The Greatest Drummers Of All Time!

• Thursday, May 29, 2008
• filed in: Rock

• More Led Zeppelin

Previous Next

1 of 50

50. Brian Chase of Yeah Yeah Yeahs – With YYYs’ raw, lo-fi punk and only Nick Zinner’s thrash and Karen O’s caterwauling to accompany him musically, you’d expect Long Islander Brian to be pretty up on his game. Able to move swiftly from back to centre stage with his work- compare ‘Maps’ with ‘Pin’- Chase’s pounding, emotive drumming is one of the founding characteristics of one of the greatest indie triumvirates.

• How come Ringo isn’t at number one?

  ~ by Andy 5/29/2008

  

  • remi, canty

    ~ by the shiny phantom pearl 5/30/2008

  • Because they have never heard ”rain”

    ~ by Antonio Leal 6/2/2008

  • Because Ringo isn’t actually a good drummer. He just happened to be in The Beatles.

    ~ by Chad 6/22/2008

  • I understand this an opinion piece, but, as a drummer I can not take this list seriously. On a list that Meg White is on and people like Matt Cameron and Carter Beauford are not, I really have to question the author(s). Jimmy Chamberlain ranked higher than Stewart Copeland, Terry Bozzio, and Buddy Rich is at best laughable. Anyway, Ringo WAS/is a very solid drummer but in terms of a greatest person list I can understand him not being ranked very high.

    ~ by Randy D 7/27/2008

  • maybe because John Bonham and Led Zeppelin are way, way better oh yeah and Lars Ulrich should be up higher

    ~ by J-Dogs 9/27/2008

  • ringo sucks at drumming...

    ~ by canine168 1/19/2009

  • fuck ringo and the beatles

    ~ by I HATE the beatles 1/27/2009

  • Randy D, by identifying yourself as a drummer, you've disqualified yourself from having an opinion on this list -- good drumming is ultimately about music, not about drumming, something very few, if any, 'drummers' understand. Ps. Listen to Jimmy Chamberlin Complex (Jimmy Chamberlin's side project) and tell me that Copeland, Bozzio and Rich's one-dimensional chops (as good as they are) are comparably versatile.

    ~ by Lantern 3/24/2009

  • Ringo could have been replaced by a drum machine for a majority of the songs and no one would have noticed.

    ~ by PJ 5/31/2009

  • because he's a complete cock!

    ~ by ihateringo 6/18/2009

  • Ringo isn't #1 because he isn't the best.

    ~ by vicdiamond 6/19/2009

  • Firstly Keith Moon is #1. And Lars Ulrich is on that list? stupid. They maybe should have swapped him with a good drummer like Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam)

    ~ by Matt 8/27/2009

  • ringo and the beatles are fukin dweebs

    ~ by gfgfgf 9/29/2009

• Ginger should have been a HELL of a lot higher up on this list. But yay for Keith :)

  ~ by V 5/30/2008

  

• Although I’m a huge Beatles, Stones, Cream, etc. fan, I agree with alot of the picks but I think Charlie Watts should be in the top ten!! He’s not only one of the greatest ”Rock ’n’ roll” drummers (even though he is quoted as saying ”I hate Rock ’n’ roll”, but he is also one of the top Jazz drummers from his era. If you can tell me of another drummer who has sat through 30 hr. Rock sessions (In the Seventies) and is as steady as a drum

  ~ by Fan 5/30/2008

  

• remi, brendan canty should be on there

  ~ by the shiny phantom pearl 5/30/2008

  

• Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon, Hal Blaine, Trey Cool, Pat Wilson would all be in my personal top 10. Meg White and the one-armed guy? Ridiculous!

  ~ by Nimrod 5/30/2008

  

  • show some fucking respect u prick...rick allen would kick ur ass..1 or 2 armed.

    ~ by rick fan 9/10/2008

  • Guys - No Bernard Purdie, Billy Cobham? Some great young drummers on the list yes, but too many great established guys missed. One new guy to look out for Louie Palmer. Come to think of it - Karen Carpenter - check out YouTube for both.

    ~ by EmptyVessel 11/1/2008

  • tre cool honestly didn't need to be there. and rick allen only invented double pedals.. i think meg white deserved to be there. she's made a name for herself, and she's fuckin' awesome. mmm,love me some meg white...

    ~ by david 4/27/2009

  • either you dont listen to rock or your just that stupid. Rick Allen is one of the most influental drummers of all time,despite having one arm. ask any rock fan out there and they will tell you.

    ~ by zack 6/3/2009

  • you freaking idiot. that 'one armed guy' is one of the best drummers not only because he rocks at drumming, or because he rocks at drumming with only ONE ARM, but because he's a huge inspiration to many handicapped musicians around the globe. Trey Cool (along with anyone else on your list) would cry to his mother if he had to play snare with his left foot

    ~ by snappyT3 9/1/2009

  • Umm... Selway from Radiohead should be higher... Meg White should be lower... the Yeah Yeah Yeah's guy should be lower... John Henry Bonham should be number one. And the System of a Down guy should appear in the top ten..

    ~ by STEVE 9/3/2009

• I agree with #1 of course, Led Zeppelin’s mighty engine room remains unequaled. I like Moonie at #2 but would like to see Ginger Baker quite a bit higher.

  ~ by bobby 5/30/2008

  

• Well no bias towards classic rock here then...

  ~ by Daves 5/31/2008

  

• Where is John Dolmayan of System of a Down? He’s a legend of our time.

  ~ by Bippy 6/1/2008

  

• No fricking Alex Van Halen ?????? This list is a sham.

  ~ by kaycee18 6/2/2008

  

  • agreed

    ~ by michael 6/13/2008

• Where’s Igor Cavalera???? Meg White??? Oh Lord...

