Classic Rock's 50 Greatest Drummers in Rock

[Spiff]

Finally saw a new Classic Rock at the noiseagency today. Hurrah.

Yeah, so this list is a few months old, but I haven't seen it discussed here. Just wait while I type it out. The bands listed are those listed in Classic Rock, so there are some ommissions (mentioning all those bands Grohl played with, for example, but not mentioning Genesis alongside the great Bill Bruford):

1. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
2. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Tenacious D, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, Killing Joke)
3. Keith Moon (The Who)
4. Neil Peart (Rush)
5. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Glenn Hughes)
6. Dave Lombardo (Slayer)
7. Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
8. Ian Paice (Deep Purple)
9. Cozy Powell (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, MSG)
10. Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones)
11. Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
12. Ginger Baker (Cream, Blind Faith, Masters of Reality)
13. Joey Jordison (Slipknot)
14. Phil Collins (Genesis)
15. Carl Palmer (Emerson Lake & Palmer, Asia)
16. Bill Bruford (King Crimson, Yes)
17. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)
18. Stewart Copeland (the Police)
19. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue, Methods of Mayhem)
20. Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)
21. Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor (Motorhead)
22. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
23. Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
24. Jeff Porcaro (Toto)
25. Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa)
26. Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
27. Phil Rudd (AC/DC)
28. Scott Asheton (The Stooges)
29. Joey Kramer (Aerosmith)
30. Simon Kirke (Free, Bad Company)
31. Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan)
32. Travis Barker (Blink 182, Transplants, Box Car Racer)
33. Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, The Knack)
34. Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam)
35. Rat Scabies (The Damned)
36. Thunderstick (Samson, Thunderstick)
37. Roger Taylor (Queen)
38. Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
39. Igor Cavalera (Sepultura)
40. Carmine Appice (Beck, Bogert & Appice, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus)
41. Brad Wilk (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)
42. Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
43. Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis)
44. Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz)
45. Tico Torres (Bon Jovi)
46. Tommy Aldridge (Black Oak Arkansas, Whitesnake, Ozzy)
47. Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damageplan)
48. Denny Carmassi (Montrose, Heart, Coverdale/Page)
49. Daniel Erlandson (Arch Enemy)
50. Topper Headon (The Clash)

Discuss.

 

[The Amazer]

Not a bad list I guess. How the fuck Daniel Erlandsson got in there and not Adrian is beyond me though.

 

[Mark]

Ian Paice should have been in the top 5.

 

[TinMan666]

lol - Thunderstick

 

[Spiff]

I'm still trying to comprehend how Dave Grohl is considered a better drummer than Neil Peart.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Because he is more popular, and many people will use that as a measure of skill, etc.

 

[Spiff]

It wasn't a popularity contest though. They surveyed music students and journos from drum magazines and such.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Yeah, but popularity means more people are aware of you. If you look at the age demographic of the students, they are probably quite young, and aren't as aware of Neil Peart, where as Dave Grohl is one of the better drummers around who has done hugely popular music in the current music scene.

 

[Goreripper]

Dave Grohl is an excellent drummer though, and can play just about any style. Why isn't Danny Carey on that list? I realise this is a "greatest" list and not a "best" list, but come on.

 

[The Amazer]

^^^

You'd think if they can put the drummer from Arch Enemy in, they'd be smart enough to put the drummer from Tool in. But hey, they never get much right.

 

[Spruce Goose]

Virgil Donatti not there either. Meh

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Yes, Dave Grohl is really very good.

 

[Winmar]

Yeah he's a top drummer. Anyone heard Probot? If so, what are they like?

Overall it's a pretty predictable list. They usually are. Nice surprise seeing Daniel Erlandson there! His brother's tops as well.

Thanks for typing that out, Spiffo.

 

[Spiff]

No problemo.