This year features the trailblazers that have had a tremendous impact on our drumming community throughout the last year, influenced by your voices on social media and the like. Antonio Snchez is best known for his work with Pat Metheny. After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston in the early 1970s, Colaiuta found his first big break with Frank Zappa. When you're in a band with Jimi Hendrix, you automatically take a backseat. Carter Beauford has also worked with Vertical Horizon, Santana, Bla Fleck, and Victor Wooten. 1,830 talking about this. He joined the band in 1995 and continued to record and perform with them until the end of 2013. Girls! In the minds of Rush fans and progressive rock enthusiasts, Neil Peart is a god. Recommended Albums: Skin Deep Louis Bellson, Are You Ready For This! Buddy Rich & Louis Bellson. Its risky to follow me, because Ive somehow managed to make a path playing simple. The player behind the drums typically stays in the background, letting the singer or guitarist shine. Neil Peart was a Canadian songwriter, author, and musician. It wasnt until Adler was 21 years old that he decided to start playing the drums instead of the bass guitar. I want to say thank you to all the readers of MD. Jeff Porcaros drumming was a staple of the pop/rock sound from the 1970s through to the 1990s. Recommended Albums: Paranoid Black Sabbath, Master of Reality Black Sabbath. As a child, Stubblefields first rhythmic influences were the sounds of trains and factories near his home. Mitchell was a true musician, something required when playing with Hendrix, whose highly technical skill showcased on songs like "Manic Depression" and "Fire" made him a major influence on the likes of Roger Taylor and Stewart Copeland. His crisp, articulate snare drum sound has been a staple of his playing since his early days. Songs like "Dream Police" and "Surrender" are where he shined most, showcasing the influence bands like The Who and Cream had on Cheap Trick's music. Recommended Albums: Frontiers Journey, Vital Information Vital Information. Drummer Alex Cohen and Progressive Death Metal Masters Contrarian will release Sage of Shekhinah, the band's 5th album, on March 17 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats via Willowtip Records.The album's first single, "In Gehenna," has been premiered courtesy of Heavy Blog is Heavy.. Recommended Albums: Abbey Road The Beatles, Ringo Ringo Starr. Greb began playing the drums at the age of six. He started playing the drums when he was two years old and was performing by the age of six. His recording resume is also extensive. After listening to The Joy of Motion, his first album with Animals as Leaders, many of his childhood influences are evident. 's, Jackson Jr. played on songs by Al Green, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and others. Who else would you have included? His knowledge of rhythm and melody is displayed in his metal drumming through his composed drum parts as well as through his improvised solos. Bruford has received recognition for his use of complex sticking patterns, rhythmic displacement, metric modulation, and odd meters. Some of his early influences were Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, and Rick Marotta. Having been mentored by Jeff Porcaro himself, Laboriel was bound for success. Williams was one of the first drum set players to apply these rhythmic concepts to jazz music. Recommended Albums: Bookends Simon & Garfunkel, Strangers in the Night Frank Sinatra. Since the 1980s, Cindy Blackman Santana has made a name for herself as one of the worlds leading rock, jazz, and fusion drummers. Its so cool to be included in this, and to be amongst such good company. Peart or Bonham? That means no Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Elvin Jones, Steve Gadd, Mike. Some of his earliest gigs were with his fathers Dixieland jazz band. He must fake it pretty well then when creating one of the best rhythm sections in rock history with Fleetwood Mac. Recommended Albums: The Evolution of Tony Royster Jr. Soundtrack Tony Royster Jr. & ASAP, Megalithic Symphony AWOLNATION. I can do the gospel-chops thing, but I know a million of those gospel drummers who cant play a straight break to save their life. [From his June 2010 cover story.]. Whitesnake - Cozy Powell Drum Solo - Germany 1983 (remastered) Cozy Powell was an English rock drummer who appeared on over 66 albums by leading . Recommended Albums: The Glamorous Life Sheila E., Romance 1600 Sheila E. Nicko McBrain is recognized for being a member of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Recommended Albums: City of Evil Avenged Sevenfold, Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold. Robert Christgau once described Williams as "probably the best drummer in the world." 