  ~ by Erich 6/2/2008

  

• where is jonh dolmayan of system of a down ?? and the reverend from avenged sevendfold ??

  ~ by Pedro Birro 6/2/2008

  

• Gene Krupa anyone?

  ~ by Daurn 6/6/2008

  

• Neil Peart is the absolute greatest drummer of all time. You can agrue between him, john bonham and keith moon, but who the hell is the guy from tool? he doesnt belong within miles of the rest of the top 4. Put a real legend like ginger baker up there instead

  ~ by drumhead 6/6/2008

  

  • whoa dude Daney Carey of Tool is one seriously skilled player, he is one heck of a drummer

    ~ by Christian 4/8/2009

• in jon theodore original photo his shirt its say FUCK BUSH but you blur the image. lame

  ~ by ilikesomespanking 6/7/2008

  

• If this list is set up by a drummer, he/she should be ashamed... :P I mean, come on... Mike Portnoy is way better than (for example) Taylor Hawkins. This whole list doesn’t make any sense. Another example, where are Tomas Lang, Tony Royster and Virgil Donati?! I’’d remove this list, it’’s pretty embarressing.

  ~ by Black Export 6/8/2008

  

• Where is Travis Barker on this list?

  ~ by 12345 6/8/2008

  

• Wahoo! Go Rick Allen at #7! He is a true hero and an all around great guy, and drummer. Congrats!

  ~ by Paige 6/8/2008

  

• This list is certainly not thought up very well. I really think that Andrew Kubisezubski-I know that’s spelled wrong- the former drummer for stabbing westward and others should be in the top 10.

  ~ by Luke 6/9/2008

  

• It’s about time to see Dom H. of Muse on one of this lists by now.

  ~ by SP fan 6/9/2008

  

• Alex Van Halen anyone? I can’t belive he didn’’t even make the list, let alone place in the top 10.

  ~ by dan 6/10/2008

  

• Elvin Jones not even in the top 10? This shows the credibility of this crap list.

  ~ by ra 6/10/2008

  

• Jimmy Chamberlin is the best!

  ~ by Carlos 6/12/2008

  

• Glad to see Rick Allen at least at #7...probably deserves to be even higher...but good show!

  ~ by SJ 6/14/2008

  

• What ?? No mention of Steve Sadler - he invented modern rock drumming !!

  ~ by Doc Martin 6/14/2008

  

• Matt Tong of Bloc Party should receive some consideration. Very fast, as well as often completely focused technically when playing live. Check out them playing Helicopter live on Jools Holland to see for yourself.

  ~ by Austin 6/15/2008

  

• yeah neil peart should be #2 followed by moon at #3

  ~ by Vanillarice 6/16/2008

  

• wHAT ThE HEcK!! Travis Barker sure kicks many of the drummers list’s ars, speaking about timing... What’’s the girl of White Stripes doing there?

  ~ by MartinODD1 6/18/2008

  

• Yeah Bonham number one!!! Although I think Nicko should’ve been like number 9 or something...and where’’s the Rev from Avenged Sevenfold?

  ~ by Someone who cares 6/21/2008

  

• Shame, I thought we might see Bloc Party drummer Matt Tong, or Travis Barker down there. Good List though, very good. I love Chad Smiths drumming.

  ~ by J 6/22/2008

  

• joey jordison should be #1

  ~ by poz 6/22/2008

  

• TRAVIS BARKER? AARON GILLESPE? they should be on there based on creativity alone!

  ~ by ;lkj 6/23/2008

  

• http://youtube.com/watch?v=xW2AKkwJb_c bam! ... \'nuf said

  ~ by Chris 6/23/2008

  

• WHERE IS ALEX VAN HALEN ?!?!?!?!

  ~ by WTF 6/26/2008

  

  • You mean the guy who can’t keep a complicated beat? Or are you talking about the guy who has the same beat on half the tunes? 2 base, 1 snare. 2 base 1 snare, blah blah blah

    ~ by SirDirtiness 9/5/2008

• Have any of you guys heard of Lee Davies? He was a huge inspiration to me. He invented the quad-flip-180-tripple tap-bass technique! You must have heard of that.

  ~ by Steve 6/27/2008

  

• Neil Peart should number 1

  ~ by kingy 6/30/2008

  

  • Zeppelin has always been my favorite band and Bonham my favorite drummer but I agree with you. Peart is the most complete drummer I’ve ever heard.

    ~ by SirDirtiness 9/5/2008

• Tommy is beyond most of your imagination. Anyone who thinks otherwise can suck a big fat one.

  ~ by Harley 7/1/2008

  

• Meg White’s sex tape is pretty hot. Google it.

  ~ by Bootybuccaneer 7/1/2008

  

• Darren King??

  ~ by Jesse 7/7/2008

  

• i agree bonham definitely deserves to be #1, zeppelin was so influential to so many drummers and bonham was their heart and soul. (to back up my point when he died the band died, hence heart and soul)

  ~ by newday212 7/10/2008

  

• where\'s alex van halen?

  ~ by Raymondtrain 7/10/2008

  

• I swear these lists are designed to lure comments. So many missing and so many questionable picks. I’d say this list is weighted more on how much the writer likes the bands than his or her knowledge of drumming.

  ~ by haze 7/10/2008

  

• How does Alex Van Halen NOT make this list???

  ~ by C-Dub 7/11/2008

  

• List is missing Dennis Chambers and Elvin Jones.

  ~ by David 7/14/2008

  

• where the fuck is Neil Peart????????

