According to a recent poll in Rolling Stone, here are the readers picks for the top 15 best drummers ever. Kind of hard to argue with anyone on that list. Danny Carey belongs much higher and it’s great to see some Jimmy Chamberlin love, totally subjective of course.

1. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
2. Neil Peart (Rush)
3. Keith Moon (The Who)
4. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Them Crooked Vultures)
5. Stewart Copeland (The Police, Oysterhead)
6. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
7. Ginger Baker (Cream, Blind Faith)
8. Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins)
9. Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones)
10. Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)
11. Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
12. Danny Carey (Tool)
13. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
14. Buddy Rich
15. Alex Van Halen (Van Halen)


This discussion currently has 9 responses.

  1. Jonathan B.
    February 16, 2010

    YES. John Bonham. Amazing. I’m even more excited to see Dave Grohl on there… he doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a dummer. Seeing him front-row playing with Them Crooked Vultures is a memory I’m going to carry for the rest of my life. Now only is he brilliant on the drums, he has so much fun doing it, which just radiates on his face.

    Gotta give props to “Thunder God” Rick Allen, who pounds the hell beautifully on the drums for Def Leppard… and he only has ONE arm. Incredible.

  2. murph
    February 16, 2010

    lars ulrich? max weinberg? mitch mitchell?

  3. David Brook
    February 16, 2010

    I’ll second Lars Ulrich and as much as I absolutely worship The Beatles, Ringo was never really the best of drummers.

  4. Andrew James
    February 16, 2010

    No John Fishman?

  5. Big Scott
    February 16, 2010

    I think we can find a spot on the list for Ringo for sheer influence on others to pick up the sticks. I see the point though. Lars is a notable omission though. I need to listen to …And Justice right now just to remind myself how great he is.

  6. Hanu M.
    June 23, 2010

    “totally subjective of course”, exactly…
    nr 14, Buddy Rich – phenomenon
    nr 6, Ringo Starr – didn’t even know how to tune his own drums

  7. Emma Jeanmarie
    June 23, 2010

    Gene Kruppa….Animal ????

  8. BigMak
    October 12, 2010

    Idriss Muhammad????

  9. chris
    November 21, 2010

    You misspelled blake richardson’s name wrong on the first spot

Leave a comment