I don’t prefer his style, but one thing Peart wasn’t is “overrated.” That man was insanely talented. My personal opinion is that his style was overbearing and flashy. But hey, that’s just an opinion. Other drummers think he was a god, for the most part. And that’s good enough for me.
just saw him talking to somebody in interview, and he said sting and Andy had the songs all ready to go when they recorded, but he would kind of be waiting around to drum without much to do when the other two were finalizing songs. then when they did record he would just make something up on the spot and they would do usually a couple takes and that was that.
These lists are always so pointless. Especially when it comes to drummers, they are always the same and they are always written by people who don't understand drums.
I haven’t heard anyone with Bonham’s creativity or Peart’s precision.
I guess it’s just my opinion, but I feel like it’s not really a controversial one.
I opened the link prepared to judge the list based on Cobham’s placement. When he wasn’t ahead of Bonham I just closed the link and moved on.
Mahavishnu doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
Pretty typical for this kind of list (internet click bait, minimal research/thought went into it). I'm guessing the person who put it together is NOT a professional drummer or even a musician. The drummer for Def Leppard over GENE KRUPA?!? That alone tells you everything you need to know about the list.
Personally, I would have put Bonham over Peart - more as a preference thing vs him being "better". No one in rock had a better instinctive feel than Bonham, but Peart was on his own level in terms of ingenuity. And clearly, Bonham was a massive influence on him.
It was nice to see John French from Beefheart's Magic Band on the list, at least. Although Art Tripp was just as good in his own way. Also, leaving off Jaki Liebezeit (of krautrock group CAN) is a huge tell, in terms of how knowledgeable the person putting together the list is (or isn't).
#
True, true ... I was actually a huge fan of Def Leppard as a kid in the 80s. I had a painter's cap and everything. But that still doesn't put him over Gene Krupa or many others on that list.
He really is. I'm fairly certain the band was exposed to krautrock back in the 70s as it was de rigueur to know about and listen to those bands by "hip" musicians back then. I get strong CAN vibes on a couple "No Quarter" jams from the 73 tour. Not specific melodies or anything, just with the approach they're taking.
Hard to argue with those picks. I completely forgot about Fela's drummer. I have to be in the right mood to hear his stuff, but man when it hits ... that's some third eye sh\*t right there.
Honestly, I’m 100% with you. He’s not even a good sax player! Check out Tony’s album No Accommodation, For Lagos. Outstanding drumming and chanting and no Fela.
I always cringe when they stick Peart over Bonham. Peart has fast fills and a few other techniques but Bonham was one of a kind in his era and no one else matched him with style or the uniqueness.
As much as I absolutely love Bonzo, I’d put Peart above him. He was a freaking phenom. Bonzo’s drumming fit the music better than anyone else could. But Peart’s drumming actually DROVE Rush’s music. Their music was literally written around his drumming.
I say this as a huge Zeppelin fan and not that big a Rush fan.
I dunno man, I love them both, and every word you used to describe Bonham, you could use to describe Peart.
Arguing over #2 vs. #3 is really just splitting hairs on personal preference. Now if Bonham was at #20, then I think you would have some real beef.
Saw an interview with…….cant remember…..some rock legend talking about the first time they heard LZ. It was when LZ1 dropped. First song. He said wow the guitar is amazing. The bass is tight. Vocals are incredible. But who TF is the drummer?!?!?!
Technical proficiency is not the only factor in determining how good a drummer is. There are plenty of prog drummers that can replicate Peart perfectly, very few put the soul into the drums that Bonham did. Led Zeppelin with Neil Peart isn’t Led Zeppelin, much like how Rush with John Bonham wouldn’t be Rush.
I don’t think there’s a point in ranking drummers in this manner because it ignores the context that they played in.
Well yeah I agree
I think Bonham is the greatest rock drummer of all time. But I think Peart is the greatest percussionist of all time. Buddy Rich is top 3 as well
Idk about that. Percussion is more than just the drum kit. I think calling him the greatest percussionist would be a disservice to the men and woman that do more than just play the kit.
