Top 5 drummers

[jakey]

Who are your picks?

In no particular order...cause they are all gods....

Carter
David Garibaldi - Tower of Power
Danny Carey - Tool
Steve Gadd - Many... Paul Simon to name one..
Steve Smith - Vital Information

[Mathers420]

carter kicks ass

i dont know too much about drumming but I saw the Slip last weekend and their drummer blew me away. He kept many of the songs alive and did many odd things, he was playing with a marocca(sp??) at one point among many other things

his first name is Andrew, I think

[dmbware]

1) Buddy Rich
2) Gene Krupa
3) Vinnie Colaiuta
4) Carter
5) Neil peart
6) Josh freese

[Quick]

How can you forget John Bonham and Keith Moon?

Shame on all of you.

[gregory311]

In no order as I like them all for different reasons:

Tony Williams
Art Blakey
Neil Peart
Buddy Rich
Danny Carey
Keith Moon
Carter Beauford
Billy Drummond
Billy Higgins

J.

[jakey]

My five drummers are all alive..thats why bonham and moon weren't there.

[BEAUFORD]

dennis chambers is def on top five by far

[dmbware]

Its is too hard to rate these guys!!! They are all incredible in different ways

[DOzimek1]

max weinberg

[kgoedman]

i think carter is one of the best drummers (rock drummers at least) ever

danny carey is fucking amazing, he drives the band

he and carter are the top two by far

some others...
billy martin (MMW) does nothing too fancy, but is one of the steadiest drummers around

evans from soulive is pretty solid

stewart copeland...just listen to oysterhead and you will know what this man can do

[allfalldown]

What about the best drummer in the world...Virgil Donati? He is the sickest of them all. I know that Carter is out of control, but this guy is ridiculous.

afd

[dmbware]

Yes he is a ripping drummer. If you want to listen to an amazing Drummer, Modern Drummer has called him one of the greatest drummers in the last 10 years, You have to listen to Josh Freese. This guy is amazing!!!!!

http://joshfreese.com/credits.htm:evil

[BEAUFORD]

virgil donati is not better than dennis chambers buddy, dennis chambers will blow anybody out the fuckin door. go see him live and you will know what im talkin about.

[dmbware]

no way buddy is the god and will alwys be

[BEAUFORD]

i wasnt talking about buddy rich.

[DMBDrummerFreak]

ME :monkey

[seekup40]

ginger baker is definitely in there somewhere.

[gmowN]

morgan rose has a better style than any drummer ive ever seen....i try to emulate his style when playing that kind of music

[peetri11]

Originally posted by DOzimek1
max weinberg

i second that

[murfaman]

An older DMB fan wants to add Aynsley Dunbar to the list of greatest drummers...he left the original (pre Steve Perry) Journey
in disgust when they got Perry and the band went pop rock...he went directly to Grace Slick's house in Marin, CA to talk about playing with the Starship

Listen to some of their original songs like "Kahoutek" and you'll hear a vastly different Journey...and some great drum work.

Can't really go wrong with anyone posted thus far. :cool:

[murfaman]

An older DMB fan wants to add Ainsley Dunbar to the list of greatest drummers...he left the original (pre Steve Perry) Journey
in disgust when they got Perry and the band went pop rock...he went directly to Grace Slick house in Marin, CA to talk about playing with the Starship

Listen to some of their original songs like "Kahoutek" and you'll hear a vastly different Journey...and some great drum work.

Some great names posted by all. :cool:

[BMEGroove]

Joe Morello - Dave Brubeck Quartet
Sammy J. Watson - The Apex Theory
Bill Stevenson - All
Chad Sexton - 311
and the inspiration to the progressive rock drummer in all of us...
Bill Bruford - King Crimson:cool:

[allfalldown]

Hey BEAUFORD....

What about Sean Reinhart?? He is unreal.

What about Mike Portnoi??? AMAZING.

And by the way, I saw Virgil Donati live at the G3 concert last year and after his solo, he got a standing ovation - the audience was obviously predominently musicians considering that Portnoi and Petrucci from Dream Theater were both there. THAT is impressive.

afd

[mojo1210]

john bonham

[greppson]

the more and more i listen to carter the more amazing i think he is.. just focus on his SH^#*T during ANY song... damn.

[dmb16]

im more of a guitar guy than a drums guy

have some questions though

does anyone else have a monster ass drum set like carter?

i cant seem to remember. where is john bonham from?

[mojo1210]

Originally posted by dmb16
im more of a guitar guy than a drums guy

have some questions though

does anyone else have a monster ass drum set like carter?

i cant seem to remember. where is john bonham from?


led zeppelin man

[Bigeyedfish1386]

Niel peart
Carter
Bonzo
drummer from clutch
Phil collins

[BEAUFORD]

hey MOJO john bonham has never played a monster drum set.
hey ALLFALLDOWN, mike portnoy is amazing. and if you ever have the chance to see dennis chambers, as crazy as it is he shits on virgil donati. all these drummers are amazing and its impossible to rank them, it just creates stupid arguements.

[mojo1210]

Originally posted by BEAUFORD
hey MOJO john bonham has never played a monster drum set.
hey ALLFALLDOWN, mike portnoy is amazing. and if you ever have the chance to see dennis chambers, as crazy as it is he shits on virgil donati. all these drummers are amazing and its impossible to rank them, it just creates stupid arguements.

I was never arguing that he did have a monster set, i was just answering his questiong. But if you havent seen the guy play, i suggest watching the song remains the same, looks like a pretty big set....none the less, the size of the set doesnt make the drummer BEAUFORD

[BEAUFORD]

i realized what you were actually saying after i typed that, sorry. obviously the size of the set doesnt make the drummer there are too many examples to list.

[dnkband]

My picks...these are in no order except of course for the top guy...

1. Carter - possibly the tastiest drummer I've ever heard
2. Dennis Chambers - if not Carter then definately this guy, he's just not right
3. Simon Phillips - I don't think I've seen him on the list yet, what's wrong with all you drummers out there.
4. Vinnie Colaiuta - this guy tested out of the drum department at Berklee, yeah he's good.
5. Danny Carey - Awesome!
6. Zach Lind - (Jimmy Eat World) he's not all that great but he's a friend of mine so I have to put him in there and plug the fact that he'll be on the cover of November's issue of Modern Drummer, go check it out!

