The Consequence Drummer Survey: 65 Drummers Name Their Favorite Drummers of All Time

The post The Consequence Drummer Survey: 65 Drummers Name Their Favorite Drummers of All Time appeared first on Consequence.

Consequence’s Drum Week couldn’t have come to fruition without the help of some of our favorite percussionists. After checking out all our drummers’ survey responses, see essential drumming albums and songs picked by Mike Portnoy, Charlie Benante, and Pixies’ David Lovering, and don’t forget to check out our list of the 100 Best Drummers of All Time.

The drums are a primal instrument. They connect us to our tribal past and our intrinsic fascination with rhythm; they can awaken emotions deep within us and leave us breathless from sheer force and volume.

The best drummers in history have all used these traits to their advantage, whether they were early pioneers like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, prog savants like Neil Peart and John Bonham, or barrier-breakers like Tony Royster Jr. and Sheila E. It’s through these artists and their foundational work behind the kit that we’re able to measure drumming’s widespread impact.

In our attempt to trace whose storied efforts have shined brightest throughout history for our list of the 100 Best Drummers of All Time, we asked over 60 drummers from a variety of genres to tell us who they would point to as the greatest ever. While their responses differed, a significant portion made it to our list — even some of those we surveyed scored a spot! But even if not all these selections made the cut for us, each percussionist listed here is held in the highest regard by the drummers who owe much of their musical identity to them.

So, join our drum circle and read on to see who drummers like Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy, Foo Fighters’ Josh Freese, Anthrax’s Charlie Benante, Pixies’ David Lovering, The Melvins’ Dale Crover, Florrie, and Weezer’s Patrick Wilson feel are the best to ever do it behind the kit.

Adam Bj?rk (Allt)

Buddy Rich: Maybe this wasn’t a surprise, the legendary jazz drummer with such power and control who has performed one of the greatest drum solos of all time. Seeing him, for example, playing “Birdland” live and seeing how he communicated with the others in the band was rare back then. Playing music with him as a big band jazz group must have been such joy.

Neil Peart: The drummer with the huge kit but who knew how and when to use it all. If you love groovy drum patterns, fills, complicated and fast fills, and someone who could keep pocket, well, he knew it all.

Lars Ulrich: The man that has gotten a lot of hate over the past years, but imagine hearing Metallica for the first time back in the ’80s, fast (very fast back then) metal drumming with fills that give you tons of energy from hearing. Imagine how many drummers that started playing with two bass drums/a double pedal after hearing him doing his thing… Well, at least I did.

Joey Jordison: The year is 1999, a bunch of dudes with masks and baggy overalls go up on stage and f*uck sh*t up. One of those dudes was their drummer, Joey Jordison. He might have been one of the fastest and most tight-playing drummers alive during this era. I’m positive he inspired so many young drummers out there to play fast and hit hard, just like metal music should be performed.

Mike Portnoy: Let me guess, you’ve heard him playing at some point, and right before you know it, he played something in like an 11/8 signature and you lost the hang of the section? He was the perfect drummer for Dream Theater and there is a reason why he came back to the band after so many years. He could both keep pocket and also play “The Dance of Eternity” (which only has like 127 time signature changes), which we all gotta agree is a masterpiece. Basically every drummer who was into a bit more progressive metal music learned that song at some point of their drumming carrier.

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AJ Viana (Cognitive, Hath)

George Kollias: In extreme music, it can be very easy to find a handful of grooves and fills to just keep falling back to throughout a track because they’re either comfortable or easy to implement. George, I feel, takes this in the opposite direction. He’s forever demonstrating his creativity and skill on every Nile track without ever feeling excessive.

Zach Lind: One word, consistency. Jimmy Eat World has always had excellent songs and really great arrangements, but the one thing that really glues it all together is definitely the drums. Zach’s feel around the kit really cant be overstated, and takes what may be a really simple foundation and elevates it into a master class on dynamics.

Jon Theodore: Jon currently plays with Queens of the Stone Age and is absolutely crushing it, but his work with The Mars Volta was what really made me pay attention. De-Loused in the Comatorium is a classic record in my opinion and the drums are one of the primary pillars that the album stands on, and is really a thesis statement to Jon’s style. Powerful, explosive, but never ever losing the pocket and pulse of the song.

Jamie Saint Merat: If creativity was a currency, Jamie would be the wealthiest man alive. At face value, Ulcerate could sound like the inside of a car engine. Just pounding along at various speeds and with a constant white noise in the background. But when you sit with it and take a second to listen to the riffs and nuance of the drums, it all starts to unpack itself. Jamie’s drumming really brings order to chaos and takes you on a guided journey with lots of linear grooves and unique spins to the classic blast beat and double bass patterns.

Gene Hoglan: It’s crazy to think that two of the most important records for me featured Gene as the drummer. Death’s Symbolic and Strapping Young Lad’s Alien records are absolutely perfect, and the drummer is a key piece to them. He has the reputation of being “The Atomic Clock” because of how incredibly tight he is as a player, and for some people, that would be a detriment because it would take away from having great feel or a strong presence behind the kit. Gene is the total package. He can play fast and complex parts, but then absolutely pound the drums to dust all while making it look effortless.

Arejay Hale (Halestorm)

John Bonham: The Groove. I truly believe leaving out John Bonham from a “greatest drummers of all time” list would be blasphemous! Nobody grooved better than Bonzo, his ability to push and pull the tempo could make you wanna jump up and down or almost fall over backwards while listening! I, like so many of my peers, consider him my best teacher when it comes to laying down a fat beat.

Eric Moore: The Chops. This is what you could call “drummer porn!!!” Some of the most fun and mind-blowing techniques to watch, Eric Moore’s chops are insanely high-energy but played with such grace. I find the trick with his smooth style is his ability to make the impossible sound so easy, to where attempting to recreate his vocabulary is like learning nuclear physics! The man is a damn drumming scientist!

Dave Grohl: The Power. If anyone deserves to battle Animal from The Muppets on the drums, it’s Dave Grohl. In my younger years, it was the coolest thing in the world to be a hard hitter and I drew constant inspiration from not only Dave’s aggressive hitting but his choice of unique grooves and fills, which twist your mind yet remain spacious and serve the song. There’s no doubt he approaches his drum parts as a songwriter and that may be the biggest thing I was able to take away from him.

Joey Jordison: The Speed. The tragic death of Joey Jordison was felt by all of us, a player and songwriter who inspired so many. Watching him play at the speed he could play was otherworldly, yet he also had incredible taste — he could pedal double bass at 300 miles per hour then switch to a driving beat we could all bang our heads to. He was one of the rare drummers who really shaped the sound of his band and Slipknot is nothing short of a powerhouse of insane talent with all cylinders firing. Long live the Jordison!

Gene Krupa: The Pioneer. And of course we have to tip our hats to the generation of drummers who blazed the trail for all of us today. In this category you could select innovators like Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Sonny Payne, Kenny Klarke, Louie Bellson, Tony Williams, etc. As a kid, my dad showed me Gene Krupa and I loved not only his groundbreaking jazz skills but also his showmanship. His ability to dazzle an audience as a band leader from behind the kit, spinning sticks and moving around like none other from his time. I believe his presence and star power is the reason we have had so many players who love to incorporate stage presence into their playing.

Audrey Johnson (La Luz)

Brian Chase: I love his jazz background. I love that you may think he’s just playing a straight forward beat but in reality he is always changing it up. It’s very subtle but super effective. I feel like he comes up with grooves that you’re not expecting.

Janet Weiss: Janet Weiss plays her drums in a way I haven’t heard many people play. I find her to be one of the most creative and inspiring drummers around, treating her drums like more than just drums, but a melodic instrument. (Editor’s Note: Janet Weiss took part in our Drummers Roundtable along with The Go-Go’s Gina Schock and Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa.)

Sheila E: I grew up watching Sheila E. in awe. She’s an incredible drummer as well as percussionist and vocalist. She’s so fun to watch!

Sarah Thawer: I’m a new fan of hers. She won me over first off by playing amazing grooves while simultaneously soloing (and sometimes eating at the same time). She also has the ability to play sooo many notes yet at the same time not overplay. She’s doing it in such a musical way, it’s a total journey listening to her play.

D.H. Peligro: His style of drumming in punk and hardcore was super special. Something super precise, giving a jazz feel but blended with chaos at the same time. Totally in the pocket but also wilding out. I love his style.

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Austin Marlow (SNACKTIME)

Steve Gadd: He has a way of fitting himself and his sound into any musical situation he’s in. Also, his feel is to die for.

Ralph Peterson Jr.: As a young 15-year-old kid, I got a chance to hear and meet Ralph and he changed my whole outlook on jazz drumming. I heard for the first time a very explosive sound and it wasn’t overkill – I wanted to know how I could learn this language. After some time, he took me under his wing and led me to becoming a better drummer.

Michael Bland: First time hearing him, I was about 12-years-old, and he played in the deepest pocket I’ve ever, ever heard before. It was precise, hard hitting, and the tempo did not move. You’ll hear some of his best work on Prince’s N.P.G records.

Vinnie Colaiuta: All I have to say is his technique. To me, he’s a master of all things drums.

Ricky Lawson: His work with everyone from Whitney Houston to Micheal Jackson was just so clean and solid. Straight to the point.

Ben Adcroft (Turin)

Justin Scott: I discovered Justin on Instagram through Covid and couldn’t stop watching his videos. His technique is absolutely ridiculous and he’s one of the best all round drummers out there with a unique style and unmatched fluidity.

Ken Bedene: My all time favourite metal drummer! Super clean, super fast with an amazing, relaxed playing style and technique. I absolutely love how he incorporates complex patterns over blast beats and crazy fills.

Matt Garstka: Always loved the really intricate gospel style playing he incorporates into metal. Not to mention the insane time signature work and memorable grooves. He’s definitely one of the cleanest players out there.

Joey Jordison: If it wasn’t for Joey I probably wouldn’t be playing today. He was such an inspiration to me as a young kid and I idolized his snare sound! He brought a fresh playing style to metal and has inspired many other players.

