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Whatever Happened To The Great Rock Drummer?
10:49 AM GMT 21/01/2009
In 1969 we had John Bonham. Today we have Metallica’s Lars Ulrich. Bad swop, says MOJO’s Mat Snow.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LED ZEPPELIN I! Forty years ago last week, the world was rocked by a band that might have struggled to establish themselves as something rather more than Jeff Beck Group copycats but for one oh-so-crucial difference. The drummer. Jeff Beck had Micky Waller (who died last year). But Led Zeppelin had John Bonham, and overnight rock’n’roll had a brand new beat which echoes to this day.
The arrival of Bonzo on the scene makes 1969 the year of the rock star drummer. For 1969 was the year Jagger rhetorically enquired from the stage at Madison Square Garden, “Charlie’s good tonight, innee?” (and Watts had indeed made a giant leap that summer with the cowbell-and-kick-drum bump-and-grind of Honky Tonk Women, a worldwide Number 1 for the Stones). It was the year even Ringo treated us – on Abbey Road – to a solo to show he could keep up with the Keith Moons, Ginger Bakers and Mitch Mitchells — drummers whose combination of prowess and showmanship demanded they share the spotlight with the front-stage rock gods swinging the mike stands, humping the humbuckers and being busted by the Man.
These war baby rock’n’roll drummers so bulged with style, panache and personality that you didn’t have to be a trained muso to know at gut-level that if you subtracted them from the band, you no longer had a band. Or at least, not one half so good. Whatever happened to drummers like that? Drummers whose names even non-drummers knew? Drummers you’d champion in Melody Maker and Playboy year-end polls? Drummers at whom you’d even shout, “Do Toad!!”?
Struggling to name a contemporary rock’n’roll drummer with the kind of clout that back in the Nixon era turned every velvet-looned fan of rock music’s finer points into a gleeful, head-banging idiot, I came up with just three names: Dave Grohl and, at a pinch, Larry Mullen and Meg White.
Only three? Either there is something wrong with drummers these days, or something wrong with me. I craved guidance, and for my pains was furnished with a list of names and YouTube links featuring hot polyrhythmic action. So I got lost on-line for a while, and guess what? The best drummer alive is still funk legend Bernard Purdie (which is to say, you can watch him host a drum clinic and find yourself tapping your foot and muttering a groovy “Yeah!” to a computer screen, for crying out loud). But his aren’t the kind of chops I was after.
So, factoring out post-’69-but-no-longer-cutting-edge masters (for instance, Richie Hayward, Paul Thompson, Stewart Copeland, Pete Thomas, Paul Cook, Topper Headon, Budgie, Steve Morris, John Maher, Reni or Brendan Canty) and still-breathing hired hotshots (like “Pretty” Purdie, Hal Blaine, Steve Gadd, Sly Dunbar, Steve Jordan or Phil Collins — wonderful on Eno and John Martyn records even if his band work with Genesis, like that of Bill Bruford with Yes and King Crimson, is more likely to induce a cerebral aneurysm rather than a wiggle in your hips) I give you a thumbless handful of drummers who would merit comparison with the class of ’69 if they had a little more originality: Phil Rudd of AC/DC, The Roots’ ?uestlove, Rammstein’s Christoph Schneider and The E Street Band’s Max Weinberg.
I also give you, and you’re welcome to them, any number of onanistic speed-freaks, paradiddlists and swing-free flamsters for whom the human pulse, heartbeat and feet are an utter irrelevance, thus flying straight over my head.
I’m sure Danny Carey (Tool), Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Brian Chippendale (Lightning Bolt) and Todd Trainer (Shellac) are lovely guys, but, please God, don’t move in next door. Nor, frankly, do Lars Ulrich of Metallica or the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith measure up to the Great Generation either: too pedantic, too short on swing, too, in a word, white.
For it seems to me that a drummer’s apprenticeship lies at the heart of why the class-of-’69 so overshadows every generation since. The greats-of-’69 learned their trade copping R&B and jazz drummers like Baby Dodds, Gene Krupa, Dave Tough, Elvin Jones, Cozy Cole, Benny Benjamin and Jabo Starks, and honed their chops on a highly competitive live circuit where if they didn’t get the customers to their feet, they wouldn’t be asked back.
And if there’s no denying that Metallica’s Lars and the Chili Peppers’ Chad have been getting their fans to their feet in far greater numbers and for far, far longer than did Cream’s Ginger Baker, then there’s no denying either that these cold and uncharismatic drummers rule right now because they are, quite frankly, the only game in town. We march to a different drum these days.
