Greatest Rock Drummers

[Lew]

Criteria: The Rock music drummers listed here are ranked considering their influence, innovation, originality, and technical ability as rock 'n' roll musicians.

Edited By: tommorello, Lew
Last Updated: 2023-12-15

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drummers.html


Neil Peart

1. Neil Peart (Rush)
2. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
3. Keith Moon (The Who)
4. Carl Palmer (ELP)
5. Ginger Baker (Cream)
6. Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa)
7. Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson)
8. Hal Blaine (Session man)
9. Ian Paice (Deep Purple)
10. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)
11. Dave Lombardo (Slayer)
12. Danny Carey (Tool)
13. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
14. Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge)
15. Earl Palmer (Session man)
16. Benny Benjamin (Funk Brothers)
17. Jeff Porcaro (Toto)
18. Stewart Copeland (The Police)
19. Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne)
20. Bernard Purdie (Session)
21. Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)
22. Steve Smith (Journey)
23. Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
24. David Garabaldi (Tower Of Power)
25. Mike Shrieve (Santana)
26. Ainsley Dunbar (Jeff Beck)
27. Cozy Powell (Rainbow)
28. Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
29. Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews)
30. Tim Alexander (Primus)
31. Roger Taylor (Queen)
32. Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam)
33. Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters)
34. Phil Collins (Genesis)
35. Al Jackson (The MGs)
36. Vinnie Paul (Pantera)
37. Topper Headon (The Clash)
38. Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
39. Jimmy Chamberlain (Smashing Pumpkins)
40. Bobby Jarzombeck (Iced Earth)
41. Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs, Winger)
42. Gene Holgan (Death, Strapping Young Lad)
43. Martin Lopez (Opeth)
44. Simon Phillips (Toto)
45. Mike Giles (King Crimson, Giles)
46. Max Weinberg (E Street Band)
47. Alex Van Halen (Van Halen)
48. Jon Theodore (Mars Volta)
49. Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
50. Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree)
51. Alan White (Yes)
52. Nick Menza (Megadeth)
53. Phil Ehart (Kansas)
54. Mark Zonder (Fate's Warning)
55. Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
56. Jaki Liebezeit (CAN)
57. Scott Travis (Judas Priest)
58. Virgil Donati (Planet X)
59. Jim Gordon (Derek And The Dominoes)
60. Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly)
61. Richard Allen (Funk Brothers)
62. BJ Wilson (Procol Harum)
63. Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa)
64. Ralph Humphrey (Mothers Of Invention)
65. Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle)
66. Jojo Mayer (Nerve, session man)
67. Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
68. Clive Burr (Iron Maiden)
69. Christian Vander (Magma)
70. Dennis Thompson (MC5)
71. John French (Captain Beefheart)
72. John Weathers (Gentle Giant)
73. Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth)
74. Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson)
75. Greg Bissonette (David Lee Roth)
76. Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)
77. Mike Mangini (Extreme)
78. Larry Mullen Jr. (U2)
79. Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull)
80. Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)
81. Jabo Starks (James Brown, session man)
82. Brian Mantia (Primus)
83. Scott Rockenfield (Queensrÿche)
84. Phil Taylor (Motörhead)
85. Vinnie Appice (Dio, session man)
86. Fred Coury (Cinderella)
87. Travis Barker (Blink 182)
88. Phil Selway (Radiohead)
89. Randy Castillo (Ozzy Osbourne)
90. Zak Starkey (The Who, Oasis)
91. Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones)
92. Dave Grohl (Nirvana)
93. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue)
94. Jose Pasillas (Incubus)
95. Ron Wilson (Surfaris)
96. John Densmore (The Doors)
97. Chester Thompson (Santana)
98. Matt Johnson (Jeff Buckley)
99. Van Romaine (Steve Morse)
100. Sandy Nelson (solo)

