By Carrie Warts
Disclaimer: This article is based on my own appreciation and music knowledge, and I would love to know if you agree or not. And if you know better drummers that I didn’t add, please message me and tell me about them because I want to expand my musical knowledge!
Just like in my Rhythm article, in order to play the drums, rhythm is important. Also key are coordination and lots of concentration – something I sadly don’t possess. But even if you don’t have good coordination or are the opposite and you are born with it, in order to be a drummer, training and perseverance is a must if you wish to learn it and master it – and maybe join a band!
Even though I am not a drummer myself I do have a huge love for music and the instruments used on each song. I mostly find myself falling in love with a guitar and drum solo in many songs, especially in Rock Music.
Having said that, my 5 top picks are mostly drummers from classic rock bands, and I will give the reason as to why they are my favorites based on their rhythms, their performances and their solos on specific songs they play.
In 5th place, I have John Bonham from the rock band Led Zeppelin with the song Rock and Roll. He is mostly known for his solo in the song Moby Dick from the same band. This is a quite challenging one to be honest, that many have attempted to nail in YouTube videos.
But Rock and Roll has to be my favorite from him because the song starts off with a drum solo and it follows throughout the entire piece to another drum solo at the end. Plus, the lyric is catchy. His style in this song follows a quick and breath-taking technique that will make you want to become a drummer.
In 4th, I had to place Neil Peart. His drumming skills are unbelievable and easily recognized and are a delight to listen to. In the song, Tom Sawyer from the band Rush you can hear a guitar solo with the drums in the back, and even with that solo, the drums take the main focus of attention. Later on, there’s a drum solo that melts you away. His solo is short, but he does it with such grace and the cymbals play a huge part in it, and the way he goes from the solo back to the chorus is flawless.
In 3rd place, we have Clyde Stubblefield, a genius of his time and a self-taught drummer. He passed away in 2017 at age 73 but he played until the end. He was the drummer for James Brown for 5 years and then settled in Wisconsin where he had his own band called The Clyde Stubblefield Band.
His style was mostly Funky and the song I love where his drums appear is in the famous song Freedom! ’90 by George Michael, where the musician used Stubblefield’s funky drummer break.
Now one video where you can see him at his best is the one from Cold Sweat April 5 1968 Boston Garden. Here you will not even see him struggle, and his determination and concentration are from beyond this world.
In 2nd place (and this one was a hard one to choose), I had to go with Roger Taylor, the drummer for the famous rock band Queen who are my personal favorite band of all times. We know that Queen is not the same without Freddy Mercury, but we must admit, Queen’s drum arrangements are unbelievable. They were known for being eccentrical and for having so many voices, instruments and even genres mixed on each song. But if you listen carefully or break down the songs and listen to the drums, they are in some song some of the most difficult drums to recreate – yet not impossible. Some of the best songs they have with amazing drums are Bohemian Rhapsody, Under Pressure, Hammer to Fall, and my all-time favorite, Innuendo, amongst many others.
In 1st place, I had to place Phil Collins. He is very well known for his drum solos in many of his songs as a single artist as well as when he was in the Genesis band. Some of his most famous songs are Invisible Touch and Genesis with the band and as a solo artist In the Air Tonight, Another Day in Paradise, Easy Lover as well as many of our favourite Disney soundtracks like Tarzan and Brother Bear – where he wrote many of the lyrics, played the drums, and even sang them in multiple languages.
But his drum solos in the concerts he gives are )OH MY GOD) masterpieces.
He had such a skill, he taught himself how to play the drums, and has won seven Grammys for his music.
Sadly, now he is not playing anymore due to several health issues, but his songs remain as hits and will remain as such for eternity.
I hope you liked my top 5 picks and as I said in the beginning if you have a different top 5 please let me know! I would like to know more about the drummers you enjoy.