Rant over. Instead, a challenge: here are six mind-blowing showcase moments from my class of ’69. Can today’s skinsmen get within a rim-shot of any of them? Over to you.
Ringo Starr: Rain by The Beatles (single B-side, 1966)
Mitch Mitchell: I Don’t Live Today by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Are You Experienced, 1967)
Ginger Baker: Tales Of Brave Ulysses by Cream (Live Cream Volume II, recorded 1968)
Charlie Watts: Monkey Man by The Rolling Stones (Let It Bleed, 1969)
Keith Moon: Magic Bus by The Who (Live At Leeds, 1970)
John Bonham: In My Time Of Dying by Led Zeppelin (Physical Graffiti, 1975)
Mat Snow
Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 10:49 AM GMT 21/01/2009
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I agree with virtually everything you wrote ... there are no Moons, Mitchells, Bonzos or Copelands traipsing across the rock stratosphere anymore. And don't forget Danny Seraphine of Chicago, either.
Peart is great, but like you said, too ... white.
One exception I might make is Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews Band. Not a big fan of the band, but Beauford's power, feel, swing and technical ability has rarely been seen -- even in the drummers' "heyday" of the late 60's-early 70's.
Posted by Dave at 5:12 PM GMT 21/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I agree with virtually everything you wrote ... there are no Moons, Mitchells, Bonzos or Copelands traipsing across the rock stratosphere anymore. And don't forget Danny Seraphine of Chicago, either.
Peart is great, but like you said, too ... white.
One exception I might make is Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews Band. Not a big fan of the band, but Beauford's power, feel, swing and technical ability has rarely been seen -- even in the drummers' "heyday" of the late 60's-early 70's.
Posted by Dave at 5:14 PM GMT 21/01/2009 Report Abuse
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word
Posted by pete at 5:15 PM GMT 21/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Pete Thomas and Paul Thompson are sorely underrated and neglected drummers. The former had the perfect energy blasts for Costelo's vintage power pop, the latter drummed with impeccable taste, always laying down the perfect foundation for a song. Plus he could also be hypnotic as Neu!'s drummer (witness "Bogus Man", or "In Every Dreamhome a Heartache"). I'd rather have Paul Thompson over a flashy Moon, Baker or Mitch in my band any day.
Posted by Alan Lord, Montreal at 5:33 PM GMT 21/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Can I just big up Carl Palmer here? Just been getting back into ELP after a 25 year break, and what a drummer! Wow!
Posted by Simon F at 9:21 PM GMT 21/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Hey Mat! Please return with Paul Trinka to conduct Mojo. I don't really like the direction of the magazine in these days.
Posted by J. Quintero at 12:00 AM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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How about Ian Paice or Rat Scabies?
Posted by h at 2:44 AM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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And actually, he may not be the most talented, but in terms of making others want to act like maniacs, you might as well throw Tommy Ramone on the list...
And also, I think that what you say might be really, really important. All of the greatest artists in the modern have ALL had great drummers or some sort of great rhythmic backbone.
Posted by h at 2:59 AM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Kenny Aronoff, who's been at it nearly 30 years and has played with everyone (check out his web site) but is best known for being John Mellencamp's drummer. He just played at the Kennedy Center Honors AND Obama's Inauguration concert. He's what Hal Blaine was in his prime; a guy who can play anything with anyone, and has.
Posted by thisearsmine at 8:06 AM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Okay, I'll bite. But I first want to concede that I am in no way implying these drummers are to outdo the drummers of that era and wholeheartedly agree with your assertion, although some of your examples were head-scratchers.
Here's my modern selections:
?uestlove: Long Time by The Roots (Game Theory, 2006)
Jim Eno: Don't Make Me a Target by Spoon (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, 2007)
Johan Holmegard: Fredag by Dungen (4, 2008)
Steven Drozd: Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips (The Soft Bulletin, 1999)
Tony Hajjar: One-Armed Scissor by At the Drive-In (Relationship of Command, 2000)
Janet Weiss: The Fox by Sleater-Kinney (The Woods, 2005)
What can I say? The breakbeat in hip-hop changed everything. I think it's influenced/pressured modern rock arrangements to simplify what's played. With some the selections above, I chose them for how they defied that societal request to play only one or two background rhythms.
I was born three years after Bonham died and only have the DVD and every Zeppelin album to drool by. But the following drummers have temporarily made me regret not being born 20 years before:
?uestlove. I've seen The Roots six times and to say ?uest is modest on albums would be an understatement. He's a force and any percussion enthusiast should see him.