101. Steven Adler (Guns N' Roses)
102. Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band)
103. Jon Hiseman (Colosseum)
104. Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine)
105. Jay Lane (Col. Claypool's Frog Brigade)
106. Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead)
107. Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead)
108. Pierre Moerlen (Gong)
109. Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal)
110. Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
111. Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta)
112. Chris Pennie (Dillinger Escape Plan)
113. Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
114. Dominic Howard (Muse)
115. Sean Kinney (Alice In Chains)
116. Pick Withers (Dire Straits)
117. Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep)
118. Sib Hashian (Boston)
119. Richard Christy (Death, Iced Earth)
120. Kris Myers (Umphrey's McGee)
121. Pat Torpey (Mr Big)
122. Leonard Haze (Y&T)
123. Hellhammer (Mayhem)
124. Jon Fishman (Phish)
125. Allan Aucoin (Disco Biscuits)
126. Dave Abbruzesse (Pearl Jam)
127. Jason Rullo (Symphony X)
128. Morgan Carlson (Protest The Hero)
129. Jeff Campitelli (Joe Satriani)
130. Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir)
131. Ray Herrera (Fear Factory)
132. Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy)
133. Igor Cavalera (Sepultura)
134. Jack Irons (Pearl Jam)
135. Paul Bostaph (Slayer)
136. Dean Castronovo (Journey)
137. Stanton Moore (Galactic)
138. Blake Richardson (Glass Casket)
139. Jason Bonham (UFO)
140. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
141. Kenny Aronoff (Session man)
142. David Silveria (Korn)
143. Bobby Elliot (The Hollies)
144. Roger Hawkins (Arethra Franklin)
145. Greg Errico (Sly And The Family Stone)
146. Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction)
147. Jim Keltner (Session man)
148. Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard)
149. Phil Rudd (AC/DC)
150. Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine)
151. Russ Kunkel (Session man)
152. Liberty DiVitto (Billy Joel)
153. Damon Che Fitzgerald (Don Caballero)
154. Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
155. Mike Bordin (Faith No More)
156. Danny Seraphine (Chicago)
157. Tico Torres (Bon Jovi)
158. Charlie Allen Martin (Bob Seger)
159. Joey Kramer (Aerosmith)
160. Matt Abts (Gov't Mule)
161. Frank Beard (ZZ Top)
162. Jerry Allison (Crickets)
163. John Dalmayan (System Of A Down)
164. Mikkey Dee (Motörhead)
165. Chad Sexton (311)
166. Buddy Miles (Band Of Gypsys)
167. Morgen Agren (Zappa)
168. Eddie Bayers (Session man)
169. Chris Slade (AC/DC, Uriah Heep)
170. Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow)
171. Kenny Jones (The Who)
172. Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver)
173. DJ Fontana (Elvis Presley)
174. Panama Francis (50s-60s Session man)
175. Rick Allen (Def Leppard)
176. Simon Kirke (Free, Bad Company)
177. Chris Kontos (Machine Head)
178. Stan Lynch (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
179. Doug Clifford (CCR)
180. Alan Gratzer (REO Speedwagon)
181. Casey Grillo (Kamelot)
182. Denny Carmassi (Montrose)
183. Hans Cleuver (Focus)
184. Tom Compton (Ten Years After)
185. Dave Clark (Dave Clark Five)
186. Bob Burns (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
187. Dale Crover (Melvins)
188. Bun E Carlos (Cheap Trick)
189. Don Henley (The Eagles)
190. Boris Williams (Cure)
191. Fred Below (The Aces, Session man)
192. Ed Cassidy (Spirit)
193. Jimmy DeGrasso (Megadeth)
194. Jim Capaldi (Traffic)
195. Les Lester (Los Straightjackets)
196. Tre Cool (Green Day)
197. Sean Moore (Manic Street Preachers)
198. Brendan Canty (Fugazi)
199. Levon Helm (The Band)
200. Cesar Zuiderwijk (Golden Earring)

Honerable Mentions

Alan Wren (Stone Roses)
Bill Berry (R.E.M.)
Britt Walford (Slint)
Buddy Saltzman (Session man)
Budgie (Siouxsee)
Chris Frantz (Talking Heads)
Chris Layton (Double Trouble)
Dallas Taylor (CSNY, Manassas)
Daniel Erlandsson (Arch Enemy)
Dave Mackintosh (Dragonforce)
Dennis Wilson (Beach Boys)
Dickie Harrell (Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps)
Dino Danelli (Rascals)
Dick Richards (The Comets)
Frank Kirkland (Blues Sessions)
Gary Chester (Session man)
Gary Husband (Level 42)
Jerry Gaskill (King's X)
Joe Franco (Good Rats)
Joey Jordison (Slipknot)
Joey Waronker (Walt Mink)
John Badanjek (The Detroit Wheels)
Matt McDonoughe (Mudvayne)
Matt Pelissier (My Chemical Romance)
Max Kolesne (Krisiun)
Mick Tucker (The Sweet)
Mike Sus (Possessed)
Neil Smith (Alice Cooper)
Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel)
Ralph Salmins (Session man)
Rick Buckler (The Jam)
Tony Thomson (Bowie)
William Calhoun (Living Colour)
William Rieflin (Ministry)

[DmitryXenon]

Zigaboo Modeliste (33) and Ziggy Modeliste (152) are the same person.

I fixed it.
Thanks
-Lew

[Fido]

This is the last revised version of the list, from the old forum:

Criteria: Drummers are judged by Influence, Innovation, Originality (for both style and drumlines), Creativity, Technical Ability and Stylistic Versatility.

1. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)

John Bonham is for many the greatest hard rock drummer to have lived. He is arguably the most influential drummer in rock history also. The irreplaceable powerhouse behind Led Zeppelin popularised such widely used techniques, as common as powerful wrist flicks, bass drum triplets, crossovers, and then some. His uniqueness extended to using 4 sticks or hands to achieve different sounds, and his drum solo Moby Dick is quite possibly the greatest rock drumming performance of all time, and almost certainly the most inspirational. Though not blessed with the amazing ability of a Peart or a Bozzio, Bonham at the time of the 1st album pushed rock drumming to new limits with the performance of Good Times Bad Times. Something unheard of before, he pushed single pedal bass drumming to the boundaries, with clever hi-hat and fill overdubs over a cowbell beat. This performance was a massive influence on fellow great Ian Paice of Deep Purple.
Bonham died whilst on a drinking binge in 1980, and Led Zeppelin considered the great man irreplaceable. His legacy lives on.

2. Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson)

One of few drummers to be exceedingly important in two huge bands, Bill Bruford was the polyrhythm king. He devised a style unheard of before on drums, where different time signatures were played over each other. Although his career with Yes was alot shorter than his replacement Alan White, the album Fragile (played on by Bruford) is undoubetdly the best drumming album in Yes's vast catlogue. Bruford went on to replace Mike Giles and other Crimson drummers in King Crimson, perhaps becoming the greatest drummer for that band also. Bruford's influence is largely combined to more progressive material, but is perhaps only behind Peart and Palmer in this field. His ability, sense of timing and constant change behind the sticks has won him many admirers.

3. Neil Peart (Rush)

Neil "The Professor" Peart is the greatest rock drummer of all time. He was a phenomenon, influenced heavily from his jazz roots of Krupa and Rich, through to early rock drummers Blaine and Ringo, through to wild
and powerhouse rockers Keith Moon and John Bonham. Mix these with the groove and ability of his number 1 man Steve Gadd and you get Neil Peart, the innovator of such widely used equipment such as roto-toms, a pioneer of progressive rock drumming, with an ability at the time unmatched in the whole of the rock genre. Few have succeeded his ability and creativity combined since. On top of his domination of the drum set is his vast influence. In just one magazine (Modern Drummer), he has won the poll best rock drummer 7 times since 1980, best multi-percussionist 4 times, and was put in the hall of fame in 1983. He would have won so much more, but was made ineligible for any other awards in 1986 due to being one of the few drummers put on the “Honor Roll”
His allmusic.com profile opens with “Ask just about any rock drummer who their influences are and chances are Rush's Neil Peart will be high on the list.”

4. Keith Moon (The Who)

Moonie was the definitive image of a rock drummer. His wild abandon behind the kit was an inspiration to many in the mid 60s and beyond, and allowed drums to an extent to go further in a song than ever before. Like Bonham and Ringo, he was never blessed with incredible skill, but this allowed his uniqueness and passion to develop. Although his sound isn't often directly copied, and was often criticised for his lack of precision, his sound can be heard both indirectly and directly in any open drummer since him, be it the proggieness of Peart, or his straight-playing replacement in The Who and current Oasis drummer, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey. Moon is also credited as being the 1st drummer to use double bass in rock. Although strictly not true as Ginger Baker was using them with John Mayall, and subsequently from day one with Cream, there is no doubt that Keith Moon popularised the image of the double bass kit, moreso than anybody else of the time, including the jazz drummers who had used it many years earlier. His official death was "Accidental Misadventure" after taking 32 pills designed to ween him off alcohol. It wasn't classed as suicide. His presence is still strongly felt today in drums and in rock music.

5. Ginger Baker (Cream)

Although rock drumming came about largely thanks to jazz drummers, most rock drummers didn't play with traditional jazz elements in their drumming. Not until Ginger Baker anyway, who's rudimental knowledge, and tasteful prowess in many styles and timings makes him one of the world's most celebrated drummers. The most skilled rock drummer of the mid 60s was also the first person to bring the jazz innovated double-bass pedal work into rock, and although like Keith Moon, it was sparasely used, this has become a major innovation into the development of rock drumming. His influence was big at the time, and was one of John Bonham for example's main influences. His performance of Toad is quite evidently parodied in Moby Dick.
If Baker had more recorded output, the likelyhood is that he could have been on Bonham and Moon's elite level. He has proven that 40 years on from his peak, he still has it, when playing at the Cream reunion.

6. Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa)

Terry Bozzio is most unique drummer to play the drums, period. His strange appraoch to the kit is exemplified by being Frank Zappa's choice of drummer once discovered, an artist known to be so over the top, that he was too prog for prog at times! Bozzio's handling of time sigs, mastery of strange and exotic equpiment (much of which he also pioneered the use of), mass creativity and insane ability and of course originality makes him a certain top 10. All that really holds him back is top level influence, although he does have several prog drummers to his name, and a modern day great in Danny Carey.


7. Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Atomic Rooster)

Carl Palmer was THE prog drummer. And still is. At the height of prog in the early to mid 70s, Palmer was second only to Bonham in terms of influence at the time. He has remained one of the most popular drummers to this day. He pushed drum technology to the limit, his kit recently purchased by Ringo Starr weighs 2.5 tons, electronics were put into Palmer's solos, emulated by Bozzio and Peart and many others, and was at the time one of the fastest drummers around. Like his predecessor Keith Moon, his stage show relied heavily on image, and he often drummed while stripping off his top, and whacking gongs behind him, yet still keeping the beat!
Palmer still to this day is going strong and is currently performing with "The Carl Palmer Band".

