Like most of us, I'm always banging on about my favourite bands, singers, and guitarists - particularly considering I've got a soft spot for long-winded guitar solos, BUT how often do we celebrate our drumming friends? Not often enough if you ask me... So it only seems fair that we do that now, and everything is better when put into an order of a top ten, so here goes nothin'. My Favourite drummers of all time....
10. Chad Smith - Red Hot Chili Peppers.
A seriously killer drummer who is without doubt the driving force behind everybody's favourite funk rock heroes - he locks that rythm section down tighter than a drum head.
9. Ginger Baker - Cream.
It's pretty much all thanks to this guy that we are lucky enough to have been exposed to so many exciting, and explosive rock drum solos over the years - he practically invented them! Serious cool points.
8. Keith Moon - The Who.
Technically, not the best. Sonically, not the most precise. Creatively, can't be touched. He was utterly unique, and his penchant for pushing the boundaries is what makes him truly incredible. He shunned conventional beats, and hardly ever played hi-hats, instead double-bass drummed his way through songs giving The Who their unique, and powerful sound.
7. Ian Paice - Deep Purple.
A man who really lives up to his last name - frighteningly fast, and full of flair. It's all about the speed, but for someone who works his way around a drum kit in unbelivable time he barely breaks into a sweat, and just to rub it in the faces of us mere mortals, often looks like he isn't even trying.
6. Mike Portnoy - Dream Theater.
Technically perfect, and taking complexity to never-before-seen heights, Portnoy is a man who is capable of dropping jaws, and popping eyes with his inspiring, and exciting talent - maybe even a little too great for the band he is most famous for playing with. Sorry, I went there...
5. Dave Grohl - Nirvana.
He might be the frontman of universally popular, and internationally successful chart-topping Foo Fighters, but before all of that Dave Grohl was just a skinny long-haired kid playing drums for a little grunge band called Nirvana. Ever heard of 'em? I know, I can't believe it either! :-p
Let's just run through his cv once more shall we... Scream? Check. Nirvana? Check. Foo Fighters? Check. Queens Of The Stone Age? Check. Them Crooked Vultures? Check. Woah. That's a lot of drumming, no wonder he's the king of cool.
4. John Bonham - Led Zeppelin.
(If my dad reads this, I'm sure he'll kill me for not putting his favourite long-haired rocker on the top spot so this may well be my last post... argh!)
John Bonham is known for his powerful, heavy drumming that provide the backbone for some of the greatest songs ever written - his signature bass-drumming is packed with raw emotion that has the genius ability to bring tears to your eyes whilst packing a serious punch. One of the greatest, and most respected rock drummers of all time. Hero.
3. Neil Peart - Rush.
As technical as he is creative - note, using the butt end of his sticks like it was no big deal, Peart is known for his outlandish, and mind-blowing solos. One of the most respected drummers on the planet who can switch from slow groove, to fast paced rock within seconds. Plus he can add kick-ass songwriting to his arsenal of talents, being the primary lyricist for Rush.
A man who was most definitely born with a drum stick in each fist, ouch!
Extra cool points for drumming in your underwear!
Without question the greatest metal drummer of all time - a true master of his trade, that has proven his talent time and time again performing with bands such as Korn, Rob Zombie, and artists as renowned, and legendary, as Lars Ulrich. Thunderingly powerful, lighting fast, and supremely technical skills put this masked master only one off the top spot...
1. Travis Barker - Blink-182.
No one has made a career out of drumming quite like this man - he has transformed his trade into an art in its own right - in fact, he's practically turned it into a sport, and even proved it could be the main focus of any album with his 2011 debut solo release 'Give The Drummer Some'. No one is as experimental, fast, nor versatile as Mr. Barker on the drums whether it's his signature pop-punk-perfect double-time drumming, or his creative, off-the-wall hip-hop innovation he is simply in a league of his own. Constantly working, and demanding more from himself whilst pushing boundaries that continually stun and excite the music world, he has proven time and time again that he is undoubtedly the greatest drummer in the world today.
Yeah, that's right buddy you won! Well done you.
Woah, I'm worn out - and I totally hate myself for not making Neil Peart number one but whatever I love me some Travis. P.s Sorry Dad!
What do you think? Who's your number one drummer?
p.p.s Ladies, I haven't forgotten some of our best known female drummers - they're getting a whole list of their own very soon! :-)
