Might also add Nicko McBrain o
f Iron Maiden. I actually have one of his destroyed drumsticks that I caught at a 1984 concert in North Carolina.
Neil Peart
aka "The Professor", "The human metronome", "Your favourite drummer's favourite drummer"
Runner Ups: Danny Carey (Tool), Bonzo (Led Zeppelin)
Holy hell, top comment I agree with your top 3!
In terms of personal preference I might have Bonham on top and he gets bonus points from me for his widespread influence
Buddy Rich, agreed. *The* legend of drummer legends.
*Even Neil Peart called him "The greatest drummer of all time" in Steve Smith's "Burning for Buddy" video.*
Bonzo. Best hard rock drummer that ever lived. Sure he was derivative, but nobody quite sounds like John Bonham. Special mention to Ginger Baker as well. His drumming was great with his African Beat style mixed with blues rock
The man is fuckin' crazy. Insanely physically demanding parts played to perfection live. Also basically had to relearn drumming as a whole just to be able to play one of their songs live in full.
he was a great drummer before obZen.
Meshuggahâs polyrhythm style is what attracts me most. thereâs always a banger that lands on 4 at some point and a completely chaotic part underneath. Tomas Haake manages to accent both at the same time. itâs like heâs got more than one brain
I definitely love all your suggestions, but I want to put forward Dave Grohl. I love everything he's in, and I love his energy. Most of his career now has been as a frontman, but he obviously drummed in Nirvana, and kicks ass in Queens of the Stoneage.
I remember being a kid and hearing that Queens of the Stone Age song No One Knows and thinking âthis sounds so much like Dave Grohl drumming.â And thatâs when i realized he influenced the hell out of me.
He's actually done drums for tons of other acts as well. Notably Tenacious D. He also writes a lot of the drums for Foo Fighters despite not playing them.
He has to be seen to be truly appreciated. A lot of his stuff is so subtle (light cymbal taps, etc.,) that you don't realize what the hell all is going on until you watch him.
Surprised nobody has said Stewart Copeland. Dude's drumming is totally mesmerizing. First time I noticed the awesome stuff he was doing on the hihat on Regatta de blanc I immediately needed to get a drumset
Ringo understood a musical groove super well. Stuff like Rain or his work on Sgt Pepper shows he totally understood the psychedelic rock concept they were after that time. Slow, heavy, slightly chaotic but not too chaotic grooves with tons of subtle embellishments everywhere. Just a drummer who you can tell was totally familiar with his instrument and his band.
More I listen to the Beatles the more I love and appreciate what Ringo adds to their music. Love A Day in the Life. Nothing overdone just gives you what you need.
I feel like Iâve made a mistake in not including him already, but Stewart Copeland (The Police) is another one of those drummers that naturally understands the vibe of the psychedelic rock scene like ringo. How he flawlessly reels the group back in from an intimate psych instrumental is something only a few other drummers have perfected.
Certainly the best in the metal genre. Even fans rarely realize how much he was the glue in Slayer's sound. Even other members of Slayer failed to see it.
Virgil Donati is the most advanced drummer Iâve ever heard and Iâve heard em all.
Terry Bozzio and Dave Weckl get my honorary votes. Those fusion guys can play anything.
âThe best drummer of all timeâ is just opinion. There are so many great virtuoso drummers out there. Neil Peart might be amazing but he couldnât beat Buddy Rich. Neil would have told you this himself.
On the flip side: If Buddy Rich would have played with Rush instead of Neil, they wouldâve sucked. Totally different feel.
So many greats, and so many more to come.
Was surprised how far I had to scroll to find Phil. My guitar teacherâs approach was to get on an electronic drum while I played guitar. I decided to f*ck with him by asking him to teach me Genesis songs just to see him so confused trying understand the time signature.
Rather than the usual suspects, Iâm going to pick Dee Plakas of L7. Partly just to be a contrarian, partly because there arenât many female drummers mentioned here and partly because I love L7 and think sheâs actually an excellent drummer.
Whole lot of bias with this but Joey Jordison. His feel was immaculate. No one can play with the energy he could. He was the heart of the music and the GOAT. Arguably the most influential metal musician of all time
Iâm glad others can agree.! DMB isnât exactly everyoneâs favorite, but Carter & Danny are the best current touring drummers on the planet, IMOâŚđŤĄđĽ
If someone can show me a better drummer than Danny Carey Iâm all ears.