10. King, Paul Simon, Public Enemy, and Run-DMC. 6 Mitch Mitchell Mitch Mitchell was the drummer who backed Jimi Hendrix throughout the infamous guitarist's entire career. Were you surprised by any them? It stands as one of the greatest drumming onslaughts in hard-rock history, holding its own even when Eddie's wizardry comes into play. If youve ever listened to Take Five or Blue Rondo la Turk, then youve heard Morello. 9) Chad Smith Chad Smith is the drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers, one of the most successful rock bands of the past 30 years. Recommended Albums: Nothing Like the Sun Sting, So Peter Gabriel. Mike took it to his lab, and he and I mixed it at Village studios in Los Angeles with Gabe Burch. Recommended Albums: The Way Up Pat Metheny Group, Lines in the Sand Antonio Snchez & Migration. Recommended Albums: Master Plan Dave Weckl, The Chick Corea Elektric Band Chick Corea. Or We Are the Champions without his explosive cymbal shots leading into each chorus? Congratulations also to all the other incredible artists who were also nominated in this category. Recommended Albums: Music From Big Pink The Band, The Band The Band. Not many drummers can say that they were performing professionally by the age of nine, but Carter Beauford can. Barker began playing the drums when he was four years old. . Dave Grohl cymbals Dave Grohl uses a Zildjian set of cymbals, including: 15 A Custom Hi-Hats 18 A Custom Crash 20 A Custom Crash 22 A Custom Ride Recommended Albums: Sheik Yerbouti Frank Zappa, Danger Money U.K. Over the years, many world-renowned rock drummers have credited Mitch Mitchell as a significant influence. As the drummer for Elvis Presley for a decade and a half, D.J. But what he did do was establish the beat and tempo for punk rock, something every punk musician who came after copied in some way. Recommended Albums: Close to the Edge Yes, Red King Crimson. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013. Revisit our 1979 cover story on the founding father of the modern drumset:. She is also known for carrying the legacy of one of her heroes, Tony Williams, forward in both her playing and in her clinics. The player behind the drums typically stays in the background, letting the singer or guitarist shine. Philly Joe Jones was the drummer for Miles Davis First Great Quintet during the late 1950s. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency, and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina. And his anchoring of the expansive tunes on "Selling England by the Pound" is downright epic. GearPearl drums, Istanbul cymbals, Evans heads, Promark sticks and brushes. Matt would have absolutely no businesses attending this. Phil Collins performs on many complicated tracks just like these, continuously demonstrating his musical and technical abilities. By age 16, he was drumming professionally. Every time Sly Stone wanted to switch up sounds, he did so knowing Ericco could handle it with ease. Keith Moon was the drummer for The Who during the 1960s and 1970s. 40 Drum Rudiments His recording and touring portfolio is beyond impressive. His career in the United States led him to work with countless artists including Weather Report, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Chick Corea, Whitney Houston, Santana, John Patitucci, and Herbie Hancock. But, as many know, Phil Collins career took off as one of the best drummers in the world with one of the greatest progressive-rock bands. including performing with them during their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Palmers early influences are evident through his showmanship, which he always showcases during his live drum solos, as well as through his jazz-influenced vocabulary. He began playing the drums when he was seven years old. His astonishing career begins at the age of 7 with his first drum kit. The magazine Modern Drummer, the most well-respected published work on drumming, named Krupa the first drummer in their Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. Mark Guiliana has shared the stage with some of todays greatest jazz and contemporary artists. Jojo Mayer, Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer, Part II (DVD) Recorded Performance, Audio James Gadson, and Chris Dave, Black Messiah (D'Angelo and the Vanguard) Recorded Performance, Video Mike Mangini, Breaking the Fourth Wall (Dream Theater) 2015 [ezcol_1half id="" class="" style=""] Hall of Fame Ian Paice MVP Ray Luzier Studio He is best known for his work with The Aristocrats, but he has also collaborated with Joe Satriani, Plini, Paul Gilbert, Steven Wilson, Jordan Rudess, Tony MacAlpine, and Tony Levin. Weinberg started drumming when he was six years old. Max Roach Max Roach is one of the most famous drummers in history and among the first to