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Who Is the Best Drummer in Rock Music?

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Cast Your Vote for the Best Drummer in Rock and Roll - Ever!

Rock Music wouldn't be rock music without great drummers - and rock music fans love to debate who is the greatest rock drummer of all time. Well, now's your chance to join the battle and cast your vote. Who do you think deserves the top (drum)seat? I've compiled a starting list of 20 of the most respected and popular drummers out there, but the order is up to you to decide upon. And if you're favorite isn't on the list, add him or her and tell us why they deserve recognition as one of the greatest drummers in rock music history.

(Photo: Taylor Hawkins, drummer of the Foo Fighters and Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders. Taken by sockii.)

Table of Contents

What Makes a Rock Drummer Great?

Playing to the Beat of His Own Drum

Stewart Copeland, drummer of The PoliceEvery rock drummer is different - at least, every good rock drummer. Some restrain themselves to keeping the beat and allowing the other musicians to shine; others propel the drums to the front of the band's music. Some play a basic, stripped down kit of snare, base, cymbals and a few toms; others surround themselves with every percussive instrument known to mankind. Some play hard and at blinding speeds, throwing off 64th notes like there's no tomorrow. Others are the master of soft inflection and nuance.

A great rock drummer has a unique sound that inspires but can never be completely imitated. A great rock drummer may pay homage to his inspirations but then turns those inspirations into something new and fresh. A great rock drummer knows how to play more than a steady 2/4 backbeat - but doesn't have to show-off and play more than that unless the music calls for it.

(Photo: Stewart Copeland, drummer of The Police. Taken by sockii.)

Poll: The Most Important Characteristic of a Great Rock Drummer

Your Thoughts on What Makes for the Best Rock Drummers

Alex Van Halen

(Photo: Alex Van Halen, drummer of Van Halen. Taken by sockii.)

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Vote For the Best Drummer in Rock and Roll

Now's your chance to vote! I've started this list with 20 of the most widely regarded names in rock drumming - including several of my own favorites near the top. Vote these names up - or down - the list as you feel they deserve it be listed. If I've forgotten your favorite drummer, you can add him to the list as well!

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST BE A SQUIDOO MEMBER TO VOTE! Signing up is quick and easy. Take part in fun Squidoo polls and activities, and then you can create your own pages and lists as well!

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Neil Peart

Drummer for Rush, and worshipped by drumming geeks more...4 points

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Keith Moon

Drummer for The Who until his untimely death, many more...2 points

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Alex Van Halen

The driving beat behind Van Halen's hard rock is t more...2 points

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David Grohl

Dave Grohl is a drummer's drummer, respected and a more...2 points

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Taylor Hawkins

It's got to be hard to be the drummer for the Foo more...2 points

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Ginger Baker

Ginger Baker showed the world how powerful double- more...1 point

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John Bonham

The father of all hard rock and metal drumming? Pe more...1 point

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Joey Jordison

Joey Jordison of Slipknot was voted the best drumm more...1 point

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Lars Ulrich

Ulrich has powered Metallica for decades of heavy more...1 point

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Phil Collins

Those who only know Collins for his sappy later so more...1 point

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Nick Mason

Drummer of Pink Floyd, he was equally at home on t more...1 point

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Mike Portnoy

Dream Theater could be accused of putting Mike Por more...1 point

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Stewart Copeland

"The Rhythmatist." Best known for his dr more...0 points

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Ringo Starr

Ringo often gets a lot of flack, but his tasteful more...0 points

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Charlie Watts

Timekeeper for the Rolling Stones. Like Ringo Star more...0 points

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Mick Fleetwood

A master of tasteful groove playing and giving a s more...0 points

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Nicko McBrain

Iron Maiden's powerhouse drummer has precision and more...0 points

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Bill Bruford

Bill Bruford has supplied the complex and awe-insp more...0 points

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Carl Palmer

In groups such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer and A more...0 points

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Carmine Appice

A seasoned session drummer who has worked with eve more...0 points

Learn to Play Like the Greatest Rock Drummers of All Time

Instructional Books and Videos on Rock Drumming

Okay, so no book or video is going to instantly turn someone into Neil Peart or John Bonham. But these great instructional programs will reveal at least some of their tricks and techniques. Whether you play drums for a hobby or in a band, they're worth checking out.
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More Lists of Great Rock Drummers

"Best of" Lists On-Line

Sure, these other pages won't let you vote on your personal favorites. But you can see who other websites, magazines and writers have picked as the best rock drummers of all time. Do you agree with their rankings?
The 100 Best Rock Drummers Ever!
List compiled by Total Drumsets webite.
Stylus Magazine's 50 Greatest Rock Drummers
List compiled by Stylus magazine.
Readers' Rock List: Best Drummers
Rolling Stone magazine's reader-selected list of the best rock drummers.
10 Best Drummers of All Time
List compiled by Mohawk Bomb Records.
50 Greatest Drummers of All Time: Part 1
List compiled by MusicRadar.com.
50 Greatest Drummers of All Time: Part 2
List compiled by MusicRadar.com.

Bid Now on Drum Kits on eBay

Want to be one of the greats someday? Then it's time to start practicing.

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Who's Your Favorite Rock Drummer of All Time?

Share Your Thoughts on What Makes Him or Her the Best

Thanks for visiting my page on great rock drummers. Before you go, let me know who you'd pick for the top position as the greatest rock drummer of all time, and why.

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About the Author

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by

sockii

I'm a self-proclaimed Jane of All Trades who has written for numerous sites on-line including the Yahoo!Contributor Network, Demand Studios and Suite101.... more »

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