Peace everybody
-Doug

[JostaBones78]

im going with obviuosly carter. throw in some buddy rich and gene krupa, danny carey, and round it out with terry bozio. if you thik carter has a monster ass drum set check out bozzio's! also i have a monster ass drum set about coparable to the size of carter's, just in case anyone was still wondering.

[msink]

Carter Beauford
Dennis Chambers
Levon Helm
Jon Fishman
Steve Gadd

[carterwantabe]

Top 5 Drummers

As per my experiences seeing live

Carter Beauford
Stewart Copleand
Dennis Chambers
Jeff Hamilton
(toss up among all the other greats)

[nancie31]

Everyone is adding to their list that Dennis Chambers is one of the top drummers....My name happens to be Dennis Chambers too. (Absolutely no relation) (I wish though)

Anyway, I have had about 4 people trade cd's with me in the past, who all ask "are you THE Dennis Chambers" and as somewhat of a joke, I say, "yeah, I have been Dennis Chambers my whole life....."

I hope I havn't got people out there thinking that they have been trading DMB cd's with a famous drummer! :haha :lol :haha

[strezadm]

What about David Grohl...and his stint with Nirvana

[PilotC150]

the best part, is when people put Carter on the top of the list, it's not just because we're all DMB fans. It's because he's actually one of the worlds best drummers!

[Carbon Copy]

after watching dream theaters live at budokan i can honestly say mike portnoy puts carter to shame

[Arby]

hey MOJO john bonham has never played a monster drum set.No, it wasnt monster, but listen to and/or watch Moby Dick....then you'll know whats up

[Arby]

the best part, is when people put Carter on the top of the list, it's not just because we're all DMB fans. It's because he's actually one of the worlds best drummers!
:D damn right!:D

[Mickey Carson]

What about David Grohl...and his stint with Nirvana
Although I think there are plenty of drummers better than Grohl...I've never seen anyone hit the drums harder than he does. It's amazing (on old Nirvana shows) how high he would raise the drumsticks between each beat in order to slam them down as hard as possible.

[Obsessor Of 41]

Favorite Rock Drummers (Not Neccesarily Best): Bonzo Bonham, Carter Beauford, Jon Fishman, Phil Selway, Terry Bozzio and Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck), Carmine Appice (Beck, Bogart, Appice), John Blackwell, Steve Gadd (W/Simon).

Favorite Jazz Drummers (Ditto): Dave Weckl, Buddy Rich, Stanton Moore.

[Carbon Copy]

Although I think there are plenty of drummers better than Grohl...I've never seen anyone hit the drums harder than he does. It's amazing (on old Nirvana shows) how high he would raise the drumsticks between each beat in order to slam them down as hard as possible.
that just shows he had enough time between strokes to go that high. he isnt that good at all

[werkinsnake]

In no particular order;

Buddy Rich, Carter, Bonham, Keith Moon

BTW, has anyone heard Ringo Garza from Los Lonely Boys? I've seen him live, and I must say that he is pretty sick.

[Obsessor Of 41]

In no particular order;

Buddy Rich, Carter, Bonham, Keith Moon

BTW, has anyone heard Ringo Garza from Los Lonely Boys? I've seen him live, and I must say that he is pretty sick.

Heard him and seen him live? He is very impressive and bangs on that set purty hard I'd say. He is very fun to watch to say the least. Those guys in general are awesome live.

[Obsessor Of 41]

Heard him and seen him live? He is very impressive and bangs on that set purty hard I'd say. He is very fun to watch to say the least. Those guys in general are awesome live.

Edit: didn't mean for that ? mark.

[guitplyr86]

after watching dream theaters live at budokan i can honestly say mike portnoy puts carter to shame

i am not so sure about putting him to shame. carter is most definitely one of the best drummers around, as well as portnoy, but their style is obviously different. carter's background is jazz, portnoy's is metal but they are both VERY well educated in their profession and can both do anything they want.

oh yeah, morgan rose should definitely be in the list as well. :thumbsup

[onemanguitarban]

some others...
billy martin (MMW) does nothing too fancy, but is one of the steadiest drummers around



Billy Martin is one of my favorites, but I've never heard anyone say he does "nothing too fancy." He never plays a song the same way twice and some of his rhythms are VERY complicated.

[Carbon Copy]

i am not so sure about putting him to shame. carter is most definitely one of the best drummers around, as well as portnoy, but their style is obviously different. carter's background is jazz, portnoy's is metal but they are both VERY well educated in their profession and can both do anything they want.

oh yeah, morgan rose should definitely be in the list as well. :thumbsup
ill agree with that. on a side note: gusters drummer is fun to watch even though he isnt that good. the whole bare hand style is intertaining to watch

[CarterBoydBear]

CARTER. I really don't know much about drums, but i LOOOOVE carter.

[RushianSyrinx]

after watching dream theaters live at budokan i can honestly say mike portnoy puts carter to shame

Portnoy does NOT put carter to shame - Portnoy recycles the same fills over and over and he readily admits it, in addition his technique is horrible and all he has going for him (other than a few select grooves) is his odd metered stuff and his double bass work. Coincidentally, Portnoy is much more limited in what he can do, as he is a right handed drummer with limited independence (compared to carter's ambidexterity).

As for my five...

-John Bonham
-Carter Beauford
-Neil Peart
-Danny Carey
-Buddy Rich


Honrable mentions
-Jon Theodore (TMV is fucking incredible)
-Gene Krupa
-Billy Cobham

[defcon]

OK, I play guitar and not drums so I can't profess much on the subject, but shouldn't some respect be given to that one armed drummer from Def Leppard (Ric Savage, I think?). He might not be one of the top 5, but I think you have to give credit where credit is due.

[Dubliner]

Here are my top 5 drummers:
1. Steve Gadd
2. Cater Beauford
3. Ringo Starr
4. Dennis Chambers
5. John Bonham
:hug

[Mickey Carson]

OK, I play guitar and not drums so I can't profess much on the subject, but shouldn't some respect be given to that one armed drummer from Def Leppard (Ric Savage, I think?). He might not be one of the top 5, but I think you have to give credit where credit is due.
What has 9 arms and sucks?













