Top 10 Drummers Who Became Lead Singers

This list is about drummers who did more than just sing several songs in their primary bands where they were drummers. Becoming the official lead singer or releasing solo albums with lead vocals is more convincing.

Criteria:
- Singing abilities
- Success as a lead singer (solo, in the same band, in another band)
- Drumming skills

The Top Ten

Paulina Villarreal

Paulina has perfected her musical and songwriting skills since childhood with her two other talented sisters to become part of the powerful trio called The Warning.
She not only masters the drums, but she also has no problem playing while singing along or even taking the lead on many of their songs.
The best part is that, at only 22 years old, the future looks bright and promising.

The most entertaining drummer I have ever seen. I'm 71 and roamed around San Francisco and the Bay Area during the early '70s. We would go to as many concerts as we could until we ran out of money.
Pau writes the songs she plays and is also a lead singer as well as a top-quality drummer.
Phil Collins

Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who has also worked as a record producer and actor. He's best known as the drummer and later lead vocalist of the rock band Genesis, as well as for his successful solo career. Collins has won multiple Grammy Awards and... read more

Great drummer, great singer, very successful with Genesis as a drummer and lead singer, and solo. He had monster hits from his solo albums in the 80s and early 90s.
My favorite lead vocals with Genesis - Mama, Land of Confusion, Invisible Touch.
Solo hits: In the Air Tonight, Against All Odds, Another Day in Paradise, One More Night, I Wish It Would Rain Down.

I'm with you there. He's a better singer than people give him credit for - his vocals on Mama are awesome! As for his drumming, of course, he's one of my favorite drummers.
Dave Grohl

David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, and film director. He was the drummer for the influential 1990s grunge band Nirvana and is the founding vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Foo Fighters. He has also performed as... read more

How many people can say they are members of not one, but two of the most iconic rock bands in history?

That's a well-known story (drummer for Nirvana, lead singer for Foo Fighters).

Better drummer than singer, in my opinion.
Don Henley

Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and drummer. He is best known as a founding member of the Eagles and later achieved a successful solo career. Henley released popular solo hits such as "The Boys of Summer" and "Dirty Laundry" and has won multiple Grammy Awards both... read more

The Eagles drummer went solo as a singer and even scored big hits such as "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill," and "The Boys of Summer."
Levon Helm

Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm was an American rock and Americana musician and actor. He achieved fame as the drummer and a regular lead vocalist for The Band. Helm was known for his soulful voice and was also a successful solo artist who released several acclaimed albums.

He released several solo albums as a lead singer.
Roger Taylor

Roger Meddows Taylor is an English musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter born on July 26, 1949, in King's Lynn, Norfolk. He is best known as the drummer of the legendary rock band Queen and contributed to several of their major hits, including "Radio Ga Ga," "A Kind of Magic," and the... read more

He's renowned for his excellent vocal skills as a backing vocalist for Queen (he even provided lead vocals for many songs).
He also went solo and released his first solo single, I Wanna Testify, in 1977. Since then, he's released five solo records, the last of which was released in 2013 (Fun on Earth).
Great drummer and singer, but for some reason, his solo albums did not become popular. That was the reason I didn't put him higher.

Yeah, I like Roger's solo albums the best. It's too bad they never took off. But he's a great singer, has that aggression and rasp to it.
Todd La Torre

Todd La Torre is an American singer and multi-instrumentalist. He is the lead singer for the progressive metal band Queensrÿche and a former lead vocalist of the bands Crimson Glory and Rising West. La Torre is praised for his vocal range and his ability to channel the classic Queensrÿche sound.

After being a drummer for 24 years, he joined the iconic metal band Queensrÿche as a lead singer, replacing Geoff Tate - perhaps the metal singer with the most flawless vocal technique of all time. Yes, Todd had some very big shoes to fill.
In 2013, he said something interesting, "My dream was always to be a famous rock drummer. I still feel like a drummer that likes to sing."
"Oh, come on Todd, that was your destiny - to become a singer for a famous metal band and not a (famous) drummer."
Todd is the guy with the best and most advanced singing skills on this list. Phil Collins is the best drummer on this list, in my opinion.
Karen Carpenter

Karen Anne Carpenter was an American singer and drummer. She and her brother, Richard Carpenter, formed the 1970s duo Carpenters. Known for her contralto vocals, Karen Carpenter is widely regarded as one of the greatest female vocalists of all time.
Ringo Starr

Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the group, usually for one song on each album, including "Yellow Submarine... read more

Ringo's big problem is that he has a limited vocal range, especially compared to the other three Beatles. He's had to lower the key on virtually every song he sings now.

Not higher because his singing is slightly off-key.
Matt Sorum

Matt Sorum is the Velvet Revolver drummer and Guns N' Roses former drummer (1990-1997).
His first solo album, Hollywood Zen, was released in 2004.
I heard only one song sung by him, The Sea, and it was okay (it is a country song).

The Newcomers

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Sully Erna

Salvatore Paul "Sully" Erna Jr. is the American vocalist and guitarist for the heavy metal band Godsmack. He is also a harmonica player, percussionist, and pianist, performing these instruments on albums and during live shows. In addition to his work with Godsmack, Erna has released solo albums, including... read more
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Micky Dolenz

George Michael "Micky" Dolenz Jr. is an American actor, musician, television director, radio personality, and theater director. He is best known as the drummer and one of the primary lead vocalists of the 1960s pop-rock band The Monkees. In addition to his music career, Dolenz has directed television... read more

The Contenders

Jen Ledger

Jennifer "Jen" Carole Ledger is an English drummer and co-vocalist for the American rock band Skillet. She joined the band in 2008 after Lori Peters retired. Jen was born on December 8, 1989, in Coventry, United Kingdom.
Before moving to the United States, she attended the Blue Coat Church of... read more

Drummer and occasional backing vocalist for Skillet. Now has a solo project simply titled Ledger, where she does lead vocals.
Peter Criss

George Peter John Criscuola, better known by his stage name Peter Criss, is an American musician and actor. He is best known as a co-founder, the original drummer, and a vocalist of the hard rock band Kiss. Criss is also remembered for his Catman persona and for singing lead vocals on the band's ballad... read more

He released several solo albums. He isn't higher because there's nothing impressive in his singing.
Gil Moore
Skip Spence
Don Brewer
Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She has influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyoncé Knowles, and Britney Spears. Often referred to as the "Queen of Pop," she has played a significant... read more
Richie Sambora

Richard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, singer, and songwriter. He was the lead guitarist for Bon Jovi from 1983 until 2013, contributing significantly to the band's signature sound. He is known for his guitar solos on songs such as "Wanted Dead or Alive," "Dry County... read more