Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd - Buddy Rich: drums 

Weckl is the brains, Vinnie is the muscle, Gadd is the heart. What a machine :)

Weckl’s opening is like a sound poem. Colaiuta pulls off the sickest drum fill in recorded human history. Gadd can groove like no other.

Steve's kick sounded like it was size of a fucking house. I love it.

Gadd's groove makes my spine melt.

Gadd's marching snare solo in the beginning gave me chills. Incredible.

Can we get a praise for the sound guy, matching all drums and having a fantastic atmosphere mixed in?

Technique: Weckl Speed: Vinnie Groove: Steve Together: Beastmode

If you were a famous drummer in the 80's, you either: A) played yamaha drums B) played for weather report C) played for chick corea

Weckyl's opening is pure genius. The coolest thing on drums I've ever seen

Maybe the most legendary RU-vid drum video of all-time...

Gadd's intro is simply breathtaking. It is *everything* about musicality in drumming. Weckl and Colauita blaze you with chops. Gadd blows your mind with feel (and chops).

Watching this in 2024 and still in awe

Gadd's base drum is the heaviest drop I've ever heard.

No winner.... just winning.

This ``who's best`` is totally subjective. All I know is they're all better than me.

What I love about Steve Gadd is that he isn't afraid to leave space. There are one or two of his solos where he absolutely chops out to the level of his contemporaries just so say "I can do it too" but then he just sits back into his own groove and enjoys himself, playing what he wants and feels, letting Weckl and Colaiuta have all the flashy single stroke solos. Gadd just sits back and keeps it solid and grounded. Absolute legend

Love Vinne’s technical wizzardry,Gadd’s groove and Weckl’s dynamics,Dave’s dynamic intro blew me away.

This has to be the greatest moment in drumming history. What else would come close?

I’ve watched this at least 25 times over the years. I always wanna come out feelin Vinnie … but it’s GADD who ends up takin my breath away. 😮‍💨 He just gets his whole _body_ & soul into it-all feel, not chops-display.

Steve Gadd's cowbell groove... OMG, so jealous.

You know who won this battle of drums??? My ears. I have lost count on how many times my ears came from this solo.

So the scenario is this Dave...you will be jamming with Vinnie and Steve...you start. I mean he could have chosen to mind melt us all with a tom blitz, but instead he gives us such a graceful cymbal-led open...gold!

*Expletive* I've been watching this video on and off for years, as well as listening to their individual work. Here's my totally subjective take: - Gadd is more comfortable with space in his solos, his rudiment skill is second to no one, and he has more subtlety that the other two. He seems more relaxed. Seems to be the most likely to be a team player. I would hire him over the other two for a session without hesitation. It's almost as if he was content to let the other two shine by going in more of a march-like feel, which ironically made him stand out the most. - Weckl has tremendous metronomic accuracy in his solos, and probably the best dynamic control. His solos are always very comprehensible to laymen like me, in spite of being almost impossible to duplicate. He probably has the most flash of the three... the most "bling," to use a subjective term. This is also a function of his highly polished sound (in terms of drum and audio gear, as well as his drum tuning, to say nothing of his technique) which is probably the most identifiable, and perhaps most influential studio drum sound in the world. - Colauita's brain is just wired differently than anybody else's. Stories of his virtuosity in recording sessions, and his relentless dedication to improvement are the stuff of legend. And it shows. His playing reminds me of the "sheets of sound" adjective used to describe saxophonist John Coltrane. Clearly he got bored with delineating measures with the consistency that the other two seem comfortable with. His playing is the most "organic" and "raw" of the three. Where the other two seem to be more interested in variations on a theme, Vinnie is almost always looking for new themes, and I find it really interesting to see where he goes. What I would find interesting is a challenge where one tries to imitate the style of the other two. I think, in that regard, Vinnie would come out on top, being able to play like the other two. Weckl could probably only convincingly reproduce Gadd's style. And Gadd is best at being himself. All this being said, I still can't say that one of them is the overall better drummer than the other two. It just goes to show you that there is always room at the top.

Mr. Gadd’s snare sounds beautiful

steve gadd's drumming movements are incredible in here!

Seinfeld is one awesome drummer - such a talent!

when I watched this video for the first time 12 years ago, I thought Steve Gadd had it hands down. 12 years later I still think the same.

In the end: Vinnie’s mullet is shiny and luscious; the ends of his locks flow outwards in a controlled, rippling wave that is reminiscent of the slightest wind travelling over a small, moonlit bay. Dave’s mullet has such elegance and volume; his curls evoke the sudden explosion of flowers across a spring meadow peppered in morning dew. Like the bay, and the meadow: both occupy their own unique place and purpose in the ecosystem that is life/drumming.

I never try to compare musicians because we are all unique, and interpret things differently. There is no contest for me. However I still remain partial to Steve's performance. That guy could lock a groove in with uncooked hotdogs and a garbage can lid. A truly spectacular musician!

