The Cavern
Rock & Words

Best Drummers In Rock History
Here's a list of the best rock drummers.
We considered their technique, their past and present influence, their creativity, and how they add fills, solos, and arrangements to songs. Remember, it's not just speed or double bass drumming that makes a drummer, but also skill with the sticks!
Best Drummers In Rock History:
1 Ginger Baker (Cream)
2 John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
3 Keith Moon ( The Who)
4 Neil Peart (Rush)
5 Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)
6 Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
7 John Densmore (The Doors)
8 Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
9 Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
10 Ian Paice ( Deep Purple)
11 Carl Palmer (ELP)
12 Bill Ward ( Black Sabbath)
13 Dominic Howard (Muse)
14 Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson)
15 Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
16 Jonh Dolmayan (System of a Down)
17 Jimmy Chamberlain (Smasing Pumpkins)
18 Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge)
19 Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson)
20 Terri Bozzio (Frank Zappa)
21 Stewart Copeland (The Police)
22 Gene Kupra (Benny Goodman Orchestra)
23 Clive Burr (Iron Maiden)
24 Tommy Lee (Motley Crue)
25 Cozzy Powell (Rainbow, ELP)
26 Shannon Larkin (Godsmack)
27 Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures)
28 Alex Van Halen (Van Halen)
29 Steve Gadd (Steele Dan)
30 Frank Beard (ZZ Top)
31 Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
32 Matt Cameron (Soundgarden)
33 Phil Selway (Radiohead)
34 Dave Lombardo (Slayer)
35 Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones)
36 Hal Blaine (Sesionista)
37 Danny Carey (Tool)
38 Jack Irons (Pearl Jam)
39 Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
40 Vinnie Paul (Pantera)
41 Scott Travis (Judas Priest)
42 Ron Wilson (The Surfaris)
43 Doug "Cosmo" Clifford (Creedence)
44 Phil Taylor (Motorhead)
45 Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold)
46 Tony Royster Jr.
47 Joey Jordinson (Slipknot)
48 Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)
49 Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake)
50 Les Lester (Los Straightjackets)
51 Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
52 Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta)
53 Jeff Porcaro (Toto)
54 Steven Adler (Guns N' Roses)
55 Tim Alexander (Primus)
56 Roger Taylor (Queen)
57 Vinnie Paul (Pantera)
58 Chester Thompson (Colosseum)
59 Simon Kirke (Free, Bad Company)
60 Barriemore Barlow (Jethro Tull)
61 Philty Animal Taylor (Motörhead)
62 Tony Williams
63 Will Calhoun (Living Colour)
64 Ingo (Helloween)
65 Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
66 Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, NIN, Sesionista)
67 Nicko Mc Brain (Iron Maiden)
68 Jorg Michael (Stratovarius)
69 Chris Slade (AC/DC)
70 Myles Heskett (Wolfmother)
71 Jon Hisemann (Colosseum)
72 Tony Royster Sr.
73 Thomas Lang
74 Billy Cobham
75 Jojo Mayer
76 Mickael Barker (John Butler Trio)
77 Jon Fishman (Phish)
78 Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly)
79 Dani Loble (Helloween)
80 Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
81 Benny Benjamin (Funk Brothers)
82 Mikkey Dee (Motörhead)
83 Fredrik Andersson (Amon Amarth)
84 Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band)
85 Matt Greiner (August Burns Red)
86 Tuomo Lassila (Stratovarius)
87 Igor Cavalera (Sepultura)
88 Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel)
89 Chester Thompson (Santana, Frank Zappa)
90 Jim Keltner(Sesionista)
91 Sheila E. (Prince)
92 Tre Cool (Green Day)
93 Meg White (White Stripes)
94 Travis Barker (Blink 182)
95 Larry Mullen Jr. (U2)
96 Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses)
97 Phil Collins (Genesis)
98 Peter Criss (Kiss)
99 Tico Torres (Bon Jovi)
100 Don Henley (Eagles)
101 Rick Allen (Def Leppard)
102 Jason Bonham (UFO)
103 Topper Headon (The Clash)
104 Martin Lopez (Opeth)
105 Jim Gordon (Derek And The Dominoes)
106 Buddy Miles (Electric Flag, Band of Gypsys)
107 Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys)
By Corvan
Mar/27/2009