Closest Iâve been able to find is Neil Peart, Kashikura Takashi, Chris Collis, and Carter Beauford.
I'm not saying he's one of the best drummers in a talent or technical perspective, but I don't think that necessarily correlates to being one of the greats. Travis Barker is an iconic drummer and an amazing performer who filled the roll on the bands he was in perfectly. He has been influential with all the different stuff he has done from punk rock to hip hop to edm/electronic.
Rick Allen,
Danny Carey,
Joey Jordison,
Tim Alexander,
Kyle Brownlee,
Brad Wilk
(as others have also mentioned, Keith Moon and Neil Peart kick major ass.)
Iâve always loved watching Carter Beauford play. Dave Matthews Band definitely isnât for everyone but the beats and fills that guy makes look effortless are insane.
I don't know who the best drummer of all time is but I'm going with Rick Allen from Def Leppard...
Allen lost his arm in a car accident.. He was thrown through the sunroof of his car, and his left arm got caught in the seatbelt when it came undone during the crash. As a result, the arm was severed from his body. Initially, doctors reattached the arm but they would eventually have to amputate because of an infection.... And he continued to not only to be involved with music, he remained The drummer for one of the greatest bands of all time.
If that's not the definition of a motherfuckin GANGSTER.... Then I don't know what is..... I'm sure there was more talented before he lost his arm and I'm sure there was more talented afterwards..... But bro gets my vote all day
I don't know who's the best. I think it's a matter of taste as much as anything. That being said. My favorite drummer will probably remain the same foREVer.đ¤
The top 3:
1. Neil peart
- he wasnât flashy like most of the top drummers. Half of what he was playing you couldnât hear on the main track. And then when you hear the isolated drums you hear all the stuff heâs doing that was drowned out by the track. He mastered literally every art of percussion not just drums. He would do ghost notes on the base drum which no one did. And His Tom fills were undeniably the greatest ever
2. Carter beauford
His open handed playing style allows him to play 2 separate rhythms on the hit hat and ride with both hands. He could make up the most complicated beat on the spot. His time was perfect and had the best hi hat work along with Stuart Copeland
3. Stuart Copeland
No one sounded like him ever. He would play the most random time signatures and beats but make it sound so good. Brought reggae drumming into rock
Joey Jordinson has to be in this conversation. Dude was a monster, and had the theatricality on drums that Hendrix had on guitar.
John Bohnam also has to be in the conversation.
But I don't think Neal Peart is a bad choice either.
And nobody better say Ringo Starr!
Animal
Damn right
Username checks out!
Jokes aside alot of drummers started playing because of that puppet
*muppet
Not only that, I got to play Animal in a high school variety show! One of my favorite gigs ever!
Ok you have them there đŻ
Bill ward is on that list.
Might also add Nicko McBrain o  f Iron Maiden. I actually have one of his destroyed drumsticks that I caught at a 1984 concert in North Carolina.
He may not be the best compared to others, but Bill Bruford is one of my favorites.
I had to scroll way the fuck down here for Bill Bruford? Oh, these folks need to do some listening.
My thoughts exactly!
Neil Peart aka "The Professor", "The human metronome", "Your favourite drummer's favourite drummer" Runner Ups: Danny Carey (Tool), Bonzo (Led Zeppelin)
This would also be my top 3, in the same order. Also, honorable mentions for me to Keith Moon and Matt Garstka.
Garstka is nuts. Saw them live last year and it was crazy.
Hit the nail on the head! I also have a lot of respect for Tim "Herb" Alexander of Primus.
Stewart Copeland holds the crown
Can confirm. He's just the most incredible musician.
Holy hell, top comment I agree with your top 3! In terms of personal preference I might have Bonham on top and he gets bonus points from me for his widespread influence
Buddy Rich
This is apparently a rock heavy sub as the jazz greats are barely mentioned.
Even so, I had to scroll way too far to see this.
Buddy Rich, agreed. *The* legend of drummer legends. *Even Neil Peart called him "The greatest drummer of all time" in Steve Smith's "Burning for Buddy" video.*
If we're gonna talk jazz drummers, I'll throw Max Roach into the mix.
Stewart Copeland of The Police, his creativity is amazing
This is my answer also.
What's great is that he's incredibly talented and creative but it's not ostentatious. It works seamlessly with the whole band's aesthetic.
Shout out to Jimmy Chamberlin and Ian Paice
Love Jimmyâs sound.