  ~ by JB 7/14/2008

  

  • Up your ass bitch...next time look twice at the list, dumbass. LIST IS A DISGRACE...Obviously, MEG is #1!! NOT!!! She’s not even a drummer...like many others on this list...DAVE GROEHL??? When pigs fly...Wheres John from S.O.A.D? Fuck the guy that made this list...

    ~ by Satan up ur ass  7/16/2008

• SORRY!! I found Neil Peart at #4....I guess that\'s accurate. I can take John Bonham and Keith Moon being ahead of him, but the guy from Tool??? come on now.

  ~ by JB 7/14/2008

  

• Only one drummer qualifies to make the Greatest Drummer of All time. the mans name is Buddy Rich. Buddy Rich comes First everyone else follows Buddy Rich. Buddy Rich received this recognition many many years ago. Buddy Rich on the Top every one else looks up to Buddy Rich. Do your homework Buddy Rich is GOD OF DRUMMING. overe said and done. Buddy Rich.

  ~ by Buddy Rich Fan 7/16/2008

  

  • agreed. zeps my fav and so is bonzo. but buddy rich to bonzo is like bonzo to us. bonzo would be the first to tell you that. seen many quotes from bonzo to that effect. the list should be called best rock drummers.

    ~ by zephead 7/16/2008

  • agreed. zeps my fav and so is bonzo. but buddy rich to bonzo is like bonzo to us. bonzo would be the first to tell you that. seen many quotes from bonzo to that effect. the list should be called best rock drummers.

    ~ by zephead 7/16/2008

  • agreed. zeps my fav and so is bonzo. but buddy rich to bonzo is like bonzo to us. bonzo would be the first to tell you that. seen many quotes from bonzo to that effect. the list should be called best rock drummers.

    ~ by zephead 7/16/2008

• agreed. zeps my fav and so is bonzo. but buddy rich to bonzo is like bonzo to us. bonzo would be the first to tell you that. seen many quotes from bonzo to that effect. the list should be called best rock drummers.

  ~ by zephead 7/16/2008

  

• Eh...most of these drummers were good for their time, but thats just it-this list should be of modern drumers who can bust that crazy shit that could have a chik rollin on the floor with an orgasm...hahaha Point is this list should really be revised

  ~ by L..F.A.C.C.D.L.C 7/16/2008

  

• Where is Michael Shrieve? Santana\'s drummer during the Woodstock era. Check out his solo at Woodstock on YouTube, you\'ll be amazed.

  ~ by Geller 7/21/2008

  

• john bonham the best drummer (r.i.p)

  ~ by bonzo 7/22/2008

  

• Okay....the dumbest list ever made! Ringo Starr obviously doesn\'t belong to nr. 1. Ian Paice belongs to the top ten, along with Tico Torres (who isn\'t even on the list), Roger Taylor and Chad Smith.....I mean...come on! Ian Paice - easily the best of all time!

  ~ by PHil Hoelke 7/24/2008

  

• Pura mierda.......Y Vinnie Colaiuta?????

  ~ by Pablo 7/26/2008

  

• Where is Alex Van Halen ????? this is funny list... Alex is Nr. 1 on the world.

  ~ by drummer 7/27/2008

  

• Lars shouldn\'t be on this list. He\'s too on top of the guitar, he has no sense of timing. Good thing Bonham was first, Buddy should have been higher, so should Ginger and Mitchell. Jordison should be last on this list.

  ~ by drummer 7/28/2008

  

• no nick mason? hmm..

  ~ by pink freud 7/28/2008

  

• You found SIX drummers greater than Buddy Rich? Wow. Have you guys found Jimmy Hoffa too?

  ~ by Jeff 7/31/2008

  

• peart should have been either 1st or 2nd. he’s so much better then carrey

  ~ by nick 8/1/2008

  

• NO ERIC CARR ?

  ~ by Michael 8/2/2008

  

• Where’s Matt Cameron? And Ian Paice and Dave Lombardo should be higher.

  ~ by Jake 8/2/2008

  

• What about Cozy Powell?

  ~ by Linda 8/2/2008

  

• Where the hell is Steve White? He should be in the top 5...

  ~ by the ghost of macca 8/3/2008

  

• what a bunch of BS. ginger baker should have been at the top ten at least. although I am glad they did give chamberlain and danny carrey the recognition they deserve. I am also glad that travis barker was not on the list. just shows how much he sucks.

  ~ by mike and ike 8/4/2008

  

• Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Bernard Purdie, Jim Keltner, Rick Marotta, Keith Carlock, Jeff Porcaro ...all overlooked?

  ~ by SwissTriplet 8/4/2008

  

• Any list of greatest drummers that doesn’’t include Max Roach and Joe Morello is a joke. WAY too many rock wankers on here and not near enough jazzmen. Props for recognizing Gene Krupa. Bonzo rules rock, no doubt about that. Anyone ever heard of Earl Harvin? Easily one of the best I’’’’ve seen / heard, regardless of style.

  ~ by G. Mark 8/5/2008

  

• Kram from spiderbait? Surely it takes something to be the bands drummer and lead singer am i right?

  ~ by Seifer 8/6/2008

  

• Billy Cobham , John Bonham , Ginger Baker and Ringo 4 the Beatles !

  ~ by Mickey T - UK 8/6/2008

  

• Carter Beauford?????????????

  ~ by MJ 8/7/2008

  

• Few things wrong with this list: 1. Mike Portnoy is at least 5 times better than Joey Jordison and should be higher up on the list. 2. Neil Peart should be 3 not Danny Carey.

  ~ by Dave 8/7/2008

  

  • u r dicksucker my friend, cuz Danny is god of sticks, he is the best drummer i ever heard and i don't think i'll hear any drummer as good as him, not just me but in 1000 years from now he will be legend

    ~ by rotnemv 10/26/2009

• This list is a joke, even Chamberlin is well aware he isn’t the lint in Buddy Riches trousers. Is Charlie Watts really even a drummer? Crack heads....