Def Leppard

[Carbon Copy]

Portnoy does NOT put carter to shame - Portnoy recycles the same fills over and over and he readily admits it, in addition his technique is horrible and all he has going for him (other than a few select grooves) is his odd metered stuff and his double bass work. Coincidentally, Portnoy is much more limited in what he can do, as he is a right handed drummer with limited independence (compared to carter's ambidexterity).

As for my five...

-John Bonham
-Carter Beauford
-Neil Peart
-Danny Carey
-Buddy Rich


Honrable mentions
-Jon Theodore (TMV is fucking incredible)
-Gene Krupa
-Billy Cobhamyou know your stuff, but carter uses alot of the same fills as well. quite redundant

[RushianSyrinx]

you know your stuff, but carter uses alot of the same fills as well. quite redundant

true but even then carter has much more variety

[Jemvie]

What about David Grohl...and his stint with Nirvana
Yeah..everyone forgot Dave Grohl, he's awesome, or at least he was w/ Nirvana.

And Phil Selway (Radiohead) maybe he's not that great per se, but I doubt many others if any could nail the Radiohead concept so well, especially on the latest albums which revolve around drumn & bass.
Try listening to Dollars & Cents from the "I might be wrong - Live Recordings" CD if you get a chance.

[Obsessor Of 41]

Favorite Rock Drummers (Not Neccesarily Best): Bonzo Bonham, Carter Beauford, Jon Fishman, Phil Selway, Terry Bozzio and Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck), Carmine Appice (Beck, Bogart, Appice), John Blackwell, Steve Gadd (W/Simon).

Favorite Jazz Drummers (Ditto): Dave Weckl, Buddy Rich, Stanton Moore.

In response to the above post....

I'd never forget Phil, he's great, and handles Jonny, Ed, and Thom's curveballs well. I love him on National Anthem and Airbag especially.

[guitplyr86]

ill agree with that. on a side note: gusters drummer is fun to watch even though he isnt that good. the whole bare hand style is intertaining to watch

agreed :thumbsup :thumbsup

[perfectturmoil]

i am not so sure about putting him to shame. carter is most definitely one of the best drummers around, as well as portnoy, but their style is obviously different. carter's background is jazz, portnoy's is metal but they are both VERY well educated in their profession and can both do anything they want....

This is basically my whole opinion here. DMB and Dream Theater are my two favorite bands, but its next to impossible to accurately compare them directly. Its like comparing apples and peanut butter sandwiches.

They are both amazing at what they do, they are both perfect for the bands they are in. Both versatile, both technical.

Yeah, Portnoy probably reuses things (didnt really notice, but drums are more transparent to me, they can easily make or break a band, but I dont actually focus on them, I just let them compliment the music :-] ) but what musician isn't at least a little guilty of that? Maybe thats a cause for someone not to like them on a technical level, but hey.. every monkey likes some sort of banana, right?

[RushianSyrinx]

This is basically my whole opinion here. DMB and Dream Theater are my two favorite bands, but its next to impossible to accurately compare them directly. Its like comparing apples and peanut butter sandwiches.

They are both amazing at what they do, they are both perfect for the bands they are in. Both versatile, both technical.

Yeah, Portnoy probably reuses things (didnt really notice, but drums are more transparent to me, they can easily make or break a band, but I dont actually focus on them, I just let them compliment the music :-] ) but what musician isn't at least a little guilty of that? Maybe thats a cause for someone not to like them on a technical level, but hey.. every monkey likes some sort of banana, right?

I see some of your points, but the CB v MP on a technical level is a knockout and the winner is Carter.

Could Carter play what Mike Portnoy plays? Yes.
Could Portnoy play what Carter does? Highly Doubtful.
Portnoy's parts arent that complicated, whereas carter tends to get much more complex especially in regards to 4-way independence. The only thing tricky about what MP plays (in regards to Carter's standpoint) is the time signatures. However we've seen how well he naviages DReaming TRee and YNK, so it leads one to beleive he may not have a problem with that at all.
Now as always there is the point that neither one would be able to play the others with the same conviction as they didnt write it. But when you compare parts, Carter wins.

Now look at technique. Mike Portnoy's left hand is a disaster and can pain me at times to look at it. Then again MP does not have the same training that CB does and is not ambi. CB gets points here again for ambidexterity as well as playing in an open style.

Some people equate technique with chops and those are entirely different. Portnoy's technique isnt that great, but he does have chops (not the CB extent tho)

As Ive said in many discussions comparing Carter, Neil and Mike - there are tiers of drumming, and CB, NP and MP all belong on the upper teir. But if it was a theater tier, CB would be near the front, NP in the front/middle and MP in the middle/rear.

If you want me to go into more detail, lemme know, as I've been drumming for over ten years and have spent neraly all that time watching, listening and dissecting NP, MP and CB

[BEAUFORD]

how about comparing Carter to drummers of his same "style". dennis chambers, john blackwell, vinny colaiuta....that is a much better conversation. in the complex rock drumming category danny carey of tool is way beyond NP and MP.

[defcon]

What has 9 arms and sucks?













Def Leppard
Sorry...I don't get that joke. Actually, I do, but I think that's just wrong.

[RushianSyrinx]

how about comparing Carter to drummers of his same "style". dennis chambers, john blackwell, vinny colaiuta....that is a much better conversation. in the complex rock drumming category danny carey of tool is way beyond NP and MP.

Agreed on the Danny Carey thing
I didnt think that tho until I started researching about DC, and how he's a student of New Breed, independence and some indian drumming

And I've got a clip of Vinnie Coliauta trading solos with Steve Gadd and Dave Weckl (i think thats the clip at least) and goes around the drums with 32nd notes, then switches and has his foot play the cross and uncrossbeat 32nd notes...crazy shit

[perfectturmoil]

...on a technical level ... the winner is Carter....

Is he really that much more technically advanced? I've always considered Carter better, but I've always seen Portnoy following close on his heels.