play the bebop style. In this detailed chapter from The Drummer's Toolbox, you'll learn how to play ten styles of funk and soul on the drums. Rich began playing the drums when he was 18 months old in vaudeville, and he became an official bandleader when he was 11 years old. Birthdate: September 12, 1952. Recommended Albums: Falling in Between Live Toto, Oceana Derek Sherinian. Recommended Albums: Back In Black AC/DC, Highway To Hell AC/DC. Video Drum Lessons, Drumeo Membership In addition to playing with The Who, Keith Moon also worked with Jeff Beck, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Nicky Hopkins, as well as the Plastic Ono Band. Recommended Albums: Vivid Living Colour, Celebrating Elvin Jones Will Calhoun. Recommended Albums: Slipknot Slipknot, Iowa Slipknot. His most iconic rhythm is in the song " Rosanna ". Josh Freese is known for his work as a touring and session drummer. Queen's sound was heavy and big, often bordering on operatic. He understood the role of the drum set in a jazz setting which allowed him to focus more on supporting the melody in a rock setting. At the age of 20, Cameron moved to Seattle. And so I present to you my top ten tough living baseball player autographs. He has also worked with Intergalactic Maiden Ballet, John Medeski, David Fiuczynski, and Janek Gwizdala. We invite our readers, artists and industry colleagues to cast their votes on-line using a digital ballot available at classicdrummer.com. King, Howlin Wolf, and Rocket 88. At 10 years old, he was already performing in a variety of different bands. To understand Terminal Spirit Disease is to go back in time. Dave Lombardo is known for being the original drummer of the thrash metal band Slayer. Modern Drummer has always been a reference point in the drumming community, and it means a lot to me that I won in the metal category. Its not just about winning, but being honest with your art and getting recognized for it. He is considered one of the most recorded drummers in history and has worked with some of the top musicians in the industry. Sometimes called the Mississippi Bigfoot, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie was considered the session legend of the 1960s and '70s, and his career even spanned well into the 1990s. Modern Drummer is also available on the internet . For as much as the guitar riff on "Smoke on the Water" serves as a starting point for many guitarists, so does Paice's drum work. Her playing style regularly incorporates ideas based on odd note groupings, subdivisions like quintuplets and septuplets, and linear patterns. In addition to playing with Lamb of God, he has more recently worked with Testament, Protest the Hero, and Megadeth. GearYamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals and sticks, Remo heads. He started playing the drums when he was three years old and was playing professionally by the time he graduated from high school. DANNY CAREY has been selected as a nominee in the 2022 Modern Drummer Readers Poll in the category of PROGRESSIVE ROCK for his incredible & inspiring contributions to the world of drumming. His first introduction to drumming was from watching parade drummers. This concept not only allowed drummers to keep time with the ride cymbal, but it also allowed drummers to modify the ride cymbal pattern to accent different parts of the melody and comp for soloists. The Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame Award, the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame Award and the Jazz Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award are just a few of his numerous honors. His unique style, which integrates elements of traditional jazz with hip-hop and electronic elements, has made him one of the worlds most in-demand drummers. White helped push Yes into a bigger band, one that could fill stadiums with its sound. Over the years, Katch has toured and recorded with many others artists including Jeff Beck, Dire Straits, Tracy Chapman, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, Joe Satriani, and Tears for Fears. He was known for being the drummer of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Rudd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. More recently, Seraphine has been working with his own project, California Transit Authority. Recommended Albums: Awake Dream Theater, Black Clouds & Silver Linings Dream Theater. Max Weinberg was also the bandleader on late night talk shows Late Night with Conan OBrien and The Tonight Show with Conan OBrien., Recommended Albums: Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen, Live/1975-85 Bruce Springsteen. Recommended Albums: Sacrament Lamb of God, Volition Protest the Hero. James Forbes Chapin (/ t e p n / CHAY-pin) (July 23, 1919 - July 4, 2009) was an American jazz drummer and the