The Best Drummers of All Time: 14 Iconic Drummers Who Shaped Music History
Why are we so enthralled with learning about the greatest drummers of all time? I have a theory. It’s for the same reason we watch movies like The Matrix or read books like The Alchemist. We want to be inspired. Maybe we are even thinking about our own “coming of age” stories. I’m not going to lie to you all and say I haven’t daydreamt about Laurence Fishburne coming up to me and offering the red pill and the blue pill, where one would show me the inside of the matrix of drumming and the other would keep me blissfully ignorant (seems like a much easier choice in my case though). The truth is that we want to learn from these historically talented drummers so maybe we can become one ourselves, or at least become a little better. The percussion masters in this list have shaped entire genres, and we're about to dive into their epic stories.
1. Baby Dodds - Jazz Drumming Pioneer
Gottlieb, W. P. (1946) Portrait of Baby Dodds, Ole South, New York, N.Y., ca. De. United States, 1946. , Monographic. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/gottlieb.10851/
Born in 1898, Warren (Baby) Dodds was a pioneer of early jazz drumming in New Orleans. He has been credited as the first drummer to feature a bass drum in a recording. It is also believed that his 1946 instructional movie may have been the first drumming instructional movie ever made. He combined his expertise in parade drumming with his African roots to solidify the jazz drumming style. He played with the likes of Louis Armstrong and influenced many future drummers.
2. Gene Krupa - it does mean a thing, because he’s got that swing
Gottlieb, W. P. (1946) Portrait of Gene Krupa, 400 Restaurant, New York, N.Y., ca. June. United States, 1946. , Monographic. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/gottlieb.05431/
Speaking of the many drummers influenced by Baby Dodds, Gene Krupa was the sultan of swing drumming and a disciple of Dodds himself. His innovative drumming style was characterized by explosive solos and driving rhythms, which became synonymous with the swing movement, setting dance floors on fire and shaping the course of music history. The video below gives a small taste, but explore other videos of Krupa to see his unique sticking patterns and big solos. He undoubtedly deserves to be in the list among the best drummers ever.
3. Buddy rich - the virtuoso of jazz drumming
If you haven’t already heard of Buddy Rich, you might just be missing out on the greatest drummer of all time. Not to worry, we will catch you up. Buddy Rich was a contemporary of Gene Krupa, even engaging in at least one drum battle with Rich. But even Krupa seemingly admitted that Rich was the better drummer, one time calling Rich “the greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath.” Rich’s raw power and lightning-fast fills characterized his mesmerizing big band style of drumming. He appeared on countless late night shows and other media throughout his career and played with Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, and was a band leader himself.
4. Keith moon - the wild rhythms of the who
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Take a wild ride with “Moon the Loon,” the explosive drummer behind The Who's legendary sound. Inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1982, Moon was known for his unparalleled on-stage energy and showmanship, smashing his drum kit at the end of many shows. He played drums with power as well as skill, redefining rock drumming until his early death in September of 1978 due to an overdose.
5. John Bonham - the powerhouse of led zeppelin
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Meet the thunderous driving force of rock and roll, John (“Bonzo”) Bonham, the beating heart of Led Zeppelin. Bonham had a seismic impact on music. His powerful and precise drumming were the signatures of his success, but you can also hear blues and jazz influences in his grooves. Discover how his colossal beats and intricate patterns elevated Led Zeppelin's sound, leaving an indomitable legacy in rock history.
6. Clyde Stubblefield - funk’s groove master
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Inspired by the rhythm of industrial sounds like factories and trains as a kid, Clyde Stubblefield was the unsung hero of funk. He was a professional drummer by his late teens and played for renowned names like Otis Redding and James Brown. Stubblefield's pocket-perfect grooves and innovative drumming techniques reshaped funk music, laying the foundation for countless dance floors and inspiring generations of musicians. His groove from the song “Funky Drummer” by James Brown has been sampled more than 7,000,000 times.