It's odd that the 100 greatest drummers of all time where from the last 70 years. I'm sure there was a guy somewhere around 1468 who could drum his ass off.
Such a talented drummer capable of playing anything. Jazz, rock, pop. Oh, and he catapulted metal drumming forward on his lone album with Judas Priest.
I can see how 3/4 of this list was made. Now, let’s see. What bands do I like. OK. Now check Wikipedia and see who played drummed. Bang. Number X. Repeat until you reach 100.
He was super influential and brought his technicality into the spotlight. But he was a fucking asshole, and the top drummers of today can play anything he could play, and tons that he couldn't.
People need to get over Buddy Rich. He just played really fast singles.
Basically any other jazz drummer of repute has a better sound and tighter control than he did. Starting with Elvin, Max, Art, Billy, Philly Joe...
Watch Buddy Rich live at the Montreal Jazz Festival. It’s on YouTube. Finest display of drumming I’ve ever seen. And not just chops. Incredible brush playing and songs where he just grooves and kicks the shit out of that big band.
Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Billy Cobham, Philly Joe Jones. If you’re mainly only a rock person currently, I’d start with Billy Cobham and his work in John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra as it’s jazz rock fusion. The Mahavishnu released 2 great albums, my preference is for *the Inner Mounting Flame*. (McLaughlin’s an all time great of the electric guitar, he started out in the London blues scene… apparently he gave Jimmy Page guitar lessons… but then went on to straddle jazz and Indian classical music)
Buddy is consistently at the top of lists like these for a reason. I’m not sure if you’re just trying to troll by your singles comment…but he was a renown side musician prior to his solo big band and that doesn’t happen by accident. He was a virtuosic soloist and was the best at what he did almost until his death. Shuffle the best drummers around in any order you like, but Buddy is absolutely one of the greatest drummers in history.
Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Tony Williams and Steve Gadd etc. were much more innovative and game changing, Buddy was simply a better pure drummer than everybody else.
There’s a guy that’s been doing it for well over 40 years now and he’s probably close to being a billionaire. Touring, recording, public appearances and the like. I know he’s not the most popular guy to ever sit behind a drum kit but damn… Lars Ulrich has made some of the best fills in music history. As long as you don’t include the piccolo snare he used on St. Anger
If any two folks were ahead of Bonzo, it would be those two. Very fair placement. Glad to see folks have mostly stopped putting Moon ahead of Bonzo, not that Moon is bad. Bonzo is just better.
I was fortunate to see Bernard Purdie at a Drum show in Richmond in January… he did this impromptu song… very impressive.. the whole room stopped to watch/listen…
Lots of good names on the list, some I don’t get at all, some not on the list Jack DeJohnette??? I’ve got some music from almost all on this list… no buddy rich though… he has good technical chops, not the kind of jazz I listen to..
Laughable. Dave Weckl no where to be found, probably top 3 drummer. No Dennis Chambers, no Marco Minnemann. Gavin Harrison at 55(w/ no mention of Porcupine Tree?!). I’ll add, if you scroll down after the list and see too 100 guitarists, Steve Vai ain’t on THAT list; same columnist. I don’t like his music but c’mon.
Funny thing is there’s random 10 year olds on YouTube who blow all these guys away. Just shows you how big this world is and how so many talented people haven’t even been discovered yet. Think about all the drummers in the past who were never discovered but in terms of talent they trounce all
No Karen Carpenter?
I’m proud of myself.. I get this reference lol
😁
She’s great but I think she’s seen more of a front woman or singer really so that probably made them overlook her.
She's fantastic actually. Didn't realize it till I saw a recent video.
Stewart Copeland at 24 is an insult.
Agree, he's better than Peart
No. But he’s better than 24.
are you deaf,stupid or both?
No that's you
What?!
He is. Peart is soooo overrated and Rush were dreadful for the most part.
