Drum Players Who Raised The Bar. Your Favorites. Your Opinion.

[elihu]

Shelly Manne

 

[brookdalebill]

Barry Frost “Frosty“ Smith
Willie Cantu
Biff Adams
Jim Capaldi

 

[Bob Womack]

Whenever I am writing a drum part for something I am producing, four come to mind:
Jeff Porcaro - straight ahead but highlights the song perfectly
Michael Hossack (Doobie Brothers) straight ahead but with delicacy and absolutely in the pocket
Joe Vitale (Barnstorm and beyond) - massive and creative
Bill Bruford - delicacy

Bob

 

[PoorNoodle]

Lots of great drummers on the list. Meg White has already been mentioned. I think all the drummers on this can play her parts, probably even better than her, but none of them would have been able to invent her parts. They would all have overplayed…playing just enough to serve the song is hard.

 

[CCK1]

Of course, John Henry Bonham.

 

[johnny k]

 

[Tricone]

"Philly" Joe Jones, Jai Johanny Johanson, Butch Trucks, Yonrico Scott.

 

[Tricone]

And the late, great Tony Williams.

 

[Fuelish]

Pete Thomas of The Attractions/The Imposters ....he's pretty amazing

 

[donrichfan]

Bill Bateman is one of my favorite big-time drummers.

 

[tele_savales]

I met on guy on the swim team when I was in college and he mentioned he was also a drummer, and his drum teacher, who was heavily into Jazz had him ONLY working on the snare drum for a year. The rest of the conversation follows.
Me: "So he's got you listening to a lot of Tony, Jack, and Elvin then, right?"
Him: "Who's Tony, Jack, and Elvin?"
Me: "Get another drum teacher"

That's kind of how I feel about this thread.

 

[421JAM]

George Hurley
Dave Mattacks
Billy Ficca
Apt. Q258
Papa Jo Jones
Stevie Wonder

 

[SPUDCASTER]

Roger Hawkins
Kenny Buttrey
Kenny Malone
Larry Londin
Lenny White
Carlos Vega
Tris Imboden
Merel Bregante
Alex Acuna
Paul Leim
Eddie Bayers
Lonnie Wilson
Nir Z

 

[ElJay370]

Dale Crover

 

[stnmtthw]

Buddy Harman.

 

[srblue5]

Steve Gadd
Charlie Watts
Liberty Devitto
Stan Lynch
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

 

[Skydog1010]

Ringo
Johnny Bryant

 

[tubedude]

Michael West
Vinnie Coliuta
Will Kennedy
Peter Erskine
Phil Collins (before he gave up to sing)
Kirk Covington
Chuck Burgi
Corky Laing
John Bonham

 

[bluesguy62]

My favourites:

-John Bonham
-Bill Ward
-Stewart Copeland
-Keith Moon
-Charlie Watts
-Vinnie Paul
-Ian Paice
-Jimmy Chamberlain

Ian Paice. Oh yes, indeed!

 

[nickmm]

Cozy Powell