  ~ by Knowing better 8/9/2008

  

• This list is a joke. How can the dummer from the White Stripes be on this and Matt Cameron is completely left out? What about Carter Beauford??? And Gavin Harrison??? Good to see though that Jimmy Chamberlin, John Bonham and Danny Carey got some respect.

  ~ by James 8/12/2008

  

• This list is idiotic. You have Jimmy Chamberlin and Danny Carey ahead of Buddy Rich? Is this list based on popularity or virtuosity?

  ~ by Greg 8/14/2008

  

• Allen should be #1 Greatest Drummer because even a physically disabled should be able to play music again.

  ~ by Anon 8/15/2008

  

• WHERE IS COZY POWELL ?????????????????

  ~ by Blockbuster 8/15/2008

  

• Ulrich and Jordison ... would be top 10

  ~ by Matias 8/17/2008

  

• wtf why is Travis Barker not even ON the list? I mean sure he’s overated but still, worthy of a spot in the top 50

  ~ by N/A 8/17/2008

  

• Why The Hell Isn’t Shannon Larkin or Thomas Lang on the List!!!

  ~ by 1234 8/18/2008

  

• ERIC SINGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  ~ by PAOLO 8/21/2008

  

• bad list. the best drummers come from jazz and death metal

  ~ by awras 8/23/2008

  

• Did i miss Travis Barker on the list? and why is Meg white on it? and i think Kieth Moon should have been first rather then second but a whole lotta love is good and proves John Bonham is a great drummer

  ~ by Person 9/4/2008

  

• TR COOL from GREEN DAY would be in the top!!! he is amazing, completly fabulous!!!!!

  ~ by best_greenday 9/4/2008

  

• Nice to see Danny getting some recognition, just because they’re not massive legends of rock" or ancient and dead I feel he gets overlooked far too often... In terms of sheer and utter skill yet to hear anyone come close! Well done on a list not based on who you need to suck up to or ’’know’’, but on real interest in rock and talent. Awesome shit guys, keep it up.

  ~ by Steve 9/8/2008

  

• Neil Peart 4th C’mon shake your heads.

  ~ by dayglores 9/8/2008

  

• This countdown featured veterans who have been in the biz for a while. I would love to see an article or countdown featuring the up and coming, particularly Deantoni Parks. He is a member of Kudu of Nublu Records and has played with The Mars Volta, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Me’shell Ndegeocello, Alice Smith and Lenny Kravitz. Parks could undoubtedly earn a spot on this countdown if considered.

  ~ by Kimberly 9/23/2008

  

• john bonham the best nuff said

  ~ by bill 9/24/2008

  

• WHERE IS ?UESTLOVE FROM THE ROOTS?? wtf??

  ~ by JuliusL 9/24/2008

  

• I don’t see Josh Freese...

  ~ by thislistsucks 9/25/2008

  

• If you#8217;’ve ever sat down and listened to Def Leppard’’s stuff, you’’d actually realise he has every right to be up there. Meg White... I totally agree there xD Hahaha

  ~ by Mr Man Dude Guy 9/26/2008

  

• 1st of all-charlie watts.....where is he at least no.8 2nd John Bonham is a god but c’mon KEITH MOON! no.1

  ~ by jackmcfarlane 9/26/2008

  

• why is carter beauford missing? watch under the table and drumming and just watch the complexity of his work on tripping billies and other songs

  ~ by nevets 9/27/2008

  

• Have you ever seen John Bonham (Bonzo) play Moby Dick? I have and will never forget. Always be #1.

  ~ by Toni M 9/27/2008

  

• Nick Roberts from Gut Rot and The Rennies was the best drummer i ever saw

  ~ by mega 9/28/2008

  

• first off meg white is no way better than Ian paice, and ringo even said he's not that good on larry king live.

  ~ by America 10/2/2008

  

• i'm surprised buddy rich is at number 6

  ~ by J 10/10/2008

  

• Carter Beauford isn't even on this list..i'm very surprised.

  ~ by Ev 10/10/2008

  

• Joey Jordison is THE BEST DRUMMER OF ALL TIME!!!

  ~ by Kurt-666 10/12/2008

  

• simon philips ?

  ~ by keith farrelly 10/12/2008

  

• Rick Allen, today is probably one of the most dedicated and talented musical talents still innovating and evolving,..... powerful force for healing and entertaining

  ~ by OnTheQT 10/10/2008 10/12/2008

  

• This might just be the worst, yet most predictable, list I have ever seen. You put Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich on there, yet have the nerve to not make them 1 and 2?

  ~ by Ryan 10/15/2008

  

• bonzo totally deserves it to be the number 1

  ~ by bonnanza 10/15/2008

  

• A list of greatest drummers without Carter Beauford from Dave Matthews... Are you joking me?

  ~ by swamy 10/17/2008

  

• where's jeremy taggart from our lady peace? meg white doesn't even qualify.

  ~ by adam 10/17/2008

  

• This list is pretty lame..Who assembled it? Where's Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, Josh Freese, Vinnie, Porcaro? At least you got the Bonham part right.

  ~ by Seann 10/18/2008

  

• Where are Brian Chippendale and Chris Dangerous? Those two are LEGENDS!

  ~ by Ben 10/18/2008

  

• meg white isn't a good drummer

  ~ by euughh 10/19/2008

  

• What, the guy from smashing pumpkins was above buddy rich? Yeah, NO WAY! Number one as John Bonham was a good idea. Two should have been buddy rich, then maybe like, neil Peart at three. I can't believe drummers like jojo mayer and dave weckl were thought of as worse then the drummer from the yeah yeah yeahs...

