5) Ringo, 4) Bonham, 3) Palmer, 2) Peart, 1) Moon.
Moon was several steps below Bonham and Peart in pretty much every drumming skill. This is an opinion list, and so you are entitled to your opinion. Just so you know, the guy that is your favorite is maybe the third most talented drummer, maybe even lower.
@@JayLandon64 I see what you are saying and it has validity. I rate Moon so highly because his work was not nearly as well planned and contrived as that of the others. He was drumming off the cuff, by feel, usually complete blitzed on some mind-altering drug (as was Bonham probably as well). As for pedantic drumming skills, you probably know better, and they have their place. I just admire Moon's drive, spontaneity, feel for the instrument and the musicality of the sequencing of hits to the skins.
Interesting that you have both Keith Moon and Ringo Starr on this list. Have to give an honorable mention to Karen Carpenter, who is known more for her singing but was a great drummer. At one time, Keith Moon was asked what it was like being the world's greatest drummer, and his response was "I don't know, Go ask Karen Carpenter." Direct quote. Had to be in response to Playboy Magazine's rankings of best rock drummers in 1975. Karen Carpenter was the #1 drummer followed by John Bonham, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon and Mick Fleetwood. Further, Ringo Starr once said Karen Carpenter was his favorite drummer.
“I don’t know, go ask … “ has been used for at least a dozen drummers/guitarists. Search the quote and you’ll find “Neal Peart was asked…”…”true story…”, along with various combinations of Clapton, Hendrix, Prince, and others.
I honestly don't know how Ringo is even on the list. I love the Beatles but he was strictly a showman. He didn't even play on a lot of their studio recordings
@@shellysara3934 4 tracks, exactly. 'Back in the USSR', 'Ballad of John & Yoko', and 2 which escape me. Paul played on those. love Paul, but he could be a tad arrogant. I doubt that it was totally necessary to play on 4 songs. now, the real drummer in the band. Ringo's 'Magical Mystery Tour' work is up there w/ anyone's. I could go on about his other work, but he was too proud to complain, as far as Paul playing his parts. so when asked, he refused to even give Paul a modicum of credit for drumming. his answer to a persistent query about PM's drumming resulted in him saying , as many times as he was asked, "Paul as a drummer, is an accomplished, very melodic bass player".
@@tonym994 Great point. Ringo and Charlie Watts are not flashy like many of the other drummers on the list, but they are essential to the sound of both of their bands. There is a very good reason the recording execs insisted that Best be replaced with Ringo.
@@exhaustguy thank you ,sir.
John Bonham is my favourite drummer, but I admit Neil Peart is the best of all (including jazz drummers). Maybe WM didn't want to give the number one spot to a fellow Canadian to avoid backlash, but most people won't complain.
Interesting list. Frank Beard from ZZ Top and Alex Van Halen deserve honourable mentions. Frank mixes it up and has done it for over 50 years with the same band.
How could you not have Cozy Powell on this list ??????? Dude was in rainbow, black sabbath, emerson lake and powell . He was a beast !!!!!!
Carl Palmer deserves at least an honorable mention.
It’s unbelievable he’s not on here
carl should be in top three
One of the best rock drummers today is BandMaid's Akane Hirose
Good to see Rick Allen getting a mention. He's often overlooked in these lists.
You forgot Bill Ward from Black Sabbath!!
Mike Portnoy and Carl Palmer belong on this list.
I kept scrolling by, wondering why I couldn't find a mention of Portnoy.
Carl Palmer should be top 3 of all time he was great not only on ELP but with Asia too.
both are better than the overrated Peart
Bun E Carlos of Cheap Trick deserves to be on the list. Steve Gadd should be much higher.
Where's Bill Ward, Tommy Aldridge, Vinnie and Carmine Appice, Don Henley, Anton Fig, Cozy Powell, Lee Kerslake , Mike Portnoy and Alex Van Halen? This list is sad.
jon bonham mitch mitchell stewart copeland keith moon michael shriev ginger baker and the drummer from soda stereo left an everlasting impact on my drumming skills
Guys like Bonham, Peart, Moon, Ringo, Dave Grohl, Nick Mason and Roger Taylor are no-brainers but I'm surprised there was no mention of Alex Van Halen, John Densmore (The Doors), Tre Cool, Frank Beard, Joey Jordison, Lars Ulrich, The Rev, John Dolmayan (System of a Down), Max Weinberg, Bill Ward, Peter Criss, Jimmy Chamberlain, Dave Lombardo, Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) or Nicko McBrain
Or Mike Portnoy, Paul Bostaph, Dave Lombardo, Mike Bordin etc... many that should have gotten a nod atleast.