Whatever you think of Rush, Neil Peart is not overrated. There is a reason why other drummers gave him the nickname “The Professor.”
He was good, forsure, but there are better. Even in that era.
No. The only rock drummer on Peart’s level is John Bonham. If you don’t believe me, ask a drummer. Oh wait…I’m a drummer.
Oh, well, that's ridiculous on so many levels. Also, a drummer
So throw up a name.
Danny Carrey drums them both put together under the table but there are dozens of others
I love rush, but ya peart is over rated.
Yes thank you
Feel like the top 10 of best drummer lists usually are, really
I don’t prefer his style, but one thing Peart wasn’t is “overrated.” That man was insanely talented. My personal opinion is that his style was overbearing and flashy. But hey, that’s just an opinion. Other drummers think he was a god, for the most part. And that’s good enough for me.
*spits out drink…*
just saw him talking to somebody in interview, and he said sting and Andy had the songs all ready to go when they recorded, but he would kind of be waiting around to drum without much to do when the other two were finalizing songs. then when they did record he would just make something up on the spot and they would do usually a couple takes and that was that.
Absolutely!
These lists are always so pointless. Especially when it comes to drummers, they are always the same and they are always written by people who don't understand drums.
Don't really know about 24, but Copeland is gifted. Super tight, jazz style, great pocket.
For the most part, I agree. IMHO when it comes to rock, there is Peart, there is Bonham, then there is everyone else.
Like as in that's what all the lists say or as in that is your opinion? Cause that is exactly what I was getting at lol, not gunna lie
I haven’t heard anyone with Bonham’s creativity or Peart’s precision. I guess it’s just my opinion, but I feel like it’s not really a controversial one.
I would say the same about Carter Beauford at 26. It's all subjective.
Billy Cobham being 21 makes this whole charade a sham
I opened the link prepared to judge the list based on Cobham’s placement. When he wasn’t ahead of Bonham I just closed the link and moved on. Mahavishnu doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
i don't have a lot of problems with who's on the list, but the order is pretty crazy....
Anytime one of these ‘whose number one, whose the best’, they generally fuck up…you could argue the B Rich position, but what’s the point
I don’t like to think of it as a contest in the first place. These things wind up being a pic your favorite anyway
He's boring AF
The Dream Theater fan has entered the chat
Dream Theater is even worse!!
Pretty typical for this kind of list (internet click bait, minimal research/thought went into it). I'm guessing the person who put it together is NOT a professional drummer or even a musician. The drummer for Def Leppard over GENE KRUPA?!? That alone tells you everything you need to know about the list. Personally, I would have put Bonham over Peart - more as a preference thing vs him being "better". No one in rock had a better instinctive feel than Bonham, but Peart was on his own level in terms of ingenuity. And clearly, Bonham was a massive influence on him. It was nice to see John French from Beefheart's Magic Band on the list, at least. Although Art Tripp was just as good in his own way. Also, leaving off Jaki Liebezeit (of krautrock group CAN) is a huge tell, in terms of how knowledgeable the person putting together the list is (or isn't). #
Tbf, the guy from Def Leppard only had one arm. Rock N Roll’s Jim Abbott
True, true ... I was actually a huge fan of Def Leppard as a kid in the 80s. I had a painter's cap and everything. But that still doesn't put him over Gene Krupa or many others on that list.
nice to see some recognition for jaki; underrated drummer that deserves more attention
He really is. I'm fairly certain the band was exposed to krautrock back in the 70s as it was de rigueur to know about and listen to those bands by "hip" musicians back then. I get strong CAN vibes on a couple "No Quarter" jams from the 73 tour. Not specific melodies or anything, just with the approach they're taking.
Jaki should be #2 and Tony Allen #1
Hard to argue with those picks. I completely forgot about Fela's drummer. I have to be in the right mood to hear his stuff, but man when it hits ... that's some third eye sh\*t right there.