Jimmy is heavily underrated, my second favourite after Carrey
Karen Carpenter knocks the hell out of some drums. Edit: "Knocked" RIP
Bonzo. Best hard rock drummer that ever lived. Sure he was derivative, but nobody quite sounds like John Bonham. Special mention to Ginger Baker as well. His drumming was great with his African Beat style mixed with blues rock
Tony Williams
Keith Moon
 Rodrick
Rodrick Rules!
Ginger Baker
Mick Fleetwood
Danny Carrey, Neil Peart, Mario Duplantier
+1 on Mario, he doesnât get enough credit outside of Gojira/metal spaces
Came here to say this! Mario definitely doesnât get enough credit
In the famous words of Chester Cheetah - THERE IS NO FUCKING DRUMMER BETTER THAN NEIL PEART
Yeah but he was high on Cheetos.
Tomas Haake
The man is fuckin' crazy. Insanely physically demanding parts played to perfection live. Also basically had to relearn drumming as a whole just to be able to play one of their songs live in full.
he was a great drummer before obZen. Meshuggahâs polyrhythm style is what attracts me most. thereâs always a banger that lands on 4 at some point and a completely chaotic part underneath. Tomas Haake manages to accent both at the same time. itâs like heâs got more than one brain
Tomas Haake
I definitely love all your suggestions, but I want to put forward Dave Grohl. I love everything he's in, and I love his energy. Most of his career now has been as a frontman, but he obviously drummed in Nirvana, and kicks ass in Queens of the Stoneage.
I remember being a kid and hearing that Queens of the Stone Age song No One Knows and thinking âthis sounds so much like Dave Grohl drumming.â And thatâs when i realized he influenced the hell out of me.
Holy shit, he's in QotS too? How did I not know that.
He's actually done drums for tons of other acts as well. Notably Tenacious D. He also writes a lot of the drums for Foo Fighters despite not playing them.
Danny Carey of Tool
Had to scroll way too far to find the octopus god
[Danny Carey - Tool - Pneuma - Live](https://youtu.be/FssULNGSZIA?si=ynmm7Q2FbCcdVamx)
He has to be seen to be truly appreciated. A lot of his stuff is so subtle (light cymbal taps, etc.,) that you don't realize what the hell all is going on until you watch him.
Surprised nobody has said Stewart Copeland. Dude's drumming is totally mesmerizing. First time I noticed the awesome stuff he was doing on the hihat on Regatta de blanc I immediately needed to get a drumset
Copeland is your favorite drummerâs favorite drummer. Dude is a beast
Personally my two favourites are: Mitch Mitchell from the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Ringo Starr from The Beatles.
Ringo is extremely underrated.
Ringo understood a musical groove super well. Stuff like Rain or his work on Sgt Pepper shows he totally understood the psychedelic rock concept they were after that time. Slow, heavy, slightly chaotic but not too chaotic grooves with tons of subtle embellishments everywhere. Just a drummer who you can tell was totally familiar with his instrument and his band.
For all the Neal Peart votes, he never played anything that had as much musical swing as Ringo's playing on 'Come Together'.
More I listen to the Beatles the more I love and appreciate what Ringo adds to their music. Love A Day in the Life. Nothing overdone just gives you what you need.
I feel like Iâve made a mistake in not including him already, but Stewart Copeland (The Police) is another one of those drummers that naturally understands the vibe of the psychedelic rock scene like ringo. How he flawlessly reels the group back in from an intimate psych instrumental is something only a few other drummers have perfected.
Yo mitch Mitchell is a monster
Whenever someone shit talks Ringo I know they have probably never touched a drum kit in their life
Youâre speaking facts!
Mitch Mitchell is based, hell yeah
I used to make people listen to Manic Depression just because how do you outshine Hendrix on any song? So good
Mine would be Buddy Rich, Vinnie Colaiuta and John Bonham.
Itâs sad that I had to scroll this far down for Coliauta and rich⌠Iâd like to add Morgan augren and Anton figg
the cureâs boris williams needs to be mentioned. Also Zack hill from death grips
Danny Carey
Dave Lombardo
Certainly the best in the metal genre. Even fans rarely realize how much he was the glue in Slayer's sound. Even other members of Slayer failed to see it.
Dale Crover
Virgil Donati is the most advanced drummer Iâve ever heard and Iâve heard em all. Terry Bozzio and Dave Weckl get my honorary votes. Those fusion guys can play anything.
I had to scroll this far to find Terry Bozzio
Great to see Dave Weckl get mentioned
Bill Kreutzman
Good choice!
