Top 10 Most Influential Rock Drummers
When you think about the heart-pounding beat that drives rock 'n' roll, it's impossible to overlook the undeniable role of the drummer. The rhythmic patterns, dynamic variations, and powerful solos are more than just a backdrop to a rock song; they're a vital, living part of the music that brings it to life. But who are the most influential rock drummers that have shaped this genre?The criteria for ranking these drummers include several factors that are essential to understanding their impact and legacy. First and foremost, their influence on other musicians, both peers and newcomers, is weighed heavily. This is about looking at how their playing style, techniques, or even attitude towards drumming have affected or even transformed the drumming landscape.
Innovation is another key aspect of the ranking. Here, you'll be considering how a drummer has pushed the boundaries of what's possible on their instrument, whether it's through unusual rhythms, unconventional setups, or even the way they approach live performances. Originality speaks to their unique voice as a drummer, that special something that makes them stand out from the crowd. It might be a signature beat, a particular flair, or simply an approach that no one else has quite replicated.
Technical ability is also a significant factor. This isn't just about playing fast or loud but mastering the intricate techniques, timings, and nuances that make a great drummer. It's about control, precision, and understanding every aspect of the instrument and how it can be used to create something extraordinary.
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 Influential... Even if you don't think he's the best (he is), or you like somebody more because you swoon over their band like a teenager, Peart has undeniably influenced more drummers than anyone.
Superb, true excellence, top-notch musicianship! Listen closely and learn! Feel honored that he was in your lifetime!
How can you not put this guy at number one? Remember YYZ, The Spirit of Radio, or Tom Sawyer? The professor rocks them all.
John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948 - 25 September 1980) was an English musician best known as the drummer of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Born in Redditch, Worcestershire, Bonham, nicknamed "Bonzo," is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential drummers in history. Noted for his speed, power, fast... read more While Peart is more technically efficient than Bonham, Bonham is undeniably more influential. He came onto the scene far before Peart did and was the first true great rock drummer.
This list should probably go more like John Bonham first, Keith Moon second, Bill Ward third, and Neil Peart fourth. Again, of those four, Peart is the most technically proficient and undoubtedly has some of the best drumming work in all of rock, but in terms of influence, the other three are just better.
Everybody who votes for Peart isn't a musician, plain and simple. Bonham is far superior to Peart in every way. Kids need to understand that speed isn't everything.
Keith John Moon was an English drummer for the rock band the Who. He was noted for his unique style and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. His drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians. He usually competes for the #1 spot with Bonham and Peart. If you compare all three at their peak, Moon blows them all away. His unique style has never been duplicated. Watch him cut loose on Heaven and Hell from the 1969 London Coliseum show.
He is the Jimi Hendrix of the drums - he set the standard.
Ian Anderson Paice (born 29 June 1948) is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. He has been the band's only constant member since its foundation. Ian Paice is by far my favorite drummer of all time! I saw him once in 2017, and I'm going to see him at the Tons of Rock Festival 2020 as well.
I've got to ask about one thing: how is Travis Barker on this list? Just because he can play a simple 4/4 beat doesn't mean he's one of the best drummers of all time. My vote goes to the master Ian Paice because he's a drummer who can truly play. I almost clicked on Phil Collins, but Ian (in my opinion) is slightly better. Don't take it the wrong way, Phil. You get second place.
The greatest drummer for over forty years, still the best.
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 He is the best drummer in the world because he is not only a drum player, but he is also the best musician in the world. Without Freddie, he is still alive in the music scene!
He inspired Yoshiki, but why is he below him? Oh yeah, Yoshiki can play the piano too, but does he sing high vocals like Roger does?
Great drummer, songwriter, and singer. He has a 4-octave vocal range, and his falsettos... I just can't...
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (19 August 1939 – 6 October 2019) was an English drummer, best known as the founder of the rock band Cream. His work in the 1960s earned him the reputation of "rock's first superstar drummer," while his individual style melds a jazz background with African rhythms.
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, multi-instrumentalist and composer best known as the drummer for the English-American rock band The Police and for his film and video game soundtracks. This drummer knows something about originality and creativity.
I like how he brings reggae into rock.
William Scott "Bill" Bruford is an English retired drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, and record label owner.
Mike Mangini is an American drummer. Since 2010, he has been a member of progressive metal band Dream Theater, following the departure of founding drummer Mike Portnoy.
Michael Portnoy is an American drummer primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and a co-founder of the progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater. Known for his technical skill as a drummer, Portnoy has won 30 awards from the Modern Drummer magazine. This is the kind of drummer I wish I could play like.
The Newcomers
Colin Trevor "Cozy" Powell was an English rock drummer, who made his name with many major rock bands and artists like The Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, Robert Plant, Whitesnake and Black Sabbath. He made headlines when he appeared on the BBC's program Record Breakers, where he set a world record for the most drums (400) played in under one minute, live on television.
Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd is a New Zealand-based Australian drummer, best known for his membership in Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1975 through 1983, and again from 1994 to 2015. Upon the 1977 departure of bass guitarist Mark Evans from AC/DC, Rudd became the only Australian-born member of the... read more
David "Dave" Lombardo is a Cuban American drummer, best known as a co-founding member of the American thrash metal band Slayer. How is this beast not in the top five (at least)?
John Graham "Mitch" Mitchell was an English drummer who was best known for his work in the Jimi Hendrix Experience. This man inspired a lot of drummers too. He should be in the top ten.
Frank Edwin Wright III, known professionally as Tré Cool, is a German-born American drummer, best known as the drummer for the American punk rock/pop punk band Green Day. He replaced the band's former drummer John Kiffmeyer in 1990.
Eugene "Gene" Victor Hoglan II is an American drummer. He is acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including use of odd devices for percussion effects and his trademark lengthy double-kick drum rhythms.
Terry John "Ted" Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.
Yoshiki Hayashi is a Japanese musician, songwriter, composer and record producer. Better known by his stage name Yoshiki, he is best known as the leader and a co-founder of the heavy metal band X Japan, for which he is the drummer, pianist and main songwriter. The band achieved breakthrough success... read more He is literally the best. Even if you hate rock music, you can't help but go "woah" while watching his performances!
Easily one of the best drummers of all time. Listen to: Art of Life, Kurenai, Rusty Nail, etc.
Yoshiki Hayashi of X Japan. Search for him, and you will love him.
Richard John Cyril "Rick" Allen is an English drummer who has played for the hard rock band Def Leppard since 1978. He overcame the amputation of his left arm in 1985 and continued to play with the band, which subsequently went on to its most commercially successful phase. Simply amazing. What the greats do with two arms, he does with one.
Robert Geza "Robb" Reiner is a Canadian drummer best known for being a innovator of many metal drumming styles and a founding member of the band Anvil.
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician and producer, and the drummer for the American rock band Blink-182. Barker has also performed as a frequent collaborator with hip-hop artists, and with the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock group the Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car... read more
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. While he was kind of a cocky jerk, he was still an incredible drummer. Anyway, this is about influence, not how good the person is. Seriously, without Buddy Rich, Bonzo, Neil Peart, and Keith Moon would have been completely different players.
He's so good, he can be a one-man band and still top all others.
Claude Hudson "Butch" Trucks is an American drummer who is one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band. One of Trucks' first bands was local Jacksonville band The Vikings, who made one 7-inch record in 1964.