Zach Hill. I've seen Hella numerous times too. And look...Bonham did things I can't visually comprehend. As in, I see the movements made but I still don't know he humanly did them. Hill is the only drummer who I can say the same for live...about the highest compliment I could pay. You're a Youtube live concert search away from dropping your jaw. Too bad Hill would likely qualify under Snow's "paradiddlists". He's much more than that.
Janet Weiss. She's great with Sleater-Kinney but I'd especially recommend seeing her live with Quasi.
Posted by Brendan Funtek at 12:44 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Okay, I'll bite. But I first want to concede that I am in no way implying these drummers are to outdo the drummers of that era and wholeheartedly agree with your assertion, although some of your examples were head-scratchers.
Here's my modern selections:
?uestlove: Long Time by The Roots (Game Theory, 2006)
Jim Eno: Don't Make Me a Target by Spoon (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, 2007)
Johan Holmegard: Fredag by Dungen (4, 2008)
Steven Drozd: Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips (The Soft Bulletin, 1999)
Tony Hajjar: One-Armed Scissor by At the Drive-In (Relationship of Command, 2000)
Janet Weiss: The Fox by Sleater-Kinney (The Woods, 2005)
What can I say? The breakbeat in hip-hop changed everything. I think it's influenced/pressured modern rock arrangements to simplify what's played. With some the selections above, I chose them for how they defied that societal request to play only one or two background rhythms.
I was born three years after Bonham died and only have the DVD and every Zeppelin album to drool by. But the following drummers have temporarily made me regret not being born 20 years before:
?uestlove. I've seen The Roots six times and to say ?uest is modest on albums would be an understatement. He's a force and any percussion enthusiast should see him.
Zach Hill. I've seen Hella numerous times too. And look...Bonham did things I can't visually comprehend. As in, I see the movements made but I still don't know he humanly did them. Hill is the only drummer who I can say the same for live...about the highest compliment I could pay. You're a Youtube live concert search away from dropping your jaw. Too bad Hill would likely qualify under Snow's "paradiddlists". He's much more than that.
Janet Weiss. She's great with Sleater-Kinney but I'd especially recommend seeing her live with Quasi.
Posted by Brendan Funtek at 12:50 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Two words: Jon Theodore.
His contributions to the first three albums by The Mars Volta mark him out as not only the equal of Bonham, but possibly his superior.
And for a classic mix of rock-chops plus "holding it down", how about Matt Cameron? His work with Soundgarden still thrills and he's played on the best Pearl Jam stuff too.
I would also second the emotion that Ian Paice is rightly respected but sadly not feted in the way his ability to grab an audience AND his bandmates by the throat and really take the music somewhere else.
Lastly, Meg White is what her name rhymes with.
Posted by Psodal at 3:08 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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"swap" is spelt with an "a", not an "o". oh dear, mojo.
xxx
Posted by the pedantic spelling machine at 3:48 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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"swap" is spelt with an "a", not an "o". oh dear, mojo.
xxx
Posted by the pedantic spelling machine at 3:50 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I agree with what you wrote but but to throw in two other drummers Bill Ward of Black Sabbath & Billy Cobham when playing with the Mahavishnu Orchestra
Posted by Bob at 5:23 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I agree with what you wrote but but to throw in two other drummers Bill Ward of Black Sabbath & Billy Cobham when playing with the Mahavishnu Orchestra
Posted by Bob at 5:36 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Zak Starkey!!! Chris Sharrock!!!
Posted by alex at 7:10 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Zak Starkey!!! Chris Sharrock!!!
Posted by alex at 7:13 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Zak Starkey!!! Chris Sharrock!!!
Posted by alex at 11:44 PM GMT 22/01/2009 Report Abuse
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After hearing the tune "Giants Of May" by the Pedaljets on Mojo, I purchased the cd. It is unheralded, of course(I think they are from Kansas City), but quite good in it's entirety. Anyway, my point is that the drummer, I think, falls into this category. He is almost a hybrid of Moon and Bonham, but with his own groove.
Posted by The Brixton Pinecone at 2:46 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Does anyone know of any unique and powerful modern drummers though? That's the real question here. There are plenty of drummers that do fine emulating these guys, but I wanna hear about the ones with unique senses of feel and swing.
Posted by h at 3:14 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I also really like Reni. Does anyone know what Reni's doing nowadays?
Posted by Anonymous at 3:17 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I also really like Reni. Does anyone know what Reni's doing nowadays?
Posted by Anonymous at 3:18 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I also really like Reni. Does anyone know what he's up to nowadays?
Posted by h at 3:18 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Hey. I saw one live last night. Dale Crover from the Melvins. Power, feel, precision, and more power. I'm still reeling.
Posted by Daz at 3:23 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket plays with Bonham's intensity, spirit & strength and is one of the best, if not the best drummer alive today.
