Greatest Drummer of All Time

created by AKPickin

A hard category, due to the number of drumming styles, but selected are the most complete and versatile drummers. These drummers should be able to play more than one style. In addition, their impact and influence in music should be felt on a global scale. Not just suburban America. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on.

Vote for Yoshiki Hayashi 1) Yoshiki Hayashi

He is Exeremely talented. Plays drums with so much Passion and energy. Amazing stamina as well one of the best! or the Best!

InsertNameHere

yoshiki takes the clasical and reinvents it. no way ANYONE could beat him. shannon leto can kiss booty.

nanananana

pride of japanese

clinten


Vote for Craig MacIntyre 2) Craig MacIntyre

This guy RAWKS!
Craig you deserve recognition for all the wonderful work you do.

Jerusha

Craig can really get the blood to going! Love to watch him play. Drummers fascinate me. I can multi-task online but drumming takes something else my brain just can’t compute. Thanks Craig for giving out tips to those that occasionally sit in a song! ;)

anetnut

Craig is a fantastic drummer and fun to watch. Drummers have always fascinated me. Talk about multi-tasking... amazing! Before joining Josh Groban’s band, Craig performed with Jackopierce, Toni Lynn Washington, Jess Klein, Johnny A, and the Swinging Steaks, among others. Thanks for sharing your drumkit with you know who Craig. ;)


Vote for James "The Reverend" Sullivan - Avenged Sevenfold 3) James "The Reverend" Sullivan - Avenged Sevenfold

the best drummer and vocal!

sevenfoldism love you...

adamtkj

PLEASE do not put mediocre drummers like LARS ULRICH in front of the most technically skilled drummer of all time, The Rev

insanedocumentarian

As Talented as they come = ) He ruled the drums

ambrosia5400


Vote for Neil Peart 4) Neil Peart

Neil peart is clearly the best drummer of all time. he can play everyone of buddy riches songs and has played the best drum solos of all time (R-30, Buddy Rich Memoriol). he could play anything that Craig MacIntyre and Yoshiki Hayashi can play, period. listen to yz and la villa strangiato

tonses

Neil Peart is undoubtedly the Best of all thats all that needs to be said. But wether your just a listener or a drummer yourself Know this. There are good drummers and there are great drummers some of wich have been overlooked on this list. Ian Paice(DeepPurple), Alan White(Yes), Carmine Appice has played in several Bands, a very solid Rock Drummer. Billy Cobham Jazz Drummer arguably as good as Peart. I think you young punks need to do some more listening.

Wolf

Neil Peart is the best drummer ever and ever and will remain there for eternity. Nobody could beat the old drummers. I don`t listen to much to THE WHO but what I heart about him fascinates me. My favourite band is Led Zeppelin and that`s why Plant is my favourite vocal, Page is my favourite guitarist and "Bonzo" my favourite drummer. But I must be realist and say that they are in top 3 on what are they doing but not on the 1st place. Greetings from Romania. See my top 10 guitarist.

Cesterika


Vote for Lars Ulrich - Metallica 5) Lars Ulrich - Metallica

Lars forever! He is awesome and beats any drummer

CATA5TR0PH3

How is Lars not #2? He should be there right after Buddy Rich! Who is Craig MacIntyre? And Yoshiki Hayashi? What the heck people. Without Lars and Dave Lombrado, modern metal drummers would have no idea what to do. Lars and Dave paved the way for every one else. They should have RESPECT!

gibsonrock53

that japanese guy up in the top sucks unlike lars

metfan001


Vote for Joey Jordison - Slipknot 6) Joey Jordison - Slipknot

seriously he played on a 90 degree angle and upside down in one of the concerts. And he can do the kick pedal heaps fast

immabe

he should more towards #1 seriously and where the hell is Chris Adler from Lamb of God?!?!?!?!? and Chad Szeliga! (breaking benjamin)

pureamericanmetal

joey is the best drummer ever he speed and the rythem is awesome

sic(6)sic


Vote for John Bonham - Led Zeppelin 7) John Bonham - Led Zeppelin

are you kidding #7
Bonham should be #1
Bonham can hit that drum hard and play really complicated and wicked beats!

OzzyVanHalen

Just listen to Achilles Last Stand

ledzeppelin31493

This guy does 20 minute drum solos while the rest of the band go have a beer out the back. no doubt he is the best

jakeismellow


Vote for Travis Barker - Blink 182 8) Travis Barker - Blink 182

Blink 182 is the best band ever and travis is the reason I play drums

sebby12

Travis is awesome so is niel pert but how the heck is Tico no1

Go9ers

Great drummer. Can play anything extremely well. He’s just amazing on the drums. Joey Jordison ahead of him? I like joey’s drumming but its way sloppy and I doubt he could play any type of music.