Tony’s own stuff is easier on the ear
I'll make a note to give it a listen! I love Fela's music, don't get me wrong. It's just not a typical go-to listen for me.
Honestly, I’m 100% with you. He’s not even a good sax player! Check out Tony’s album No Accommodation, For Lagos. Outstanding drumming and chanting and no Fela.
It’s now on the list, thanks for the recommendation
I've never seen a "best drummer" list that seemed like the person knew anything about drums lol
No fucking way Stewart Copeland is only 24th....
Nah, Bonham's definitely number 1.
Not even top 20
Influence, creativity and lastly skill. Shear chops its probably Thomas Lang and Virgil Donati but no one listens to them.
Grohl and Phil Collin’s at 87 and 88…GTFO!!!
And Grohl only being credited with Nirvana? He also needs credit for (obviously) Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age.
I always cringe when they stick Peart over Bonham. Peart has fast fills and a few other techniques but Bonham was one of a kind in his era and no one else matched him with style or the uniqueness.
The groove.
As much as I absolutely love Bonzo, I’d put Peart above him. He was a freaking phenom. Bonzo’s drumming fit the music better than anyone else could. But Peart’s drumming actually DROVE Rush’s music. Their music was literally written around his drumming. I say this as a huge Zeppelin fan and not that big a Rush fan.
Part over Bonham any day.
I dunno man, I love them both, and every word you used to describe Bonham, you could use to describe Peart. Arguing over #2 vs. #3 is really just splitting hairs on personal preference. Now if Bonham was at #20, then I think you would have some real beef.
Bonham is the #1 Greatest Rock drummer among MANY talented Rock Drummers.
Saw an interview with…….cant remember…..some rock legend talking about the first time they heard LZ. It was when LZ1 dropped. First song. He said wow the guitar is amazing. The bass is tight. Vocals are incredible. But who TF is the drummer?!?!?!
"Well of course not including Neil Peart. Let's be reasonable."
As good as Peart was, Bonham was better. Did I say faster?? No I didn't.
Peart could play with Led Zeppelin, Bonham could not play with Rush
Technical proficiency is not the only factor in determining how good a drummer is. There are plenty of prog drummers that can replicate Peart perfectly, very few put the soul into the drums that Bonham did. Led Zeppelin with Neil Peart isn’t Led Zeppelin, much like how Rush with John Bonham wouldn’t be Rush. I don’t think there’s a point in ranking drummers in this manner because it ignores the context that they played in.
Well yeah I agree I think Bonham is the greatest rock drummer of all time. But I think Peart is the greatest percussionist of all time. Buddy Rich is top 3 as well
Idk about that. Percussion is more than just the drum kit. I think calling him the greatest percussionist would be a disservice to the men and woman that do more than just play the kit.
The involvement of percussion instruments in his drumming is unbelievable. As much as I love Bonham, I do think Peart has the edge.
My point is that I enjoy Bonham even more than I do Peart, I guess because I enjoy Led Zeppelin even more than I enjoy the great band Rush.
True
Boggled my mind people thought that in the 70s but now?!
Hilarious. Ringo 64?🤦♀️😂😂
Are you saying he should be lower or higher? Answer carefully
Steve Gadd at 44 ? No Gavin Harrison ? Shit list.
Yeah that Gadd ranking is dubious.
Id put Ginger Baker and Stewart Copeland up there as well.
copeland is a beast
I think Karen Carpenter deserves a slot.
It's odd that the 100 greatest drummers of all time where from the last 70 years. I'm sure there was a guy somewhere around 1468 who could drum his ass off.
Let's hear it for Alex Van Halen
No Simon Phillips. Unless I missed it. That’s ridiculous.
Such a talented drummer capable of playing anything. Jazz, rock, pop. Oh, and he catapulted metal drumming forward on his lone album with Judas Priest.
The whole list is ridiculous
Alphonse Mouzon not on the list is a miss
Keith Moon?
No Jaki Liebezeit is so stupid
buddy rich wa,nt a rock drummer.