Youtube their performance of One Big Holiday on Conan if you're not familiar with the band...
Posted by DB at 3:51 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters is criminally overlooked - if there are 2 drummers in that band he's more Stewart Copeland to Grohl's Bonham.
Posted by vroomosocko at 11:10 AM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Cozy Powell springs to mind. He was up there with the big guns for his sheer power, character and showmanship. Many of todays drummers are all a bit much of a muchness. All technical but no feel or character. Although one guy always impresses and that's Mike Bordin of Faith No More / Ozzy Osbourne fame. Just listen to his playing on any Faith No More album. A player with character, class & feel. And great to watch live to!
Posted by Steve Rich at 7:07 PM GMT 23/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Definitely Zak Starkey
Posted by Mick at 2:41 AM GMT 24/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Hey Snow...you white ain'tcha? Then shut the f*** up.
Posted by sojah at 5:50 AM GMT 24/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Martin Lopez -Opeth
Posted by dmc at 9:20 PM GMT 24/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I think you slighted (maybe unintentionally) the late Micky Waller here. Waller was a fantastic drummer - one of the very best. No point comparing him to Bonham; they were completely different rhythmic animals. Also, you forgot to mention Neil Peart and Ian Paice. You might not like their bands, but they're monster drummers. Always very musical and imaginative. Thanks for mentioning the great Paul Thompson - another great sticksman too often overlooked!
Posted by Al at 12:04 AM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Forget the moon's,the bonhams and all they other plodding rock drummers.The greatest of all has to be Reni.Listen to the stone roses lp's or watch the few live performances and you'll get it.The sound he produces with a 3 piece kit is truly astonishing.
Posted by stephen_b at 1:40 AM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Bonham always was and still is my favorite. The only drummer I've heard come close is Chad E. Smith (G-Z-R / Richie Callison). A really good sample of his playing is on "Wrong Place Wrong Time" off of the new Richie Callison disc. I found it on itunes and myspace.
Posted by MT at 2:25 AM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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2 words: Glenn Kotche
Posted by Melvern at 3:13 AM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Hey, nice piece apart from just a teenie weenie oversight. Your mention of the Zep's John Bonham brought to mind the fact that he was their second choice good that he was. The best without a doubt, was B J Wilson Procol Harum, who was approached by Paige when they were setting up Zeppelin. The man was a clear genius maybe it's time to take a listen to some PH again, especially the drummer!
Posted by Jin C (NZ) at 8:27 AM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Jaki Liebezeit of Can - who also did great stuff in 1969 -
is probably the most amazing drummer in a rock band ever!
Ian Paice and Mahavishnu-era Billy Cobham does also belong on the A-list...
Posted by Jay-El at 10:56 AM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I know many may be pessimistic and cynical about the so called "indie" bands which are about now but if you check out Matt Helders, the drummer from the Arctic Monkeys you can say the enormous potential he has to be a great, great drummer, the Arctic Monkeys are still a very young band and only now are they turning into a more rock and roll sounding band with this third album but you can see the amount of energy that Helders brings to each performance and song with his drum beat often centre-stage and pivotal and this third album from the songs I've already heard prove what a great drummer he is.
Posted by Zimmy at 1:03 PM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Too true. There's a definite lack of great drummers - but I'd clarify with - who are getting any notice. The first guy who deserves more credit is Gerard Fuchs, started with the instro-prog-indie band Turing Machine, then played with electro-dance band The Juan Maclean and is now moonlighting in indie band Mazerati. His chops are utterly breathaking for sure, but it's his taste and sense of musicality that really make him shine. Here's a guy who's positively killing it on a 4-piece kit with a crash, ride and hi-hat. No I'm not him, and no I'm not in any of his bands. The records he plays on are all very good, but he's an animal that MUST be seen live to be fully understood/appreciated. I've played in bands/played music for about the last 20 years, worked in record stores for 10 and in my humble estimation, Gerard Fuchs is the best "least known drummer" drummer alive today.
Ditto Ian Prince (of Houston, Kid Dakota, Story of the Sea fame), Jason Gerken (of Shiner, Molly McGuire fame), Rob Smith (of Traindodge, Riddle of Steel, Roma 79 fame), Chris Metcalf (of Life & Times, Stella Link, Season To Risk fame), Ken McCray (of Shame Club fame). I'm seriously NOT just steering you toward bands I think need promotion, I'm a ridiculous fan of drummers (tho I play guitar), and these guys are all monstrous players deserving of some attention.
For "sons of John Bonham" school of rock drummers, you need look no further than the Midwest U.S. Don't laugh! It's the truth!