  ~ by Jase 10/19/2008

  

• WTF! Neil Peart should be #1

  ~ by ME 10/20/2008

  

• where's dave mackintosh..

  ~ by happyguy 10/24/2008

  

• The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold should be top 10. Listen to Blinded in Chains, Burn it Down, Chapter 4, Beast and The Harlot!

  ~ by DCV 10/24/2008

  

• CARL PALMER! CARL PALMER! CARL PALMER! CARL PALMER! Check him ot kids

  ~ by TYLER 11/1/2008

  

• nossa muito maneiro adorei

  ~ by Gigliolla 11/4/2008

  

• Where was Neal Smith? (Original drummer of the band Alice Cooper)

  ~ by Mark 11/4/2008

  

• Are you on crack???? Nobody and I mean nobody is better than Neil. Period no discussion.

  ~ by Dave 11/16/2008

  

• ZACH HILL should be near the top of this list

  ~ by J 11/16/2008

  

• Buddy Rich not number one? Steve Gadd not even on the list, let alone not top five? This is a joke, right?

  ~ by Derek 11/18/2008

  

• It's spelled Dream TheatER... retard

  ~ by Cameron 11/18/2008

  

• DOOOM! o/

  ~ by Gi 11/20/2008

  

• HOW do you include Meg White but don't include Darren Jessee??

  ~ by ajs 11/21/2008

  

• MEG WHITE?!! WHAT THE FUCK?!

  ~ by eeeh 11/22/2008

  

• I say rick allen should be up there in the top ten... rock on rick fan

  ~ by Drumma4♥s 11/23/2008

  

• Was this list intended to be a joke? Let's say this: Lars Ulrich was not only on a best drummers list of fewer than 10,000 but was higher than Mike Portnoy and Bill Bruford. Meg White and Ringo Starr were on it. Carter Beauford WASN'T. John Bonham was number one. No Steve Gadd? Vinnie Colaiuta? Dave Weckl? Thomas Lang? Gene Hoglan? Blake Richardson? Countless others? Hahahahahaha

  ~ by Better Than Half of These Drummers 11/24/2008

  

• The only thing i dont see is Nick Mason From Pink Floyd just watch live at Pompeii and you will see he is the most precise drummer i have ever seen!

  ~ by nabakov 11/28/2008

  

  • wow, that is a good video....

    ~ by John 7/14/2009

• This list is horrible. Enough said, Buddy Rich at number 6? Give me a break. I could agree with Bonzo at number 1 but way too many drummers left off in favor of ones that shouldn't have made the cut.

  ~ by DrMortician 11/30/2008

  

• The one armed guy, and Meg White made the list and Tim Alexander didn't. This is the most poorly thought out list besides.

  ~ by What? 12/8/2008

  

• what about fucking buddy rich???

  ~ by bob 12/16/2008

  

• i dont understand how anyone in the top four can beat Buddy Rich and or Gene krupa

  ~ by The dude 12/18/2008

  

• This is a bullshit list: 1.Way too much indie and heavy metal, while icons like Mitchell and Baker get left in the middle. 2.Why are Kruppa and Rich near the top of it, or even on it? They're great, but they're not rock and roll. 3. Where's Carter Beauford? Or did I just miss him?

  ~ by Ytterix 12/19/2008

  

• wtf ulrich before bonham

  ~ by bob 12/25/2008

  

• This list is wack.

  ~ by guy 12/30/2008

  

• How come Billy Cobham isn't here? He's probably the best of them all.

  ~ by Rock Fan 1/2/2009

  

• Where is Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) ????

  ~ by Arctic 1/4/2009

  

• Add Alex Van Halen, Tre Cool, and Travis Barker and you've got the greatest list in the world!

  ~ by Jeremy 1/14/2009

  

• Did I miss it, or did I not see John Dolmayan from System of a Down? WTF!

  ~ by SOAD Fan 1/15/2009

  

• Why isn't Stevie Wonder in the list? Ridiculous...

  ~ by Daniel 1/15/2009

  

• WHERE IS JAKI?!?!?!

  ~ by ralph 1/15/2009

  

• ..not sure how you compiled (& misplace ranked) these drummers. It would be meaningless if the drummers are judged by their popularities and not by their skills. For an example : Michael Jackson is more popular than Jim Morrison.....BINGO.

  ~ by http://www.myspace.com/mowgli4peace 1/23/2009

  

• WTF? one hell of a bad list... Meg White? at top 10??

  ~ by Max 1/24/2009

  

• I agree with the top 3 but why Neil Peart isn't on top is beyond me. He's in a class by himself. Oh and is still playing... Did you hear him at the Buddy Rich tribute concert too? No contest.

  ~ by Chris 1/25/2009

  

• WOW This is the most god-awful list of this type I've EVER seen !!! It is so biased it isn't even funny. This list is horrible. Good drummers, $$ successful drummers, popular drummers, yes... But the greatest 50 of all time?... hardly. Some do belong on this list, many definitely do not. Tommy Lee... when put in a drum line, was completely lost... expert at his craft - certainly not. Top 50 material - no way. Look at ability and depth, not popularity or $$ success. Bonham #1? laugh

  ~ by Mithren 1/29/2009

  

  • Bonham at #1 is no laughing matter ... it is a generationally accepted & supported fact - one that you might have a lifetime's trouble accepting. Go check out the full length clip of Moby Dick and you'll begin to be enlightened ....