It could just be that I'm not as closely tuned to drum technique (guitarist) and I just don't want to admit that a drummer I like isn't as good as I want him to be :-]

Just curious.. what kinds of music do you like? I'm assuming DMB, but what else?

[RushianSyrinx]

Yes, Carter is much more technically advanced - you dont see it because you're not a drummer. You gotta look for these things and you gotta know what you're looking for. I can say this also with some confidence, as the big drummers I have studied in and out are CB, MP and NP

I listen to...
DMB
311
Rush
Dream Theater
Queensryche
Spock's Beard
Led Zep
The Who
Metallica
U2
Yes
Bela Fleck
Sabbath
Springsteen
Genesis
Incubus
Hendrix
Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Mars Volta
MMW
Phish
Pink Floyd
Radiohead
RHCP
Tool

[drummer1220]

5.The Rev - Avenged Sevenfold
4.Travis Barker - Blink 182
3.Danny Carey - Tool
2.Neil Peart - Rush
1.Carter Beauford - DMB (obviously)

I think we can pretty much say that carter is god!

[BotheDMBFan]

Carter...not THAT great. Anyways... I think I've done this before, but a revised (I think) list.

1. Terry Bozio
2. Dave Lombardo
3. Carter Beauford
4. Danny Heifitz
5. Buddy Rich

[jamjumpin]

im more of a guitar guy than a drums guy

have some questions though

does anyone else have a monster ass drum set like carter?

i cant seem to remember. where is john bonham from?


Loads of big bands have massive drum kits just cos they get all that stuff for free.

Plus there's a few losers on these boards who have the exact same setup as Carter

[BotheDMBFan]

Terry Bozzio probably has the biggest one I've ever seen...fucking thing is massive.

[RushianSyrinx]

Plus there's a few losers on these boards who have the exact same setup as Carter


:lol

[MDrums54]

in no particular order:

Carter Beauford
Neal Peart
Mike Portnoy
Tony Royster Jr.
*Steve Gadd / Vinny C (no clue how to spell his last name)

[JGil584]

Carter - dmb
Danny Carey - tool
Neil Pert - rush
Mike Portnoy - dream theatre
Kris Meyers - Umphrey's Mcgee (he is diiiiiiiirty and I LOVE this band)

Honorable Mention - Travis Barker

[Knoxvillain]

Carter
Bonham
Rich
Moon
Grohl

but hell, there's no such thing as the top 5 drummers in the world.. impossible to determine.

these are my favorite, and drummers who can outplay these guys are probably plentiful..

[Pat M]

so nobody's going to make a list without carter, right?

[MiniRay]

No, cause Carter is up there:

No order:
Carter
Dave Weckl
Buddy Rich
Peter Erskine
Thomas Lang

[Pat M]

what if the thread was not on a dave matthews band message board though?

[RushianSyrinx]

Want a Top 5 without Carter?

Cobham
Bonham
Colaiuta
Gadd
Rich

[BotheDMBFan]

Travis barker is a pretty good drummer...not even top 25 though.

[Dobler]

I would have to go with

Carter Beauford (of course)
Danny Carey- Tool
John Bonham- Zep
Mike Portney- Dream Theater
Buddy Rich

[jmccue7]

danny carey is a better drummer than carter.

[RushianSyrinx]

danny carey is a better drummer than carter.

We've had this discussion before. Re-read the thread there. If you're making a factual statement, give proof.

[ryangibson]

Carter
Mike Portnoy
Neal Peart
John Bonham
Buddy Rich

[phlaming lips]

Billy Martin is one of my favorites, but I've never heard anyone say he does "nothing too fancy." He never plays a song the same way twice and some of his rhythms are VERY complicated.

I would throw Billy in the mix, considering that MMW are arguably the most talented trio of musicians, some crazy shit (not necessarily popular though).
Also, don't you have to be an arrogant dick to make the top 5?:lol Then Billy makes it and Carter doesn't:evil

[jmccue7]

We've had this discussion before. Re-read the thread there. If you're making a factual statement, give proof.


i read the entire thread before I posted. I know people have tossed out Danny Carey's name into the circle. I was simply stating my opinion.

What defines best? I personally define "best" or "top 5" as someone who can play incredibly complex and intricate sets with multiple time signatures, drive the band rhythmically, and solo without becoming monotonous.

Want proof of Danny Carey's genius and drum prowess? Listen to the title track off lateralus, Pushit off of the Salival album, or just see him live.

Don't get me wrong, Carter is good, really good, but i don't think he could hold up technically with someone like Carey or even Portnoy.

[RushianSyrinx]

Oh I'm well aware of what Danny can do. I'm a big tool fan.

Portnoy is not a technical drummer at all. He has some really nice chops, but his solos are crap. What he does have going for him is his ability to make odd time signatures groove pretty well. However, by his own admission, he's not a technical drummer and has no knowledge of rudiments.

Portnoy is the modern man's Keith Moon, or at least that's how I've always thought of him. However, I firmly believe that Portnoy does not deserve to get named in the same sentence as Carter.

[werkinsnake]

Well, it's been 3 years since I've posted in this thread, so I'll add another drummer.:cool

Check out Marcus Miller's drummer Poogie Bell. He has been a big influence on Dave Weckle, and he studied with Max Roach and Elvin Jones. There are some sick videos floating around on Youtube. I've met/jammed with the guy a few times when he played some local gigs. Cool dude, and he has some very enlightening stories as well.

[Stabn]

I was lucky enough to witness the art of Stewart Copeland with The Police last weekend in Düsseldorf. He doesn't just beat his drums, this man pours his heart into every single stroke he does. Mesmerizing!
In no particular order:

Stewart Copeland
Carter Beauford
Terry Bozzio
Vinnie Colaiuta
Hardy Fischötter

[cinciballer88]

man no lars ulrich? not necessarily now, but back in the days of kill em all and justice he was pretty sick.

I had never heard of Dennis Chambers up until reading his thread... I You tubed him and was blown away.

[RushianSyrinx]

Lars was good. He blows now. Seriously. Listen to recordings of Dyer's Eve off of the 04 tour... gone is the double bass of yesteryear.

[DMBn2BTs#41]

these are pretty interesting

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drumperf.html

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drum-skill.html

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drummers.html

[RushianSyrinx]

Interesting? Yes, but that's about it.