Cheers.
Posted by Andrew at 8:13 PM GMT 25/01/2009 Report Abuse
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i still say the best drummer i've ever heard was john hiseman..buddy rich meets ginger baker.
Posted by doug marcus sewell, nj usa at 3:25 AM GMT 26/01/2009 Report Abuse
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As a person who listens to Rock Music a lot, I also know a lot of drummers have really quick hands and feet. You mentioned a few of them, but I'm afraid you didn't listen to real Metal drummers. Yes, you mentioned Dave Lombardo who is still really fast and has lots of power or Lars Ulrich who is famous for beeing the drummer of Metallica and some other "metal" drummers, but I'm missing the real metal bands.
To come to the point, please take time and listen to a band called "Lamb of God" and their drummer Chris Adler.
Listen to a piece called "Vigil" on their album "As palaces burn". I'm sure you never heard more power and virtuosity on drums before.
Posted by Andy at 4:53 PM GMT 26/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I like your listening recommendations. But come on, already - The 60's are over. I don't think drummers are the problem these days. It seems that bands, in general, are just not getting to the same level and stature as they once did. What bands are playing today that are on the level of Queen or The Police or U2? Maybe the Chili Peppers, maybe Green Day, maybe. So, how the heck are drummers going to stand out?
Remember, that we're in the pop-singer Idol age, when no one pays attention to anyone but the singer... There are lots of guys who can rip on the level or Moon, Bonham, Ringo, etc. they just play it down in the studio cause that's the trend, for better or worse.
Check out these guys:
Josh Freese (NIN, Sting, A Perfect Circle)
Taylor Hawkins (Foo's)
Matt Chamberlain (Wallflowers, Tori, Fiona, a 'feel master')
Danny Carey (no he's not just a paradiddle speed freak)
Chad Smith (not short on swing, by any strech)
Posted by Matt at 6:17 PM GMT 27/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I like your listening recommendations. But come on, already - The 60's are over. I don't think drummers are the problem these days. It seems that bands, in general, are just not getting to the same level and stature as they once did. What bands are playing today that are on the level of Queen or The Police or U2? Maybe the Chili Peppers, maybe Green Day, maybe. So, how the heck are drummers going to stand out?
Remember, that we're in the pop-singer Idol age, when no one pays attention to anyone but the singer... There are lots of guys who can rip on the level or Moon, Bonham, Ringo, etc. they just play it down in the studio cause that's the trend, for better or worse.
Check out these guys:
Josh Freese (NIN, Sting, A Perfect Circle)
Taylor Hawkins (Foo's)
Matt Chamberlain (Wallflowers, Tori, Fiona, a 'feel master')
Danny Carey (no he's not just a paradiddle speed freak)
Chad Smith (not short on swing, by any stretch)
Posted by Matt at 6:18 PM GMT 27/01/2009 Report Abuse
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And I'll add... what's missing (I think) from most of these comments are drummers who have true feeling and style. It is entirely obvious that a drummer like Carter Beauford is a much more technically proficient drummer than say, John Bonham was. HOWEVER... I could care less what Carter B. is doing because he, to ME, has no feeling whatsoever. Too much of the "drum clinic" vibe where the toms are tuned so perfectly they no longer sound like drums, but instead like synth toms. Throw in the overly tight, obnoxious piccolo snare and way too many tiny cymbals that go "pish!" and you have what I consider to be not a drummer at all, but a gunslinger. Wayyy too much technique and zero sense of musicality. I'm always hammering on about this, so forgive me if I'm stepping on toes. To each his own, but it's the same way with guitarists: Steve Vai is an insanely more accomplished "player" than say Jimmy Page ever was, but who gives a damn about a Steve Vai song?? What truly *classic* song has Vai ever written? He is a studio gunslinger who cannot write his way out of a paper bag. Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ringo, Buddy Rich, even Stew Copeland and the like have/had some crucial element of style and originality to their playing. They were unique, regardless of how "virtuous" their playing was. Point is: anyone, literally anyone can just put in the hours and learn the gymnastics of an instrument and become insanely fast. But very few can truly say something unique and do it well. The finale of my two cents.