Vote for Buddy Rich 9) Buddy Rich

This Guy Should be in First Place, he is the Best Drummer of all Time All Though he’s not my Favorite.

ninjacobra

you can’t compare buddy rich 2 all of these drummers because it wouldn’t be fair because buddy rich is way better than them.

metfan001

sure anyone can hit as fast as him but he made it sound good in fact not many people can hit as fast as him weather it sounded good or not

browney115


Vote for Tico Torres - Bon Jovi 10) Tico Torres - Bon Jovi

Tico is the BEST!

taladini

bon jovi is one of the best bands.
Tico has done great work

richie4life



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Choices Not In The Top Ten

Vote for Mike Portnoy 11) Mike Portnoy

ok this guy was jimmy sullivans idol so he should at least be on the list. crazy beats and solos

adidude18

HE is simply THE BEST. With Peart, Moon, and Bonham in close places.

fireinside96

leaving neil part, mike is better than any one in this list. mike is just amazing drummer and deserve in rank 1st or 2nd and not others

deadlydawn

Vote for Keith Moon - The Who 12) Keith Moon - The Who

How can he not already be #1? best without doubt, just listen to almost ANY song by The Who, and you’ll easily see why. He didn’t have to even think about anything, and yet, he spun out the best drumlines EVER!

rush2ryme

#1 all the way

Hannibalbarka

This guy is one of the best drummers ever. He is definitely the most underrated on this list though. And no way should lars ulrich be there. HE USED PRO TOOLS TO KEEP HIM ON BEAT FOR A LOT OF SONGS. When Keith Moon was alive they didn’t have pro tools. That automatically eliminates lars from the top 100 drummers.

shallowcal

Vote for Danny Carey - Tool 13) Danny Carey - Tool

Ticks and Leeches, The Grudge, Lateralus, Forty Six & 2 and more prove that Danny Carey is the best drummer who ever lived.

InsertNameHere

Lars Ulrich over Danny Carey? I agree with MegaToolica

Toilet

How the Hell is Danny Carey below Lars ulrich?

MegaToolica

Vote for Awaji Yukihiro - L'Arc~en~Ciel 14) Awaji Yukihiro - L'Arc~en~Ciel

he is one of the fastest drummer I ever see

squatrife

better than ringo starr

ronluna

did you see him perform live in DIES IN CRIES and L’Arc~en~Ciel? his beats are so fast that make his drumsticks fly.

ronluna

Vote for Dave Grohl - Nirvana 15) Dave Grohl - Nirvana

best drummer of all time, hands down

sharty

aggressive hard hitting and precise style defined the 90s.

Vote for Shannon Leto - 30 Seconds To Mars 16) Shannon Leto - 30 Seconds To Mars

Vote for Dominic Howard 17) Dominic Howard

How the hell can this guy not be in the top ten?
He is much better than travis barker and tico.
Dom = Awesome

Vote for Roger Taylor - Queen 18) Roger Taylor - Queen

I have almost a million reasons why Roger Taylor is the best Drummer, Musician, and Person ever, First of all, Listen to Breakthru and think how he did that amazing sound with only Drums?! Next find a live version of I’m In Love With My Car and think how he could play drums, and sing and still be able to breath after wards, and people, Ringo Starr, you barely know there are drums in Beatles songs, and after that’s all sunk in listen to the back-up vocals on Somebody to love and then think about how ROGER TAYLOR IS TOTALLY NUMBER ONE!

Queen-aholic

He should be on number one!

Please, is everybody stupid!

Croon

roger taylor brings the amazing drums and backing vocals for queen

betleys15

Vote for Chad Smith - Red Hot Chili Peppers 19) Chad Smith - Red Hot Chili Peppers

besides the fact that he was voted by drummer magazine the best drummer alive he also holds the world record for playing the worlds largest drum kit

Vote for Rob Bourdon - Linkin Park 20) Rob Bourdon - Linkin Park

Best Drummer Ever! ! !

DerVEL

Vote for Ringo Starr - The Beatles 21) Ringo Starr - The Beatles

Not technically better than most drummers, but it was his rhythm that allowed the Beatles to be who they became. The work of a true genius is in their ability to felt and not revered.