    ~ by mystril 6/16/2009

• Where's Carter Beauford? OR Travis Barker>

  ~ by steve 1/30/2009

  

• Meg White on the list when Travis Barker and Tre Cool aren't that's flat out retarded

  ~ by eycanada 2/8/2009

  

• wheres neal and keith and john. they are the best by far,

  ~ by someone 2/9/2009

  

• Danny Carey DOES deserve to be that high up on the list. He makes Bonham look like a child! He isn't nearly as famous as nearly everyone on the list, but he is one of the most skilled. His polyrhythmic technique on songs like "Rosetta Stoned" is some of the most complex and musical stuff ever played on a drum kit. Buddy Rich still deserves to be higher than him though

  ~ by Jordan 2/13/2009

  

• al jackson, jr. should be #1. no questions asked.

  ~ by stuart 2/21/2009

  

• The people whom complied this list must be dumb, deaf, and blind...this list is completely inaccuret in more ways then one

  ~ by MunDaKaMusic.com 2/22/2009

  

• WHERE IS JOJO MAYER????

  ~ by cojones 2/22/2009

  

• No Matt Cameron?

  ~ by s 2/28/2009

  

• John Bonham and Neil Peart...all i gotta say

  ~ by tama rocker 3/10/2009

  

• faltou o wilker ele é o primeiro

  ~ by ismael teodozio da silva 3/16/2009

  

• matt tong from bloc party!?!?!

  ~ by neeshboy 3/20/2009

  

• Thanks for this Great List - some might quibble about the order, but it is nice to see the stars in one place! Rock On Dudes! ;-)

  ~ by Henry 3/21/2009

  

• They forgot Matt Cameron of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. He is easily a better drummer than lots of these guys. Come on!! Lars Ulrich, he almost uses a metrome on stage. Listen to Jesus Christ Pose, and you see why Matt should be on this list.

  ~ by Fristed 3/23/2009

  

• ha. no questlove, max roach, tony williams, philly joe? get outta here

  ~ by BBbb 3/26/2009

  

• You have discredited your list by having Buddy Rich on it. If your list is really meant to name the best drummers of all time, Buddy Rich would be at the top. Bonham isn't even close to Rich's skill, speed, musicianship. Also where is Joe Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Joe Morello, Steve Gadd, et al. Anyone of whom could play rings around the rockers you list. Please guys, let's get real!

  ~ by Byron Vaughan 3/27/2009

  

• WHERE ARE TRAVIS BARKER AND ALEX VAN HALEN o men this list is poor

  ~ by Fervius 3/30/2009

  

• John Bonham should be first, not the last one on the list.

  ~ by :) 3/30/2009

  

• Where the hell is ricki Rockett on this thing

  ~ by Teabags 4/1/2009

  

• great list. however, i honestly think that Neil Peart should have been #1 but this list is still great!

  ~ by Marco 4/2/2009

  

• what about John Dolmayan of System of a Down? What about Travis Smith of Trivium?

  ~ by Moe 4/3/2009

  

• What were the qualifications for this list? Because you have a lot of drummers who are good for their groups but not necessarily talented drummers. You've left out all the rediculous jazz drummers such as Vinnie Colaiuta, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Dave Weckl and others. Also check out Horacio Hernandez, none of these dudes could ever play a whole solo while keeping a rumba clave steady in their left foot.

  ~ by Deez Nuts 4/5/2009

  

• This list lost all its credibility when Jeremiah Green wasnt put on the list.

  ~ by MH 4/6/2009

  

• Meg White and all the other indie guys and no Carter Beauford? Really?

  ~ by Christian 4/8/2009

  

• There is no way Moon is not on the top of the list. Sorry but you need to redo this

  ~ by ANon 4/9/2009

  

• I was really hoping Matt Cameron would be on the list.

  ~ by Miranda 4/12/2009

  

• what, no carter beauford??

  ~ by Carlos Villalpando 4/12/2009

  

• Wheres Tommy lee man? :) hes really good

  ~ by gareth 4/15/2009

  

• Um wheres josh freese

  ~ by Ryan 4/21/2009

  

• come on... joey jordison should be number one he is the fastest drummer in the hole world and he beats all the others blinfolded

  ~ by duarte 4/24/2009

  

• This list is obviously VERY biased. "Objective" is a word the author never heard, hown by the statement referring to Zeppelin... "greatest rock act to have walked planet earth". Zeppelin the greatest rock act? LOL, don't think so, bud. Ever hear of a little band called The Beatles? C'mon. Bonham #1??? No way. Peart's drumming precision would destroyed Bonham's, & Keith is just awesome. Of course, ya'll DID call Bowie the best frontman. Uhhh...

  ~ by Chris 4/29/2009

  

• PHIL COLLINS 41???? WHO WAS THE STUPID WHO MADE THIS LIST?? He deservs to be a top ten at least!

  ~ by Mariano 4/30/2009

  

• what, no vinnie coliouta?

  ~ by asda 5/4/2009

  

• Where the FUCK is Tony Williams? Can you say ZERO CREDIBILITY?

  ~ by Sark 5/5/2009

  

• Matt Tong from Bloc Party should definately be here!

  ~ by Kid_A 5/12/2009

  

• This is a list of popular bands, not great drummers.

  ~ by Chris O 5/18/2009

  

• where in the world is alex van halen?

  ~ by nick 5/27/2009

  

• Great list, but I think Neil Peart should be at #3 instead of #4. However, I'm extremely glad Travis Barker is not on the list! :)

  ~ by Eric 5/28/2009

  

• Ringo Starr, in my opinion, was NOT a great drummer. Average at best.

  ~ by brian 5/29/2009

  

• Ian Paice debería estar en una mejor posición y no en el puesto 45. Keith Moon es el mejor baterista del rock clásico y Buddy Rich, el mejor del jazz.