Posted by Andrew at 7:21 PM GMT 27/01/2009 Report Abuse
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And I'll add... what's missing (I think) from most of these comments are drummers who have true feeling and style. It is entirely obvious that a drummer like Carter Beauford is a much more technically proficient drummer than say, John Bonham was. HOWEVER... I could care less what Carter B. is doing because he, to ME, has no feeling whatsoever. Too much of the "drum clinic" vibe where the toms are tuned so perfectly they no longer sound like drums, but instead like synth toms. Throw in the overly tight, obnoxious piccolo snare and way too many tiny cymbals that go "pish!" and you have what I consider to be not a drummer at all, but a gunslinger. Wayyy too much technique and zero sense of musicality. I'm always hammering on about this, so forgive me if I'm stepping on toes. To each his own, but it's the same way with guitarists: Steve Vai is an insanely more accomplished "player" than say Jimmy Page ever was, but who gives a damn about a Steve Vai song?? What truly *classic* song has Vai ever written? He is a studio gunslinger who cannot write his way out of a paper bag. Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ringo, Buddy Rich, even Stew Copeland and the like have/had some crucial element of style and originality to their playing. They were unique, regardless of how "virtuous" their playing was. Point is: anyone, literally anyone can just put in the hours and learn the gymnastics of an instrument and become insanely fast. But very few can truly say something unique and do it well. The finale of my two cents.
Posted by Andrew at 7:22 PM GMT 27/01/2009 Report Abuse
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And I'll add... what's missing (I think) from most of these comments are drummers who have true feeling and style. It is entirely obvious that a drummer like Carter Beauford is a much more technically proficient drummer than say, John Bonham was. HOWEVER... I could care less what Carter B. is doing because he, to ME, has no feeling whatsoever. Too much of the "drum clinic" vibe where the toms are tuned so perfectly they no longer sound like drums, but instead like synth toms. Throw in the overly tight, obnoxious piccolo snare and way too many tiny cymbals that go "pish!" and you have what I consider to be not a drummer at all, but a gunslinger. Wayyy too much technique and zero sense of musicality. I'm always hammering on about this, so forgive me if I'm stepping on toes. To each his own, but it's the same way with guitarists: Steve Vai is an insanely more accomplished "player" than say Jimmy Page ever was, but who gives a damn about a Steve Vai song?? What truly *classic* song has Vai ever written? He is a studio gunslinger who cannot write his way out of a paper bag. Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ringo, Buddy Rich, even Stew Copeland and the like have/had some crucial element of style and originality to their playing. They were unique, regardless of how "virtuous" their playing was. Point is: anyone, literally anyone can just put in the hours and learn the gymnastics of an instrument and become insanely fast. But very few can truly say something unique and do it well. The finale of my two cents.
Posted by Andrew at 7:22 PM GMT 27/01/2009 Report Abuse
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And I'll add... what's missing (I think) from most of these comments are drummers who have true feeling and style. It is entirely obvious that a drummer like Carter Beauford is a much more technically proficient drummer than say, John Bonham was. HOWEVER... I could care less what Carter B. is doing because he, to ME, has no feeling whatsoever. Too much of the "drum clinic" vibe where the toms are tuned so perfectly they no longer sound like drums, but instead like synth toms. Throw in the overly tight, obnoxious piccolo snare and way too many tiny cymbals that go "pish!" and you have what I consider to be not a drummer at all, but a gunslinger. Wayyy too much technique and zero sense of musicality. I'm always hammering on about this, so forgive me if I'm stepping on toes. To each his own, but it's the same way with guitarists: Steve Vai is an insanely more accomplished "player" than say Jimmy Page ever was, but who gives a damn about a Steve Vai song?? What truly *classic* song has Vai ever written? He is a studio gunslinger who cannot write his way out of a paper bag. Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ringo, Buddy Rich, even Stew Copeland and the like have/had some crucial element of style and originality to their playing. They were unique, regardless of how "virtuous" their playing was. Point is: anyone, literally anyone can just put in the hours and learn the gymnastics of an instrument and become insanely fast. But very few can truly say something unique and do it well. The finale of my two cents.
Posted by Andrew at 7:22 PM GMT 27/01/2009 Report Abuse
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And I'll add... what's missing (I think) from most of these comments are drummers who have true feeling and style. It is entirely obvious that a drummer like Carter Beauford is a much more technically proficient drummer than say, John Bonham was. HOWEVER... I could care less what Carter B. is doing because he, to ME, has no feeling whatsoever. Too much of the "drum clinic" vibe where the toms are tuned so perfectly they no longer sound like drums, but instead like synth toms. Throw in the overly tight, obnoxious piccolo snare and way too many tiny cymbals that go "pish!" and you have what I consider to be not a drummer at all, but a gunslinger. Wayyy too much technique and zero sense of musicality. I'm always hammering on about this, so forgive me if I'm stepping on toes. To each his own, but it's the same way with guitarists: Steve Vai is an insanely more accomplished "player" than say Jimmy Page ever was, but who gives a damn about a Steve Vai song?? What truly *classic* song has Vai ever written? He is a studio gunslinger who cannot write his way out of a paper bag. Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ringo, Buddy Rich, even Stew Copeland and the like have/had some crucial element of style and originality to their playing. They were unique, regardless of how "virtuous" their playing was. Point is: anyone, literally anyone can just put in the hours and learn the gymnastics of an instrument and become insanely fast. But very few can truly say something unique and do it well. The finale of my two cents.
