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? Place your vote or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on.

Vote for Craig MacIntyre 1) 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 Yoshiki Hayashi 2) Yoshiki Hayashi

Yoshiki is the only drummer I know that risk his life for his drumming play. He put his passion, aggression, soul and emotions utterly into every piece of music he plays. Thus form him as the best drummer and musician alive.

kurotenshi

The most powerfull and energic drummer I’ve ever meet,,

ragil_19

the best drummer ever!

kurenai_tenshi


Vote for Tico Torres - Bon Jovi 3) Tico Torres - Bon Jovi

Tico is the BEST!

taladini

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

richie4life


Vote for Neil Peart 4) Neil Peart

neil should be number 1! and why isn’t mark portnoy on this list?

icysk8r

This is embarrasing. He’s better than all of these guys

landocommando88

If Jesus played drums, his alias would be Neil Peart.

asphaltpilot


Vote for Buddy Rich 5) Buddy Rich

The swingmaster should not be forgotten. He was definitely instrumental in pushing early jazz to its’ popularity.

AKPickin

Buddy Rich was the best ever... nobody on this list really comes close... but nobody nowadays ever really listened to his stuff... he was the master


Vote for John Bonham - Led Zeppelin 6) John Bonham - Led Zeppelin

If you really know music you know he’s the best!

iTunesJunky

Hes great, no Neil Peart or Keith Moon, but um all drummers play with their hands...

dude he rocks, he should be first!


Vote for Lars Ulrich - Metallica 7) Lars Ulrich - Metallica

No One Can Beat Lars, He Kill’s ’Em ALL

nacarckeckia

seeing travis barker ahead of lars made me sick to my stomach please vote for this man he is a awesome drummer

Chris-1

He should be at least top 3.

LeperMessiah


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

He’s an amazing drummer end of.


Vote for James "The Reverend" Sullivan - Avenged Sevenfold 9) James "The Reverend" Sullivan - Avenged Sevenfold

The Rev is seriously underrated.He’s exremely naturally talented.Listen to his work in Blinded in Chains,Almost Easy,Beast and the Harlot,Darkness Surrounding,Tension, or any other of they’re songs.

AvengingTheRev

His drumming is fast enough to kill lightning, hard enough to shatter a diamond and so perfectly executed that it becomes so engrained in your mind that it takes over the neurons that control involuntary breathing. Good luck breathing while sleeping :)

Synester

He is so fast at drumming. And he can drum and sing amazing at the same time. He even plays the keyboard. He does everything. Amazing guy.

ziggy22


Vote for Joey Jordison - Slipknot 10) Joey Jordison - Slipknot

He is my favorite and in my opinion #2, Peart is just to great, and Travis Barker isn’t good at drumming, he is good at keeping rythm and creating beats. He is a slow drummer

zack182daley

It was a toss up between Joey and Danny Carey, who should definitely be in the top 10. Seriously, Tico Torres number one? Over Neil Pert and John Bonham? That’s just wrong.

johnnywhiplash

Joey for number 1 man he awesome drummer with exceptional talent!


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Choices Not In The Top Ten

Vote for Mike Portnoy 11) Mike Portnoy

he is the greatest neil peart has NOTHING on him!
he has such a unique style!

there is no one like him!

no one like him

he is the greatest

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

Tool is not metal.

That said, I think Danny Carey plays perfect drum parts. That’s all that can be said.

AMAZING!

not only does he meet the critera but he’s the best drummer the metal scene has to offer. it’s not just double bass and blast beats with this guy.

Vote for Dominic Howard 14) 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 Dave Grohl - Nirvana 15) Dave Grohl - Nirvana

aggressive hard hitting and precise style defined the 90s.

Vote for Roger Taylor - Queen 16) Roger Taylor - Queen

roger taylor brings the amazing drums and backing vocals for queen

betleys15

people listhin to I’m in love with my car on youtube youll see why he’s the best, drum solo while singer

Queenmaniac

Strong, good-looking, and talented, Roger Taylor is what keeps Queen on beat.

Vote for Mike Derosier 17) 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 Ringo Starr - The Beatles 18) 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 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 Nicko McBrain - Iron Maiden 20) 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 Phil Collins 21) Phil Collins

good drummer and vocalist

Vote for Stewart Copeland - The Police 22) Stewart Copeland - The Police

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

AKPickin

Vote for Alex Van Halen 23) Alex Van Halen

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 Tre Cool - Green Day 24) Tre Cool - Green Day

awesome drummer welcome to paradise

greenday92gp

One of the best of our time!

one song proves he is the best welcome to paradise

Vote for Carter Anthony Beauford - The Dave Matthews Band 25) 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 Ginger Baker - Cream 26) Ginger Baker - Cream

Vote for Larry Mullen Jr. -  U2 27) Larry Mullen Jr. - U2

The greatest drummer of all time.
Listen to him.