AKPickin

Vote for Carter Anthony Beauford - The Dave Matthews Band 22) Carter Anthony Beauford - The Dave Matthews Band

amazing drummer
absolutly insane

carter can play many styles of drumming and besides that he is amazing when going crazy at the drums

Vote for Tre Cool - Green Day 23) Tre Cool - Green Day

simply the best drummer out there today

iwalkalone56

awesome drummer welcome to paradise

greenday92gp

One of the best of our time!

Vote for Nicko McBrain - Iron Maiden 24) Nicko McBrain - Iron Maiden

amazing single triplets with one foot and has been consistent since his entrance to the band.

Nicko is the best and he should be first on the list

I think he is the best, and he deserved to be in first 10.

Vote for Dave Lombardo - Slayer, Grip Inc. 25) Dave Lombardo - Slayer, Grip Inc.

some of the stuff that he does on the kit is just amazing. Lars Ulrich and Joey Jordison are WAY overated

IMO
1. John Bonham
2. Niel Peart
3. Kieth Moon
4. Dave Lombardo
5. Mike Portnoy
6. Danny Carey
7. Ginger Baker
9. Terry Bozzio
10. Ian Paice

evilchimpmunk566

omg guys, he is like the best drummer the earth has ever seen, he’s got the best speed, both hands and feet(listen to angel of death) and he plays in one of the best metal bands ever!

dagreek77

Vote for Phil Collins 26) Phil Collins

good drummer and vocalist

Vote for Tommy Lee 27) Tommy Lee

no body can did like him. play on the spinning cage! he’s the best!

god

NUMBER 31!!!!!Who made this list,Im sorry to say but Tommy should be at least in the top 10 i mean drumming while spinning upside down and all the other stuff.Come on u must be blind or something.Who ever made this list needs to be shot or giving a new pair of ears.Tommy is one of the best drummers in the World.PERIOD

Vote for Mike Derosier 28) Mike Derosier

I like Mike.

Listen to Barracuda and you will agree.

Mike is as good or better than any one on this list.

Vote for Ginger Baker - Cream 29) Ginger Baker - Cream

Vote for Stewart Copeland - The Police 30) Stewart Copeland - The Police

Probably controversial, but Copeland is wicked in many styles and worthy of his place on this list.

AKPickin

Vote for Bud Gaugh - Sublime 31) Bud Gaugh - Sublime

That man made me wanna play drums!

Vote for Larry Mullen Jr. -  U2 32) Larry Mullen Jr. - U2

The greatest drummer of all time.
Listen to him.

Vote for Tetsu Kikuchi - D'erlanger 33) Tetsu Kikuchi - D'erlanger

One of the best and fastest rock drummers in Japan from the band D’ERLANGER. He was the drummer of SAVER TIGER and ZI:KILL. He and CIPHER created CRAZE after D’ERLANGER disbanded and in 2007 his main band reunited again.

Vote for Alex Van Halen 34) Alex Van Halen

just listen to the Hot For Teacher intro and youll see what incredible drumming skills Alex has

OzzyVanHalen

I agree with the one above!
alex has an incredible talent

richie4life

Eddie is the star in the family, but this guy is a monster. In addition to the method in which his drums are recorded (the sound is beautiful), his technique is flawless. His changes are dynamic and for the speed in which he plays, he is capable of downshifting in a nano-second. Very worthy of top 10 status.

AKPickin

Vote for Longineu W. Parsons III - Yellowcard 35) Longineu W. Parsons III - Yellowcard

just listen to him go, he’s crazy, and it doesn’t even look like he’s trying

Vote for John Dolmayan - System of a Down / Scars on Broadway 36) John Dolmayan - System of a Down / Scars on Broadway

Never misses a beat both live and at the recording studio. Fast, hard, and unforgiving.

Vote for Rick Allen 37) Rick Allen

He does with one arm what two arm drummers could only wish that they could do. He’s the best.

vadnj0

I cant believe he’s not on this list... Playing extremely great on the drums and he only has one arm... you should really check him out!!!

Vote for Dennis Chambers 38) Dennis Chambers

Denis Chambers at 10 was better than Gene Kruper who was himself a drum genius. He has played with santana and a whole number of funk bands. He is a virtuoso. Look up the tube clip with denis chambers and McGlaghlon playing and see the awe in his eyes when Chambers goes into a solo break which lasts for about 5 minutes. Buddy Rich was all speed by comparison to Chambers. Tony Royster Junior who I don’t think is even on here was playing drums at age 4 and competed against Chambers in a drum off when Chambers was about 30 and Roster Jnr was about 10 - wow what a great drummer he is too. Jo Jo Mayer may not be pecifically a funk drummer but he is the quitessential ’everything drummer’. May just be better than Roster but not better than Chambers.

gumobe

Drum extrodinaire. Has play with George Clinton, Santana, various jazz musicians, as well as Latin and other types. Probably the most diverse drummer of our time.