author of books about jazz drumming.He was the author of several albums (later converted to CDs) on jazz drumming, as well as 2 CDs entitled Jim Chapin: Songs, Solos, Stories (Vols. When he was young, his greatest influences were Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon, and John Bonham. He was the drummer for a group called 'smile' before he joined Queen and gave smashing hits such as the Bohemian Rhapsody. In addition to being the frontman of the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl was also the drummer for the grunge band Nirvana during the 1990s. Cozy Powell. From 1989 on, Chad Smith was the guy for Red Hot Chili Peppers, merging elements of rock and funk with a loose style like no other modern drummer. He is remembered especially for his work with The Jimi Hendrix Experience. His career began in the late 1970s, and he continues to perform today. Since the 1990s, Manu Katch has also released a number of solo albums. His grooves were unmistakable. Oh, but Roger Taylor was right up there with them, sometimes penning some of Queen's hit songs. GearDW drums, Roland V-drums, Meinl Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads, Audix microphones, Ahead Armor cases, Queens Guard accessories, Puresound snare wires, Drumtacs mufflers, Tuner Fish lug locks. Neil Peart was the drummer for the progressive rock band Rush. Each drummer on this list has impacted the drumming world in a significant way. His jazz influences had a significant impact on the way he played throughout his career. In 1992, he was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. And that makes sense, considering U2's Larry Mullen Jr. grew up playing in such an ensemble. Beck won eight Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: once with the Yardbirds in 1992 and again as a solo artist in 2009. Birthplace: Hamilton, Canada. David Garibaldis complexity and musicality raised the bar worldwide for drummers approaching funk music. Charlie's drumming was a major part of The Rolling Stones' success, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Recording this album with my dear friend Mix Master Mike was a total blast! Recommended Albums: Blue Train John Coltrane, Milestones Miles Davis. For more than 40 years, Steve Gadd has been one of the most in-demand drummers in the world. Chamberlins mixture of jazz and rock influences have allowed him to develop a playing style that effectively blends elements from both styles from fast, smooth press rolls to heavy rimshots and backbeats. The Seattle drummer currently plays with Pearl Jam. Lars Ulrich is the drummer for the heavy metal band Metallica. By learning how to play all of these different styles, Garstka set himself up for success. Having played drums since the age of two, Virgil Donati is regarded as one of the most technically proficient drummers in the world. Recommended Albums: The Big Beat Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Caravan Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. He started drumming when he was four years old. Barker is known for his ability to play grooves and fills at blistering fast tempos and for his heavy-hitting playing style. Toll Free: 1-800-439-8921 / Direct: 1-604-855-7605 / Contact Us, Musora Media, Inc. 2023 - Terms/Privacy/Jobs/Brand Guide. Writing, recording, and performing with Chicago from the late 60s until the early 90s meant that his drumming would be heard by millions of fans and musicians worldwide. Recommended Albums: Big Swing Face Buddy Rich Big Band, Swingin New Big Band Buddy Rich Big Band. Oct 12, 2008. In addition to working with Coltrane, he also worked with Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Ornette Coleman, Thad Jones, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, and Lee Konitz. Recommended Albums: Black Radio Robert Glasper Experiment, Standard of Language Kenny Garrett. Look out for much more drumming education and entertainment coming your way.. Peart received numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1983, making him the youngest person ever so honoured. His drum grooves are frequently sampled by hip-hop artists and have appeared in works by Ice Cube, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC to name a few. But he's played on memorable recordings for Jeff Beck, John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Jefferson Starship, David Bowie, Lou Reed and others. Take a listen to the beginning of Burn, and youll know what we mean. Growing up playing jazz, Keltner developed a relaxed, loose feel behind the drums which has contributed to his signature sound on so many albums. Recommended Albums: Bad Michael Jackson, Back in the High Life Steve Winwood, Max Weinberg has been the drummer for Bruce Springsteens E Street Band since 1974. Let's dive in and