7. Bernard Purdie - the purdie shuffle maestro
Get into the groove with Bernard Purdie, the mastermind behind the legendary "Purdie Shuffle." Make no mistake though, although he was known for this famous groove, he was extremely versatile. He played with every artist from Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, and James Brown, to Steely Dan and The Rolling Stones. He recorded on over 3,000 albums and his legacy continues as he still plays at the age of 84. The only things matched by his drumming abilities are his spirit and attitude as you can see in this video.
8. Billy cobham - fusion’s greatest drummer
Born in Panama in 1944, Billy Cobham was a master of fusion of jazz, funk, and rock. Not only did Cobham record with some of the greats like Miles Davis, he was a prolific band leader in his own right, forming several of his own bands before focusing more on session recording in his later years. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1987.
9. Stewart copeland - rock experimentation with the police
Famed drummer and co-founding member of The Police, Stewart Copeland drew influences from a variety of different music genres culminating in a unique style like no other drummer. Although he was born in the U.S., he spent much of his childhood living in Egypt, Lebanon, and England. It seems he learned quite a bit from those experiences, as he implements jazz, Arabic, reggae, and other genres into his playing style. Oh, and by the way, he also won 7 Grammys. Fun fact: as you’ll see above, he also played for the band Oysterhead.
10. neil peart - the drumming dynamo of rush
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Inarguably the most popular drummer of modern times, Neil Peart was the virtuoso behind Rush's iconic progressive rock sound. His solos were both powerful and lyrical. He mastered playing with different time signatures. On top of being one of the most well-known drummers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, he also wrote many of Rush’s songs, was an author, and an avid traveler on his motorcycle.
11. Dave Lombardo - aggressive beats with slayer
Prepare to unleash your inner metalhead with Dave Lombardo, the driving force behind Slayer's relentless assault on the senses. Lombardo's contributions to the world of metal included aggressive and lightning-fast beats that defined a genre. His drumming intensity elevated Slayer to thrash metal legends and left an indelible mark on the realm of heavy metal music.
12. sheila e - queen of percussion
Meet a member of rock royalty, Sheila E, a trailblazing female drummer and percussionist who reigns as the “Queen of Percussion.” Sheila E's electrifying stage presence and impeccable timing have made her a standout figure in the music industry. She’s played with Prince, The George Duke Band, and several others before going solo in the 1980s. From pop to funk to Latin rhythms, she's broken gender barriers while leaving her mark on percussion and drumming. Her dynamic beats and enduring influence showcase the power of women in shaping the rhythm of music history.
13. thomas lang - double bass master of contemporary drumming
Now we’re stepping into the modern era of drumming with Thomas Lang, a native of Vienna, Austria who's redefining the limits of percussion. His double bass technique and technical abilities are unmatched. He’s played as a session drummer with a long list of well known artists, including Tina Turner, Kelly Clarkson, Victoria Beckham, The Commodores, and George Michael just to name a few. He is also a lecturer and teacher at clinics and festivals around the world.
14. jojo mayer - modern fusion in electronic music
According to Modern Drummer magazine, Jojo Mayer is “destined for Drum God status.” Hailing from Zurich, Switzerland, Mayer's cutting-edge approach to rhythm has staked his claim in shaping the electronic music landscape. He is a true innovator who has applied his vast technical skills in likely the most eclectic variety of music genres of any drummer, conquering everything from jazz to house music, techno, and electronic club music. He has played with famous names like Dizzy Gillespie, as well as the Vienna Art Orchestra and various DJs, touring the world as a live and session drummer.
who do you think belongs on this list?
Narrowing down so many great historical drummers into a list of the 14 best drummers of all time is certainly not an easy task, and there is A LOT of room for debate, controversy, and friendly disagreement. I admit that there were many others I would have liked to have included. With that being said, who do you think should be added to this list? Or maybe who do you think should not be on this list? Leave a note in the comments and we can debate these questions until we’re ready to forget our differences and retire to our respective drum caves. Remember to always be respectful of others in your comments and keep an open mind. Maybe you’ll find a new perspective.