8. Hal Blaine (session)

Hal Blaine was the first modern rock drummer. He has played on more hit records than any other drummer, including 40 US number 1 songs, and 150 top 10s. He played for artists as big as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Beach Boys, Steely Dan, Simon And Garfunkel, The Byrds, Roy Orbison, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, The Monkees and many more. He was an important man in the creation of Phil Spector's wall of sound. Due to the bouncing down techniques that Phil Spector came up with, Blaine decided that cymbals didn't help sound quality. He often just placed hard tom and snare sounds into the recordings, which burst through the wall of sound emphasing the beat more so than it would with cymbals. His usage of other louder and treble based equipment was creative to say the least, often using items such as tire chains in songs. Blaine was an early influencer on many big session men, and then Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Neil peart, Phil Collins and many more, amazing for a session musician. From the mid 50s right through to the late 70s, he was the most sought after session drummer in California. He was a big innovator in big rolling tom fills, used regularly by John Bonham.

9. Bernard Purdie (session)

Bernard Purdie has played on more songs than anybody else, even Hal Blaine and Earl Palmer, possibly even in rock, despite being a jazz drummer also playing with the likes of Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. This hugely versatile and groovy session man set the standards for swing and groove drumming, and was a HUGE influence on Jeff Porcaro. John Bonham also cites his Led Zeppelin performance of Fool In The Rain as influenced by Bernard "Pretty" Purdie. The great performance of Aja by Steely Dan also wasn't just the work of Steve Gadd, Purdie played on it. In rock, Purdie was the groovemaster behind Arethra Franklin, Jackson 5, James Brown (sometimes accompanying the Funk Brothers), Nina Simone, Percy Sledge, Gladys Knight, Issac Hayes, Cat Stevens and others. His work in blues is big even, with the greatest blues guitarist of them all, B.B King, having Bernard as his number 1 sticksman. Even as a teenager, he was playing with country bands!

10. Earl Palmer (session)

Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame member Earl Palmer, was one of the biggest session men of all time. He played for arguably rock's first artist - Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, Ritchie Valens, Eddie Cochran, Mamas And The Papas, Little Richard, and several other early rock acts. He was a major man in the New Orleans music scene from 1950 and the birth of rock onwards, and for Motown. Little Richard calls him the greatest drummer of all time. He has gained respect from drummers as diverse as Hal Blaine through to Steve Smith.
His shuffle grooving style was hugely innovative, built upon later by the great Bernard Purdie, and then by the masterful Jeff Porcaro, and several others.

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11. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)

To many, Ringo is the greatest of all time, proving his incredible popularity. By this criteria he isn't, but he has done so much for rock drumming that a top 15 place is merited. Like Jimi Hendrix with guitar, Ringo was a left-hander who played a right handed kit. This contributed largely to many of the odder sounding fills he put in place. Ringo was a pioneer of the matchstick grip, which the majority of drummers now use. Although it has always been natural to pick up a drumstick in this way, drummers down the ages were always taught and trained to play with traditional grip, how the jazz drummers drummed. Ringo pioneering this was revolutionary. His influence indirectly extends to every rock drummer since. And directly to countless. His creativity and skill is often underrated too. Abbey Road contains quite a few semi-virtuosic performances for pop-rock music, and his changeups of beats, fills and cymbals is very impressive.
His originality is undeniable also.

12. Ian Paice (Deep Purple)

Ian Paice is in a band often overlooked for its contributions to hard rock/metal, and he possesses exactly the same demons. But not here! His heavyhanded power strokes were 2nd only to Bonham in the very late 60s through to the early 70s, and his style was almost a development of Bonham's, choosing to not base the majority of beats around straightness. The problem Paice faced was that he was always 2nd to Bonham in this field, like Deep Purple were to Led Zeppelin. He was often always overlooked a little thanks to the prowess of other band members including Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan and Jon Lord as well as, later on, Steve Morse. However, he is a well respected powerhouse drummer, with fanstastic chops, rolls, creativity and feel. His influence is quite extensive also. Great drummer, and deserving of his top 10 placement.

13. Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Oak Arkansas, Whitesnake)

Aldridge took metal drumming and bass pedalling to a new level, building upon the foundations of Bill Ward, and becoming a major influence on the greatest metal drummer, Dave Lombardo.
Tommy came from a relatively poor background, and so is self taught. He was heavily influenced by Ringo admittedly, but you wouldn't tell with the way he played the double bass! Ginger Baker was his inspiration on double bass. Although now eclipsed in speed on double bass, his feel and usage of it has never in many eyes been replicated.
Tommy in the 80s was top of the wishlist for many metal acts, and has played with other big metal artists, such as Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Black Oak Arkansas, Thin Lizzy and more. He is possibly more famed for his looks, or more for lack of looks, with all due respect!