  ~ by miguel ángel 5/30/2009

  

• Why isnt Adrian Young on this list No Doubt Rocks

  ~ by Ska love! 6/1/2009

  

• Lol, these are just drummers you see in popular culture there is so many better drummers out there. =/

  ~ by Buddy Rich 6/3/2009

  

• Neil Peart is amazin

  ~ by Anonymous 6/22/2009

  

• what an opionated list! Meg white should be number one on the worst drummers list! this list is ridiculous!

  ~ by Jim 6/22/2009

  

• What about Bernard Perdie?

  ~ by JazzyJaye 6/22/2009

  

• why the fuck isnt brian downy there

  ~ by Paddy 6/24/2009

  

• Bohnam 50 it's an insult

  ~ by Mariusz 6/28/2009

  

• meg white? grow up!

  ~ by Arka 7/3/2009

  

• For a more ACCURATE opinion of the the World's most INFLUENTIAL DRUMMERS of all time...Google The World's Most Influential Drummers...'nuff said...c'mon...Dennis Chambers didn't even make the list? What about Bill Bruford...and the list goes on.

  ~ by Anon 7/8/2009

  

• Why on earth is Ringo so underrated? Oh, because he was behind Paul, John and George, of course. What a handicap!!! He was the steadiest metronome in the business...

  ~ by Andy White Thank You 7/8/2009

  

• Al Jackson should be at #1. I'm surprised nobody talks about him.

  ~ by John 7/11/2009

  

• yeh its john bohnams whos number one i know alot of people who say bohnam shouldn't be number 1 and they name these new drummers nowawdays who should be number 1.. if it wasen't for bohnam there is no drummers today he is the inspiration of every drummer thats why he is THE greatest there is no argument

  ~ by ryan 7/16/2009

  

• no travis barker? wow.....for shame

  ~ by jimbo 7/30/2009

  

• john bonham owned... but neil should totally be #1... keith was also awesome so... i guess its rly hard to choose between them R.I.P Keith Moon R.I.P John Bonham

  ~ by Pizza 7/31/2009

  

• Hmmm, There seems to be a misunderstanding what Great truly is. What's very strange is there isn;t the mention of One Jazz Drummer in the Top ten and these Drummers are known to be the best in the world. Though Al Jackson was a very good choice.. Where is Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Billy Higgins, Billy James, Bernard Purdie, Idrees Muhammad, Tony Williams and without a doubt The Undisputed King Of The Drums Max Roach! Are You Guys Even Serious???

  ~ by T\\\' 8/26/2009

  

• niel peart number 1 and keith moon is where he should be

  ~ by fasfdffsfff 8/29/2009

  

• Just goes to show you how may do not know who was the greatest drummer ever? Buddy Rich would put them all to shame . Buddy Rich was the reason why drummers breathe. Like Gene Krupa said Buddy Richwas the greatest drummer to draw breath.

  ~ by Tony 9/3/2009

  

• This is an absolute JOKE!......The single drummer having the greatest impact on 20th century music? Steve Gadd...played on EVERYTHING!... The Foo Fighters drummer? WTF? How about Bernard Purdy?, Dennis Chambers?, Art Blakey?...who ever put this together doesn't have a fucking clue.

  ~ by Robert 9/6/2009

  

• i'll give ya the fact that organizing 50 drummers into one list is no easy task...but seriously, some of the men ranked on this list are WAY to low, and having John Bonham as number one, thats absurd...sure top 10, but definitely not number one. And the fact that you have Portnoy and Jordison sooo low on this list is disgraceful.

  ~ by Eric Cole 9/11/2009

  

• Umm, where's Vinnie Colaiuta? Portnoy, Peart and Rich should all have been higher as well.

  ~ by Anon 9/11/2009

  

• Hey the drummer from Def Leppard is awesome for one arm.. and hes actually really good if he had two arms. I think Keith Moon should have been number one thou

  ~ by arrwerewrpoop 9/14/2009

  

• shut up cunt you know nothing about drumming and the music industry as a whole cunt fucking cunt CUNTNT

  ~ by ANDY IS A CUNT 9/15/2009

  

• Jaki Liebezeit and Drumbo are conspicuously missing, jerks.

  ~ by Dude 9/16/2009

  

• John Bonham at number 1?! Really!!! WOW!! Didn't see that one coming .

  ~ by Adam 9/16/2009

  

• Vinnie Colaiuta? Dave Weckl? Steve Gadd? Why isn't Neil Peart #2 and Buddy Rich #1? This list has Meg White, therefore, it's invalid.

  ~ by Anonymouse 9/17/2009

  

• Damn right that Neil Peart is in the top 10! have you ever seen his list of prizes he won?! they even made an apart wikipedia page for only his prizes xD! pretty good list =D

  ~ by Joost 9/18/2009

  

• how is whats her face from the white stripes on the list she sounds like a baby hitting pots and pans

  ~ by aaron g 9/24/2009

  

• Props for including Krupa and Rich, but this list is heavy on white rock/pop/alt drummers and ignores jazz legends Jones, Roach, Haynes, Cobham, DeJohnette, Acuna, Erskine, etc. Also missing are session people: Purdie, Gadd, Marotta, Keltner. Finally no international folks: Zakir Hussain and other masterful Latin American, African & Asian percussionists. More balance is needed. Pick a couple huge/influential metal drummers or classic rock drummers and move on to cover all the bases.

  ~ by Alan 10/2/2009

  

  • It's because the person who made this list has no clue.

    ~ by Al 10/6/2009

• John Bonham deserves number one!!!