AKPickin

Vote for Carl Palmer 39) Carl Palmer

Emerson, Lake and Palmer - Are you people nuts? Probably one of the greatest percussion technicians ever.

Vote for Chad Sexton - 311 40) Chad Sexton - 311

Totally amazing! Period

totally amazing if you see 311 eleven live he also will impress you with a inhuman drum solo and he does this unique drum style thing in "applied science"

Vote for Gene Krupa 41) Gene Krupa

for sheer power imagination and flat out rhythm gene is in the top five bonham has a name but he’s just a "good tempo keeper" next to dozens of drummers led zep is highly over rated slow and boring

Vote for John "Mitch" Mitchell - The Jimi Hendrix Experience 42) John "Mitch" Mitchell - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Vote for Peter Kris - Kiss 43) Peter Kris - Kiss

Vote for Tony Royster Jr. 44) Tony Royster Jr.

the best of all time
he also play dw drums, wtf, he so the best!

Vote for Art Blakey 45) Art Blakey

Probably the most complete drummer to pick up sticks. Though jazz was his focus, he could play many different genres of music.

AKPickin

Vote for Chris Slade - Formerly AC/DC, Asia 46) Chris Slade - Formerly AC/DC, Asia

Vote for Charlie Watts - The Rolling Stones 47) Charlie Watts - The Rolling Stones

You only have to listen to a handful of stones songs to understand the genius Charlie brought to the high hat and snare. Songs such as jigsaw puzzle, honky tonk woman and stray cat blue all rely solely on his inventive fills and beats. Only a true talent like Watts could’ve brought together the ragged harmonies of Keith’s guitar and Jaggers croon. Combined with Bill Wyman the Stones had themselves one of the greatest rhythm sections in history. Why isn’t he higher?

Vote for Cozy Powell 48) Cozy Powell

he isn’t the best but his work with rainbow was great

Vote for Steven Adler - Guns N Roses 49) Steven Adler - Guns N Roses

On the drum, Mr. Steven "Popcorn" Adler

which is better than Matt sorum, Frank Ferrer and other drummers that guns n roses had

ronluna

not the best drummer of all time but he deserves some credit. No one suited guns n roses bluesy/hard rock style on appetite for destruction like steven did. You gotta love that cow bell!!

Vote for Tomas Haake - Meshuggah 50) Tomas Haake - Meshuggah

tomas haake is the best drummer of all time but few of them know about him his simply born as a drummer and after him is george kollias

ado006

why is this guy after lars ulrich? metallica are great but when it comes to talent meshuggah rape

Pravus

just listen

Vote for Dave Weckl 51) Dave Weckl

just a amazingly funky drummer the best I recoun

Vote for Billy Cobham 52) Billy Cobham

his invation to playing drums with so much energy and groove... it was so innovative for his day...
... speed... technique... musical interpretation... diverse styles... he could play

Vote for Bill Ward - Black Sabbath 53) Bill Ward - Black Sabbath

50 piece drum set! come on!

probably the fastest drummer ever

Vote for Nick Mason - Pink Floyd 54) Nick Mason - Pink Floyd

Not an insane, crazy, drummer, but he set the mood for many of their greatest songs.

Darrell

Vote for Thomas Lang 55) Thomas Lang

This list is just a popularity contest. There are only a few people on it who deserve to be. Thomas Lang would wipe the floor with all of them.

ThisIsTheArtOfStrato

why the hell is this guy not at #1. He can play every style, extremely technical and fast drummer, it is a sin that he’s not at the top.

Vote for Aston "Family Man" Barrett - Bob Marley & the Wailers 56) Aston "Family Man" Barrett - Bob Marley & the Wailers

Responsible for a totally new style of drumming.

AKPickin

Vote for Vinnie Paul Abbott - Pantera 57) Vinnie Paul Abbott - Pantera

definatley the best metal drummer ever

Vote for Matt Sorum 58) Matt Sorum

most underrated drummer. should be way ahead of steven adler.

Vote for Bill Bruford 59) Bill Bruford

Vote for Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan 60) Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan

One of the greatest drummers of all time...part of Dethklok’s success is due to Mr. Hoglan.

Vote for Meg White - The White Stripes 61) Meg White - The White Stripes

no not the best ever but probably the best female drummer ever

Vote for Tony Williams 62) Tony Williams

The most innovative drummer of them all - and his technique is unparalleled!