Posted by Andrew at 7:27 PM GMT 27/01/2009 Report Abuse
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How about Steve Jordan?
Posted by Sydtech at 5:49 AM GMT 28/01/2009 Report Abuse
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who needs a drummer when there is the Akai MPC 60?
Posted by Bonzo at 9:49 AM GMT 28/01/2009 Report Abuse
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"Rock " drummer?
Pete Kostic - Front End Loader
Posted by Blackfoliage at 11:08 AM GMT 28/01/2009 Report Abuse
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"Rock" drummer?
Pete Kostic - Front End Loader
Posted by Blackfoliage at 11:12 AM GMT 28/01/2009 Report Abuse
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"Rock" drummer?
Pete Kostic - Front End Loader
Posted by Blackfoliage at 11:12 AM GMT 28/01/2009 Report Abuse
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JACKIE LIEBZIET from Can. Way ahead of his time, solid, groovy and intelligent. A man machine with heart.
Posted by D at 2:51 PM GMT 28/01/2009 Report Abuse
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RE: Drummers
i'm pretty groovie in the drum department
go listen
www.myspace.com/thedeltics
listen to Rampant & wild, I think i'm groovie....
ian Paice always hit the mark for me...
Posted by baby Jesus at 1:46 PM GMT 29/01/2009 Report Abuse
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For sheer subtlety and taste; anything current with Steve Jansen i.e Nine Horses or better yet listen to him drum thru Perry Blake's "Still Life" album.....mindbogglingly beautiful stuff.
Completely underrated as a drummer.
Posted by Mark Montreal at 6:51 PM GMT 30/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Bonham was and always will be the best bar none.Copeland,Mitchell,Moon,Grohl are all great but has anyone thought of the late great Tony Thompson.Forget Live Aid but listen to him especially the 2 Power Station albums.Living in Fear wasn't great but just listen to the drums on the first 4 tracks and tell me thats not excellent
Posted by Scott at 1:53 PM GMT 31/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Bonham was and always will be the best bar none.Copeland,Mitchell,Moon,Grohl are all great but has anyone thought of the late great Tony Thompson.Forget Live Aid but listen to him especially the 2 Power Station albums.Living in Fear wasn't great but just listen to the drums on the first 4 tracks and tell me thats not excellent
Posted by Scott at 1:54 PM GMT 31/01/2009 Report Abuse
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Bonham was and always will be the best bar none.Copeland,Mitchell,Moon,Grohl are all great but has anyone thought of the late great Tony Thompson.Forget Live Aid but listen to him especially the 2 Power Station albums.Living in Fear wasn't great but just listen to the drums on the first 4 tracks and tell me thats not excellent
Posted by Scott at 1:54 PM GMT 31/01/2009 Report Abuse
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I'll take Levon Helm over most drummers any day of the week.
Posted by Kevin at 6:04 AM GMT 01/02/2009 Report Abuse
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Hi Everyone,
I had a look through and correct me if i'm wrong, but I didn't see anybody mention the enormous Jimmy Chamberlain. I there were no Jimmy, The talented Billy Corgan would still be playing with a Drum Machine.
How about Solo artists, do they count?
Virgil Donati
Terry Bozzio
There's lots of drummers as good as Bonzo out there. He was just lucky to the other 3 men he played with to make the best rock music ever!
Posted by Shaun at 10:46 AM GMT 03/02/2009 Report Abuse
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Without any objective, or at least agreed-upon, definition for measuring the "panache", "charisma", "swing", etc. of a drumming performance, I reject this question on its face.
Posted by Rootbeer at 5:02 PM GMT 05/02/2009 Report Abuse
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You lost me when you lumped Ringo's solo on Abbey Road in with the others.It was a watered down copy of the Inagawdadavida solo and what 45 sec long. Not that I don't love Good Night Vienna...And Meg white is OK but mentioning her in the same breath with Bonzo,Moon, and Neal Peart is a bit of a stretch.
Posted by Chukcanuk at 6:38 PM GMT 16/02/2009 Report Abuse
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You lost me when you lumped Ringo's solo on Abbey Road in with the others.It was a watered down copy of the Inagawdadavida solo and what, 45 sec long? Not that I don't love Good Night Vienna...And Meg white is OK but mentioning her in the same breath with Bonzo,Moon, and Neal Peart is a bit of a stretch.