[drummerdawg]

Cant forget Roy Haynes

[jimibadfish]

Lars was good.

:lol No, he was not.:lol

[RushianSyrinx]

:lol No, he was not.:lol

Good is a relative term. Stop being an ignorant douche.

Was Lars ever a GREAT? Not a chance. Lars was good or, if you prefer the term, decent back in the earlier days of metallica. I'd never EVER put Lars on a top tier of drummers. I'd put him in the Travis Barker category... good, but nothing to make a "great drummer" arguement for.

[jimibadfish]

Good is a relative term. Stop being an ignorant douche.

Was Lars ever a GREAT? Not a chance. Lars was good or, if you prefer the term, decent back in the earlier days of metallica. I'd never EVER put Lars on a top tier of drummers. I'd put him in the Travis Barker category... good, but nothing to make a "great drummer" arguement for.

Lars sucked/sucks/will suck. Always and forever. Nothing against you personally, man. You just really don't seem to know music at all.

[RushianSyrinx]

Lars sucked/sucks/will suck. Always and forever. Nothing against you personally, man. You just really don't seem to know music at all.


All I was saying is that Lars in the 80s was better than Lars now. Lars was good, not any more. Again, good is a relative term. If I knew I had to spell out every post for you, then I'd have done that.


So, I guess we'll agree that the other doesn't know music then? I guess I learned nothing through my music degree and education certification then, eh? Or playing venues around NY/NJ? Or speaking with professors, professionals and drummers of all levels?

Are you even a drummer?

[jimibadfish]

Lars in the 80s was better than Lars now.

:thumbsup Never good.

Are you even a drummer?

Nope. singer/guitarist/composer. Lars sucks worse than Ringo.

[RushianSyrinx]

Nope. singer/guitarist/composer. Lars sucks worse than Ringo.

Alright, now that we have this established, you telling me about drummers would be like Dan Marino giving A-Rod advice on his swing.

[jimibadfish]

Alright, now that we have this established, you telling me about drummers would be like Dan Marino giving A-Rod advice on his swing.

No dude. It wouldn't. Just because I don't play drums personally doesn't mean I don't have the ability to assess drumming. I'm not giving you advice on technique. I'm appraising the value of drummers. Just because I can't do it, doesn't mean I don't understand it. You claim to do it, and it's apparent to me you really don't understand it.

[RushianSyrinx]

No dude. It wouldn't. Just because I don't play drums personally doesn't mean I don't have the ability to assess drumming. I'm not giving you advice on technique. I'm appraising the value of drummers. Just because I can't do it, doesn't mean I don't understand it. You claim to do it, and it's apparent to me you really don't understand it.

No, but unless you've studied the instrument, its players and history, you're only valid to a certain degree.

I'm curious as to why I really don't understand it. Educate me. I know a few people who would disagree with you.

[Dave45]

Mike Portnoy belongs close to #1 if not an easy #1. He may not have the "feel" of some of the ones being mentioned around here, but technically, the dude is obscene. That really goes for all of Dream Theater, when you think about it.

[jimibadfish]

No, but unless you've studied the instrument, its players and history, you're only valid to a certain degree.

I'm curious as to why I really don't understand it. Educate me. I know a few people who would disagree with you.

You seem to have a cloud over your objective ability placed there by what is popular. Hence, Ringo and Lars.

People who are really really good do not luck into being part of great bands only to remain no more than average in skill level. As you find with Lars and Ringo.

It is insulting to all those great drummers to think for a moment that they couldn't have complimented the music as well (probably better) than Ringo and Lars. The Beatles, simply put, did not need a great drummer. At all. They needed some goomba to keep the beat. That's it. If you consider that to be greatness then I feel sorry for the people you teach.

I've seen you post something about the Beatles not sounding good with complicated polyrhthyms or something like that. NO SHIT! You put Tony Williams in the Beatles and he's not going to play the same way as he would with Miles Davis. He's not a fucking idiot. He would however come up with something great. He's a great musician. That's what great musicians do. Great drummers have the ability to trancend style and fit in where they are put. Ringo is not a great drummer. Period.

If you disagree, I don't think you or Chad Smith know what the fuck you're talking about. My peace. I'm off it.

[FunkyTeaParty41]

Sweet thing about Carter is, he can drum in ANY style of music..

I'm sure other drummers can too.. It's just.. Carter is the man! :D

[RushianSyrinx]

Mike Portnoy belongs close to #1 if not an easy #1. He may not have the "feel" of some of the ones being mentioned around here, but technically, the dude is obscene. That really goes for all of Dream Theater, when you think about it.

No, he's not really "obscene". He has a great feel in Prog and really makes it groove well, but I wouldn't put him up top. If you look at many of the drummers mentioned in this thread, are you prepared to say Portnoy is better than Gadd, Beauford, Copeland, Weckl, Bozzio, etc.?

I am in the same boat as you. Portnoy is really good, however, when I put him next to names like that I don't know if I can put him as #1.

My. $0.02

[Pablo23]

Lars was awesome in SOME KIND OF MONSTER. Here's mine:

Beuford
Bordin
T. Alexander (especially when he came back with Primus)
Jack Irons (I dig him on Last Exit)
Dave Abruezze

[saxman1083]

I kind of have to agree that Lars was not much of a drummer at all. I remember seeing some footage from a recording session where he had to do almost 20 takes to get a cymbal hit in the right spot. I never really had any respect for Lars. To me, he had fast feet and that's about it. And I don't like how he repeats the same fills over and over in songs...kinda like the drummer from Guns and Roses did. It just all seems so flat to me.

[saxman1083]

No, but unless you've studied the instrument, its players and history, you're only valid to a certain degree.

I'm curious as to why I really don't understand it. Educate me. I know a few people who would disagree with you.

I agree that as drummers we do know more about what would make a technically complete drummer...or a truely innovative drummer. But, others' opinions are very valid as well because I feel that half of a drummer's worth is based on how he "wows" the general public...that is his/her job other than holding the band together. I know jack shit about playing the guitar, but I feel like I can tell a great guitarist from a good one or a mediocre one.