see who are the best metal drummers all time. Hoglan started playing the drums when he was 13 years old. McBrains drumming hero was the great Joe Morello of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Modern Drummer is the world's #1 drumming resource since 1977. Some notable artists hes worked with include Toto, Judas Priest, The Who, Jeff Beck, Derek Sherinian, Michael Schenker, David Coverdale, David Gilmour, Frank Zappa, and Mick Jagger. He has performed with a wide range of artists including Ringo Starr, David Lee Roth, Maynard Ferguson, Enrique Iglesias, Santana, Ozzy Osbourne, Ray Charles, and Steve Vai. Recommended Albums: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid Bob Dylan, Walls and Bridges John Lennon. Phillips earliest influences were Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, and Ian Paice. Louis Bellson is known for being the first drummer to use two bass drums. In the 40 years since Danny Seraphine's rst appearance on the cover on Modern . I want to thank all the people who voted, as well as Modern Drummer for its ongoing and extremely important service to our music world.. Jaimoe's contributions to the improvisations and double-time drumming on songs like "Whipping Post" made The Allman Brothers' sound so essential to Southern Rock. Jonathan Moffett is best known for his live performance work with Michael Jackson. Heck, even John Lennon joked he wasn't the best drummer in the Beatles. He started playing the drums when he was a teenager. He probably has at least a dozen of the greatest drumming performances in music history. Recommended Albums: Out of the Afternoon Roy Haynes Quartet, Now He Sings, Now He Sobs Chick Corea, Jeff Porcaro was the original drummer for the rock band Toto. It's rare. In addition to playing with Miles, Cobb has worked some of the most iconic names in jazz: John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Wynton Kelly, Wes Montgomery, Wayne Shorter, and Sarah Vaughan. He was also involved in marching band when he was young, which heavily contributed to his playing style on the drum set. Given that he was the drummer for Buddy Holly & the Crickets, there probably isn't a rock 'n' roll drummer who came after Jerry Allison that didn't feel his impact. Octobans, high-pitched snare drums, and effect cymbals allowed him to authentically incorporate sounds associated with other styles of music from around the world. Jordan has had the chance to work with artists in pop, rock, country, jazz, fusion, and folk music, only to name a few. In this detailed chapter from The Drummer's Toolbox, you'll learn how to play ten styles of funk and soul on the drums. In 1983, Neil Peart became the youngest person ever to be inducted into the Modern Drummer publication's Readers Poll Hall of Fame. 1996 DRUMMER CAFE ARTICLES: . Terry Bozzio is most famous for his work with Frank Zappa which began in the 1970s. 1 hits, including "I Get Around," "Surf City," "Good Vibrations," "Mrs. Robinson," "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "He's a Rebel." He is both technical and diverse in his sound. 3 Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment) Michael Portnoy is an American drummer primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and a co-founder of the progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater. Recommended Albums: Eat Em and Smile David Lee Roth, Supernatural Santana. Toto helped pioneer the best soft rock sound. In 1984, Steve Gadd was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. During his early years, his primary areas of focus included rock, fusion, and thrash metal. Recommended Albums: Ghosts of Tomorrow Nerve, Lunar Crash David Fiuczynski & John Medeski. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Union Home Mortgage Plaza 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216.781.ROCK (7625) The region now has a handful of airports taking international flights. He also performed with Brian Haner, Suburban Legends, and Pinkly Smooth. Its that time again for the Modern Drummer staff to thank the community for making possible our annual Readers Poll. Jimmy Chamberlin is known for his work with The Smashing Pumpkins. 