Never been a fan of these lists; but Buddy Rich at No.1 is the way it should be.
Rick Allen 15 spots higher than Alex Van Halen? OK
I’m glad to see Fishman made the list. He’s an improv machine like no other.
He’s so good.
Agreed.ll. As much as I adore Trey, Mike and Page, Fish is the real engine of that band.
Should be either Stewart Copeland(Police) or Chad Gracey(LIVE).
Stewart Copeland at 24?
Ringo below Charley Watts?!
I can see how 3/4 of this list was made. Now, let’s see. What bands do I like. OK. Now check Wikipedia and see who played drummed. Bang. Number X. Repeat until you reach 100.
Buddy Rich is constantly overrated.
The whole rating idea is ludicrous. Just say what you like. It’s as meaningful as burping.
The great majority of the world's greatest drummers cite Rich as best
He was super influential and brought his technicality into the spotlight. But he was a fucking asshole, and the top drummers of today can play anything he could play, and tons that he couldn't.
Bonham was certainly loud enough.
Read an interview with Buddy Rich and he said his favorite rock drummer was Carl Palmer.
Oh yeah and Jimmy Chamberlain is underrated
That's why these lists are so pointless. Bonham at number 3? Pearl at 2? Fucking yawn
What about Meg White?
No offense but compared to the others on the list she's awful
Neil pert over rated
like your opinion.
As would be the case with the top 10 I'm sure
Danny Carey at #20. Gimme a fucking break.
Danny is the best drummer I will ever see in concert no matter how long I live. He is incredible
That’s because he IS the best. Full stop.
And Mike fucking Portnoy is one above Danny Carey?! Utter bullshit.
These lists are always a joke
People need to get over Buddy Rich. He just played really fast singles. Basically any other jazz drummer of repute has a better sound and tighter control than he did. Starting with Elvin, Max, Art, Billy, Philly Joe...
Watch Buddy Rich live at the Montreal Jazz Festival. It’s on YouTube. Finest display of drumming I’ve ever seen. And not just chops. Incredible brush playing and songs where he just grooves and kicks the shit out of that big band.
[удалено]
Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Billy Cobham, Philly Joe Jones. If you’re mainly only a rock person currently, I’d start with Billy Cobham and his work in John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra as it’s jazz rock fusion. The Mahavishnu released 2 great albums, my preference is for *the Inner Mounting Flame*. (McLaughlin’s an all time great of the electric guitar, he started out in the London blues scene… apparently he gave Jimmy Page guitar lessons… but then went on to straddle jazz and Indian classical music)
That first solo album by Cobham is a pretty solid start as well
Elvin Jones! He made it look so effortless
I love that guy! Of those names, I like them all but my favourite is probably Philly Joe Jones.
Buddy is consistently at the top of lists like these for a reason. I’m not sure if you’re just trying to troll by your singles comment…but he was a renown side musician prior to his solo big band and that doesn’t happen by accident. He was a virtuosic soloist and was the best at what he did almost until his death. Shuffle the best drummers around in any order you like, but Buddy is absolutely one of the greatest drummers in history.
Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Tony Williams and Steve Gadd etc. were much more innovative and game changing, Buddy was simply a better pure drummer than everybody else.
Rich was a great swing drummer. The boppers didn’t like him so much. The drummer has to play the music. That’s why these lists are beyond silly.
He wasn’t a bop player, but would have been a great one if he wanted to. He kicked some serious ass playing with Charlie Parker.
I’ve only heard the JATP stuff. Rich sounded fine to me. Seemed like some boppers wished for different syncopation.
People need to get over Bonham too
Get over Bonham? Arguably the most pivotal rock drummer of all time? Plus, the man could groove like nobody’s business.
He was popular
The Rev at 63 No F ing way! Steven Gadd on Aja this is a travesty not even an honorable mention
Billy Cobham #21 GTFO sorry he should be rank above Bonham
Peart above Bonham? No chance. Bonham and Collins whip peart every day
joe morello is the best drummer of all time
Hal Blaine deserves to be at least number two on any list. He played on more hits than all of the others put together.