Buddy Rich: I don’t think many drummers wouldn’t have Buddy on their list. He was one of the world’s drumming geniuses and has inspired drummers all over the world. His speed, precision and smooth execution was unbelievable!

Ben Anderson (Nothing More)

Vinnie Colaiuta: His playing style is my absolute favorite to listen and aspire to as a drummer. Everything he plays feels all at once technically impressive, musically vocalized, and effortlessly performed.

Josh Freese: Josh’s musical resume is insane, and no matter who he’s playing with, every choice he makes feels like the exact “right” choice. A number of albums he’s played on are some of my all-time favorite albums, specifically because of his playing.

Tony Royster Jr.: Growing up, I would look up any and all drum videos I could find to watch back when the internet was much younger (way before YouTube). I discovered Tony way back then, and ever since, his ability behind the kit continues to break new ground on what I thought was even possible. The chops, the feel, all of it.

John Bonham: John’s pocket and feel speaks for itself here. The word “iconic” comes to mind, which I normally try to avoid but applies quite well here.

Joey Jordison: This one is more personal to my background and influences growing up, but Joey’s approach to a song always resonated as very unique and interesting to me. He had a signature sound that was both exciting and aggressive, while also being musically tastefully and enhancing to the song. He was a major influence in my playing in my earlier years.

Ben Newman (DIIV)

Bill Bruford: The jazzy, prog wizard of Yes and King Crimson. Bruford was complex and precise, yet loose and improvisational.

Jaki Liebezeit: Drummer of legendary kraut outfit Can — he was a rhythmic master, a human breakbeat.

Damon Che: Essentially the lead instrument in math rock band Don Caballero. His style featured bombastic and over the top drumming.

Mimi Parker: I have a soft spot for drummers who are also songwriters. Mimi sang and played in the band Low and added minimal and austere rhythm as well as ethereal melodies and harmonies.

Georgia Hubley: Another drummer/songwriter, Georgia from Yo La Tengo displays perfect taste.

Caden Clinton (Pool Kids)

Neil Peart: He’s your favorite drummer’s, favorite drummer’s, favorite drummer. Has one of the most iconic drum kits ever that has a running to be the 8th wonder of the world. He wrote parts you won’t ever be able to play while also writing iconic parts that are more memorable than your best friend’s first born child’s name.

Travis Barker: One of the only drummers in the world that has just as many drums parts you can sing as the band has chorus. On top of his skills musically, he has a visual aesthetic that, to this day, you can’t get rid of — like the Famous belt buckles coming back and the reason why young Instagram influencer drummers are playing OCDP 28” long bass drums again.

Helen Wiggin: A story of a career that only a few musicians will ever get to tell or even come close to. She’s the mother of avant garde and experimental drumming, she might not have known it at the time but there’s a reason why Berkeley kids form The Shaggs cover bands.

Tony Royster Jr.: Showing the possibility of an outstanding player as early as the age of 12. Plays for some of the biggest pop acts today while still talking about how he just loves to play drums.

Phil Collins: The subdivision you have to do as an incredible drummer who is also the lead vocalist is percussion in itself. On his first ever solo release, he plays what has to be the most iconic drum fill in existence, which is hard for any drummer at any stage of their career knowing that the most iconic drum fill has already been played and you will never be the person to write it.

Carlos Cruz (Warbringer)

John Bonham: Power. Pocket. Undeniable tone. When the opening song of your 55-year-old debut album features a kick drum groove that is soon after deemed “signature,” the drum world is paying attention to someone special. Rock ‘n Roll is fortunate for a decade of incredible live & studio Led Zeppelin albums that continue to influence us all today! Bonzo forever.

Neil Peart: A true master of his craft, yet a student ‘til the end. “The Professor” inspires us to always remain teachable. His ability to use any time-signature at will and make odd-time compositions sound direct while maintaining the sense of song is mind-blowing! Progressive Rock/Metal and drumming as an art advanced so much because of his timeless work with Rush.

Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor: So underrated yet so influential. Mot?rhead is an ethos responsible for bridging the gap between Punk & Heavy Metal and uniting all with their Rock ‘n Roll. Their attitude and energy wouldn’t be the same without Philthy Animal’s lethal double-time hi-hat, single-stroke rolls and double-bass drumming!

Gar Samuelson: A true giant who infused his Jazz Fusion fundamentals into state-of-the-art Speed Metal on Megadeth’s debut and monumental follow up, “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?”. His praying mantas-like precision gave order to Mustaine’s frantic guitar riffs. I stole everything I could from Gar, from his Hi-hat and Ride cymbal/bell dynamics to his backwards Tom-fill phrasing. The legend being his drum kit was “haunted” due to all the ghost notes!

Sean Reinert: Young and studious with so much to prove. 1991’s “Human” by Death and ‘93’s “Focus” by Cynic are drum Bibles. In the world of Death Metal, Sean Reinert pushed the limits of any drummer in the scene before him with the most intricate yet tasteful approach to extreme drumming. Incorporating his Prog & Fusion influences into such brutal music still has jaws on the floor and changed the game for all drummers who followed with such a high-level musicianship.

Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Pantera)

Neil Peart: Was a huge influence.

John Bonham: Another huge influence.

Phil Rudd: Big influence, his timing.

Charlie Benante: Me, because I don’t know if anyone will recognize my awesomeness.

Vinnie Paul: Love him. His groove was so good.

There is NO Number 1 with me. I equated it to not being picked for a team when you were younger. Everyone does their thing and they bring something unique to the band they’re in. I wonder how many of these drummers have written a catalog of songs for their bands? I have.

Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch)

Gavin Harrison: Let me start by saying this list could be very long and my ranking order is irrelevant. Gavin’s mix of insane chops and a monster groove has always left me in awe of everything he plays. It can be simple or super busy, and it’s all so stylish and creative. His attention to detail in his playing, ear for drum tuning, and rhythmic vocabulary is so smooth and confident. His touch and style is so recognizable and inspiring to watch — he will always be one of the most influential drummers in my life.

Marco Minneman: Marco changed for me what I thought was impossible for drummers to do at a very impressionable time in my journey as a drummer. He broke down that wall between drummer and musician for me with his four-way coordination grooves and solos, and helped me realize that creating a recognizable solo voice on the drumset was possible. Spanning such a wide range of playing styles, as well as just being a complete super musician, Marco has an undeniable voice on the instrument that few can achieve. I wouldn’t be the drummer I am today without his inspiration.

Dave Weckl: I was in 7th grade when I started listening to Dave and I was instantly amazed by how smooth he was at blending his grooves and fills. Obviously having some of the best hands of all time, the speed and flow at which he would move through songs and solos didn’t even seem real to me. I mimicked his chops and groove ideas and played to his play-along tracks for years, and you can hear plenty of his influence in my playing still today. Absolute legend in every sense of the word.

Benny Greb: Benny for me encompasses the style of the old school legends with the new school ideas and chops. He can play to any style and it feels authentic, whether it be proper swing tunes or heavy and busy shred songs. He throws in super creative ideas and it never feels overplayed, which is such a hard thing to pull off as a drummer. His dynamic changes always feel so mature and thought out even when he’s improvising, he’s just an absolute master of the craft physically and mentally.

Danny Carey: Danny encompasses all of the elements that inspire me when it comes to playing for the greater good of the band, being themselves as an artist, driving the ship, and inspiring countless drummers. I could list so many drummers in this spot; Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Todd Sucherman, Black Richardson, etc. The drummers who are technically proficient yet create songs with their parts that are memorable and are timeless. There are so many amazing players that can shred forever, but creating a legacy with your parts is so hard to do. I have been a massive Tool fan since I was in 4th grade. Danny’s grooves, approach to music, power, and ability to dictate the flow of a song have influenced me massively as a drummer, especially in my position now playing big shows.

Chris Hesse (Hoobastank)

Neil Peart: I learned how to play drums by listening to early Rush records. My aunt gave me a cassette of Fly by Night and I wore that thing out listening to it so much. The music was exciting, the drums were busy, and it made me want to play drums.

Danny Carey: Danny Carey is great! I got really into Tool before we recorded our first record. The drums in“Running Away” are highly influenced by Carey. He’s an awesome technical player, comes up with extremely creative parts. He’s a master class in syncopation.

Josh Freese: Ironically, I never saw Josh with The Vandals; my first time seeing him perform was A Perfect Circle’s CD release party for Mer De Noms. He’s just the best drummer ever. He’s so smooth, solid and effortless. I’ve since seen him play with a few other acts and he’s always a standout, I love watching him play. There’s a reason he’s the #1 studio drummer, hell, I wish I could be in a band with him (he’s also a super mellow dude, great hang).

Darren King: I’m a huge fan of MuteMath and especially Darren King. I saw MuteMath a couple times before they disbanded and both shows were the best I’ve ever seen of any band. I could watch any of them and be entertained all night, but Darren is SO tasteful and makes so much noise with just a couple drums and a cymbal… he’s phenomenal.

Taylor Hawkins: I absolutely love the way Taylor played. He beat the piss out of the drums, just wailed on those things and had more energy than anyone else. He was also a huge inspiration on the first album. I’m super grateful to have met him a few times and he was just the most humble and genuinely stoked human being. Everyone loved him.

Chris Lalic (Windwaker)

Gavin Harrison: An unbelievably refined and creative drummer whose playing style crosses many genres. I have a huge respect for Gavin for being the absolute master of his craft, yet always playing the part that works for the song rather than making it all about the drums.

Matt Halpern: I remember the first time I watched him play being blown away. The guy is so firmly in his own lane with his drumming. I can recognize his sound from a mile away, and he’s a huge part of Periphery’s sound.

Dominic Howard: Dominic is not the same type of technical drummer as the two mentioned above, but to me he is the quintessential rock drummer: He always executes the part perfectly for the song and never overplays. But you can feel that he is perfectly in the pocket and there are so many nuances of an incredibly seasoned drummer that contribute to Muse’s well-rounded sound.