8 . Collins paved the way for progressive rock drummers that would come after him. When he began playing the drums at the age of 15, many great drummers inspired him including Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Ringo Starr, and Charles Connor. ", When you're a member of the Rolling Stones, you're automatically one of the most influential performers in music history. Recommended Albums: Tower of Power Tower of Power, Back to Oakland Tower of Power. I love the essence of all their playing, and their sense of commitment. Known for his power, energy, flawless technique, and his incredible hand speed, Buddy Rich is widely considered one of, if not the most, influential drummers of all time. Aldridge would go on to perform with artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Black Oak Arkansas, Ted Nugent, Motrhead, Thin Lizzy, Yngwie Malmsteen, and the Pat Travers Band. John and Myron do a deep dive into Myron's famous drum kits from the 1980s, which were some of the most visually creative and unique drum kits ever . Some of Tomas Haakes greatest influences include Neil Peart, Sean Reinert, Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Gary Husband. Having recorded on thousands of albums throughout his career, Jim Keltner is known as one of the greatest session drummers of all time. Marco Minnemann has taken drum set playing to a whole new level. Gavin Harrison is known for his creative and complex approach to playing the drums. He appears on more than 120 albums by artists including Dave Brubeck, Gary Burton, Paul Desmond, Dick Schory, Art Pepper, and Hank Garland. - We're professional, award-winning drummers and drum teachers, coaches, recording artists, and content specialists who are passionate about drums and helping drummers around the world. John Bonham appeared on every album that Led Zeppelin released. By the time he was a teenager, he had already begun playing jazz, fusion, and Latin music. Recommended Albums: Siamese Dream The Smashing Pumpkins, Love Supreme Collective Frank Catalano. Recommended Albums: Heavy Weather Weather Report, Touchstone Chick Corea. Before working with Dream Theater, Mangini worked with an array of artists including Steve Vai, Annihilator, Extreme, Tribe of Judah, James LaBrie, Eric Johnson, and Joe Satriani. He also demonstrates ambidexterity behind the drum set. Its such an honor to be recognized by all of you fellow drummers.. It's easy to hear Tre Cool's punk roots in his drumming for Green Day, especially the band's early material, which set the groundwork for pop punk. Tony Williams began playing the drums and studying with Alan Dawson when he was eight years old. Danny Carey is the drummer for the progressive rock band Tool. When we want to laugh? P4 Practice Pad Rich gained international attention for such master compositions as his 10-minute West Side Story medley. But he's the fuel that lights the Stones' fire. Throughout his career, he became known for using large drum set configurations that incorporated up to four bass drums, octobans, roto toms, and gongs! This is also an evolving list that, like opinions, can shift over time. Bonhams early influences were many of the jazz greats including Max Roach, Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich. Since the 1990s, he has performed with Michel Camilo, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Steve Winwood, Santana, and Paquito DRivera. Viva La Rock!. His drumming also appears on albums by Scream, Tenacious D, Queens of the Stone Age, Probot, Nine Inch Nails, Them Crooked Vultures, and the Zac Brown Band. He is considered a pioneer of thrash metal and death metal drumming. That means no Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Elvin Jones, Steve Gadd, Mike Portnoy or Clyde Stubblefield (ironically, the man Brown directed his famous words toward). King, Kelly Clarkson, and many other artists. Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, and Carmine Appice would influence him later on in his career. These famous jazz drummers have pushed the style, inspired thousands, and even become household names. He even recorded on Michael Jacksons Thriller album and Pink Floyds The Wall album. David Garibaldi is the drummer for Tower of Power, and he is known as one of the greatest funk drummers of all time. Michael Shrieve is known for being Santanas original drummer. Bill Bruford was the original drummer for the progressive rock band Yes. GearYamaha drums, Paiste cymbals, Remo heads, Regal Tip sticks. Recommended Albums: Joes Garage Frank Zappa, Ten Summoners Tales Sting. Taylor was less technical than he was engulfing with his playing. Freddie Mercury was the star. When any drummer hears the opening guitar riff to Smells Like Teen Spirit, they cant help but wait in anticipation for Grohls legendary opening drum fill. And while no one adapted their drumming to the song better than Helm, it was clear when his drum served as the driving force on songs like "Up On Cripple Creek" and the slow-moving pace of "The Weight.". Recommended Albums: Chicago Transit Authority Chicago, Chicago Chicago. Purdie is also the inventor of the legendary half-time shuffle: the Purdie Shuffle. Some notable artists he has worked with include Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, James Brown, Hall & Oates, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. For today's article, we made a list of the best drummers of all time.