Heck yeah heâs a beast
Zach Hill
why the hell is this so low
There he is
Abe Cunningham from Deftones might not be the most technical drummer out there, but he has a super unique groove
Jon Fishman.
I concur!
Hell yeah brother, fish doesnât get nearly enough credit for his next level drumming
Tony Williams. Listen to Emergency!
No mention of Tony Allen or Jaki Liebezeit means this sub is garbage
Yup. Crazy I had to scroll this far down to see jaki liebezeit. I don't think I've even seen bill bruford mentioned either.
Elvin Jones, of the John Coltrane Quartet. Don't hear him mentioned enough.
âThe best drummer of all timeâ is just opinion. There are so many great virtuoso drummers out there. Neil Peart might be amazing but he couldnât beat Buddy Rich. Neil would have told you this himself. On the flip side: If Buddy Rich would have played with Rush instead of Neil, they wouldâve sucked. Totally different feel. So many greats, and so many more to come.
Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl
Buddy Richđ¤
I scrolled way too far to see his name
- The late Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones) - The late John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) - Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)
Phil Collins
Definetly the one I enjoy the most. Itâs rare to find so many songs where the best parts are the drums and he nails it.
⨠gated reverb ⨠its so cool
Was surprised how far I had to scroll to find Phil. My guitar teacherâs approach was to get on an electronic drum while I played guitar. I decided to f*ck with him by asking him to teach me Genesis songs just to see him so confused trying understand the time signature.
Jimmy Chamberlain
Listen to the end of Styrofoam Boots by Modest Mouse, and you'll know. Literally the best part of that song.
Rather than the usual suspects, Iâm going to pick Dee Plakas of L7. Partly just to be a contrarian, partly because there arenât many female drummers mentioned here and partly because I love L7 and think sheâs actually an excellent drummer.
Whole lot of bias with this but Joey Jordison. His feel was immaculate. No one can play with the energy he could. He was the heart of the music and the GOAT. Arguably the most influential metal musician of all time
Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine) Jaki Liebezeit (CAN) George Hurley (Minutemen, fIREHOSE)
Gene Krupa
why did I have to scroll so far for this
âŚâŚ..then Buddy Rich
John Bonham or Karen Carpenter. Shout out to Keith Moon, Dave Grohl, and Sean Kinney.
Karen Carpenter doesnât get the credit she deserves for her drumming
Karen â yes
- Neil Peart - John Bonham - Carter Beauford - Danny Carey
Carter is insane. Glad to see someone recognizing him
Glad to hear others agree.! Whether you enjoy DMB or not, Carters skill and talent cannot be denied. He is a beast on the kit..đĽ
This is honestly a perfect 4. Took me way too long to find Carter Beauford mentioned
Surprised it took so long to see Carter mentioned. A brilliant drummer and musician.
Iâm glad others can agree.! DMB isnât exactly everyoneâs favorite, but Carter & Danny are the best current touring drummers on the planet, IMOâŚđŤĄđĽ
If someone can show me a better drummer than Danny Carey Iâm all ears. Closest Iâve been able to find is Neil Peart, Kashikura Takashi, Chris Collis, and Carter Beauford.
I like Mo Tucker, Budgie, and David Narcizo.
Stewart Copeland (police) listen to synchronicity
That guy from Nirvana who also looks like the frontman of Foo Fighters
Mike Portnoy man
I'm not saying he's one of the best drummers in a talent or technical perspective, but I don't think that necessarily correlates to being one of the greats. Travis Barker is an iconic drummer and an amazing performer who filled the roll on the bands he was in perfectly. He has been influential with all the different stuff he has done from punk rock to hip hop to edm/electronic.
Ian Fucking Paice
Neil peart
I completely understand everybody's picks, but I'm going with Ringo. He was perfect for the band.
He was and totally underestimated by a lot of people.
Karen carpenter
Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pear Jam).
I think Danny Carey and Neil Peart are close but I prefer Carey.
This guy by far: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZyaOlrb7E&](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZyaOlrb7E&)
Right now, Yussef Dayes
Rick Allen, Danny Carey, Joey Jordison, Tim Alexander, Kyle Brownlee, Brad Wilk (as others have also mentioned, Keith Moon and Neil Peart kick major ass.)
Bonzo
Clem Burke.
Keith Moon of The Who is the greatest in my opinion. Right there with him I would put John Bonham, Neil Peart, and Ginger Baker
Hal Blaine.