Matt Gartska: This one is absolutely not the style of drumming I gravitate towards personally, but he very well may have pushed the envelope of technical drumming further than anyone else out there currently. Some of the parts he successfully plays my brain can’t even begin to understand, it wouldn’t be a complete list without including him.

David Parkes: Of all people I know personally, this guy is the absolute master of his craft. He plays some incredibly technical parts that I’ve only ever seen Gartska himself compete with, but also managed to learn an entire Paledusk set in under 24 hours and go out and crush it for them on tour, after their drummer faced visa issues.

Christopher Wallerstedt (Orbit Culture)

Dave Grohl: He brought so much energy and force to the Nirvana catalogue without being too much. Less is more!

Joey Jordison: The drumming on the first three Slipknot albums is some of the most creative in metal history. It’s unique and complex for music nerds, yet accessible to casual listeners.

David Sandstr?m: I have always been impressed by David’s hand technique. He always handles hardcore drumming with finesse.

Abe Cunningham: Abe’s ability to maintain a powerful groove at slow tempos is remarkable. He hits hard but still holds back perfectly.

Eloy Casagrande: Eloy makes Brazilian rhythms look easy and sound heavy. In fact, he makes everything look easy and sound heavy.

Cyrus Bolooki (New Found Glory)

John Bonham: There’s a reason why the Bonham name is synonymous with rock drumming. No one had the sound or the feel of Bonham, even if they had better chops. Plus, who else could have a drum solo in the middle of a song on a commercial release like his on “Whole Lotta Love.” That would never happen these days!

Stewart Copeland: Speaking of feel, Stewart Copeland’s unique approach to drumming and ability to insert sometimes atypical rhythms and fills anywhere within a musical phrase made him one of rock’s most interesting drummers, and also one of the hardest drummers to imitate!

Ringo Starr: On the other side of the spectrum, you have Ringo Starr. Quite possibly one of the most underrated drummers, he exemplifies the saying “play to the song,” never being too flashy, but capable of playing even a simple beat with a consistent groove from beginning to end.

Alex Van Halen: Alex Van Halen was another drummer with a sound and style of his own. Much like his brother, you instantly knew it was him upon hearing his snare drum, whether he was holding it down on songs like “Panama,” or playing one of the most iconic drum intros of all-time on “Hot for Teacher.”

Neil Peart: There’s not much else to say about Neil Peart that hasn’t already been said. Where most people love to air drum to Phil Collins on “In the Air Tonight,” real drummers want to air drum to Rush’s “The Spirit of Radio.” It’s like a rite of passage to be able to nail down the drum beats towards the end of the song.

Dale Crover (The Melvins)

Ian Paice: Ian is hands down the best rock drummer I’ve even seen play live! His name could and should be said in the same breath as John Bohnam and Keith Moon!

Les Binks: IMO, Unleashed in the East by Judas Priest is the best heavy metal record ever, and Les’ drumming is a huge influence on guys like Dave Lombardo and yours truly.

Clem Burke: It’s a drum clinic every time I’ve watched Clem play. The opening on “Dreaming” says it all. Machine gun fills through the whole song! I copied the way he hit the crash with his left hand at the end of a drum fill. Only to find out that, like Ringo and Lombardo, he’s left handed!

Mitch Mitchell: They say that a band is only as good as their drummer, but if you don’t have good songs, or a good songwriter to get behind, it doesn’t matter how good of a drummer you have. Mitch was an amazing drummer and played behind Jimi Hendrix, for Christ sakes! I love drummers from this era. All of them were influenced by jazz drumming. Mitch was heavily into Elvin Jones.

Peter Criss: How many thousands of kids were influenced by KISS to play music? I know I’m one of them. I learned how to play drums from playing along to KISS Alive. Peter was great! I loved his bass drum-heavy playing and it’s stuck with me. Watch the KISS performance on Midnight Special and you’ll see what I mean. I’m playing “Deuce” every night on tour with Redd Kross as I write this.

David Lovering (Pixies)

Any drummer for Steely Dan: The musicianship of Steely Dan is unheralded. Every player is the best at their game and what you hear can’t be done any better and more apropos. What a great band to get a diverse array of drumming influences.

Neil Peart: Rush is another impressive array of three otherworldly musicians. The technicality and precision is jaw dropping. I was quite busy on drums early on in the Pixies because of him. Quite a formative band for me when I was younger and learning drums.

John Bonham: What would Led Zeppelin be without John Bonham? He was a pioneer, a gifted drummer and a genius. Play “Kashmir” for a roomful of drummers and watch every one of them air drum to it, including me. That’s a testament.

Ian Paice: Once again, here’s a talented drummer that makes Deep Purple… Deep Purple. Technical, well-skilled and extremely tasteful. He’s a joy to listen to and watch.

Liberty Devito: Billy Joel’s albums would not be the same without him. His drumming made those songs what they are. Incredibly skilled and once again so apropos in how he suited each song is a joy to behold.

David McGraw (Cattle Decapitation)

Lars Ulrich: Lars is the undeniable gateway metal drummer for most drummers in the last 35+ years. My favorite thing about his work was how he managed to accentuate the music without overdoing it.

Igor Cavalera: Igor was my introduction to more aggressive and fast drumming. Sepultura is, and will always be, a major influence in my drumming (from OG lineup up to the Roots). His work on Beneath The Remains and Arise is some of the most memorable drumming ever recorded.

Tomas Haake: I couldn’t believe my ears when I discovered Meshuggah. I was record shopping and stumbled up Destroy, Erase, Improve around 1997 and was completely blown away. I’m a huge Jazz Fusion fan so hearing Tomas’s unique blend of Fusion with Metal won me over instantly. Listen to their first LP Contradictions Collapse from 1991 and you’ll see what I mean, light years ahead of their time.

Flo Mounier: In my humble opinion, Flo is the OG extreme metal drummer. He did it first.

Mike Portnoy: I remember trading tapes with a buddy in high school, I had Stratovarius’ Dreamspace, and he had Dream Theater’s Images and Words. I basically learned “odd time signatures” while listening to that record. I’m not a huge fan of anything after Scenes from a Memory, but everything released before that was a huge influence.

Florrie (Solo Artist)

Keith Moon: I love his unpredictability, flair, exuberance, and chaotic energy. I played in a similar way (madness, not skill!) when I was in bands as a teenager and I loved the performative aspect.

Sheila E: Endless energy and the first female drummer I knew of growing up, so she is a big inspiration.

Karl Brazil: Karl is one of the first drummers to take me under his wing and in my eyes he’s one of the best. He has attitude, skills, positivity, and gives a solid performance every time.

Benji Ellingworth: Okay, this is a wildcard because I only just met him on tour with G Flip, but he is insane. I think getting to watch him play every night, I realized how much work he’s put into his practice and technique, and he is so effortlessly cool with it.

Steve Jordan: The first time I saw Steve I was blown away by his unique playing style and ability to always give the song just what it needs without overplaying.

Gabe Camarano (GIFT)

Karen Carpenter: Karen Carpenter blows me away because she could sit so deep in the pocket while singing like an absolute angel. It’s incredible how she managed to groove so effortlessly while delivering such beautiful vocals. She rules.

Michael Shrieve: This guy was already playing at Woodstock when he was just 20. Meanwhile, when I was 20, I was still trying to figure out how to cook a decent meal. His drum grooves are some of my absolute favorites, and his ability to syncopate with multiple percussionists speaks to an indisputable ear and natural ability.

Robert Wyatt: Soft Machine One remains one of my all-time favorite albums. His fearless approach to drumming and production— playing around with effects and panning — blew my little mind. And on top of that, being the lead singer? That’s just the icing on the cake.

James Krivchenia: One of my favorite contemporary drummers. James has that Ginger Baker sensibility, writing melodic parts incorporating toms while anyone else faced with writing a part to the same song might just groove on the hi-hat or ride. He’s spot on with matching the emotion of every song that Big Thief puts out and really digs in.

John Bonham: John Bonham had to make my list because when I first heard “When the Levee Breaks” at 11 years old, I knew right then and there that I had to save up for a drum kit. His playing was so powerful and inspiring — so much so that I convinced my friend’s family to let me set up my kit in their basement since my folks and I were living in a small apartment.

Greg Saunier (Deerhoof)

Tony Williams: You listen and think, “That boy sure plays some crashing and unpredictable things behind Miles,” but then you listen more closely and every note of his ride cymbal is somehow the exact same volume, like a typewriter.

Brian Blade: My theory is that BB is a highly sensitive person, which tends to make a person both extremely kind and mild-mannered, but also explosive on the drums. He stands for the rights of people who are told they “overreact” to everything, because his overreactions to everything, including Wayne Shorter, are exactly what make him so wonderful.

Christian Lillinger: There is the theory of “economy of motion” in which you don’t waste effort when doing things like sports or playing an instrument, but Christian understands that this is false and it is much more enjoyable to waste incredible amounts of motion to produce zillions of incredibly tiny sounds, each one with a charged life of their own.

Symsam: I heard Def Mama Def coming from a different stage at a festival and had to go see who all these drummers were, but when I got there I saw that they were only him, somehow playing along with tracks in perfect time while also offering an embarrassment of syncopated, hyper-coordinated riches.

Ed Blackwell: When this man breaks off the cymbal to play his toms, the result is not a fill, nor does it crescendo, nor does it end in a cymbal crash. The bass drum is allowed to rejoin the beginning and middle of the story instead of being reserved for the dot at the end where you get your wallet out at times. Ed Blackwell seems to play the entire library of excellent drum fills, none of which reaches its conclusion. It’s like the truth of cussing without the lie of vengeance, the sincerity of nutritious food groups without the fiction of dessert. It is comedy without punchline, action that avoids triumphing over chaos, international relations without the nuclear blast.

Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer)

Dave Grohl: Before he was the singer of that huge arena rock band, he was the best rock drummer of the ’90s and even early 2000s. His work with Queens of the Stone Age is epic. Highly precise and powerful.

Steve Gadd: Look up the Zildjian video of him playing a three-way solo with Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl. Vinnie and Dave were respectively the two biggest drummers in the world at that time, full of flashy chops, yet Steve wipes the floor with them (kinda) with one simple trick: The Feel. Anything played just FEELS good and is highly inspiring.