[RushianSyrinx]

You seem to have a cloud over your objective ability placed there by what is popular. Hence, Ringo and Lars.

Really? Because of my views of Ringo and Lars, I'm influenced by what is popular?

It is insulting to all those great drummers to think for a moment that they couldn't have complimented the music as well (probably better) than Ringo and Lars. The Beatles, simply put, did not need a great drummer. At all. They needed some goomba to keep the beat. That's it.

I never said Lars was anything great. I simply said that back in the days up through "Justice", he was good. I didn't say he was amazing, a legend or anything else. I simply said he was "good". I see guys at local coffeehouses and I say they're "good". That doesn't mean that I believe them to be the next Krupa or Copeland.

If you consider that to be greatness then I feel sorry for the people you teach.

I'll tell that to the students I've taught that have made regional and all-state ensembles, the successful groups I've taught/consulted/arranged for, and the Pro-Mark/Yamaha/Sabian artists who have enjoyed works I've created.


That's what great musicians do. Great drummers have the ability to trancend style and fit in where they are put. Ringo is not a great drummer. Period.

Did Ringo fit where he was put? I thought he fit very well into the style of the Beatles. You said the Beatles needed a goomba to keep the beat, and Ringo did that. If that's the case, then Ringo fit and is, according to your definition, a great drummer.

If you disagree, I don't think you or Chad Smith know what the fuck you're talking about. My peace. I'm off it.

Where did we mention Chad Smith's view of Ringo? In previous threads, I had mentioned STEVE Smith, who has produced a series of DVDs and presentations on various drum styles, techniques and is a phenomenal clinician.

If you're going to claim to know drummers, at least get your Smiths right.


To reiterate what was said in the other thread...

Never said that at all. I said that Ringo is important because of the many drummers he inspired to pick up sticks. Let's look at a quick list of people he has influenced...

Mike Portnoy
Dave Grohl
Neil Peart
Max Weinberg
Liberty DeVitto
Nikko McBrain
Phil Collins
Danny Carey

To quote Steve Smith...

"Before Ringo, drum stars were measured by their soloing ability and virtuosity. Ringo's popularity brought forth a new paradigm in how the public saw drummers. We started to see the drummer as an equal participant in the compositional aspect. One of Ringo's great qualities was that he composed unique, stylistic drum parts for the Beatles songs. His parts are so signature to the songs that you can listen to a Ringo drum part without the rest of the music and still identify the song"

[jimibadfish]

Well Steve Smith doesn't know what he's talking about. Anyone who plays drums with a great band like the Beatles is going to inherently influence drummers to come. But it's not because of their own greatness; it comes with being matched with Paul and John.

Really? Because of my views of Ringo and Lars, I'm influenced by what is popular?

Did Ringo fit where he was put? I thought he fit very well into the style of the Beatles. You said the Beatles needed a goomba to keep the beat, and Ringo did that. If that's the case, then Ringo fit and is, according to your definition, a great drummer.[/I]

Yes, your views of Ringo and Lars lead me to believe that your ignorance stems from pop culture.

Ringo could not have fit in anywhere. He fit the mold of keeping a simple beat but certainly does not transcend any styles. He's a one trick pony. Be honest with what I said man. By my definition, any great drummer could sit in with any band and make great music. Ringo doesn't fit that mold. If you think he does, you are sadly mistaken.

[RushianSyrinx]

Well Steve Smith doesn't know what he's talking about.

Do a little research into Steve Smith. Your credibility just went out the window with that statement. According to your very own definitions, Steve Smith is a great drummer, yet you say he doesn't know what he's talking about.



Anyone who plays drums with a great band like the Beatles is going to inherently influence drummers to come. But it's not because of their own greatness; it comes with being matched with Paul and John.


So you admit he has influenced other drummers then, eh? Would not influencing others make them a noteable drum figure? It doesn't matter if those that came after him were better. The important element is that without Ringo, you might not have had many of those drummers listed.


Yes, your views of Ringo and Lars lead me to believe that your ignorance stems from pop culture.

If I were following pop culture, I'd be in here screaming about how Travis Barker is the best drummer in the world. I'm pretty sure my knowledge of drumming transcends "pop culture". Just because I'm making a case for Ringo and stating that Lars is "good", doesn't mean anything. I guess if I mentioned Thomas Prigden or Jon Theodore, I'm also being too "pop"? What about Thomas Haake?



By my definition, any great drummer could sit in with any band and make great music. Ringo doesn't fit that mold. If you think he does, you are sadly mistaken.

Did the Beatles make great music? I think it was pretty good.

[saxman1083]

If I can throw my .02cents in again...

Ringo was a very good studio drummer...especially later on in the career of the Beatles. Liberty DeVitto, whom you mentioned before, is extremely influenced by Ringo and is one of the best stuiod drummers out there. Liberty is by no means a GREAT drummer, but his quality comes from being able to create great drum parts for the songs they are playing. That would qualify them as "great" in my mind. There are different forms of greatness in music.

We should ask Steve Gadd what he thinks of Ringo.

[jimibadfish]

Do a little research into Steve Smith. Your credibility just went out the window with that statement. According to your very own definitions, Steve Smith is a great drummer, yet you say he doesn't know what he's talking about.




So you admit he has influenced other drummers then, eh? Would not influencing others make them a noteable drum figure? It doesn't matter if those that came after him were better. The important element is that without Ringo, you might not have had many of those drummers listed.




If I were following pop culture, I'd be in here screaming about how Travis Barker is the best drummer in the world. I'm pretty sure my knowledge of drumming transcends "pop culture". Just because I'm making a case for Ringo and stating that Lars is "good", doesn't mean anything. I guess if I mentioned Thomas Prigden or Jon Theodore, I'm also being too "pop"? What about Thomas Haake?





Did the Beatles make great music? I think it was pretty good.

Do you just choose pieces of my posts to read? I'm done arguing with about this. Ringo is adequate. Nothing more. Sorry you fail to see that.

[Crazy#41]

I live Travis Barker.. because he can play any style. Not just punk, or rock, or tecno beats or hiphop or rap..

Anything!

[RushianSyrinx]

Do you just choose pieces of my posts to read? I'm done arguing with about this. Ringo is adequate. Nothing more. Sorry you fail to see that.