Nicko McBrain is in a class all by himself, he's that good. Another one, Brooks Wackerman, that guy is a beast.
If you want to list an oft-overlooked badass who gets forgotten as a drummer, Karen Carpenter was an absolute monster.
This is a rock list not metal.
@@williamsummerson1204 So?
Alex Van Halen is easily my favorite rock drummer! Sad to not see him or Mike Portnoy on the list, and the most underrated drummer Will Calhoun from Living Colour.
alex should be in top 10
Mike Portnoy is so top five.
😂😂😂😂😂your kidding right , Alex plays the same in every damn song dude , you say the best , laughable
Some years ago, I played Santanas Woodstock "Soul Sacrifice" and Michael Shrieve for a group of Kenyan/Congolese musicians. They nearly fell off the balcony.
If you don't have Don Brewer on the list, then you don't know Rock n Roll.
Danny Carry is too low. He is absolutely phenomenal at adjusting to several time changes through single songs.
Me: Danny at 14. Wow, must be some real legends ahead of him.
Watch Mojo: #12, Dave Grohl.
😬
I love Dave, but better than Danny? Oh come on.
You also forgot to mention Jerry Edmonds from Steappwolf
@@John-uz3oy ''Edmonton''. you have impeccable taste! I said the same thing. the way he drives them on the live 'MONSTER' is positively ass whoopin'. the list should be at least 50, anyway. 20 makes a small dent.
and Dennis Thompson of the MC5 is one of the best.
They clearly did that just to generate YT engagement. Yet here I am but at least I recognize it.
20.) Levon Helm- The Band
19.) Michael Shrieve- Santana
18.) Steve Gadd- Multiple Artists
17.) Danny Seraphine- Chicago
16.) Bill Bruford- Yes, King Crimson
15.) Jeff Porcaro- Toto
14.) Danny Carey- Tool
13.) Roger Taylor- Queen
12.) Dave Grohl- Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures
11.) Ian Paice- Deep Purple
10.) Charlie Watts- The Rolling Stones
9.) Phil Collins- Genesis
8.) Mitch Mitchell- The Jimi Hendrix Experience
7.) Nick Mason- Pink Floyd
6.) Stewart Copeland- The Police
5.) Ringo Starr- The Beatles
4.) Ginger Baker- Cream
3.) Neil Peart- Rush
2.) Keith Moon- The Who
1.) John Bonham- Led Zeppelin
H.M’s
1.) Travis Barker- blink-182
2.) Chad Smith- Red Hot Chili Peppers
3.) Taylor Hawkins- Foo Fighters
4.) Tommy Lee- Mötley Crüe
5.) Rick Allen- Def Leppard
thank you for putting effort into making this! Much appreciated.😊
Bonzo. Number 1.
Taylor was my favourite. And since his death I have never been able to listen to any of my favourite FF songs without crying.
John Bonham is my favorite drummer and I think he's the best
Sean Kinney of Alice In Chains should have been at least an honorable mention, especially given Travis Barker is one!
I was just surfing comments to see if anyone said this - if not I was going to comment it . One thing I’ll always remember is when Lars Ulrich asked Jerry Cantrell what it was like to play with Sean Kinney on drums and Cantrell said (paraphrased) “… he’s great but sometimes I don’t know where the hell “1” is!” Because Sean would have such unique and detailed rhythm progressions and then you listen to the songs and there’s just swathes of underlying intricate drum patterns that makes a brilliant base for most of AiC’s catalogue - “No Excuses” sticks out to me in this aspect. Really the antithesis of Dave Grohl’s loud and proud meat and potatoes style of drumming as far as the grunge era is concerned . Kinney is underrated as far 90’s go .
@@cheesycheetah76 Totally agree. I love Sean Kinney's drumming and Alice in Chains.
I have to say this about John Bonham-his talent was so immense he passed it down to his son Jason-who’s also a kick-*ss drummer.