Matt Chamberlain: He’s one of the session guys that was on almost every big record in the ’90s it seemed, but he also played live with Pearl Jam and later Soundgarden. His identity was a great feel, but always very unique, character-based drumming. His work on Fiona Apple’s records is my favorite.

Tim Alexander: Tim to this day really sounds like no one else. There are elements of Neil Peart and Stewart Copeland but his funky-metal fusion sets him apart from both. He has a sound that is immediately identifiable.

Lars Ulrich: His work on Master of Puppets and …And Justice for All is not only fast and ferocious, but extremely lyrical. His drum parts work as hooks that bounce off James Hetfield’s riffs. He has such a recognizable sound and feel. A huge influence on me for sure.

Gus Rios (Gruesome, Left to Die)

Vinnie Colaiuta: A consummate pro and absolute master of the instrument.

David Garibaldi: One of the most sampled drummers in history, a groove master.

Dave Lombardo: The original metal god and innovator.

Sean Reinert: The Godfather of tech-death, a massive inspiration to many.

Lars Ulrich: Say what you want, dude plays in the world’s biggest and most important metal band. Responsible for creating more drummers than even Neil.

Infestor (Demiser)

Proscriptor McGovern: My biggest drum influence for everything in Demiser (though significantly toned down) and every other band I drum in. Dude is too fast for fucking SLAYER!! Absolutely shredding fills, insanely fast feet, and accents riffs better than pretty much anyone. Then he does vocals on top of it as an added “fuck you.”

Buddy Rich: Plays faster on one hand than most drummers can with both, but doesn’t even need his speed to flex on everyone. Pretty sure stage crews had to douse his kit in water after he started fires off his solos. Plus, he ripped all of his ridiculous fills in a full suit and tie.

Mikkey Dee: When both Lemmy Kilmister and King Diamond call you the best drummer in the world, I tend to start believing them. Being loud isn’t everything but it certainly helps and I don’t think we’ll find much louder.

J. Read: REVENGE.

Neil Peart: A lot of people are put off by Geddy Lee’s vocals (wimps), but if they can just get past that and hear the majesty that is Neil Peart behind the kit they’ll experience what it is to be a true master of one’s craft. Normally I hate big drum sets because they’re never utilized to the fullest, but the man played a kit that looks like a drum store exploded on stage and made it look easy.

Jared Klein (Rivers of Nihil)

Jeff Porcaro: One of the tightest drummers and best session drummers of all time. Big influence to most drummers.

Mario Duplantier: Very powerful and in the pocket drummer. Showcases many genres in his playing.

Brann Dailor: An aggressive drummer with an amazing voice. Knows how to keep the groove going.

Buddy Rich: The fastest and beyond-heavy hitter of a drummer. Wrote a lot of great music.

John Bonham: Lots of energy and also made drumming look easier than it is. Still a legend after so many years.

Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Category 7, Overkill)

Buddy Rich: He was the greatest drummer to ever play the instrument. He had probably the greatest hands ever and played with fire and tenacity unmatched by none. He could have played double bass if he wanted, and there are pictures, but he didn’t need it, he was that good! And no one fucked with him on the bandstand!

Neil Peart: Next to Buddy, the greatest drummer who ever lived. The greatest solos, the greatest drum parts, brilliant lyrics… the man was just a cut above the pack and he was a genuinely lovely person. I was honored to be a part of his “inner circle” of drummer friends.

John Bonham: He is another drummer who played unlike no other, effortless and flowing and with the utmost power and precision. His right foot was amazing and his use of the “Carmine Appice-inspired” right foot triplet is still a well-used, linear pattern often practiced by up and coming drummers almost 50 years later!

Clive Burr & Nicko McBrain: Because Iron Maiden is the greatest heavy metal band ever and BOTH of their drummers were equally inspiring and talented players. Clive has some great hands and some really killer parts. Nicko is another with an amazing right foot, even to the point where some of his patterns could be mistaken for two bass drums. He has a very recognizable playing style and he is also a master of the “huge” drum kit!

Dave Lombardo & Charlie Benante: Because without either one of them I would not be the drummer I am today. To me, they are the godfathers of thrash drumming (along with Lars [Ulrich]) and beyond. Anything you need to know to play metal — whether its extreme metal or thrash — can be learned by listening to these two players. Also, Charlie was playing blast beats before it became “a thing.”

Jay Watson (GUM)

Zigaboo Modeliste: Insane feel and groove, with really unconventional parts and syncopation. The sound of his drums and the recordings are amazing too, often really blown out and tape-y.

Phil Rudd: Super underrated drummer, really groovy but almost Motorik-like in his feel. Occasionally, I get drunk and rant about AC/DC being the Kraftwerk of rock.

Jaki Liebizeit: One of the most original drummers ever. His playing in Can was a huge influence on future experimental rock bands and electronic music in general.

Meg White: A really unique feel and super heavy because of the space between the hits. Very influential on me as a teenager. I often think of her when doing certain kick and cymbal hits together.

Steven Drozd: Kind of the modern John Bonham, really powerful and bombastic but also groovy and interesting in terms of parts and fills. I feel like you can hear him play as a songwriter and producer too as he’s playing drums.

Jaydon Bean (Dirty Honey)

Buddy Rich: Buddy is the G.O.A.T when it comes to technique, facility, speed, musicality, and sheer talent and fire on the kit. He was truly a virtuoso.

Jeff Porcaro: Extremely musical, well educated, incredible time, meter, and feel. Great songwriter as well.

John Bonham: A drummer who truly has his own “sound.” Incredible feel, creative, and a powerhouse on the kit.

Adam Deitch: One of my favorites since my teenage/early college years. Incredible pocket, super funky, great musical solos, and an awesome producer as well.

Josh Freese: Probably one of the most well known, most recorded, coolest dudes out there in the modern drumming age. Incredible meter, feel, and power. Great driver of energy for a band and super musical as well.

Jeff Kummer (The Early November)

Taylor Hawkins: I’ve naturally adopted so much of my playing from Taylor. Never have I ever tried to replicate any one drummer’s style. I always aim to create what feels natural to me. However, I’m fully aware that Taylor has a massive impact on my style subconsciously. Don’t get it twisted… I cannot sniff the talent he has. But I certainly think like him creatively, because he raised me. His precision is unmatched and he is a bell magnet. The great drummers truly have a way of speaking through their play. There is no one who will ever speak to me more than Taylor. He is and will forever be my number one favorite drummer of all time, my biggest influence and inspiration.

Chad Smith: When it comes to influencing my style, Chad Smith is right there next to Taylor Hawkins. His touch, perfect ghost notes… the man lives inside what drummers call “the pocket.” What sets him apart is his natural ability to elevate a song with feeling. When Chad plays, the world bobs its head.

Travis Barker: I can’t recall a moment where Travis Barker was not elite. His influence is undeniable. He has never not been the best at what he does. It’s an incredible thing to think about. If you apply the thinking of “they’ve only gotten better with age” to Travis Barker, you will ultimately get confused. Has he ever not been perfect? What an incredible talent.

Damon Atkinson: He is innovative, complex, unorthodox, and smooth like butter. Damon Atkinson takes ideas that should be odd and off-putting and creates a groove with said things, while making it look effortless with a smile. When I say effortless, listen to the way he integrates the bell into his playing. You can hear his influence on The Early November songs like “Decoration” and “Something That Produces Results.” If I were making a list of drummers who are the most fun to watch/air drum to, Damon would be up there at number one.

Jose Pasillas: Jose is a melting pot of style tied together seamlessly, beautifully wrapped with a bow on top. Much like a band whose genre can’t be labeled, Jose can do it all and within one track. I love drummers who are untrained because they have a spontaneity about them. What you do doesn’t necessarily have to make much sense, it just has to “feel.” It wasn’t until recently, that I realized how much of an impact he’s had on my playing from a young age.

Jeris Johnson (Solo Artist)

Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan: To me, The Rev is the perfect blend of style and substance. Every single section of any given song feels so perfectly and creatively handcrafted. His parts remain interesting while still serving the song in the best way possible. Plus, he had an incredible voice, and starting my career as a singing drummer myself, I have a personal bias and appreciation for that sort of thing. Long love the G.O.A.T, R.I.P.

Joey Jordison: What can I say about Joey that hasn’t already been said? He reinvented metal drumming for the modern era and brought with him an energy that I have yet to see anyone match, ever. It was like someone threw a drum set down a stairwell and it magically sounded good as fuck. His style was so unique, you just know exactly when you are listening to him play. Nothing makes me wanna run through some drywall more than Joey’s drumming. R.I.P to another G.O.A.T.

Mike Portnoy: The prog metal king himself. Dream Theater was actually the first concert I ever went to and I loved Mike. I used his signature drumsticks for years. He was the first drummer that really “blew my mind” with his skill set and unlocked in me the curiosity of how I could one day be that good. I taught myself how to play drums by listening to Dream Theater songs and trying my best to play along. For that reason he solidly deserves a spot on my list.

Chris Adler: Chris was very inspiring to me early on as Lamb of God was the second concert I had ever been to. I’ll never forget the distinct sound and pattern of his kick drums. So memorable, so slappy, so groovy. He was the first drummer that ever got me thinking about “tone”. And the feel he brought to all those iconic Lamb of God riffs just remains in my mind forever.

Luke Holland: Youngest guy on my list, but I truly believe he will be seen as a drumming G.O.A.T. by many people at the end of his career. His early YouTube videos inspired me to pick up the drums, and he just brings a “cool” factor to rock and metal drumming that I find very fresh and exciting. For the people that know Luke, they know his G.O.A.T. status is on the horizon.

Jimmy Bower (Down)

Bill Ward: The best mixture of jazz and rock drumming out there. He has been defined as the mastermind behind the unholy birth of heavy metal drumming.

John Bohnam: His right foot alone makes you bow down and give praise to the Gods. Hard hitting and extremely tasteful in his approach to drumming.