No, I read them all. However, since you only choose to comment on sections of my posts, I thought I would return the favor.

I'm sorry you can't prove your point in a way that is more than "adequate". I'm more sorry, however, that you feel Steve Smith doesn't know what he's talking about.

[jimibadfish]

No, I read them all. However, since you only choose to comment on sections of my posts, I thought I would return the favor.

You take my posts out of context using small pieces of them ending up with half of the idea.

Ringo was adequate. He influenced others because he happened to be a Beatle and not because he was great himself. If you disagree, fine. Just know that the reason you can't grasp my angle is because you choose not to or are incapable and not because I failed in explaining it. ;)

You choose not to understand. You should join the clergy.

[RushianSyrinx]

You take my posts out of context using small pieces of them ending up with half of the idea.


Sounds like something someone else did when I mentioned that Lars was "good". Seems as if there is a pot calling the kettle black, sir.


Ringo was adequate. He influenced others because he happened to be a Beatle and not because he was great himself. If you disagree, fine. Just know that the reason you can't grasp my angle is because you choose not to or are incapable and not because I failed in explaining it. ;)

There you go. Ringo influenced others. Wouldn't influence be a reason a drummer should be noted as great? Regardless of the individual skill level, wouldn't you label someone who had a large influence great?

Please remember our second grade school lessons where we learned that there are multiple definitions to a word. One definition of great is "important; highly significant or consequential", and that is why many people say Hitler is a great man. They don't say that because he was a wonderful guy, but because he was important and significant.

Wouldn't you say Ringo was important, especially when considering the quote from Steve Smith? Note I never said Ringo was an excellent drummer and I never praised his playing as godlike. I just said he was a great drummer.

You choose not to understand. You should join the clergy.

Sounds great. Can you be the first boy I touch?

[jimibadfish]

Sounds like something someone else did when I mentioned that Lars was "good". Seems as if there is a pot calling the kettle black, sir.

Lars is not, never was "good." Better than now? Sure. Good? Never.

There you go. Ringo influenced others. Wouldn't influence be a reason a drummer should be noted as great? Regardless of the individual skill level, wouldn't you label someone who had a large influence great?

His influence is due to the greatness of the Beatles. If Kermit the Frog had played drums for the Beatles, he would have inherently had an influence. Because he was a Beatle and not because of his own merits.<--Anyone can understand the point. If you disagree, fine. But so far, you haven't even grasped the concept though I've stated it in several different ways.

Wouldn't you say Ringo was important, especially when considering the quote from Steve Smith? Note I never said Ringo was an excellent drummer and I never praised his playing as godlike. I just said he was a great drummer.

Ringo was matched with two of the greatest song writers in rock/pop history. You putting him in your personal top ten implies much more than just thinking he had a great influence due to his priviledge of being a Beatle. He was influential because he was a Beatle, not because he was a great drummer. He is/was/will never be a great drummer. He's adequate. Nothing more. Steve Smith is wrong. Ringo is nothing special. Put anyone drumming for the Beatles and they will incite feelings of greatness in the ignorant. I feel people say great things about Ringo to make him feel good.

He is only influential because he was a Beatle, not based on his own merits.

You are free to disagree. Are we clear?

[RushianSyrinx]

Lars is not, never was "good." Better than now? Sure. Good? Never.


Good is a relative term, again for the fourth time. I never said Lars was gifted or godly. I said he was good. Good can stretch from "great talent" to "kinda has chops" and everything in between. It's a personal definition and in this case it means "not bad".


His influence is due to the greatness of the Beatles. If Kermit the Frog had played drums for the Beatles, he would have inherently had an influence. Because he was a Beatle and not because of his own merits.<--Anyone can understand the point. If you disagree, fine. But so far, you haven't even grasped the concept though I've stated it in several different ways.

Again, you're not denying his influence, which is one of the pivotal reasons I put him on my list. I've never mentioned his playing as anything extraordinary, yet that's the point you keep harping on. He's influenced countless individuals and whether he was a Beatle or not, he still was the one that influenced them.


Ringo was matched with two of the greatest song writers in rock/pop history. You putting him in your personal top ten implies much more than just thinking he had a great influence due to his priviledge of being a Beatle.

You're assuming facts which aren't true. Why does there have to be skill and influence, among other factors, to have one on the top ten? Again, look at the list of drummers who readily admit he had inspired them. Then look at the drummers they had inspired, and so on. Without the influence of Ringo, we may not have had many of the drummers we currently have today.


He was influential because he was a Beatle, not because he was a great drummer. He is/was/will never be a great drummer. He's adequate. Nothing more. Steve Smith is wrong. Ringo is nothing special.

Ringo is nothing special, eh? I guess that means in twenty years, I'll pick up and article and read about jimibadfish inspiring a generation of people to pick up sticks and start drumming? I highly doubt it.

Put anyone drumming for the Beatles and they will incite feelings of greatness in the ignorant. I feel people say great things about Ringo to make him feel good.

Again making assumptions. If no one wanted to say anything about Ringo, they wouldn't.

He is only influential because he was a Beatle, not based on his own merits.

Again, admitting the influence. Regardless of why he was influential, he WAS influential. Influence can be a reason he was an important drummer. An important drummer can be defined, as shown in my last post, as a great drummer. As such, Ringo is a great drummer.

You are free to disagree. Are we clear?


I'm happy to disagree.

If you're going to complain about picking certain segments of posts to reply to you, then I expect you to not be a hypocrite and respond to all segments of my posts. You did not do that here.

[A.K.A]

these are pretty interesting

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drumperf.html

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drum-skill.html

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_drummers.html

wow awesome freaking lists!

[jmccue7]

Lars was awesome in SOME KIND OF MONSTER. Here's mine:

Beuford
Bordin
T. Alexander (especially when he came back with Primus)
Jack Irons (I dig him on Last Exit)
Dave Abruezze


Dave A. did the drums on Vitalogy, Jack started on No Code and also did Yield. I think Dave A was by far the best PJ drummer.

[jimibadfish]

If you're going to complain about picking certain segments of posts to reply to you, then I expect you to not be a hypocrite and respond to all segments of my posts. You did not do that here.