Vote for Dennis Chambers 28) Dennis Chambers

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 Tommy Lee 29) Tommy Lee

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 Chad Sexton - 311 30) 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 Awaji Yukihiro - L'Arc~en~Ciel 31) Awaji Yukihiro - L'Arc~en~Ciel

what makes a drummer the best? it is not only their technical performance, but also charisma and feeling. yukkie has all that

Vote for Art Blakey 32) 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 Rob Bourdon - Linkin Park 33) Rob Bourdon - Linkin Park

Vote for Dave Lombardo - Slayer, Grip Inc. 34) Dave Lombardo - Slayer, Grip Inc.

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 Aston "Family Man" Barrett - Bob Marley & the Wailers 35) Aston "Family Man" Barrett - Bob Marley & the Wailers

Responsible for a totally new style of drumming.

AKPickin

Vote for Longineu W. Parsons III - Yellowcard 36) 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 Charlie Watts - The Rolling Stones 37) 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 Carl Palmer 38) Carl Palmer

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

Vote for John "Mitch" Mitchell - The Jimi Hendrix Experience 39) John "Mitch" Mitchell - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Vote for Rick Allen 40) Rick Allen

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 Tomas Haake - Meshuggah 41) Tomas Haake - Meshuggah

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

Pravus

just listen

Vote for Cozy Powell 42) Cozy Powell

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

Vote for Steven Adler - Guns N Roses 43) Steven Adler - Guns N Roses

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 Nick Mason - Pink Floyd 44) Nick Mason - Pink Floyd

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

Darrell

Vote for Gene Krupa 45) 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 Tony Williams 46) Tony Williams

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

Vote for Billy Cobham 47) 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 Peter Kris - Kiss 48) Peter Kris - Kiss

Vote for Dave Weckl 49) Dave Weckl

just a amazingly funky drummer the best I recoun

Vote for Elvin Jones - John Coltrane’s Drummer 50) 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 Chris Slade - Formerly AC/DC, Asia 51) Chris Slade - Formerly AC/DC, Asia

Vote for Vinnie Paul Abbott - Pantera 52) Vinnie Paul Abbott - Pantera

definatley the best metal drummer ever

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

50 piece drum set! come on!

probably the fastest drummer ever

Vote for James Kottak - Scorpions 54) James Kottak - Scorpions

One word, "AMAZING!"

Vote for Max Roach 55) Max Roach

Vote for Carmine Appice 56) Carmine Appice

Vote for Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan 57) 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 Bud Gaugh - Sublime 58) Bud Gaugh - Sublime

That man made me wanna play drums!

Vote for Jaska Raatikainen 59) Jaska Raatikainen

Vote for Don Brewer 60) 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 Gilvanni Hildago 61) Gilvanni Hildago

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

AKPickin

Vote for Bill Bruford 62) Bill Bruford

Vote for Michael Giles 63) Michael Giles

Vote for Tim "Herb" Alexander - Primus 64) Tim "Herb" Alexander - Primus

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

Vote for Terry Bozzio - Frank Zappa 65) Terry Bozzio - Frank Zappa

Vote for Bill Kreutzmann - Grateful Dead 66) Bill Kreutzmann - Grateful Dead

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

Vote for Thomas Lang 67) 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 Alan White 68) Alan White

Vote for Jose Pasillas - Incubus 69) Jose Pasillas - Incubus

Vote for Alphonse Mouzon 70) Alphonse Mouzon

Vote for Stevie Wonder 71) Stevie Wonder

Vote for Michael Shrieve 72) 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 Andy Kubiszewski - Nine Inch Nails 73) Andy Kubiszewski - Nine Inch Nails

just listen to march of the pigs

Vote for Liberty DeVito 74) Liberty DeVito

Great drummer for Billy Joel

Vote for Bob Bryar - My Chemical Romance 75) Bob Bryar - My Chemical Romance

Vote for Derek Roddy 76) Derek Roddy

Vote for Meg White - The White Stripes 77) Meg White - The White Stripes

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

Vote for Jim Keltner 78) Jim Keltner

Vote for Herman Rarebell - Scorpions 79) Herman Rarebell - Scorpions

A great drummer and songwriter.

Vote for Raymond Herrera 80) Raymond Herrera

One of greatest, should be in top 20

Vote for Sly Dunbar - Sly & Robbie fame 81) 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

Vote for Kenney Jones 82) Kenney Jones

Vote for Ed Shaughnessy 83) Ed Shaughnessy

Vote for Louie Bellson 84) Louie Bellson

Vote for Terry Bozzio 85) Terry Bozzio

Vote for Vinny Appice 86) Vinny Appice

Vote for Tommy Aldridge 87) Tommy Aldridge

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

Vote for Anton Fig 88) Anton Fig

Vote for Lenny White 89) Lenny White

Vote for Narada Michael Walden 90) Narada Michael Walden

Vote for Spencer Smith - Panic! at the Disco 91) Spencer Smith - Panic! at the Disco

he´s the best drummer