Posted by Chukcanuk at 6:39 PM GMT 16/02/2009 Report Abuse
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You lost me when you lumped Ringo's solo on Abbey Road in with the others.It was a watered down copy of the Inagawdadavida solo and what, 45 sec long? Not that I don't love Good Night Vienna...And Meg white is OK but mentioning her in the same breath with Bonzo,Moon, and Neal Peart is a bit of a stretch.
Posted by Chukcanuk at 6:40 PM GMT 16/02/2009 Report Abuse
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Lousy examples...Meg and Ringo aren't in the same club...What about Jason Bonham? He seems to be carrying on his dad's legacy rather well...Mikey Dee in Motorhead is no slouch either.All the flashy/wicked chops drummers play metal because most songwriters want a Charlie Watts type(good but subtle...
Posted by matt bee at 2:28 AM GMT 19/02/2009 Report Abuse
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Lousy examples...Meg and Ringo aren't in the same club...What about Jason Bonham? He seems to be carrying on his dad's legacy rather well...Mikey Dee in Motorhead is no slouch either.All the flashy/wicked chops drummers play metal because most songwriters want a Charlie Watts type(good but subtle...
Posted by matt bee at 2:28 AM GMT 19/02/2009 Report Abuse
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Meg White??? Give me a break...
Posted by Alex at 4:19 PM GMT 13/04/2009 Report Abuse
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How about Will Calhoun of Living Colour? I saw the guy alive 3 years ago and he was amazing! Everything was there... power, groovy swing chops and an incredible sense of improvisation.
Posted by Anonymous at 4:47 PM GMT 13/04/2009 Report Abuse
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Unfortunately, the only bands popular enough these days to enable all their incumbents the possibility of crossing-over from being considered merely musicians, into the realm of "celebrity", are either fronted by overly earnest young men with egos too fragile to think that their inexplicably feted formulaic dirges might actually be enhanced by something as trifling as a creative and dynamic rhythm track, or...erm, McFly. So it is somewhat unfair of Snow to single out drummers for criticism here. I mean, how many of you out there can actually name ANYONE from Coldplay other than Chris Martin?
The two drummers that first made me want to pick up a pair of sticks - and suffer always being expected to drive everyone to rehearsals - were Clem Burke and Pete de Freitas. De Freitas' intricate but uncomplicated style, always playing "for the song" rather than personal glory, still has a huge influence on my playing. However, without being a drummer or a fan of The Bunnymen, I dare say I'd struggle to tell you his name. Does this make him a worse drummer? I don't think it does.
What I loved most about Burke - other than his virtuosity and his big hair - was his wonderful showmanship... something that Debbie Harry and Chris Stein apparently hate about his playing style. But why wouldn't they dislike such flamboyance? After all, if you're watching the guy behind the drum-kit, it means you're not looking at them! And therein lies the problem. Not only do great drummers need great songs to shine - no drum track, no matter HOW good, can turn a duff song into a great one - they also need their band-mates trust to enable their energy and ideas to make the final cut.
It seems to me that rock groups of the 60's and early 70's weren't nearly so career minded as nowadays and were fronted by people less interested in their own celebrity or future solo projects and more concerned with creating music with like-minded souls.
I'm afraid the last gang in town left a long time before the clock hit 1980.
Posted by J at 3:24 PM GMT 27/04/2009 Report Abuse
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Seriously?
Meg White? Anyone who should know about drumming KNOWS that Meg White is not a drummer, but someone who bangs on them to keep uber-rudimentary time to Jack White's (another overrated musican, in my opinion anyway) annoying guitars and inane lyrics, period. Even Meg White would laugh at the thought of being lumped into the same group as Dave Grohl and Larry Mullin, Jr.
I'm really left speechless by this wanker. Grant it, most of today's drummers are, in a word, "White", but Chad Smith can groove like a mutha and again, anyone who knows music, drumming and is able to walk without falling down, knows that this is true.
If I didn't know any better, I would swear that the author did zero homework on this subject and instead spent the better part of that time sotted off in some pub, throwing this garbage together at the last second and doing so severely hung over at that.
Never a more rubbish-filled article have I ever read, especially troubling being that this "article" was within the confines of the otherwise top notch music publication, MOJO.
To quote Metallica: "You know it's sad but true!!!
Cheers!
Posted by Mike at 2:13 AM GMT 12/10/2009 Report Abuse
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An entire article about rock drummers and the name Neil Peart isn't even mentioned!
Posted by Anonymous at 11:10 AM GMT 08/11/2009 Report Abuse
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