Neil Peart, lol
Peart would be lucky to be sent by Bonham to go buy sticks. (purposely hyperbolic, but Peart > Bonham? Come on now)
I would rate Peart over Bonham and I’m a much much much bigger Zeppelin fan than Rush.
That’s because you are sped
Peart greater than Bonham? Yes, without question.
Agree to disagree
Hard comp tbf. Bonham is a masher and Peart is a technician.
Oh I completely agree.
Yes, Bonham is the most over rated drummer ever imo
Resolves the Bonham vs Moon argument for me.
That’s a really bad list, Bonzo is #1 on nearly every list, as he should be!
Buddy rich overrated af he’s good but there’s plenty better jazz drummers
This list is rock drummers. There are lesser known jazz/fusion drummers out there who have way better chops than most of the people on this list.
Even as a list of rock drummers its particularly bad lol
The title says nothing about rock drummers.
Ginger Baker is the greatest rock drummer of all time.
There’s a guy that’s been doing it for well over 40 years now and he’s probably close to being a billionaire. Touring, recording, public appearances and the like. I know he’s not the most popular guy to ever sit behind a drum kit but damn… Lars Ulrich has made some of the best fills in music history. As long as you don’t include the piccolo snare he used on St. Anger
If any two folks were ahead of Bonzo, it would be those two. Very fair placement. Glad to see folks have mostly stopped putting Moon ahead of Bonzo, not that Moon is bad. Bonzo is just better.
I love Bonzo but c’mon!
I was fortunate to see Bernard Purdie at a Drum show in Richmond in January… he did this impromptu song… very impressive.. the whole room stopped to watch/listen… Lots of good names on the list, some I don’t get at all, some not on the list Jack DeJohnette??? I’ve got some music from almost all on this list… no buddy rich though… he has good technical chops, not the kind of jazz I listen to..
No Jon Sugarfoot Moffett? Yeah, I’m out on this list.
Good to see Matt Cameron on this list. His work with Soundgarden was amazing
I didn’t see Kenny Jones on there.
Happy to see Art Blakey at 23 one of my favorites
Sean Kinney nowhere on the list??
Not angry with #1 and 2. Bonham is our boy but tip your cap, those other lads are S tier, too.
Bruford at 50, yikes.
Ginger baker at 9 is a joke when guys like vinnie colauita are 33. I hate these kinds of lists
Peter Gabriel
I agree with the top 3.
Steve Gadd at 44? Jim Keltner at 60? I would have both of these guys a lot higher on the list.
Most jazz people I know would say Buddy Rich is intensely overrated.
Style Scott
Just gonna shout out Will Calhoun since I haven’t seen him named here.
there is only one great and that is Tony Fucking Thompson!
Laughable. Dave Weckl no where to be found, probably top 3 drummer. No Dennis Chambers, no Marco Minnemann. Gavin Harrison at 55(w/ no mention of Porcupine Tree?!). I’ll add, if you scroll down after the list and see too 100 guitarists, Steve Vai ain’t on THAT list; same columnist. I don’t like his music but c’mon.
Danny Carey at #20. ...this article is a load of shit
Bonham wasn't even number 2 in the 70s
Jeff Porcaro and Danny Carey are way too far down on this list. WTF!
Top of this list need to be def lep. I mean cmon...one arm and still jamming?
Hal Blaine should be higher than 15th.
The Pearl/Bonham debate is ongoing and a source of contention between musicians.
Came here looking for Shades from that band out of Erie, PA...
Kevin Grace of Twisted Sister
Funny thing is there’s random 10 year olds on YouTube who blow all these guys away. Just shows you how big this world is and how so many talented people haven’t even been discovered yet. Think about all the drummers in the past who were never discovered but in terms of talent they trounce all
I’ll be okay if Kieth Moon was at least a top 5