Zigaboo Modeliste: He was the godfather of funk drumming. Extremely influential to many and his playing is quite tasty and easily recognizable.

Vinnie Appice: Vinnie is amazing. His style is very much like Bonham, and he has the coolest fills.

Dale Crover: Hard hitting is an understatement when it comes to Dale. All around heaviest drummer to ever grace the skins.

Jon Beavis (IDLES)

James Gadson: I remember listening to the Bill Withers album, Still Bill, for the first time and being blown away by his voice… and then came “Kissing My Love!” What an intro, one of the smoothest shuffles I’d ever heard and I instantly fell in love with Gadson’s playing. Deep diving into the other bands and tracks he’d played with, I always get the sense that you can feel his joy and happiness in his playing. It brings, and will always continue to bring, a smile to my face when I hear his drumming!

Keith Moon: After Buddy Rich, Keith Moon was one of the first drummers that I heard play where I was left gobsmacked. I owe a lot to my uncle, Chris, for putting me onto The Who. He always said I reminded him of Moon, I’ll take that! He had so much freedom in his performing, every time he played you felt like he was right on the edge — I LOVE THAT! One of the first ‘Hard-Hitters’ that I took notice of, and then I heard Dave Grohl! What a combo!

Questlove: The feel this guy has behind the kit is impeccable! His manipulation of time signatures and feel got me hooked from day one! One of the kings of playing behind/in front of the beat. You can hear his knowledge of music in his playing. He’s a student of music and his playing has taught me endless amounts.

Matt Johnson: I used to spend hours as a kid trying to perfect the parts to “Mojo Pin” and “So Real!” The way he made his parts breathe through a song and his use of dynamics fascinated me when I was first learning drums. An incredible drummer who I don’t think gets enough credit.

Dan Rincon & Paul Quattrone: One of the best things about being a drummer in a band is watching the crowd move as one entity to the rhythm that you are setting. I can only imagine what it looks like to the guys in Thee Oh Sees every night! I still remember watching them at The Coronet in London and it was one of the only gigs I’ve been to where the entire crowd was moving as one. No one stopped dancing for the entire show and the power and precision Dan and Paul have every night is something everyone should watch and discover for themselves.

Jon Syverson (Daughters, Unsane)

Viola Smith: Total badass. She was labeled “The Fastest Girl Drummer” in the 1930s and ’40s. Known for her big band/orchestra stylings, she started performing at the age of 10 and played up into her 100s. I personally feel she’s a part of American drum history. Total show stopper, the world hasn’t seen anything like her since. Check out her drum solo in “Snake Charmer” to get an idea.

Michael Giles: He confuses me. His approach to the drums couldn’t be more different than mine, so there is much for me to learn here. Check out the “21st Century Schizoid Man” isolated drum track if you can find it.. and keep in mind this was 1969.

Eloy Casagrande: This dude is like Bruce Lee on the drums. Eloy premiered at the 2005 Modern Drummer festival at the age of 14, and holy shit, he absolutely destroyed. In a nutshell, his style mixes Afro-Samba, Cuban, and Brazilian rhythms with aggressive metal drumming… Now, that might sound ridiculous, but I feel it’s an absolute pleasure to watch. Complete beast! This fella has more power, speed, and control than most anyone out there right now.

Karen Carpenter: My parents used to listen to The Carpenters a lot when I was growing up, so there’s a big dose of nostalgia whenever I hear it. I’ve probably memorized most of their catalogue. It’s no secret Karen was an amazing singer, but a lesser known fact, she was an amazing jazz/marching corp style drummer. Watching old videos of her playing while effortlessly singing is gnarly. A talent that’s still unrivaled to this day.

Mitch Mitchell: Total visionary, I can’t name many drummers who take this style approach and pull it off without pushing or pulling on the tempo. Just learning to play a few of his fills always feeds my mind and unlocks tricks for my personal use. If I get writer’s block, I just try to stumble through a few of his licks, and I’ll accidentally come up with something as I go.

Jonny Lani (Skegss)

Dale Crover: He had a super underrated drum sound, live and recorded — it was second to none.

Billy Flemming: Absolute powerhouse, great style and high energy.

BC Michales: BC has the ability to projectile vomit whilst holding down a solid beat, very impressive. Great drummer.

John Bonham: Goes without saying… Can’t have a best drummers list without him.

Philip Selway: My favorite band. I could watch In Rainbows – From the Basement and The King of Limbs – From the Basement on repeat all day.

Josh Freese (Foo Fighters, A Perfect Circle)

Buddy Rich: I saw Buddy play live (and stood about 20 feet from him every time) about three or four times when I was very young. It was always utterly jaw-dropping. I still watch and listen to him on a regular basis. His presence on the drums and his command of the instrument was second to none. I’ve always referred to him as “the Rolls Royce of drumming.”

Alex Van Halen: Alex made me want to play rock n’ roll and was the first “rock star” drummer that I idolized when I was in elementary school. Hell, I dressed up as “Alex Van Halen” two years in a row for Halloween in third and fourth grade! Alex has always been underrated and that’s always bothered me. He has a fantastic feel and is a unique drummer in the rock n’ roll world that should get more credit than he gets. Ask Jim Keltner… he’ll tell you!

Steve Gadd: It’s cliche to talk about what an incredible feel Gadd has but there’s a reason for that. It’s because everyone KNOWS it and has talked about it for 40 plus years. Steve’s performance on the track “Aja” belongs in the Smithsonian! He just seems otherworldly to me and is in a class of his own. Steve Gadd… what a complete badass!

Terry Bozzio: My second “rock concert” ever was Missing Persons at Cal State Fullerton in October 1984. I had no idea what I was in for when I saw Terry play live for the first time. It blew me away and set me on a path that I’m still continuing on. He was totally aggressive, yet played with finesse and a musicality that I’d never seen or heard before. It had a profound effect on me and changed me forever. I would not be the drummer I am today had I not discovered Terry Bozzio when I was 11.

Vinnie Colaiuta: Vinnie is an alien and we all know it. I’ve been having my mind blown by him since I was a kid and had the good fortune of sitting next to his drums so many times at packed little jazz clubs before I was old enough to drive. Vinnie’s feel, chops, musicality, etc… he’s got it all. I used to leave his gigs sometimes and not know if I was inspired or completely deflated, ha! You just cannot F with Vinnie C!

Honorable mentions:

Jeff Porcaro, Steve Jordan, Alan Myers, Jim Keltner, Stewart Copeland, Charley Drayton, Keith Carlock, Bill Stevenson, Hunt Sales, PF Chang

Josh Villalta (Nita Strauss)

Lars Ulrich: He was so far ahead of his time in so many ways, not only in drumming, but in business. Playing songs like “Fight Fire with Fire” in ’84, “Battery” in ’86, and “Blackened” in ’88, there’s no denying his drumming talent. Playing what’s needed for the song, not himself, and not overplaying. His song arrangement and his business acumen are also what sets him apart from many of his peers. I don’t think there are as many drummers out there that have influenced as many people to start playing drums as much as Lars has — and I’m absolutely one of them!

Pete Sandoval: He offered innovative death metal drumming and speed, and is the creator of the blast beat (according to some). I remember first hearing Covenant in 1993 and just being blown away! I had never heard double bass THAT fast at the time. It also sounded like the CD was skipping, but it was just his blast beats! Hearing Pete play made me go, “I need to learn how to do THAT!” From that point on, I worked on double bass speed and blasting. He set himself apart in the death metal world by not just blasting 1000mph on every song or double bass throughout. He would show dynamics in his playing and was able to take the listeners on a journey of ups and downs. Songs like “Day of Suffering” or “God of Emptiness” are great examples of this, but if you want speed, you got songs like “Rapture,” “Dominate,” and “Heaving Earth”. Even though there’s a debate on who did it first, it’s irrefutable that Pete Sandoval is definitely on the Mount Rushmore of death metal drumming.

Igor Cavalera: Igor was such an innovator! Growing up in New Orleans and going to Mardi Gras parades, in between floats they would have the local school marching bands jamming and it always reminded me of a cool tribal vibe. When I heard Chaos A.D. and listened to “Territory,” it just blew me away! It felt like these two worlds I loved collided: metal and tribal. He has such a cool groove and some awesome beats that go over badass riffs!

Raymond Herrera: Another innovator! One word to describe him would be, GROOVE! He, to me, innovated the way to play double bass. What he was doing in ’95 on Demanufacture was just so ahead of its time! It was just so cool to hear at the time. I remember just saying to myself, “He’s playing patterns that people play with their hands with his feet!” A good example of this is what he plays in the intro of “Shock.” He starts with the beat on the hi-hats and snare and then switches the pattern to his feet. It was just so cool hearing that then. Now, this style is on every other metal song that comes out, but at the time he was the main person doing this.

Roger Taylor: He is a swiss army knife for Queen. Great pocket, cool beats, and an amazing singer! Queen’s songs can go all over the place, but Roger’s ability to really be the glue to a song is unmatched. That’s what I really love about Queen, they had no formula. Each song was its own thing. No matter where the song went he always kept the song together. I also really love his choice of fills and timing of them. “Somebody to Love” has some cool tom fills.

Kellii Scott (Failure)

Phil Rudd: Phil Rudd clearly operates for the song and not his personal ego. That being said, the way he makes basic beat after basic beat move as if it’s the most inspiring thing in the world to him, for me, that is one of the greatest acts of discipline I’ve ever witnessed.

Neil Peart: One of the most musical drummers to ever play rock. His top line fills have you holding on to your seat while the fills he and Geddy play are an exercise in what a great relationship in a rhythm section should sound like and inspire us all to reach. That level of closeness and prediction between drums and bass leaves me in awe. That two talented musicians choose to play in unison instead of for their own cause is a great achievement by itself.

Keith Moon: Keith Moon flew by the seat of his pants. His skill and imagination allowed him to unconsciously play whatever he felt at the time. The freedom and passion he displayed is one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. This inspires me probably more than any other skill a drummer can, or should, possess.