  ~ by Zeppelin Starr Johnson 10/6/2009

  

• I think Rick Allen deserves #2 or #3 come on how many one armed drummers do you know that is that dang good!!! And I think Neal Peart deserves #3 for sure because his drum solos are amazing plus without Neal Peart there wouldn't be a Rush.

  ~ by Zeppelin Starr Johnson 10/6/2009

  

• Did the KKK make this list? There is not ONE F-cking black dude on this whole list!!! man-o-man

  ~ by Miles 10/12/2009

  

• Wow, Tool drummer beat Neil Peart, and as if Neil Peart can't equal and surpass anything John Bonham ever attempted(rest in peace).

  ~ by Nathan 10/17/2009

  

• Ringo and Charlie Watt is not even in the top 20? I like chamberlin's drumming but i think he's placed a little too high, maybe top 10

  ~ by Greyhowned 10/17/2009

  

• Where is Tim Alexander of Primus? That guy has some of the most complex beats and funky time signatures i have ever heard

  ~ by Syd Kid 10/21/2009

  

• Where's Timbuktu, where's Prada, where's Wally?

  ~ by Rude Luvver 10/22/2009

  

• John Henry Bonham, Moby Dick Dick Dick, Awesome Words R.I.P John

  ~ by Dilz 10/24/2009

  

• Where's Carter Beauford???

  ~ by Pissed-off Drummer 10/25/2009

  

• Danny Carey rocks my fucking socks. I'm so glad they put him really high up. I don't mind that Keith Moon and John Bonham are higher. They are legends. But YES!!! Danny Fucking Carey!!!

  ~ by Polyrhythmic 10/25/2009

  

• What about Max Weinberg?

  ~ by BadHatHarry 10/25/2009

  

• Danny Carey deserves to be No 1 or No 2. Danny and Zeppelin's drummer are two most creative drummers ever walked on earth. Gods of drum sticks. But TOOL is more progressive and more advanced band than Zeppelin, so i'd say Danny Carey should be No.1

  ~ by Mentty 10/26/2009

  

• Who voted in this poll, Guitar players???

  ~ by timbale 10/30/2009

  

• I cannot believe Gil Moore from Triumph is not on this list. Phill Collins -- seriously????

  ~ by triuph fan 10/30/2009

  

• Neil seems a bit more experienced than Danny Carey. My ears castigate after I hear Danny. When Neil plays, I’m left feeling elevated and more ready to tackle a big project.

  ~ by Doriguin 11/1/2009

  

• uhh... where's buddy rich in the #1 spot?

  ~ by Niko 11/1/2009

  

• Where's Richie Hayward of Little FEAT

  ~ by Chris 11/3/2009

  

• This list is a mother fucking travesty. There is nothing more that can be said for it.

  ~ by That guy. 11/4/2009

  

• Sorry, I love rock and rock drummers but have seen nobody play like Buddy Rich. Should have been number one!

  ~ by C 11/11/2009

  

• Is Jeff Porcaro in this list?

  ~ by Gabe1972 11/12/2009

  

• esta lista se puede decir que es muy buena me gusto mucho que haigas puesto a taylor hawkins(foo fighters) y a dave grohl(nirvana) y sin duda como hibas a dejas afuera a lars ulrich(metallica). aprte de esto queria decir otra cosa, que aunque lars ulrich bajo mucho para mi el sigue siendo el mejor bateriasta del mundo hasta que se muera soy un gran fan de metallica y de lars por eso digo esto pero que te digo es una exelente lista.

  ~ by samm 11/14/2009

  

• Lars Ulrich in the top 50 makes this list a complete joke.

  ~ by Bombadier 3 days 6 hours ago

  

 characters left [+]  

Name:

Register now and have your comments approved automatically!

• Music Legends Playing Gibson Les Paul Guitars- photos
• Rock Stars On The Beach! - photos
• The 51st Grammy Awards In Pictures- photos
• Led Zeppelin On/Off Saga - I'm Past Caring! - blog
• 50 Music Anniversaries In 2009 - photos
• EuroMillions Winners Hope To Buy Led Zeppelin Mansion- News
• Led Zeppelin Scrap Plans To Tour Without Robert Plant- News
• Them Crooked Vultures Supergroup Posts First New Material- News

• BuyLed Zeppelin T Shirts now!All the latest designs available!
• More Led Zeppelin articles »

• 
  Are people still surprised? RT @Gigwise: Leona Lewis and X Factor Finalists' Michael Jackson Cover Top UK Charts: The talent show dominates
  GabsyC on Sun Nov 22 20:04:58 via UberTwitter
• 
  RT @Gigwise: Lady Gaga To Perform For The Queen In London: At the Royal Variety Performance... http://bit.ly/5gj2VO *can you imagine it?+
  mistadee on Sat Nov 21 21:07:21 via Tweetie
• 
  RT @Gigwise: Lady Gaga To Perform For The Queen In London: At this year's Royal Variety Performance... http://bit.ly/5gj2VO
  evatography on Sat Nov 21 17:02:38 via UberTwitter
• 
  MOTHERFUCKING YES!!! RT @Gigwise: Daft Punk 'To Play London and Manchester Shows In 2010': It's reported... http://bit.ly/CQsc8
  christog on Fri Nov 20 22:47:41 via TweetDeck
• 
  RT @Gigwise: Gibson Guitars Raided Over Alleged Use Of Rare Madagascan Timber: Their Tennessee HQ is stormed... http://tinyurl.com/y96zc2s
  SheyMcfez on Fri Nov 20 17:14:17 via Gravity

• White Lies Storm London's Brixton Academy - PHOTOS
• Arctic Monkeys Take Humbug To Wembley Arena - Photos
• Lily Allen Takes A Tumble and Pours Herself A Pint In Manchester
• More photos »