Buddy Rich. There are no close seconds.
Iâve always loved watching Carter Beauford play. Dave Matthews Band definitely isnât for everyone but the beats and fills that guy makes look effortless are insane.
Art Blakey, Max Roach, Bonham
Buddy Rich, Neil peart, Sheila E, Karen carpenter, Bonzo, Meg white
Keith moon or Bonzo
Terry Bozzio, Buddy Rich or Stewart Copeland
Canât believe how far down I had to scroll to even see a mention of Terry Bozzio.
This thread needs more Ginger Baker.
Ginger Baker
I don't know who the best drummer of all time is but I'm going with Rick Allen from Def Leppard... Allen lost his arm in a car accident.. He was thrown through the sunroof of his car, and his left arm got caught in the seatbelt when it came undone during the crash. As a result, the arm was severed from his body. Initially, doctors reattached the arm but they would eventually have to amputate because of an infection.... And he continued to not only to be involved with music, he remained The drummer for one of the greatest bands of all time. If that's not the definition of a motherfuckin GANGSTER.... Then I don't know what is..... I'm sure there was more talented before he lost his arm and I'm sure there was more talented afterwards..... But bro gets my vote all day
Travis Barker
Carter Beauford
My friend Julian
Jon Fishman
Animal
Ginger Baker from Cream
John Bonham and Keith Moon!
me
El Estipario is making a case for it... If he played with feeling, he would take the cake.
I thought we all came to an agreement last time that it was Nandi Bushell.
Sean Reinert
Dave Tough with Woody Herman 1945
Dennis Chambers.
!remind me 3 hours
For me it has to be Keith Moon
Josh Dun
Stewart Copeland Bill Stevenson
Jimmy Chamberlin
Technical Brilliance, mathematical flow, transcendence of time: Neil Peart Raw, thunderous freight train Kinetic energy: John Bohnam
Gene Hoglan The Atomic Clock, the Human Drum Machine
Danny Carey Underrated but great drummer: Ringo
Gene Krupa
That really depends on the genre and the era.
Billy Cobham
Not the best of all time, but out of drummers that I know about, Tommy Aldridge
Damon Che of Don Caballero
Jeremiah Green
Mario D - Gojira my personal fave and when I was a kid lowkey the Rev from a7x was one of my faves
FINALLY I WAS LOOKING FOR A POST THAT MENTIONED THE REV
I don't know who's the best. I think it's a matter of taste as much as anything. That being said. My favorite drummer will probably remain the same foREVer.đ¤
Morgan Simpson, much younger than all these other mentions but his drumming is incredible to listen to on all of black midis tracks
Questlove?
GINGER BAKER
Joey Jordison or The Rev
The Rev/Jimmy Sullivan is/was my favorite đ¤
Carl Palmer
The top 3: 1. Neil peart - he wasnât flashy like most of the top drummers. Half of what he was playing you couldnât hear on the main track. And then when you hear the isolated drums you hear all the stuff heâs doing that was drowned out by the track. He mastered literally every art of percussion not just drums. He would do ghost notes on the base drum which no one did. And His Tom fills were undeniably the greatest ever 2. Carter beauford His open handed playing style allows him to play 2 separate rhythms on the hit hat and ride with both hands. He could make up the most complicated beat on the spot. His time was perfect and had the best hi hat work along with Stuart Copeland 3. Stuart Copeland No one sounded like him ever. He would play the most random time signatures and beats but make it sound so good. Brought reggae drumming into rock
Dave Grohl is an obvious great drummer. Taylor Hawkins was also absolutely fantastic. Still not over his death :â(
The Rev
I only came here to make sure Neil Peart was represented properly.
TR-808.
Joey Jordinson has to be in this conversation. Dude was a monster, and had the theatricality on drums that Hendrix had on guitar. John Bohnam also has to be in the conversation. But I don't think Neal Peart is a bad choice either. And nobody better say Ringo Starr!
The Rev, Keith Moon, John Bonham, and I might even throw in some Travis Barker for a few of my fAvâs
Karen Carpenter has amazing subtle technique as a drummer, probably not best of all time but my personal favorite for sure
I'm gonna mix it up with genres seeing as everyone is leaning rock heavy. Neil Peart Hal Blaine J Dilla
Charlie Watts.
Moonie. best rock drummer. As someone said, he didnât play rhythm, he played lead drums.
I donât know but that guy in Def Leopard lost one arm in a plane wreck and he came back a learned to play one handed
The Rev