Tony Thompson: When I think of Tony Thompson, I think of time and groove bending to his will. His groove was so deep and his power dug that groove even deeper by hammering it underground. His work with Chic was all about discipline and movement but his work with Bowie and Power Station was so dark and heavy, it gave power and bombast a new lever to be measured by. I’ve never heard a drummer so explosive since.

Steve Jansen: Steve Jansen’s work with Japan is incredibly unique to him. His use of space — especially the way he treated a single drum as a separate instrument when he wrote linear two bar patterns — takes drumming beyond the constraints of rock. His playing was the first time I became aware of each drum as a note that could be orchestrated in the same way other instruments use strings to create phrases.

Lee Wall (Luna)

Charlie Watts: Charlie’s drumming had what I call perfect imperfection. It was the way he played slightly behind on the backbeat while pushing the downbeat. The result was a truly unique swagger and swing. Ronnie Wood called him “the engine” of The Rolling Stones. He played for the song. Plus, Charlie was easily the coolest guy in the room.

John Bonham: While his influence on heavy rock drumming is obvious, his playing was so much more than that. Clearly influenced by soul and R&B, there was subtlety in his drumming that is often overlooked.

Gene Krupa: Quite possibly the first “rockstar” drummer. He brought drums to the forefront. Every other drummer who wants that kind of attention is emulating Gene Krupa.

Topper Headon: An incredibly musical punk rock drummer. That’s no small feat. The way he propelled The Clash was spot on.

Hunt Sales: To have an instantly recognizable and iconic drum hook in your repertoire is everything. The song “Lust for Life” is that.

Louis Cole (Solo Artist)

Nate Wood: Because he’s secretly the main influence behind the wave of new jazz drummers like me, JD Beck, Mark Guiliana, Justin Brown, and many others, but he never gets enough credit.

Keith Carlock: He has just the fattest beef steak groove of maybe anyone ever, but he can also play dynamic and agile.

Tony Williams: Huge influence on modern drumming, incredible creative vision, great music creator. Everything he plays on the drums is music.

Jack DeJohnette: Jack had the coolest loose feel of all time. Unexplainably grooving. Also, he plays such weird, loose ideas that feel so good.

Buddy Rich: Still the most freight train swing feel ever. He played such funky, complex ghost note/kick drum patterns. Super chops, but his feel is really what makes him the greatest.

Lyn Jefs (Ingested)

John Bonham: Undoubtedly the most influential rock drummer of all time. His style and techniques have been repeated time and time again over the past 50-odd years and no doubt will continue to influence drummers ad infinitum.

Nicholas Barker: A huge inspiration for me personally and one of the most underrated metal drummers in the past 30 years. His work with Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and countless other bands will stand the test of time for years to come.

Daniel Zimmerman: A bit of a left field pick maybe, but his chops, songwriting and ability to know when to let a song breathe is second to none. He was part of the greatest period in Gamma Rays’ history, to which they owe him a lot, in my opinion.

Inferno: A drummer whose songwriting is a major driving force of his band Behemoth. Inferno has the unique ability to write simple, effective parts that really complement the riffs but are much more difficult to play than they sound. Add that to his blistering speed and a huge range of dynamics, then you have a drummer you can’t take your eyes off when watching live.

Vinnie Paul: Widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time due to his innovative contributions to heavy metal drumming, particularly with his band Pantera. Known for his powerful, precise, and technically advanced playing style, Paul revolutionized metal percussion with his unique double bass drumming, complex rhythms, and dynamic use of fills.

Mac McNeilly (The Jesus Lizard)

John Bonham: The swing… made the music breathe. Absolute natural awareness of when to set up a section with a fill, and when to show restraint. An exciting drummer. Listen to: just about anything he did with the band.

Clive Bunker: Very musical drummer, able to easily converse with the other musicians to form a complete and engaging picture. Very good dynamic player. Listen to: “Stand Up,” “Benefit,” “Aqualung.”

John Weathers: Made different time signatures groove, and kept a strong rock foundation within prog/baroque influences. Easily handled very challenging music. Listen to: Octopus, In a Glass House, Interview, “The Power and the Glory.”

Don Brewer: Along with Bonham, opened my eyes to the equally important relationship between kick and snare. Always adds great energy to the band. Listen to: Grand Funk Live (1970), E Pluribus Funk.

Ian Paice: Masterful control, especially snare expression. Very good balance on the whole kit. Also very musical with great presence. Listen to: In Rock, Machine Head.

These drummers are at the top of the list of those who continue to influence me. Honorable mention to Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon, Bill Ward, Bobby Caldwell, Bill Bruford.

Mark Lierly (Pallbearer)

Chris Hakius: Obviously a terrific heavy drummer and made a very important offering to sludge drumming with his performances in Sleep. However, for me personally, I’ve gotten a lot more inspiration from his more delicate work in Om. Really impressive dynamics and truly hypnotic grooves with big expressive fills and rolls. I’ve definitely found myself trying to emulate his consistency and control in my own drumming in Pallbearer.

Mitch Mitchell: The older I get, the more I realize how much his drumming informed mine especially in my teens and twenties. One of my all time favorite implementations of swing and jazz aesthetic into classic psychedelic rock. Some of my favorite drum fills note for note. I really believe Jimi’s genius would not have taken off in the same way with any other drummer.

Bill Bruford: I feel like almost any young person aspiring to be a good drummer, regardless of specific genre interest, will hopefully at some point hear early Yes and/or the King Crimson records that Bill Bruford plays on and will instantly have their horizons of what is possible redefined. I don’t think I’d have developed a lot of my own sensibilities in the field of “progressive/counter intuitive” drumming had it not been for several of the records he plays on.

Jimmy Chamberlin: One of the drummers whose sound I immediately go to when trying to imagine how a part should be played, and consequently one of the people I’m probably guilty of actively trying to sound like most often. One of the very best blends of technical chops and a smooth, relaxed jazzy approach. An impressively mechanical control while also having an incredibly emotional value to his parts.

Jason Roeder: I assume that most drummers involved in slower tempoed heavy music have been informed and inspired by his work in Neurosis. The crushing weight, both physically and emotionally, of his playing has surely set the bar for the genre in general. His use of openness and empty space in contrast with the precision and pummeling has been, and continues to be, a massive influence to the way I hear riffs and drum parts being played in my head.

Matt Halpern (Periphery)

Matt Garstka: No one works harder than Matt and it shows. And he’s always getting better and better, which is mind-boggling, because he is so freaking good already! He’s one of the most knowledgeable drummers doing it and can go so incredibly far down rabbit holes with everything he plays that it’s truly amazing. He also has the ability to kick his performances into higher and higher gears. Think you’ve seen him play a crazy fill or solo? Just keep watching him — it’ll get crazier and crazier in the most impressive way. He’s undoubtedly one of the best of all time.

Eloy Casagrande: Eloy is the perfect drummer. He has personality on the drums, a deep sense of groove and feel, super versatile, hits extremely hard, he’s aware of the music and all aspects of the compositions he’s playing, his feet are unmatched in terms of power and speed, and he’s able to move you when he plays. Also one of the best ever.

Larnell Lewis: Larnell is one of the most musical drummers I’ve ever seen. It’s a privilege to watch him play and everything he does just works. Even when you think he’s about to go somewhere out of bounds, he delivers the most ideal part to make every transition fit seamlessly. He’s got everything — musicality, groove, energy, a deep understanding of context and timing, and is just endlessly creative. Absolutely ridiculous drummer.

Louis Cole: I feel like Louis Cole doesn’t get enough love as a drummer, because he’s such a well-rounded musician in general, but Louis does things I haven’t seen anyone do to his level on the drums. He has such a unique style and sound, and everything he plays makes your jaw drop. His fundamentals are excellent, and then his ability to build and build and build on top of the foundation is crazy. He should definitely go down as one of the best ever.

Aric Improta: Few drummers, from any time period, are as creative as Aric. He is a true artist, in every sense of the word, and it all comes through his drumming. Not only is he a movement artist on the kit, but his abilities are limitless. He can write full-on drum compositions, his feet are powerful and fast, his pocket is deep, he’s energetic and connected to every single hit he plays, and he’s very passionate and deliberate about every note. He also keeps getting better. It’s gonna be scary to see how far he can go!

Matt Yonker (Less Than Jake)

Kenny Aronoff: The first drummer I fell absolutely in love with when I was a kid. I even asked my parents for his first instructional VHS for Christmas when it came out

Dave Grohl: Everyone already knows! He can do it all. My favorite kind of drummer, super dynamic and beats the crap out of the drums!

Tico Torres: One of my biggest influences. What Tico added to classic Bon Jovi can’t be overlooked. Tasteful and interesting additions behind some of the biggest hits of my generation.

Bill Stevenson: He’s a maestro. From the most perfectly-pocketed foundation behind the sweetest melody, to total in-your-face mayhem alongside the oddest time signature, Bill is just the best.

Mike Bordin: I’m a big fan of hard-hitting drummers. When Faith No More blew up with The Real Thing, it was the drumming that really caught my attention. Mike had a different feel and style than most of the other stuff I was listening to at the time, he really stood out. So much so, that I started digging further and grabbed their Live at Brixton video just to see what they were like live. MIND BLOWN.

Maty Madiro (From Ashes to New)

Travis Barker: His creativity created a signature sound. He represents himself with specific beats that anyone might play and say “That’s a Travis beat,” and his overall creativity behind the kit using different parts of drums the typical drummer wouldn’t think of incorporating is incredible. His aesthetic in creating such a strong visual representation behind the kit as a drummer and bringing the back of the stage to the front spotlight took drumming to new heights.

Ray Luzier: His showmanship is incredible. I’ve always said, “He’s Ray when he walks to stage, but the minute he stands behind those drums he transforms into something else.” He becomes a character that you can’t stop watching the entire performance. He’s a super clean player, can play his ass off, bashing with dynamic all while throwing sticks around and paying with such a flowing body language the whole time that it captivates you.

Tommy Lee: It’s Tommy fuckin’ Lee! He helped cultivate a whole new generation of badass drummers just by just being who he is, how he plays on the kit, the roller coasters, spinning upside down. He took drumming to the biggest level before anyone else was.