Vote for Bob Bryar - My Chemical Romance 63) Bob Bryar - My Chemical Romance

Vote for Elvin Jones - John Coltrane’s Drummer 64) Elvin Jones - John Coltrane’s Drummer

The idea that he could keep up with the intellectual energy is amazing. The fact that he put a beat, rhythm and tempo to it is profound. Check him out on any of the classic quartet’s pieces.

AKPickin

Vote for Max Roach 65) Max Roach

Vote for Terry Bozzio - Frank Zappa 66) Terry Bozzio - Frank Zappa

Vote for James Kottak - Scorpions 67) James Kottak - Scorpions

One word, "AMAZING!"

Vote for Vinnie Colaiuta 68) Vinnie Colaiuta

Vote for Bill Kreutzmann - Grateful Dead 69) Bill Kreutzmann - Grateful Dead

one of the best drummers, probably should be behind bonham as number three best drummer

Vote for Steve Gadd 70) Steve Gadd

Vote for Michael Giles 71) Michael Giles

Vote for Carmine Appice 72) Carmine Appice

Vote for Tim "Herb" Alexander - Primus 73) Tim "Herb" Alexander - Primus

the only bassist alive that can keep up with les claypool’s inhuman bass playing

Vote for Tommy Aldridge 74) Tommy Aldridge

Pat Travers, Ozzy Osborne this guy can destroy a set of drums

Vote for Michael Shrieve 75) Michael Shrieve

Shrieve was only 17 when playing at Woodstock

Watch Santana at Woodstock. You cannot take your eyes off of Mike Shrieve.

Vote for Jaska Raatikainen 76) Jaska Raatikainen

Vote for Steve Smith 77) Steve Smith

Vote for Taylor Hawkins 78) Taylor Hawkins

great drummer

Vote for Alan White 79) Alan White

Vote for Jose Pasillas - Incubus 80) Jose Pasillas - Incubus

Vote for Narada Michael Walden 81) Narada Michael Walden

Vote for Stevie Wonder 82) Stevie Wonder

Vote for Spencer Smith - Panic! at the Disco 83) Spencer Smith - Panic! at the Disco

he´s the best drummer

Vote for Derek Roddy 84) Derek Roddy

Vote for Don Brewer 85) Don Brewer

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD JUST SEARCH YOU TUBE FOR INSIDE LOOKING OUT JUST LISTEN TO THE WHOLE SONG MAYBE THE GREATEST LIVE ROCK PERFORMANCE EVER, PERIOD. 1969, JUST 3 GUYS, NO TRICKS, JUST LIVE, RAW, POWERFUL. IT DONT GET MUCH BETTER THEN THIS

Vote for Jim Keltner 86) Jim Keltner

Vote for Herman Rarebell - Scorpions 87) Herman Rarebell - Scorpions

A great drummer and songwriter.

Vote for Raymond Herrera 88) Raymond Herrera

One of greatest, should be in top 20

Vote for Yasunori Sakurazawa - L'Arc~en~Ciel 89) Yasunori Sakurazawa - L'Arc~en~Ciel

Vote for Sam "Samus" Paulicelli - Abigail Williams 90) Sam "Samus" Paulicelli - Abigail Williams

Most skilled drummer ever to grace music.

Vote for Mikkey Dee 91) Mikkey Dee

Mikkey is insane! Rocked with Motorhead, Helloween, King Diamond and Dokken, thats a pretty impressive list. Listen to Hell Was Made In Heaven and tell me he doesn’t belong in the top 10

Vote for Gilvanni Hildago 92) Gilvanni Hildago

This guy is absolutely amazing. His combinations in music boggles the mind at times.

AKPickin

Vote for Kenney Jones 93) Kenney Jones

Vote for Ed Shaughnessy 94) Ed Shaughnessy

Vote for Louie Bellson 95) Louie Bellson

Vote for Lenny White 96) Lenny White

Vote for Andy Kubiszewski - Nine Inch Nails 97) Andy Kubiszewski - Nine Inch Nails

just listen to march of the pigs

Vote for Liberty DeVito 98) Liberty DeVito

Great drummer for Billy Joel

Vote for Paul Bostaph 99) Paul Bostaph

Vote for Sly Dunbar - Sly & Robbie fame 100) Sly Dunbar - Sly & Robbie fame

Another drummer that is famous for his work in reggae, but has worked in other genres. In addition to spearheading the "DUB" movement in reggae, Sly has created beats in hip-hop, jazz, country, dancehall, pop and rock. His work with Kazumi Watanabi on the Mobo series is legendary; as well as being an early bandmate of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

AKPickin