14. Stewart Copeland (The Police)

Copeland's combination of reggae and pop-rock was hugely original creative, innovative and demanding. With the unmistakeable hi-hat sound, and ability to die for, SC has a cemented top 20 placement. The Police in the 80s were one of the biggest acts around, especially in the UK. Copeland derived many of his assets and trademarks from the carribean island of Montserrat, an island savaged by natural disaster, and the place where The Police often recorded.
His imaginitive style has been heavily adopted by later drummers, especially those involved in popular reggae, for example UB40.
Stewart retired early from drumming, and although he occasionally plays, he is no longer actively involved in playing drums for popular music. He is mostly involved with composing film scores, arranging and other behind the scenes work.

15. Danny Carey (Tool)

With a distinct prog/dark metal style, Carey's virtuosic performances have blessed several Tool albums, and created a cult following. Tool in the USA have had good success also, contributing to Carey's popularity and future influence. His drum tone can be rather tediously flat, but his mastering of timings and his style variation is amongst the very best. Only time will tell if Carey will be hailed as a true great, and if he will ever match the level of the Laterlarus album.
Carey's style is heavily influenced by Terry Bozzio although his sound is alot different and alot of bass is placed on the recordings. Carey has dabbled with other genres also.
Carey's double bass work is well respected, he says himself he treats his feet like his hands, and spends as much time practicing with them both. His bass drumming is considered very tasteful.

16. Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Testament, Grip Inc)

Metal drumming changed in 1981 when Lombardo came about. Blessed with the speed and power of a minigun, Lombardo took the bass drum ability of Tommy Aldridge, the metallic heaviness of Bill Ward, combined it and added his own touches in. He was the creator of thrash metal, and all extreme metal drummers have alot of thanks to give to Lombardo. His dedication, and aspiration to be a good role model made metal drumming more accessible to the masses, and pushed metal drumming to the next level. He is also very well versed in jazz.

17. Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, session)

Carmine Appice is one of the most important drummers to hard rock. His amazingly creative work with Jeff Beck, most notably in the song "Lady" has become a landmark in hard rock drumming. Carmine is also famous for playing with Vanilla Fudge and Cactus, and several others, his demand as a session man was large. He started in 1967, and by some, including a reporter for Modern Drummer magazine, claims Carmine Appice to be the 1st hard rock drummer, before Bonham and Paice. The claim does hold credit, the sound of Appice in 1967 is similar, however the drumming techniques used were a little different. Appice often still used traditional grip at the time. Drummers ranging from and as big as Bonham, Paice, Jerry Gaskill to Alex Van Halen cite this truly great drummer as a major influence on their sound. His image was also very influential to drummers in the glam era.

18. Jeff Porcaro (Toto, Steely Dan, session)

Session Man does not describe this man, he was as well known as a drummer for several acts including artists as big as Toto (whom he co-founded) and Michael Jackson. Jeff has also drummed for Eric Clapton, Dave Gilmour, Steely Dan, Dire Straits, Ray Charles (in his later work), Earth Wind And Fire, Paul Simon, Leo Sayer and many many more. His demand in the 80s was phenominal. As was, more importantly, his INCREDIBLE groove. Not since Bernard Purdie could a drummer groove as well as Porcaro. This was the primary reason why Michael Jackson paid well over $1m, plus royalties from each sale to Porcaro to play on his Thriller album. Porcaro contained everything this criteria requires, skill, versatility, influence, creativity, originality and innovation. Plus his session demand. Jeff tragically died in 1992 after suffering an allergic reaction to a pesticide sprayed in his garden. His legacy lives on, and in Toto, his drumstool has been filled by modern legend Simon Phillips. Jeff Porcaro was a role model to all.

19. Benny Benjamin (Funk Brothers)

African-American Benny Benjamin was in what some argue to be the greatest rhythm section of all time (along with James Jamerson on bass). The first drummer to join Motown was lucky to survive and thrive in his career there. He often didn't even turn up to work, and suffered addiction to drugs and drink throughout his career. It is hard to know which tracks he actually played on as sometimes his fellow Motown musicians replaced him, but Benny's feel, groove and sense of timing was impeccable and irreplaceable. He was Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder's drummer of choice for much of his career, and has been inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame as a sideman.
His demand was so high in Motown, that despite his personal problems, many artists and producers simply refused to work with any other drummer.
Benjamin died of a stroke in 1969.

20. Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)

Bill was the first metal drummer. Although not quite as heavy hitting as his counterparts Bonham, Appice, and Paice, he certainly defined the metal style, with the heavy dynamic changes and major usage of the full ride cymbal. Ward's uniquely jazz-based playing style is one of the many things that distinguished Black Sabbath from rock bands of the day, and the metal acts that would follow. His creative grooves with Geezer Butler made for one of the greatest rhythm sections in the history of the genre, and would prove highly influential on doom, sludge, and groove metal bands over the next decades.

