Throughout the years we have seen some great drummers come and go. Some have influenced the way music is listened to today, and others have inspired people to start drumming. I decided to name my top 10 favorite drummers. This doesn’t mean they are the best drummers because it’s hard to measure such things. Let me know if you agree with my list or not, and feel free to list some of your favorite drummers.
- Buddy Rich: We all know he was going to be number one on my list. Not only is he one of the most influential drummers of all time, he is one of the fastest drummers. Known as using traditional grip instead of match grip and for insane drum solos, he HAD to be my number one.
- Neal Peart: Rush? Have you ever heard of them? Have you heard of Tom Sawyer? Of course. Everybody has tried learning this song, but how difficult is it? Is it really that bad? Not really, if you practice for hours and hours, unless you’re a genius and it comes to you naturally without any effort. The way he drums is absolutely brilliant. He is known for having some of the best solos, songs, beats, and of course, having an enormous drum set that only he can function.
- Travis Barker: “In the car I just can't wait, to pick you up on our very first date…” Come on, if you’re into punk rock and happen to be a drummer, you have tried learning this song on the drums. I think Travis Barker is my number one pick as far as influencing me the most. He is one of the most skilled, fastest, and most innovative drummers out there. I say this because he only uses a snare, and 2-3 toms. By far one of my favorite drummers out there.
- Matt Greiner: Drummer for August Burns Red, he will forever be my second favorite drummer after Travis Barker. A year into drumming I was able to learn one of my favorite songs of all time: The Eleventh Hour. It takes a few years of experience to learn this song but if you’re reading this and you are a drummer, please learn this song; just ignore all the screaming and you’ll be fine, unless you don’t mind it.
- Nicko McBrain: One of the very first songs I learned on the drums was Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden. To be honest, I learned this song from RockBand. I think the highest percentage I ever got on this song was 95% or so. I HAD to learn this song on the drums. It didn’t take me long to learn because I had learned it from the video game, sort of. Although many may not add him on their list, he has to be on mine due to the great influence he put on me.
- Stewart Copeland: ROOOOOOOOOXANNE. Known for using splash cymbals, he has SUCH a groove. Having played for The Police and several other projects, he has to be one of my favorites. Come on, he HAD to be on my top 10.
- Dave Grohl: Having played for the amazing band of Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, and Them Crooked Vultures, and Foo Fighters, he is such an amazing drummer. His role in Nirvana will forever be legendary. This guy is for sure a legend. Please tell me you agree with me!
- John Bonham: Having a rapid right foot, he is for sure one of my favorite out there. His talent for groove has left us with unforgettable music that we can always listen to. His style will continue to crown him as one of the better rock drummers of all time.
- Luke Holland: Although he is rather younger, he has been absolutely one of the most influential people in my drumming years. I still can’t figure out how to cover Cinema by Skrillex like how he did. He is such a talented young drummer. One day he will become one of the best if not the most technical drummer out there. He is getting better and better by the day.
