1. John Bonham – Led Zeppelin – There is no doubt about this one. John Bonham is the greatest drummer to ever live, and go figure that he ended up playing for one of the best bands in Led Zeppelin. For an idea of why he is the best rock drummer of all time, listen to Moby Dick. This song showcases Bonham’s talents by practically giving him his own song to play.
2. Neil Peart – Rush – This one is also a no brainer. Neil Peart, considered by many to be better than Bonham, not only keeps the rhythm with his drums, but also made the band as famous as it is today. He also wrote all the lyrics to most of the Rush songs. Peart can easily be considered second to only the greatest drummer of all time.
3. Keith Moon – The Who – As one of the most innovative drummers, Moon joined The Who when he was only 17 years old. The Who couldn’t have made a better decision, as he turned out to blossom into one of the most inventive and dramatic drummers ever.
4. Mike Portnoy – Dream Theater – Thankfully Portnoy took up the drums, because once he joined Dream Theater (Initially called Majesty) he never looked back. Portnoy is the second youngest drummer to ever be inducted into the Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame, behind Neil Peart. He also is believed to be the best metal drummers to ever live.
5. Danny Carey – Tool – To be in the band Tool, you must have a niche or a knack for being good at something. Maynard James Keenan has his amazingly dramatic and chilling voice, Adam Jones’s wacky time signatures he can play in, and Danny Carey has his epically good drumming abilities.
6. Ringo Starr – The Beatles – Here is probably the least technically sound drummers of anyone on this list. Even Ringo has admitted to this from time to time. Ringo Starr is still one of the greatest drummers of all time though simply because he played for The Beatles and he was actually a very skilled drummer in most senses. After finishing his career with The Beatles, Ringo Starr succeeded in his own solo group called “Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.”
7. Buddy Rich – His Self – Though he wasn’t quite a rock drummer, Buddy Rich deserves a spot on this list simply because he was by far the best drummer of his time. Though he was never associated with one band or act, he enjoyed a seriously successful career doing small roles on shows and pursuing a solo act. Buddy Rich pursued more of a jazz style than any kind of rock, but he was still loved by many and he is one of the best drummers ever.
8. Lars Ulrich – Metallica – Ulrich was not only a great drummer, he actually formed the band, Metallica. After moving to Los Angeles to pursue a tennis career in his younger years, he then found his true passion of drumming. He pioneered what is now known as a key staple in music, thrash metal.
9. Tommy Lee – Motley Crue – Though Lee will be forever famous because of his relationship and other doings with Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee was also a great drummer. His legacy though, has been tarnished because of run-ins with trouble against his manager. This is what led him to quitting Motley Crue multiple times and starting his own solo band.
10. Travis Barker – Blink 182 – Here is an interesting drummer. Many consider Travis Barker to be very overrated. But because of how overrated everyone says he is, he has actually become an underrated drummer. Barker has finally gained the status to be up on this list with other famous drummers, and can only skyrocket after the news broke that Blink 182 has gotten back together.
Sources:
acclaimedmusic.net
Reference:
- Best Rappers of the 1990’s
- Best Punk Rock Bands of All Time