John Bonham: His mindset behind the kit, his groove, making weird pocket grooves feel so tight and tasteful, his presence behind the kit… you’d know it was a Bonham-style piece just by hearing it. Growing up listening to Zeppelin, it was inevitable he was going to be a drumming inspiration for me being at such a young age and hearing his iconic parts on such iconic songs.

Dave Grohl: The man is a damn legend. His groove and placement are what takes him to the top for me. He’s created such impressive grooves on some of the most iconic songs while having so much passion behind every hit he plays. He’s a drummer’s drummer. If you’re a drummer and want to study drummers, he’s one most would say they’ve watched after and followed heavily.

Max Freeberg (Wet, Porches)

Tony Williams: At age 17, he had a radical conception of the drums that rocked the world then and sounds as fresh today. You can tell he’s hearing the music in slow motion. He could see the forest, so to speak.

John Bonham: The best-sounding drums. Tone seems to be neglected in most discussions about groove but it could be as important as timing. His music wouldn’t feel the same without all that air moving through his drums. That being said, the push and pull of his beat is utterly sublime.

Brian Blade: I fantasize about him playing with various musicians because I think he is the greatest at elevating those around him. The king of dynamics.

Elvin Jones: The Spirit lives…

Tomas Haake: The Machine lives?

Max Sepulveda (The Zenith Passage)

Hannes Grossmann: Hannes has machine-like precision, but also maintains a lot of groove and feel at high tempos. His coordination is next level, and his style has been extremely influential to death metal drummers.

Kai Hahto: Kai has one of the most recognizable and unique drumming styles I’ve ever heard, regardless of the genre. As a metal drummer, he has an inhuman level of stamina for blast beats and is totally underrated in that aspect.

Lyle Cooper: Lyle is personally my favourite drummer, and I believe he has been extremely influential in the death metal drumming community. He’s a master of precision and creativity.

Derek Roddy: Derek has been another one of the most influential death metal drummers. He earned his nickname “one take” from him consistently nailing songs in a single take while recording with Hate Eternal.

John Longstreth: John is hands down one of the fastest and tightest metal drummers around. His unique and tasteful style has helped both himself and Origin elevate to legendary status.

Michael “Moose” Thomas (Kill the Lights, Bullet for My Valentine)

Dave Grohl: As a 14-year-old kid who wanted to play guitar, this guy completely turned my world as a future musician on its head, just watching videos of this guy playing his drums with precision and power made me took me on a different path in my musical journey (Thanks Dave).

Vinnie Paul: This guy really took drumming to a different level of power. His groove sat perfectly in the pocket for Pantera, and his kick work on the song “Becoming” opened my eyes to different styles of kick playing.

Dave Lombardo: Without a doubt the best metal drummer on the planet! His speed and footwork completely set him apart from all other drummers, from early Slayer to present day. I’ve been lucky to witness him playing close up, and nobody else came close to his drumming. In my opinion, he was the kingpin of the way metal drummers play today.

Scott Travis: This guy was a massive influence on the way I play my drums, his playing on Painkiller blew my mind, just listen to the opening title track and that will solidify my choice for him as being one of the greatest drummers.

Austin Archey: When I first heard Lorna Shore I was convinced that the drumming was not human and played via computer, a few weeks later I saw YouTube footage of Austin playing these insanely fast inhuman-like drum parts, my jaw hit the ground. This guy is taking metal drumming to a completely new level and I’m most definitely here for it.

Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs)

Neil Peart: Neil had the biggest impact overall on my playing and on me as a musician in general… not only his groundbreaking progressive drumming, but the architect of his drum kits and the fact that he composed the band’s lyrics as well made him a monumental influence on me.

John Bonham: Bonzo had it all… somehow walking the fine line between power and finesse, between simple and complex… and he always made the song GROOVE above all.

Keith Moon: When I saw the film The Kids are Alright in the theaters in 1979, I was completely transfixed with Keith… couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He played the drums like a lead instrument and played with such personality and conviction as if he was the bands frontman. From that point, I knew exactly what kind of drummer I wanted to be.

Ringo Starr: My very first drum hero. The Beatles will always be my favorite band of all time. They did EVERYTHING first. Including having a drummer with his own voice and personality. Ringo’s drumming was simple, but always PERFECT for the song.

Bill Bruford: Bill is The Godfather of Prog… the Progfather!! His resume speaks for itself: Yes, King Crimson, UK, Genesis… He was an essential part of the development of drumming in progressive music in the ’70s and ’80s.

Mike Shepherd (Mastiff)

Buddy Rich: He was an incredibly talented, self-taught drummer, who accomplished things no other drummer could do at the time and probably even now. He was not only a big influence on the jazz scene, but also on the future rock scene.

John Bonham: He was an amazingly powerful drummer, playing with real groove, who has undoubtedly influenced many rock drummers over the years. But he was also a very accomplished drummer technically.

Keith Moon: He was a unique force of nature, with an unorthodox approach to drumming that was amazing to watch. He was not content to play in the “standard way.” He brought the drums to the forefront of the music. Some of his fills were incredible!

Ginger Baker: He was a jazz-trained drummer, but also got into other styles such as playing African rhythms, which worked brilliantly. No doubt a big influence on many rock and metal drummers over the years.

Jimmy Chamberlain: Another great jazz-trained drummer. His most notable work is with Smashing Pumpkins, but he has performed in many of his own bands and side projects. He is a very versatile drummer of all different styles and plays with such amazing groove, whether it’s rock or jazz or whatever!

Nate Young (Anberlin)

John Bonham: He was out here playing parts that no one was thinking about it in genre he was in. So tasteful, technical without being annoying, and still hit the shit out of his drums. But not too hard

just right.

Dave Grohl: Simple, iconic and creative. Guided me into the world of not overplaying. Plays the part for the song, but makes sure when everyone hears it, they know it’s him.

Stewart Copeland: So much flow. Another drummer where he makes the song. So unique in his own style.

Taylor Hawkins: Another personal one. He was iconic for the era in which he played. Everyone in the rock world during the ’90s wanted to look and play like him. Also the fact that he was able to play with Grohl and get approval is huge.

Steve Jordan: He’s the type of drummer that can play with so many different bands, and still put his own flavor on it. Such a unique flow and style in every genre that he plays.

Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace)

John Bonham: My older brother used to crank Zeppelin in his room. Some of my first memories were thinking that there is something different going on in the drums with that music. It felt bouncier. Later in life, I realized I was picking up on the unmatchable groove that is Bonham.

Danny Carey: Tool is a patient band that leaves lots of room for the music and instruments to breathe. I’ve always found that leaving space in music makes it all sound larger than life, and heavier in a lot of ways. He’s the master of using negative space to make Tool sound huge with one guitar, bass and drums.

Stewart Copeland: It always sounded to me like Stewart is really knowledgeable about different types of beats and grooves from around the world. I love when a drummer brings in a latin beat to a rock song and makes it so people are compelled to dance!

Ray Luzier: We became friends when Ray was drumming for Army of Anyone, a supergroup (Stone Temple Pilots, Filter), and they were on tour with us! We couldn’t believe we were having this great experience touring with living legends. I instantly realized that Ray is in a pedigree of masterclass level drummers. So much groove and endless layers of musical drum complexities! I was super happy, but not surprised when he was invited to join KORN!

II: Normally when I’m making a “best of all time” list, it doesn’t have things discovered recently. II from Sleep Token is definitely the exception. They’re my favorite band to come out in a very long time. So musical and diverse. His snare drum is a very different specific approach that is totally part of the sound (not unlike Danny Carey). I took my son, Jet, a fellow drummer, to a concert of theirs and we watched in awe from the balcony on how meticulous but truly musical it was.

Pat McGee (Stars)

John Bonham: His sound, feel, musicality, and flash are iconic. He fused jazz, blues, rock, and R&B, transferred this mix to giant drums, threw in some hedonism and a touch of Satan, and invented heavy metal. He is the most revered drummer in history. Everyone will pick him, and if they don’t they’re being flippant and unnecessarily provocative.

Neil Peart: Name another drummer in the rock-pop-prog-fusion idiom who thorougly composed his parts for every song, never deviating live or otherwise, applied his vision to a 30+ piece electric/acoustic 360-degree orchestral rock kit, and somehow managed to make every part musical, seamless, and iconic. He also wrote the lyrics to all 167 Rush songs. I don’t care if you don’t like Rush, Neil is undeniable.

Bernard Purdie: According to himself, he’s played on over 500 No. 1 hits and recorded with over 2,000 artists. Even if his boasts are double the reality, that’s still insane. He’s also responsible for the Purdie Shuffle. Look it up.

Elvin Jones: A famous jazz musician walks into a studio while the engineers are listening back to a recent recording. The musician is awe-struck by the drumming and asks “Who’s playing drums?!?” The engineer responds “It’s Elvin Jones,” to which the musician then asks “Then who’s playing the cymbals?” This corny jazz parable sums it up. Elvin’s drumming is an avalanche of sound that is at times incomprehensible, yet mind-blowingly musical. Power and grace. Listen to John Coltrane’s “Sun Ship” and have your face melted.

Karen Carpenter: Buddy Rich (who will undoubtedly be a contender for top spot on this list) named Karen as his favorite pop drummer, and Buddy famously did not give out compliments. As an egomaniac, he might have bestowed this compliment because her style and technique is very much like his: monster chops, flash, and musicality. Oh, and she sings at the same time! Because she was such an amazing singer (coupled with a healthy dose of sexism,) she was muscled off her instrument of choice and into the role of singer and frontwoman for the Carpenters. The hits followed and so did her tragic demise. First and foremost, Karen was a wildly talented drummer, and sadly, she was never afforded the accolades she deserved or revered for the drumming talent that she was.

Patrick Dunn (REZN)

John Bonham: This should need no other explanation. Bonham’s influence on the drumming community can never be overstated.

Neil Peart: He was known as “The Professor” for a reason! A drummer that all the best drummers look up to. Also, how often have you seen someone air drum the fills from “Tom Sawyer?”