It's not fair , Steve was "Out-Mulleted"

One thing that eluded me before is the way Steve Gadd's solo provides the perfect intro to the groove. It would have sounded so weird if they had gone from Weckl's relaxed cymbal intro or Vinnie's solo into the groove

Gadd and Weckl are both playing at a virtuoso level no doubt, but I can still mostly understand what they're doing. I can't even wrap my head around Vinnie Colaiuta's parts though... he's just from a different planet.

This is still the best drum battle / drum solo video I've ever seen. And I've seen A LOT of them.

I just love watching steve gadd soloing. He seems to put his whole heart into every stroke almost jumping out of his seat! I love it!

This is a video of how good I will never be on drums. Seriously, I think Weckl told the best story with his opening contribution.

This is the only piece of music that doesn't need more cowbell. Been watching this video for years, don't think I'll ever get tired of watching 3 masters come together and just have fun playing their instruments.

11 years later, this is still my favourite drum material to look up. It never gets old!! The lessons are still relevant today as they were back then! Classic!!

Dave Weckl is just beyond. I LOVE the sound of Gadds kick when he starts the march. It goes BOOM. Big sound.

Steve gadds opening diddly is literally one of the best snare n bass combos I've ever heard. it's so damn musical and listenable. jeeeeeeeez

never seen three guys shred on their kits this hard. Absolutely incredible stuff.

Dave Weckl’s dynamics is out of this world 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Steve Gadd is my favorite drummer

If I had to sum up each player's style in one word... Weckl: Finese Colaiuta: Power Gadd: Groove

I can't stop watching Steve's marching groove. Damn clean and powerful

Don't know how many times I've seen this video, everytime I almost starts to cry of pure happiness!... So fucking out of this world... what a BIG fucking solo!! And Dave's snare sound cuts sharper than a fkn samurai sword!

I think I’ve watched this clip at least 50 times. Absolute legends, the lot of them. Colaiuta is totally outrageous, 😂 his speed and power are out of this world.

Every time I need to remember why I chose to be a professional drummer, I always watch this video and each time I come Back here, my 15 years Old teenager inner self reappears with the same emotion and fascination of the first time I saw this 🙂🥁

This is by far THE greatest drum arrangement/solo(s) in the history of drums. My God

Dave: What’s up, kiddos? Here’s my smooth-as-butta, technically brilliant, graceful and dynamic solo :) *plays it perfectly* Vinnie: Oh yeah, son? Lemme show you how it’s DONE...*proceeds to unleash some insanely technical chops with fire and brimstone-level energy and power* Steve: Settle down, children...lemme dial it way back, get that GROOVE going ;) *goes into Crazy Army* Vinnie and Dave: Yes, Master Gadd. OK. *both join in* Audience: OMFG

This video, I just had an eargasm. I need a moment. ♥

Old Steve Gadd is smokin' that kick drum. Their all great drummers...this is a treat.

This is the 458,452 time I have watched this and I am convinced that if God wanted to be a drummer, he would be Steve Gadd.

Steve Gadd solo - Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor. Awesome stuff.

Everyone's talking about Gadd's snare drumming on top of the march but check out the bass drum kicks. Nice even single strokes and he supports the snare pattern like a real bass drum in a drumline. Amazing!

Weckl's intro is perfect. Gadd's intro is perfect and powerful with the most efficiency, Vinnie's efficiency with the amount of power and speed is incredible all the way through. And his solo at 6:08 is such a perfect phrase, it sounds like him, but directly inspired by Steve Gadd. This is the best drum exhibition ever recorded.

One of the GREATEST DRUM SOLOS YOU WILL EVER HEAR... Vinnie was on another planet..lol... PLEASE... put this in vault somewhere deep in the ground for the future generations to discover 1000 years from now...

3:43 Gadd’s fill is sublime. Oh yes gimme all dat

Always come back to this and send it to my students. Dave Weckl is a lifelong enduring inspiration for me and my generation (drummers born in 70s and 80s) so I am always partial to his solos. As was said by others here, the dynamic control, accents, virtuosity, ambidexterity, hand and feet combos, etc. They are unmatched and each phrase is his and you know it when you hear it. As far as this solo goes though, Steve Gadd owns the musicality and great phrasing. All the drum hooks here are his. He is the most confident. The driving beat with the syncopation and hi hats in all the right places. The marching snare pattern is gorgeous and memorable. He has the least to prove and has the most grace and power in his stroke. We need another 3 part drum solo with up and coming contemporary drummers. A 2016 version.

I've watched this hundreds of times. I remember seeing this when it first happened. I was inspired and I also wanted to quit. It is the best multi-drumset performance EVER.

Dave Weckl's drums sounded so much better back in the day, recording customs are amazing !

And The winners is .......Me ! For having the opportunity to listen to these legends.

One of the greatest drum solo performances of all time.....truly amazing!

Massive 'Eternal Source of Inspiratiion' Respect

Out of the two that was going off I still enjoyed Steve was my favorite That man had amazing groove

Passion = Dave Grace = Steve Fire = Vinnie Not just for great guitar trifectas anymore!

