Carl Palmer

Carl Palmer (also Emerson Lake and Palmer) easily is number three or four on this list after Bonham, Keith Moon, etc.; most of the others, especially the likes of wankers like Travis Barker pale in comparison to rock drummers like Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, Bill Bruford, Alan White, Chad Wackerman, I saw a guy the other night, Graham Broad, with the Roger Waters band that makes Barker look second rate. It's a shame that people with limited knowledge think such lesser talent is top ten material.

Too many people voting for whoever played drums in their favourite band. No thought about the technical ability, the range of percussion instruments played to a high standard, the variety of musical styles, etc. The list is therefore devalued. When some idiot lists being able to play guitar as well and (give me strength... ) the ability to wear sunglasses in a cool manner as reasons to vote for a mediocre drummer like Roger Taylor then one knows the list is devalued to the point of being worthless.

He could make a song from the beat of drum. One of the few drum soloist that did not have a cliche drum solo. I agree with all the comments written here, he should be much higher in the list. Definitely top 5.

Easily the best. Just Listen to karn evil 9, tarkus, toccata, tank, take a pebble, the barbarian ^^ many, many more and you'll see why he's the best, most inventive ^^ technically inventive drummer off all time.

Best ever, somebody to see LIVE! Should be in top 5 at the least! Perhaps he is not because the music of EL^^P and Asia was quite reviled, but nonetheless, he is by far the best.

Carl is 1st in my book, because he can play more than the drums, gongs, and timpani. He can play every kind of percussion out there. His time signatures are outrageous. He can play multiple signatures at the same time. If you've never seen him live, it is a MUST. His drum 'tricks' are Awe-inspiring. And he can play every type of music, from Progressive Rock to Orchestral.

Carl Palmer, number 62? Are you kidding me? He should be far ahead of Neil Peart and the 9 behind him! Peart copied Palmer, so give me a break! Palmer, at age 62, can wipe up the floor with many of these drummers twice as young as him. It is such a shame that the people who voted are not putting on their thinking caps. Shameful. Absolutely shameful!

Carl Palmer is by far the best drummer of all time !! I'm not talking about just your favorite band now i'm talking pure genius on the drums! Bonham, Starr, Peart,were all great drummers but not as technical as Carl. Check out his web site and see for yourself.

Though I agree that Peart is one of my Fav's Guys like Dave Weckl,
Or Carl Palmer leave his in the Dust. Ive Seen and met Palmer twice and Honestly everything Peart does, Palmer can do, and 100
times faster. He is Remarkable.

I guess we must be getting old because many who voted here have probably never heard Carl Palmer play. My top five would be in no particular order,
Palmer, Peart, Rich, Bozzio, and Paice. I guess because of the recent popularity of Rush that Peart is the only one getting his due respect.

A consummate showman, a technical genius, and a groundbreaking performer who has fostered the development of new technology. His contributions go far beyond his work on stage and record, but just those by themselves should put him in the top 5.

The Greatest Rock Drummer of all time, period. Listen to Karn Evil 9, all three impressions and you will agree. Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa and perhaps Neil Peart can be named in the same breath as Carl, but none surpasses the legendary Carl Palmer!

Carl is still at the top of the craft, even in his 60's. There are lots of great drummers but Carl is among the best in history. I have seen him live over the decades, 1970's, 80's, 90's and just last year, October 2011 and he is still a master of the craft!

Perhaps not as technically proficient as Neal Peart or Mike Portnoy, but has the most unique style of any drummer I've ever heard, and is an absolute wonder to listen to in tandem with Emerson and Lake.

Carl, in his 60's has all the energy of a young drummer- and then some. His kit alone can make one dizzy but to see and hear him play it can strike awe into even the most jaded listener. This man is top- cream of the crop!

Carl should be at least in the top 5! His style is not basic rock and roll, I dare any drummer to play the music he plays with such effectiveness. Once you have seen him perform LIVE, you will be totally convinced.

Carl set the standards in Prog Rock, All Drummers at one time or another reveled Carl the best drummer in the world.
He will always be up at the top as long as he is Drumming!

Technically the best by far. Creative in percussion in ways no other drummer has achieved. Always looks like he's having great fun, too. The Ruthin machine of all time.

Good point about know -nothings rating drummers. Today's young drummer cannot touch the likes of Phil Collins, Carl Palmer, etc.

Carl Palmer should be at the top of this list. His ability is unmatched. He is a "god" to all drummers who came after him.

When he was in his 20's and 30's no one could touch him. Try drumming to Keith Emerson. I will go with what Buddy Rich once said" the best drummer in the world is Carl Palmer".

Besides knowing his instrument like few, he knows Music - his work with EL&P demonstrates it.

62? What a bloody joke - the legend, the showman, the craftsman, the one and only! Up to #1 where he rightfully belongs!

Best drummer I have ever heard or seen in concert. If you ever have the chance of seeing this man in concert you absolutely must go. He is the best, par none.

Just see him play now and you will see what you have missed all these years, you will start buying the cd's and dvd's of his work, truly amazing.