The debate has raged since the mid-1970s, who rightly owns the title of “Greatest Rock Drummer of All-Time?”. Yes, there are hundreds of names that can be tossed in the big bowl of percussionists out there, but there are always two names that seem to go to war against each other.
First is the late great John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. To be fair, Bonham passed away at what many consider the drummer’s entry into another style of drumming that wasn’t being played by many at the time and his time was cut short to truly show his chops off and where he was about to go musically with Zeppelin.
Neil Peart on the other hand has been fortunate enough not to succumb to the pressures of the typical rock and roll fare of sex, drugs, and rock and roll…keeping his playing vitality near top notch for decades.
Are there more Led Zeppelin fans than there are Rush fans? Sure. Record sales seem to reflect that as Zeppelin has sold in excess of 300 million records worldwide compared to Rush’s near 50 million worldwide. The debate is however not which band was more successful as it is which band had the better rock drummer.
Peart became a member of the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1983. That is just eight years after his first professional recording with Rush and their “Fly By Night” record in 1975. Peart went on to win 18 times in the best recorded performance category, best rock drummer 9 times, best multi-percussionist 4 times and a host of other honors with the magazine along with Drum! magazine as well.
Bonham however was named “The Greatest Drummer in rock and roll history” by the magazine and has been compared to Elvis Presley as the “King of Rock Drumming.
The bottom line at the end of the day is we will never know who is or was the best rock drummer between the two due to the untimely death of Bonham back in 1980. However, in fairness to Peart, his longevity has influenced millions more over the decades by playing 16 more tours than Bonham was able to and able to expand his catalog and growth in drum solos versus Bonham who was stopped cold in his tracks by his demise.
In this author’s opinion a bow of respect goes to Bonham for his contributions to rock music history, but at the end of the day Neil Peart has done more, played more, created more by not being reckless with his own health and developing himself into a household name with new generations each and every day.
The win goes to Neil Peart.
Essential Bonham recordings: “When The Levee Breaks,” “Fool In The Rain,” “Achillies’ Last Stand,” and “The Ocean.
Essential Peart recordings: “Vapor Trail,” “La Villa Strangiato,” “The Big Money”, and “YYZ – Exit Stage Left.”