You take parts of ideas and respond to them. That's a lot different than responding to a part of a post that is a full idea (which is what I've done.)

You are not very intelligent. That is clear.

[RushianSyrinx]

You are not very intelligent. That is clear.

This from the guy who doesn't understand that "great" has more than one definition.

Keep blabbing.

[Jan-Willem]

wow awesome freaking lists!
146. Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover - Steve Gadd (Paul Simon)

:eek There are only three or four drummers who can actually play it right...

[jimibadfish]

This from the guy who doesn't understand that "great" has more than one definition.

Keep blabbing.

Sure, greatness is seen in many different forms. Ringo is none of them. It's apparent to me. I think anyone who can't understand that Ringo's fame due to association with the Beatles isn't a qualifier for his personal greatness has a problem with thought process or is a slave to pop cultrue. It's my personal stance. His popularity does not equal his greatness. That's what you've been arguing. I disagree. You can't even understand what I'm saying and have been taking part of ideas to argue against me. That's pathetic. You are not very intelligent if you think that's how you prove a point. Babble babble

[RushianSyrinx]

Sure, greatness is seen in many different forms. Ringo is none of them. It's apparent to me. I think anyone who can't understand that Ringo's fame due to association with the Beatles isn't a qualifier for his personal greatness has a problem with thought process or is a slave to pop cultrue. It's my personal stance. His popularity does not equal his greatness. That's what you've been arguing. I disagree. You can't even understand what I'm saying and have been taking part of ideas to argue against me. That's pathetic. You are not very intelligent if you think that's how you prove a point. Babble babble

You've never denied that Ringo was an influential figure. Regardless of why he was influential, you've admitted that he was. That's the whole point I was trying to make. His vast influence and the number of drummers he has inspired to take up sticks is a reason for giving him the moniker of "great".

I'm sorry that your skull is too thick to understand what I'm trying to get across. If the other Ants who read this thread don't have a problem understanding what I'm trying to say, methinks that you're the issue. But then again, everyone else is crazy and you're sane, right?

[jimibadfish]

You've never denied that Ringo was an influential figure. Regardless of why he was influential, you've admitted that he was. That's the whole point I was trying to make. His vast influence and the number of drummers he has inspired to take up sticks is a reason for giving him the moniker of "great".

You think that someone's influence equals greatness. This is where you and I disagree. Is Brittney Spears influential? How about Billy Idol? Fred Durst? Dave Navarro? If you consider them any level of great, you're an idiot. Same with Ringo imo. No amount of objectivity leads to your belief about Ringo.

Popularity does not equal greatness. It's your right to believe it does, and it's my right to think less of your opinion because of it.

However, that has nothing to do with you taking parts of ideas and trying to argue against them. That's just dumb.

[BotheDMBFan]

Navarro is a great guitarist, everyone else on that list....eh. (Except Ringo, he's God.)

[RushianSyrinx]

You think that someone's influence equals greatness. This is where you and I disagree. Is Brittney Spears influential? How about Billy Idol? Fred Durst? Dave Navarro? If you consider them any level of great, you're an idiot. Same with Ringo imo. No amount of objectivity leads to your belief about Ringo.

Ringo is the exception to the rule and this is why... look at the number of drummers he has influenced who are really great drummers. Collins, Portnoy, Carey and a host of others on that list are really great drummers. Without Ringo, we may not have that them.

How many great singers did Spears or Idol inspire? Zero. How many great drummers did Ringo inspire? A nice number.


Popularity does not equal greatness. It's your right to believe it does, and it's my right to think less of your opinion because of it.

Again, making assumptions. You're assuming things about my opinion, which are wrong. Please refer, again, to the Steve Smith quote and stop being an idiot.

[jimibadfish]

Phil Collins, also not a great drummer. Influence due to unearned popularity does not make someone great. You think it does. I disagree. Now fuck off.

[RushianSyrinx]

Phil Collins, also not a great drummer. Influence due to unearned popularity does not make someone great. You think it does. I disagree. Now fuck off.

Really? Ever watch one of Phil's solos from his latest tour? When he does the Bonhamish doubles and triples with his foot? The man clearly has some chops, and is smart enough to know when to and when not to use them.

Are you familiar with his fusion work as well? Or is your knowledge solely limited to his solo career?

Phil has the chops to prove he's good. Prove me otherwise.

[jimibadfish]

Howdy Partner.

[jammasterjustin]

1) billy kruetzmann/mickey hart (they come as one)
2) jon fishman
3) carter
4)dennis chambers
5) matt abts

[patthebear]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VdtC9WhnCg

Brian Blade. Easily one of the best drummers.

[King Harvest]

Hmm, so many incredible drummers that I don't think there could be a definitive top 5. So I'll do the top 5 that have influenced my playing.

1-Carter :)
2-Art Blakey
3-The Bill Kreutzmann/Mickey Hart combo
4-Levon Helm
5-Michael Shrieve

[King Harvest]

Phil Collins, also not a great drummer. Influence due to unearned popularity does not make someone great. You think it does. I disagree. Now fuck off.

:freak You ever heard Phil play drums live?

[wisclovesdmb]

Stewart Copeland (the police)
Neil Peart (rush)
John bonham (zeppelin)
Carter
Mickey Hart

[bubba40]

1) Max Roach
2a) Buddy Rich
2b) Tony Williams
2c) Elvin Jones

Any list that does not have these guys is pathetically incomplete.

[Mr_Walkaway]

I like a necrothread every now and then.

I don't know if my list actually answers the question, but:

5 Drummers who have most inspired my drumming (in order of their influence on my playing):

Carter Beauford
Vinnie Colaiuta
Bill Bruford
Dennis Chambers
Mike Johnston (this is recent, but I love his linear drumming method)

[DynoBeatz41]

wow a lot of people really dont know anything about drums...anywho,
My top five favorites:
1) Danny Carey
2)John blackwell
3)carter ofcourse
4)Dylan elise
5)lars ulrich(his drumming sucks but he's incredibly entertaining to watch)

the top five best imo
1)Buddy rich
2)jojo mayor
3)john blackwell
4)Tony royster jr.
5)Thomas lang/Dylan elise