Top 10 Greatest Percussionists of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Tim Curle

Tim Curle is so full of talent. While playing with Josh Groban, you will find yourself watching him perform as much as you watch Josh. He is a master of his craft. Let us hope that Josh knows that Tim is about the best asset he has ever added to his band and makes sure he doesn't lose him to another artist.

Tim is the greatest. What a nice guy and great to watch. He has to know how to play so many things! He was a real asset on Josh Groban's last tour.

Oodles of talent and such a really friendly, fun guy - an integral part of Josh Groban's concerts. Don't ever leave, Tim!

2 Ray Fean

Ray continues to show his versatility as a crack percussionist with Celtic Woman. In addition to conventional drums, Ray excels on the bodhran and such diverse percussion instruments as spoons! He puts on a marvelous show!

Ray Fean is the fantastic percussionist from the Irish group Celtic Woman. He has fans across the globe. If you've ever seen him in action, you know why he is nominated here!

Touring with Celtic Woman ten months each year since 2005, Ray must be the hardest-working percussionist on the planet! Modest and great with fans, he deserves it!

3 Neil Peart Neil Ellwood Peart, (September 12, 1952 - January 7, 2020) was a Canadian musician and writer best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. Peart received numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1983, making... read more

Neil Peart isn't just a drummer for a rock band. He's an incredible percussionist - perhaps the best that ever was. Even if you don't like the music, try and listen to all of the sounds he creates in a given song, such as Xanadu, or listen to a solo such as Rhythm Method.

Neil Peart is without a doubt the greatest drummer of all time and probably the greatest percussionist of all time as well. From the xylophone to cowbells, he makes music with anything his drumsticks strike. He is the Professor of percussion.

4 Ray Cooper

Ray is amazing. Is there a percussion instrument he can't play? The guy is a ball of energy, which makes watching him play live, especially with Elton, a great experience.

He's also played with all of the top musicians and acts over the decades, which is a testament to his great skills.

Ray is not only the best but also performs for the best! Most instances, he steals the show! His energy is contagious!

At 72, he has the energy of a twenty-year-old and talent beyond anyone I have ever seen. Number one in my opinion.

5 Evelyn Glennie

She is full of musicality and is truly special. She is one of the best solo percussionists of all time.

I think it's amazing how someone who can't hear can really hear the beauty of music.

Even though she cannot hear, she plays her music beautifully from her heart.

6 Sivamani

He is the best ever percussionist from India. We love him so much!

He is the best ever in the world. His skills blow everyone's mind.

He brings people to the concerts.

7 Joey Jordison Joey Jordison, was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work as the former drummer and co-songwriter for the heavy metal band Slipknot as well as guitarist in the Horror-punk band Murderdolls. He is the co-founder and drummer for the Blackened Death Metal band Sinsaenum... read more

If he is the greatest drummer, how come he's not the best percussionist?

He is one of the reasons Slipknot rocks so hard!

8 Dave Holland
9 Sheila E.

She should by far be in the Top 10. Stamina and perfection equal power!

10 Shawn Crahan
The Contenders
11 Brad Dutz
12 Javier M. Barrios
13 Courtney Audain
14 Robin DiMaggio
15 Trilok Gurtu
16 Chris Fehn
17 Buddy Rich Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Widely considered one of the most influential drummers of all time and known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed, Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" during his career.
18 Jamie Muir
19 Ian Dogole
20 Veshesh the Percussionist

Veshesh the Percussionist - check him out. He is a maestro. Brilliant. www.veshesh.com

21 John Henry Bonham John Henry Bonham was born on May 31, 1948 in Redditch, United Kingdom. Bonham (nicknamed Bonzo) was a professional hard rock drummer who was best known for being the drummer in the band Led Zeppelin. Bonham was also one of the background singers in the band. His drumming is mainly displayed on the... read more

Any modern drummer can produce a heavy sound with a double-bass drum set and amplify their sound with complex equipment. But one man, and one man only, reached the apex of drumming ability, working with a single-bass drum and nonetheless inventing the technique of a triple-bass drum beat.

Not only was Bonham an excellent drummer, but he was also an excellent teacher and father to his son Jason, who was able to fill his shoes at the 2007 Led Zeppelin reunion concert. That alone is evidence of the powerful force that was John Henry Bonham.

22 Roger Taylor Roger Meddows Taylor is an English musician , multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter born on July 26th, 1949 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. He was the drummer of the band Queen and wrote few of many hits such as "Under Pressure", "A Kind Of Magic" and "Radio Ga Ga". Despite being well known in Queen... read more
23 King Errisson
24 Ralph MacDonald
25 Will Champion William "Will" Champion is an English musician and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the drummer and backing vocalist of the alternative rock band Coldplay.
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