Out of all genres of music, which drummer has the most skill and best chops?

Question

I'm thinking along the lines of Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, and the likes. I want to hear YOUR opinions though. What do you think?

If you need more ideas, think along the lines of Mike Mangini, Virgil Donati, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, Bill Bruford, Dennis Chambers, Buddy Rich... I mean, just start throwing stuff out (don't think you can't use my suggestions).

Hey K max, you just ripped that list from digitaldreamdoor.com, I go there a lot. I doubt your really know anything about drummers. Besides, those aren't the most skilled drummers, those are the "greatest rock drummers" greatness does not equate to skill (look at Jimi Hendrix, who is considered by many the greatest guitarist ever). Neil Peart is a good answer. I really like Cremedelacreme's thing on Gene Krupa. I can tell you know your drummers. Although I prefer Krupa, I'd have to say that Buddy Rich had more skill.

Answer 1

Neil Peart of Rush. I don't know about his chops though.

Answer 2

The drummer of Metallica is Lars Ulrich. There have been many great rock drummers although John Bonham and Keith Moon are the best for mine.

The best from any genre is Gene Krupa who was a jazz drummer. Many consider Krupa to be the most influential drummer of the 20th century, particularly with regard to the development of the drum kit.

Krupa's main influence began in the 1930s with his collaboration with the Slingerland drum company, but he had already made history in 1927 as the first kit drummer ever to record using a bass drum pedal. His drum method was published in 1938 and immediately became the standard text.

Krupa established the 8 x 12" and 9 x 13" hanging toms mounted on the bass drum, and he developed and popularised many of the cymbal techniques that became standards. His collaboration with Armand Zildjian of the Avedis Zildjian Company developed the hi-hat stand and standardized the names and uses of the ride cymbal, the crash cymbal, the splash cymbal, the pang cymbal and the swish cymbal. Later innovations included the floor tom and toms with tunable bottom heads. At first he placed this between his two bass drums, another technique he was pioneering at the time, before moving it to its now standard position.

Krupa has been cited as an influence by rock drummers such as Keith Moon of The Who, Peter Criss of KISS (to whom Krupa gave personal lessons), and Paul Whaley of Blue Cheer. The British techno-rock group Apollo 440 had a hit with "Krupa" which featured the sampled phrase; "Gene Krupa's syncopated style". The song itself is an electronic dance track written in the style of Gene Krupa, giving the impression of Krupa's style in the form of a 1990's dance track, blending his musical idioms with a modern song using samples and synthesised basslines.

Sal Mineo starred as Krupa in the 1959 movie The Gene Krupa Story.

Answer 3

here's the list of 100 all time best drummers..

1. Neil Peart (Rush)
2. John Bonham* (Led Zeppelin)
3. Carl Palmer (ELP)
4. Keith Moon* (The Who)
5. Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa)
6. Ginger Baker (Cream)
7. Hal Blaine (Session man)
8. Danny Carey (Tool)
9. Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson)
10. Earl Palmer (Session man)
11. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)
12. Dave Lombardo (Slayer)
13. Benny Benjamin* (Funk Brothers)
14. Ian Paice (Deep Purple)
15. Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge)
16. Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne)
17. Stewart Copeland (The Police)
18. Bernard Purdie (Session)
19. Vinnie Colaiuta (Zappa)
20. Jeff Porcaro* (Toto)
21. Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)
22. David Garabaldi (Tower Of Power)
23. Ainsley Dunbar (Jeff Beck)
24. Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
25. Mike Shrieve (Santana)
26. Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix)
27. Steve Smith (Journey)
28. Al Jackson* (The MGs)
29. Matt Cameron (Soundgarden)
30. Tim Alexander (Primus)
31. Jim Keltner (Session man)
32. Phil Collins (Genesis)
33. Cozy Powell* (Rainbow)
34. Simon Phillips (Toto)
35. Russ Kunkel (Session man)
36. Bobby Jarzombeck (Rob Halford)
37. Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews)
38. Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters)
39. Jimmy Chamberlain (Smashing Pumpkins)
40. Vinnie Paul (Pantera)
41. Kenny Aronoff (Session man)
42. Alan White (Yes)
43. Mike Giles (King Crimson)
44. Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs)
45. Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull)
46. Mike Mangini (Extreme)
47. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
48. Roger Hawkins (Arethra Franklin/Session Man)
49. Bobby Elliot (The Hollies)
50. Alex Van Halen (Van Halen)
51. BJ Wilson* Procul Harum)
52. Joe Franco (Good Rats)
53. Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones)
54. Virgil Donati (Planet X)
55. Roger Taylor (Queen)
56. Chad Wackerman (Zappa)
57. Topper Headon (The Clash)
58. Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir)
59. Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)
60. Danny Seraphine (Chicago)
61. Gene Holgan (Death)
62. John Densmore (The Doors)
63. Max Weinberg (Springsteen)
64. Jabo Starks (James Brown)
65. Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
66. Jerry Allison (Crickets)
67. Phil Ehart (Kansas)
68. Chester Thompson (Santana)
69. Matt McDonoughe (Mudvayne)
70. Dean Castronovo (Journey)
71. Jon Theodore (Mars Volta)
72. Van Romaine (Steve Morse)
73. Ralph Humphrey (Mothers Of Invention)
74. Les Lester (Los Straightjackets)
75. Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
76. Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
77. Dick Richards (The Comets)
78. Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle)
79. Stanton Moore (Galactic)
80. Joey Jordison (Slipknot)
81. Ron Wilson (Surfaris)
82. Jack Irons (Pearl Jam)
83. Jim Gordon (Derek And The Dominoes)
84. Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
85. Eddie Bayers (Session man)
86. Jeff Campitelli (Joe Satriani)
87. Dave Grohl (Nirvana)
88. Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow)
89. Chris Frantz (Talking Heads)
90. Mike Bordin (Faith No More)
91. Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)
92. Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep)
93. Phil Selway (Radiohead)
94. Vinnie Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio)
95. Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche)
96. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
97. Nick Menza (Megadeth)
98. John Dalmayan (System Of A Down)
99. Travis Barker (Blink 182)
100. Ralph Salmins (Session man)

my favourite.... ringo starr (the beatles)

Answer 4

Since we are all blessed with different values, likes and dislikes, no matter which one someone picks another person will pick a different one and both will be valid!

Most of the percussionist that you mention are very talented with
rhythms and have the technical requirements to perform with their instrument. But consider this, to you, which one tells stories with
their instrument? Which one can play their feelings about the love in their life and communicate that too you!

The ability to communicate with the instrument, talk about something using the instrument is to play the instrument.

Sadly, we hear a lot, too often, we do not listen. If percussionist want to excel with their instrument, they have to move beyond just time and rhythm and become story tellers, then they will be playing. You have already mentioned most of the ones that I would pick, still, for me, only M ROACH begins to move beyond just time and rhythm. Are you a percussionist?

Answer 5

Dave Grohl, Lars Ulrich, Niko McBrain

Answer 6

Aaron Gillespie he is the drummer for Underoath
Travis Barker drummer for Blink 182, and Boxcar racer
Chris Gaylor drummer for The All-American Rejects
Rick Allen drummer for Def Leppard
and tons more!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Tommy Lee

Answer 8

I have always been impressed with Abe Cunningham of the Deftones. (Re: His intro to Digital Bath on White Pony.) The guy can hit any skin he wants to without losing the beat.

Answer 9

how bout Quest Love from The Roots

Answer 10

For me, hand's down it is John Bonham - Led Zep