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21. David Garibaldi (Tower of Power)

Combining funk grooves with powerful and tasteful rock beats, Garibaldi is a pioneer. Often overlooked in the mainstream because of a lack of popularity, Garibaldi's respect within the drum world is on a very high level. David is also widely appreciated for his drum tone and sense of melody. An inspiration to Chad Smith from the Chilli Peppers of all people, David's contributions to funk cannot be ignored. The greatest funk drummer of all time.

22. Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Although possibly the 'sloppiest' drummer in the top 50, Mitch possessed a feel almost unmatched before him in rock. He possessed a unique style which could sound Keith Moon-esque at times, and a sound that was certainly very popular for the duration of The Experience's existence, Mitch often gets influence credit to his name. The success he has had makes it virtually impossible to keep him out of the top 25 placement, and gives him a place of which he thoroughly deserves.

23. Aynsley Dunbar (Frank Zappa, session)

Aynsley was another drummer not limited to one major artist. The list he has played with is ridiculous, ranging from Whitesnake to Rod Stewart, to John Lennon, Frank Zappa, Lou Reed, Mick Ronson and many more, most notably Jeff Beck. He has 30 Gold and platinum albums to his name! In 1974, the music industry acclaimed him as the world's leading session man.

24. Cozy Powell (Rainbow, Jeff Beck Group)

The unmistakeable sound and energy that came from Cozy was a phenominon. The raw power and explicit groove defined a hard rock generation of drumming in the 80s, and drove Ritchie Blackmore's band Rainbow to huge success. Cozy was also the man behind the kit for Queen guitarist Brian May's solo work, and became May's favourite drummer. He has also played with Jeff Beck and was right at the top of the shortlist for potential replacements of Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, the main influencer on Cozy's sound. Nobody since Keith Moon seemed to have such amazing spirit and passion as the late Cozy Powell who tragically died in 1998 in a car accident on an English motorway.

25. Mike Shrieve (Santana)

The percussion master! How many other drummers could hold out a 10+ minute solo at a festival and have it classed as one of the festivals highlights? And be Woodstock 69?! Only Shrieve, who's knowledge of all sorts of exotic inter-continental percussion was essential to achieving his and Santana's sound. Although often getting percussionists in, Shrieve devised the bulk of the rhythm section during his time with Santana. He has since drummed for Pete Townshend.

26. Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, session)

Gavin Harrison is best known as the drummer for Porcupine Tree, a British progressive rock band. One of the more skilled of today's modern drummers, Harrison is well-versed in jazz, progressive rock and progressive metal style drumming, very apparent in songs such as ''Blackest Eyes' and A'nesthetize' He's also the author of "Rhythmic Illusions" and "Rhythmic Perspectives." Although Harrison may not have high influence, he has tons of skill, versatility and creativity, which make him stand out among the great drummers of today and yesteryear. Gavin is currently announced to join King Crimson in 2008 to drum along with Pat Mastelotto. He also has his own successful solo career, especially his new album Drop, with 05ric.

27. Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)

Carter Beauford is a drummer, percussionist, and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band (DMB). He is known for his ability to mix together countless percussion styles, his ambidextrous approach to playing, and is highly regarded for his open hand drumming style, where his left hand leads on the hi-hat and ride cymbal in a conventional right-handed drumset set-up. He’s famous for his distinctively intricate hi-hat patterns, yet, like Billy Cobham, he can groove, and like Dennis Chambers he has a great ‘pocket’. Carter’s blazing technique, lightning fast single stroke rolls, blistering double pedals and flashy cross-hand patterns nightly wow the fans. And the truly remarkable thing is, because the band achieved success on their own terms, Carter’s brilliance is there for all to hear on platinum selling records. A remarkable drummer and a remarkable band.

28. Tim Alexander (Primus)

This Berklee graduate is rightfully regarded as one of the best and greatest drummers of the current era, Primus's hugely distinct rhythm section owes an immeasurable amount to Alexander. Despite often being almost upstaged by one of the very best bassists of all time in Les Claypool, Tim has gained a huge underground following, and his sense of groove and dynamics are virtually unparalleled. A strong range of influence shows heavily in his playing, from the hi-hat and reggae orientated Stewart Copeland, to the big reverbed beats of John Bonham. His innovation credit tends not to be rewarded as it should be also, Drummerworld states him as one of the most innovative drummers in the drumming community.

29. Al Jackson (The MGs)

Often cited as the best beatkeeper to have existed, the versatile and groove-orientated player played for many acts, most notably the band behind "Green Onions" (Booker T and The MGs).
He played for Stax records in his session work, playing on virtually every recording to come out of it, including those for the late great Wilson Pickett.
Al Jackson was murdered at his house in the 70s soon after his reuniting with the MGs after a short breakup. His murderer is still unknown, however many believe it was his wife, not a burglar as assumed at the time.

30. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)

Mike Portnoy's status amongst underground and diverse players is incredible considering the relative size of Dream Theater based on sales (although their following is bigger than sales suggest).
Due to this, his influence is already shining through. Portnoy has a big array of influences, most notably Neil Peart, but they do include Ringo Starr, Roger Taylor and John Bonham. His playing has once again pushed the boundaries to the limit of what is achievable. His co-ordination is possibly the best that there has ever been, and his precision at such speeds is impeccable.
Portnoy has experimented with many different styles, and is not limited to prog; he is also a member of Liquid Tension Experiment.

31. Phil Collins (Genesis)

Although possibly now more famous for his solo career, Phil's drum work has always been highly demanded and respected. There isn't too many big concerts with session drummers where Collins isn't playing, his jamming ability is insanely good. His work with Genesis in their proggier days was also very exceptional and well praised. Despite becoming more successful as a singer/songwriter and often accused of selling out and ruining Genesis when he took over lead vocal duties, his influence stands strong against his ability.

32. Roger Taylor (Queen)

The highly influential and versatile sticksman behind the enormous band Queen has become a household name in many places. His variety used (especially in his early and late days with Queen) ranged from playing caribbean drums, to congas, to timpanies, to being the first drummer to play a completely electric drum solo live, to prog, metal, funk, and what Queen have unfortunatley become largely known for, their pop.
Roger's influence also extends quite far, and big names influenced include Lars Ulrich, Mike Portnoy, Matt Sorum, Taylor Hawkins and many others. His originality is evident, and many of his trademarks are audible in nearly every song, especially his partial opening of the hi-hat on every back beat, creating a louder and more interesting sound. Taylor's ability is often understated thanks to the popularity of many songs where only a backbeat is required. His early work was on the level of many of his prog contemporaries. His influence can only further be estimated, due to the fact Queen are the 3rd biggest selling chart act in the UK of all time, have reportedly sold 500m records worldwide, and are bigger in every continent than North America.

33. Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)

Perhaps the most unique and recognizable drummer in metal, Nicko has been the octopus-limbed madman of Iron Maiden since 1983. Nobody else in the genre takes the same approach to fills, with a heavy Keith Moon influence based on jaunty phrasing that feeds into the motion of the song. Nicko's busy, ride-driven stuttered beats have become very influential to the metal genre, but in the second half of his tenure with Maiden, Nicko reinvented himself along with the rest of the band, varying his drumlines more often, playing with intricate time signatures, adding extra space to his fills and rhythms, as well as utilizing his famed heel-toe technique much more widely.

34. Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters)

Ziggy was the first ever funk drummer, and has become indirectly influential to every funk drummer since him. he remains the 2nd greatest funk drummer of all time behind only Garibaldi, himself highly influenced by Modeliste, who has released a solo album fairly recently.
Despite being the most technically accomplished of his funk counterparts, his sound is still an integral part of 2nd line funk drumming, and if it wasn't for Ziggy who knows what funk drumming would sound like, assuming it existed.

35. Jim Keltner (session)

36. Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog)

Matt Cameron is best known as the drummer for the major grunge band Soundgarden, though he's also played with Temple of the Dog, and fellow grunge band Pearl Jam. Easily the best drummer of the grunge era, Cameron has one of the greatest separations of his hands and feet to this day. His technical ride work while clicking the hi-hat with his foot is very impressive, and his rolls are shockingly creative for the type of music he plays. Despite being a "rock" drummer, Cameron admits that he wasn't really into rock growing up, but into jazz instead. His jazzy style playing is greatly reflected in his work with Tone Dogs. He's also into psychedelic garage rock, his projects with it being Hater and Wellwater Conspiracy. Some of his best rock performances include 'Jesus Christ Pose', 'Face Pollution', 'Slaves & Bulldozers', and 'My Wave.'

37. Simon Philips (Toto, session)

Simon Phillips is a prolific jazz and rock drummer who replaced the great Jeff Porcaro in Toto. He has also played for a wide range of musicians, such as The Who, Big Country, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Asia, Jordan Rudess and many more. Phillips Began drumming at the age of twelve in his father's Dixieland band, and was offered a chance to play in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, after which he quickly became a very sought-after session drummer. His most recent release was a DVD titled Resolution with his jazz band, Vantage Point.

38. Michael Giles (King Crimson)

Michael Giles was the well-known drummer and co-founder of King Crimson. He also played in Giles, Giles & Fripp and he had a solo career. He has a free and flowing style of playing including a lot of jazzy rhythms and fills, while also drawing styles from fellow rival drummers such as Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker. Not many people can mimic the orchestral feel to his playing, and 21st Century Schizoid Man, his finest performance, still stands as one of the greatest drum performances to date.
He has now somewhat withdrawn from the main drumming scene, but he has left behind him some work for which he will be remembered quite a while, still.