If we're talking about iconic sound then these people are missing:
Alex Van Halen - Van Halen
Brad Wilk - Rage Against the Machine
Karen Carpenter - The Carpenters
Jerry Speiser - Men at Work
Kelly Keagy - Nigh Ranger
I think you missed U2´s Larry Mullen Jr. From "Sunday. bloody sunday" to "Where the streets have no name", or "Party girl", "Pride" and "Bullet the blue sky", you´ll find great beats.
They did miss mentioning Larry Mullen, Jr.
Maybe they thought he was too young? 🤔
Phil Rudd. Unbelievable unbelievable. The AC/DC fans please forgive this guy who set this up top 20.
Thank you for including my favorite drummer, Bill Bruford. His replacement in Yes, the late Alan White, was no slouch either. An original member of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band, featured on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass album, joined Yes literal days before their Close to the Edge tour, and stayed with Yes for 50 years until his passing last May. Alan was an absolute power house of a drummer, and one of the nicest people you could have met. I miss him so much.
I have to call you guys out though for not including Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer and Asia. Carl is an absolute beast of a drummer, his solos are intense, and he can still pull off a 10-15 minute solo today, in his 70s. He plays just as well as he did in his 20s; he said if he couldn't he wouldn't play anymore. Carl's the last surviving member of ELP, and keeps the band's music alive with his own touring band. ELP deserves way more respect than they get.
Some other personal favorite drummers would be Paul Thompson (Roxy Music), Roger Taylor (Duran Duran), Kevin Haskins (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Tones on Tail), Budgie (Siouxsie and the Banshees), and Boris Williams (The Cure).
Check out Nevermore by UK. Bruford is amazing
I teach at Bruford's old school. Really hoping we get him back here to speak or lead a seminar or something. Legendary bands, legendary guy. And... erm... that's it.
Everyone ranting about who their favourite drummer is but I don’t see a single comment showing love to Stewart Copeland. He is the greatest for me
Neil Peart should be #1. His career was at the highest level for 4 years before cancer caught up to him, and his lyrics were always about something meaningful, instead of the sex and drugs bordering on misogynistic topics of most rock bands. He didn't let fame get to his head. He didn't wreck hotels like #2 and was grounded until the very end unlike #1 who gave in to alcoholism.
Peart is the GOAT no so many levels.
Good thing everyone has a right to their own opinion 😂😂😂hashtag KM#1
Why was Karen Carpenter left out? Afraid to admit that there was a woman drummer who could hold her own with all these legends on this list, plus what a voice she had, gone too soon and too young.
Glad to see Karen getting some love in the comments. I think alot of Watch Mojos following is to young to remember, or know about her. She was amazing.
but she made her mark as a vocalist, in all fairness. love her like crazy, and I understand she was terrific on drums. but Hal Blaine is nowhere in sight, and he played on more Carpenters records, as well as the Beach Boys and everyone else. but he respected her drumming.
Because The Carpenters werent in the Rock genre - this was the list for Rock drummers. I would have loved to have seen Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett on this list battling it out with these other legends of the stick, but he's the King of Pop drumming.
Dont make an issue out of thin air
Karen was bloody amazing, Buddy Rich said so and I believe him, but I think they're looking at all-in Rock drummers. Karen was more pop than rock. Not saying that she couldn't do it, I reckon she could have and probably would have if we had her for a few more years. She was magnificent!
@@troybradford856 Exactly. I'd love to see Dennis Chambers on the list, but he's the god of funk drumming and belongs nowhere near this list.
Hard to believe that Neil Peart isn’t number one.
Agree 100%
The Professor rocks.
Bonham was the perfect rock drummer. He was as fast and precise as Peart, but Bonham’s power is still unmatched.
Bonham's sound, feel and timing is beyond Peart. Peart was a clinical, robotic drummer. Bonham was far more organic. Peart studied too much and didn't feel it enough. Bonham all the way. Bonham was doing his thing at age 20 and with a kit 1/4 the size of Peart's.
@@lyndoncmp5751 Agree to some point but I have to say Peart was a great songwriter as well.
OK, the guys you have on here are great, but to make this list without Carl Palmer is insane.
What !! John Bonham #1 Yes my goodness ❤❤ Heavy Duty....
A guy that could go with any of these is Australian drummer Rob Hirst from the band Midnight Oil. You can check him out in a classic concert on Sydney Harbour in 1985. The concert is called Oils on the water, and check out the songs Best of both worlds and Power and the Passion.
Lol