Billy Cobham: Besides Bonham, I see Cobham as one of the most notable drummers to fuse jazz fills and rudiments with rock energy and power. Still killing it to this day as well.

Danny Carey: The Octopus, master of polyrhythms and odd time signatures.

Eloy Casagrande: Eloy will absolutely go down as one of the best metal drummers in history. No one plays with the amount of power and nuance.

Patrick Wilson (Weezer)

Steve Gadd: Everything he plays is music, the feel is instantly groovy. He’s one of one.

Stewart Copeland: A force of nature, all go! He has punch AND bounce, and the Police was his band.

Bill Stewart: A jazzer with endless ideas who never pushes, a fountain of effortless groove.

John Bonham: Everything is laid back in the cut, the entire kit is one instrument. The sound of Led Zeppelin.

Jack DeJohnette: Fearless and explosive. He respects the music, but also, zero fucks given. He was expressionistic.

Peter Erskine: The deepest swing, intentional but free. Unlike DeJohnette, he was impressionistic.

Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse)

Neil Peart: The most versatile, flavorful drummer of all time. The way he made beats sound so simple yet extremely complex is mind-blowing!

Dave Lombardo: The best thrash drummer of all time. He was and still is the epitome of aggression behind the kit!

Buddy Rich: The godfather of the drum set! He could do anything and make it look so effortless! His hands were as fast as lightning!

John Bonham: The king of the rock groove. He made it sound like there was so much more going on than there actually was. His beats stand the test of time!

Vinny Colaiuta: The master of pretty much anything that can be done on drums. One of the smoothest most tasteful drummers there is!

Robert Sweet (Stryper)

Buddy Rich: Saw him play for the first time when I was nine-years-old and finally witnessed it in person in 1986. He still shocks me all these years later. One of the best drummers of all time.

Don Brewer: Grand Funk Railroad. Got into to him also when I was nine years old. This is when I started paying attention to rock and roll drumming.

John Bonham: Saw The Song Remains the Same in 1978 and then from then on was a major fan and was really influenced by him.

Alex Van Halen: Saw Van Halen live as a 19-years-old in 1979. Incredible show and a great player. Always wanted to play in a serious pro band and seeing him play really influenced me.

Tony Royster Jr.: Saw him when he was nine-years-old. Blew my mind. He was born to play drums. Still a big influence.

Ruben Limas (Tetrarch):

Tommy Lee: Hands down one of the most entertaining personalities in music. Just playing drums from the heart for the masses. You can’t get bored watching Tommy Lee ever.

Neil Peart: His drumming has always inspired me to continue to get better at my drumming. He has perfectly structured drum solos and was just m a drumming genius.

Mike Portnoy: One of my personal favorites ever. His charisma and ability to play different styles but always making them fun to listen to and watch is undeniable.

Joey Jordison: The guy that brought double bass drumming to the mainstream. His energy and persona made drumming the coolest thing in the world.

Buddy Rich: Snare Drum Rudiments was the first drum book I ever opened. It gave me the tools to start growing as a drummer and become the drummer that I am today.

Sebastian Thomas (Baroness)

Mac McNeilly: Known mostly for the Jesus Lizard, he has an uncanny ability to meld a shambolic attitude with a metronomic hypnotism. And of course, massive power. His drum parts are part of the arrangements and songwriting. They are hooks in and of themselves. He taught me how to be loose and wild and yet controlled and intentionally repetitive at the same time. Imagine combining Neu!’s Klaus Dinger with Bonham.

Ray Washam: From a related scene, his drumming on Rapeman’s Two Nuns and a Pack Mule has a unique combination of post-punk aesthetics and chops. You can tell he has technique but it is never distracting or obtrusive. His playing is impressive but more importantly it makes a stylistic statement. This is shredding with a purpose. The band also leaves him a lot of space, which I appreciate.

Martin Atkins: He’s worked with a lot of bands I love but I’m including him because of the PiL album Flowers of Romance. His purposely awkward grooves are so engaging and yet also repellant. Sometimes art has to be beautiful and ugly simultaneously. The beats are the riffs of the tracks, and I think it’s important for non-drummers to accept that possibility.

Damon Che: An old friend of mine and a unique talent and voice on the instrument. What he does is in some ways the opposite of what I try to do, but that’s why music is never-ending, there are so many ways to do it. He has chops and technique for days but it never sounds studied or academic or forced, it just erupts. Feral and deliberate at the same time. It’s nice to see a new generation of math rockers be influenced by early Don Caballero. Plus, we share a love of Alex Van Halen and roto toms.

Robert G?rl: Even though he produced and wrote the synth parts on the early ’80s DAF albums, I’m including his drumming to remind players that a deliberate voice and style are what matters. If you were to transcribe his parts they would be the opposite of impressive or interesting, but the production and the relentless aesthetic is inspiring. There is an objective to it. As musicians we should always ask what is the motivation for our music. It sounds like G?rl was influenced by drum machine programming and then took that feel back to the kit for a very effective reversal. An interesting inflection point in music history.

Stella Wave (Hello Mary)

Dave Grohl: His feel is off the charts, he never overplays or underplays. He evokes so much power out of the instrument with ease and always plays to the benefit of the song.

Sheila E: She is extremely technically skilled, seemingly in all different styles of drumming — jazz, R&B, and rock, to name a few. Her ability to play incredibly fast but maintain groove and accuracy is very impressive. And, not to mention, she carved a path to success in the ’80s, when women (especially black women) were rarely respected as musicians at all — drums specifically, being the least “lady like” instrument.

John Bonham: He just has intense swag in his playing, I love how he’s always slightly behind the beat. And his drums sound amazing as well.

Morgan Simpson: He’s extremely technically advanced. His use of varying rhythms and time signatures within the same song is highly impressive and unique. He is also particularly skilled at being able to hit with power while still being able to use all of his finger and hand muscles to his advantage at all times.

Carla Azar: Her drumming is so creative and hypnotic. She always plays to the song so well, and makes very inventive rhythmic decisions. And she’s a very dynamic player.

TJ Orscher (Bear Hands)

Buddy Rich: He might not have been the most liked in the industry, but hot damn could he play. He put the spotlight on the drums (more than Gene Krupa in my opinion) and got me into big band jazz. His work ethic seemed relentless and it’s driven me to always strive to perform at my best.

Dave Grohl: Nirvana’s Nevermind was the first CD I ever owned, and I credit Grohl with my decision to pursue music full time. His sound got in my head and I wanted to have that same effect on other people.

John Bonham: I feel like Bonham created the big rock sound. His sound is unmistakable.

John Theodore: Theodore’s playing on The Mars Volta’s De-loused in the Comatorium blew my mind and pushed me to be a much more inventive drummer.

Abe Cunningham: Deftones have always been a favorite band of mine, and Abe’s tasteful drum parts always resonated with me. I’ve probably played along with their records more than any other and it’s always so much fun to play Abe’s parts.

Vesa Ranta (Cemetery Skyline, Sentenced, The Abbey)

Dave Lombardo: Lombardo is the most meaningful drummer for me when it comes to thrash metal. Especially the trio of albums Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons in the Abyss hit me really hard. In my opinion, the best Dave drum tracks can be found on the South of Heaven album and it’s probably one of the most listened to albums ever for me. Dave’s groove and the liveliness of his playing is really great to hear.

Nicke Andersson: Entombed brought rocking to death metal and one big contributor was drummer Nicke. The band’s first four albums are a good demonstration of how brutal death metal can rock your head off. Suitably simple, but insanely cool drum tracks.

Dave Grohl: In the early ’90s, grunge music took over my turntable. I really listened to Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. All had good drummers. Dave Grohl’s incredible groove and simple-yet-murderously-punchy drum tracks are iconic. They really rock!

Neil Peart: I’ve been a big Rush fan since the early ’90s. The band’s music is meaningful to me and I always find new layers in it. Peart’s drumming is original and interesting. It’s amazing how a trio can make such big music. Neil Peart fills the space well with his rich drum arrangements. Of today’s drummers, I put Gavin Harrison in the same category: Musical geniuses.

Sami Kuoppam?ki: I also have to mention my personal favorite from Finland. Sami Kuoppam?ki and Kingston Wall. Insanely loud groove and high-flying drumming. Like Rush, the band functioned as a trio. The gig experiences of the early ’90s were head-blowing. I recommend everyone to check out the band.

Vlad Ulasevish (Jinjer)

Thomas Haake: The one and only Father of all metal drummers in the world.

Navene Koperweis: The most talented composer and drummer I know. His contribution to music cannot be denied.

Matt Garstka: If you want to see how a Jazzy Drummer plays metal, this is your guy!!!

Eloy Casagrande: Monster! The loudest drummer in the world. No one has as much energy as Eloy.

Grayson Nekrutman: Fresh young blood. From Dixieland straight into hardcore and metal – this is the approach I like.

Zack Simmons (Goatwhore)

Tommy Aldridge: An all-around monster of a rock drummer. His precision and ability to be creative and “out of the box” yet cohesive within the song always amazes me. Also, he hits hard as hell!

Bill Ward: The originator of proto-metal drumming and the first to lay the groundwork in such a context. From the plodding, right foot workout of “Paranoid” to the speed metal-esque, frenzied fills of “Symptom of the Universe” — Bill did it first.

Mikkey Dee: His work with King Diamond is classic, but his body of work with Mot?rhead showed he could do a lot with a little. Very athletic and loud drummer that knows how to throw in little tasty flares and interesting beat shifts without being overtly flashy.

Dave Lombardo: He has the speed, the chops, and most importantly, the FEEL. His dynamic tom rolls and use of flowing accents are a treat to the ears when most drummers in his genre try to sound robotic as possible. Total metal swagger.

Lars Ulrich: I’ve never been on board with the “Lars hate.” He’s probably the biggest reason many have picked up drumsticks and started playing drums. Great feel, huge drum sounds, and excellent composition of drum parts and fills. Legend!

The Consequence Drummer Survey: 65 Drummers Name Their Favorite Drummers of All Time
Rachel Rosenfield

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