39. Gene Hoglan (Death, Devin Townsend, Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad)

Gene Hoglan is the well-known metal drummer who performed for many bands such as Death, Dark Angel, Strapping Young Lad, Dethklok, and Unearth. Hoglan got started when he was 13 years old as a self-taught drummer. He started as the soundcheck drummer for Slayer until he joined Dark Angel. In 2004 Hoglan filled in for Martin Lopez of Opeth because he was having panic attacks. He also appeared in their music video for "The Grand Conjuration."
Much like Jarzombek, he is most well-known for his technical rather than aesthetic approach to the drums, and doing so, he managed to impress a lot of drummers worldwide because of his creativity in drum arrangements, use of strange devices for percussion effects, and his double-bass drum rhythms, which he calls "kick triplets.

40. Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown)
41. John Starks (James Brown, session)
42. Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Chamberlin Complex)
43. Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs, Winger, Steve Morse)
44. Bobby Jarzombek (Rob Halford, Spastic Ink, Demons & Wizards)
45. Kenny Aronoff (session, John Mellencamp)
46. Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg Seven)
47. Alex Van Halen (Van Halen)
48. Sean Reinert (Cynic, Death, Gordian Knot)
49. Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta, One Day as a Lion, Queens of the Stone Age)
50. Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
51. Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damageplan, Hellyeah)
52. Topper Headon (The Clash)
53. Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
54. Alan White (Yes, John Lennon)
55. Nick Menza (Megadeth)
56. Phil Ehart (Kansas)
57. Steve Flynn (Atheist)
58. Mark Zonder (Fates Warning)
59. Scott Travis (Judas Priest, Racer X)
60. Roger Hawkins (Arethra Franklin, Session)
61. Jaki Liebezeit (CAN)
62. Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta, The Memorials)
63. Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa & Mothers of Invention)
64. Virgil Donati (Planet X)
65. Bobby Elliot (The Hollies)
66. Deen Castronovo (session, Journey)
67. Mike Mangini (Dream Theater, Annihilator)
68. Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
69. Martin Lopez (Opeth)
70. Richard Christy (Death, Iced Earth)
71. Clive Burr (Iron Maiden)
72. Damon Che (Don Caballero)
73. Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)
74. BJ Wilson (Procol Harum)
75. Jim Gordon (Derek & the Dominoes, Mothers of Invention)
76. Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Desert Sessions)
77. Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
78. Gregg Bisonette (David Lee Roth, session)
79. Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa & Mothers of Invention)
80. Jojo Mayer (Nerve, session)
81. Christian Vander (Magma)
82. Chester Thompson (Santana)
83. John Densmore (The Doors)
84. Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth)
85. Van Romaine (Steve Morse)
86. "Hellhammer" Jan Axel Blomberg (Mayhem, Arcturus)
87. John Weathers (Gentle Giant)
88. Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson)
89. Danny Seraphine (Chicago)
90. Phil Taylor (Motörhead)
91. Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)
92. Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull)
93. Richard Allen (Funk Brothers)
92. Vinny Appice (Dio, Session)
93. Bryan Mantia (Primus, Bucket of Bernie Brains)
94. Todd Sucherman (Styx)
95. Dennis Thompson (MC5)
96. Igor Cavalera (Sepultura)
97. Stanton Moore (Galactic)
98. Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine)
99. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Tenacious D)
100. Larry Mullen Jr. (U2)
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101. Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche)
102. John French (Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band)
103. Gar Samuelson (Megadeth)
104. Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
105. Phil Selway (Radiohead)
106. Zak Starkey (The Who, Oasis)
107. Paul Bostaph (Slayer)
108. Jay Lane (Colonel Claypool's Frog Brigade)
109. Travis Barker (Blink 182)
110. Ron Wilson (Surfaris)
111. Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal)
112. Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones)
113. Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne)
114. Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly)
115. Jose Pasillas (Incubus)
116. Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead)
117. Jon Hiseman (Colosseum)
118. Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead)
119. Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy)
120. Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel)
121. Jason Rullo (Symphony X)
122. Pierre Moerlen (Gong)
123. Sean Kinney (Alice in Chains)
124. Pierre van der Linden (Focus)
125. Mike Bordin (Faith No More, Ozzy Osbourne)
126. Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe)
127. Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
128. Jürgen Reil (Kreator)
129. Dominic Howard (Muse)
130. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
131. Chris Frantz (Talking Heads)
132. Jason Bonham (session, Black Country Communion)
133. Maureen Tucker (The Velvet Underground)
134. Jack Irons (Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
135. Dave Abbruzesse (Pearl Jam)
136. George Hurley (Minutemen)
137. Sandy Nelson (Session)
138. DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys)
139. John Wright (NoMeansNo)
140. Scott Asheton (The Stooges)
141. Mick Woodmansey (David Bowie)
142. Greg Errico (Sly and the Family Stone)
143. George Kollias (Nile)
144. Jeff Campitelli (Joe Satriani)
145. Barriemore Barlow (Jethro Tull)
146. Sib Hashian (Boston)
147. Jon Fishman (Phish)
148. Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band)

[Tim]

The ordering is off as there is two #92 and two #93. Can you fix it, Fido?