...one of the best drum "ensembles" of all time !!....three of the best, not "battling",but, COMBINING their immense skill into a performance that ole Buddy would have loved......AND he wouldn't have to yell : "CLAMS !!....CLAMS!!!.....ALL I HEAR IS CLAMS !! " either !!!!...

that Dave Weckl intro solo is one of the most amazing things ever played.

this is the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life

Anyone else still watching this in 2019? Just saw this 3 times in a row.

Dave, Steve and Vinnie are the gods of drums!! Amazing!!

I've been watching this video for 8 years now, and I will keep coming back to it for the rest of my living life.

Ah yes, time for my monthly viewing of what might be the single best drum video on the entire internet.

Three of the best drummers alive in my opinion.

Totally fine drummers all using English style grip rather than matched grip. Dave's single stroke rolls are incredible. I love all three drummers. The cadence of Vinnie is fantastic like a freight train coming.

This is the most memorable drum exhibition of all times!

It’s so good it actually brings me to tears sometimes.

First off, declaring any drummer "best" is a fruitless endeavor especially amongst virtuosos such as these 3. Instead I'd like to point out a basic observation and say this is ONLY my personal take on this one performance. Steve Gadd seems to me to embody the role of The Drummer, in that he masterfully created a rhythmic motif that was musical, interesting, and exciting. You can't help but move with the rhythm, and in this quintessential supporting role as drummer, he laid a foundation upon which his comrades could stretch out and solo. Individually and alone the other two demonstrated superb chops but soloed somewhat incomprehensible pieces. Atop Steve's Latin rhythm their solos found structure and came to life. So in that respect I have to give Steve Gadd the honor.

Amazing accents Dave gets with the traditional grip. AMAZING!

Gadd is a god. He really set the tone for the others to flourish. LOVE THIS TRIO.

It's like the heart didn't come into this until Steve laid it DOWN!! Im watching the other 2 before and after Steve's crazy army sweetness, and it brought the three of them into another place. Flow!! I'm feeling it as I watch. Props to all 3 masters!

at 4:27 that lick Vinnie does just blows my mind

Gotta say, my fave is Gadd. He has an arsenal of style. Though, I've also gotta say he was somewhat shown up at this pass. His discipline was out shined by Weckl and Colaiuta's energies.

I feel like Weckl being the predecessor is the perfect portmanteau of Gadd and Colaiuta. Vinnie's hyper technical prowess coupled with Steve's ginormous pocket and backbeat. It's just an absolute joy to hear the 3 of them play together, especially at this point in their careers. A beautiful glimpse at past, present and future of the instrument by a collection of bona fide masters.

The worlds most perfect drummer all in statement…brains, balls and class!

I watch this often, specifically to see Steve Gadd go into "Crazy Army" - damn! Also Vinnie at around 4:25, and again at around 7:00 - wow.

Why would you give this a thumbs down?

Three different styles by three legendary drummers !!!!!

Goosebumps just hearing these three introduced at the same time. The amount of awesome packed onto one stage! I grew up watching this VHS and it made want to learn drums. 33 years later, I’m about 20% there.

love how the cowbell-beat goes through the whole drum battle!

The way Dave opens this collaboration is perfect. His cymbal work is so beautiful, glassy and precise and it really compliments the overall dynamic mastery he displays with his instruments. He might show the nicest technique and variety overall. I could go on about Dave, he's always been an idol of mine, but I was more impressed by the other two in this performance. I really love Vinnie, he just displays such crazy power and energy, and those ebony heads they sound awesome. Every time I watch this video, there are several of Vinnie's drum fills where I'm cracking up and saying, "That's impossible!" And his last solo before they all come together is a beautiful display of raw, concentrated power and chops. And Steve.. there's a few parts of this where he's just doing scary things with his snare, I love the way it's tuned, and he gets so many tones out it. He's got perfect sense of groove, and it makes his drumming more exciting and musical. I never could decide who's performance I liked more - Vinnie's or Steve"s, but I'm starting to feel like Steve takes it.

It's really great to see Gadd hit the drums hard! Amazing drumming all the way around!

all traditional grip players kicks ass, i prefer that myself. but overall i have to say i prefer Dave. he has always been more fluid and creative than anyone else up until this time, and i really want his hair. all 3 are amazing though, cannot deny them, ever!!

That groove Gadd starts with is terrific. Makes my brain hurt! Haha.

steve gads base drum sounds so amazing!

I saw Chick Corea when I was young, with Dave Weckle at a time when I thought Neal Peart was the greatest drummer. That show changed my life. I knew then and there I witnessed greatness.I was stunned, shocked, and amazed. I never knew drums could sound like that. And my bar got higher.

Weckl's amazing ability to hear sounds has always impressed me

when i was a kid, someone showed me this and said Gadd schooled his kids... I thought the opposite. 20 years later, nope, they were right

love it

Vinnie: The PR guy that makes it all look and sound flashy brilliantly. Dave: Accountant, that cunningly makes sure everyone behaves. Steve: The technician that actually keeps the whole operation alive and in order.

Vinnie and Dave are outstanding drummers that are playing amazingly perfect, both make us think there are some pistons and a processor under their skin! But Steve is a God! He makes music with only his drums!