Prince: Best Drummer He Ever Had? - Judge’s Panel 

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Mr. John Blackwell, the greatest. R.I.P. Brother Blackwell

John Blackwell... without a doubt !💜💜💜

John Blackwell and Michael Bland

JOHN BLACKWELL WAS A BEAST

John Blackwell all the way!!......May he rest in Peace☮️

I've been playing drums for 40 years & I can tell you that John Blackwell was head & shoulders above the rest... absolutely the best to ever play with Prince & among the greatest ever.

Michael B without a doubt. Dude was like a powerful metronome, so versatile as well.

John Blackwell. The. Best. Drummer. PERIOD! He was brilliant. The most incredible drummer I have EVER seen/heard in my life!!! 💜🥁

Micheal Bland, John Blackwell, Sheila E.

Michael bland

John Blackwell and Michael Bland. Michael is my personal fave and played in my fave band (NPG95), but, unfortunately, he was forced to play over loops and such. Blackwell had more freedom, and his more busy style was great for Prince´s music. And I really love Prince´s drumming, specially on some songs, like ´Crystal Ball´ and ´Glass Cutter´.

Before I even listen to this I’m going to add in my $.50.... Hands Down, unequivocally, John Blackwell (RIP) is & was Princes Greatest Drummer of All Time.... Michael Bland comes in as a very well deserved second... Now I’ll listen and see what others have to say... Thanks for posting...!!!

As a bassist,I feel Michael Bland had the deepest pocket of all em...that's what matters to me most.

Bland is a beast....I got the pleasure to play bass behind him a few years ago at a club called Bunkers in Minneapolis,with a house band called Dr.Mambos Combos....many of Prince players came out of that house band.

John Blackwell was great but Michael Bland was so good and so fast that at times he sounded like a drum machine.

Micheal bland hands down

John Blackwell was the best drummer ever . Prince even said he was the best.

Prince was Prince's best drummer, hands down.

I'm a drummer myself. And I think Sheila E is the best and so is Michael Bland. I like all the drummers that played for Prince especially Bobby Z. Bobby is the first one that mix it from electric to acoustic drums and it made it sounded so unique. Sheila E and Michael Bland to me it's like the power of rock mix it with funk. And Sheila what I like it about her she'd add it up a little with some latin beat and sound it so awesome.

Prince was his own best drummer.

John Blackwell was the best. Hands down!!

John Blackwell, (10) best skilled in your list. FYI: Morris Day did a lot of the drum parts in the recording studio ( 80s) !!

Bobby Z was criticized by Jazz Smith and Morris Day from the very beginning. Gotta give Bobby his due respect for the role he Played in a special chapter in Prince's life.

Thank you for inviting me to judge on this video was great fun but so hard to rate them all!! Great job in putting the video together and editing my ramblings. 😁

That was really Good! I agree with Sheila E. as #1.

I knew John Blackwell when we were students at Berklee College of Music. While attending Berklee, I did a Prince tribute concert that he begged to be a part of. I had already committed to using another drummer, so John didn't play in the tribute show that I led. Blessedly, he got to play for the man himself!! I was fortunate enough to meet up with John during the Musicology Tour. He got me backstage, but unfortunately, I didn't get to meet Prince. Still, it was a fantastic show and he was definitely a phenomenal drummer! Even when John was a student at Berklee he would twirl his drum sticks around. I was proud of his success and saddened by his passing. R.I.H.

Good Prince topic...I'm surprised that Sheila E. live drum performances on "take the place your man " was not mentioned ...At the time hearing Prince's recorded drum version blew me away but Sheila E. took this great Prince classic to another level in the Sign O' the times concert film...

Prince's Iconic drummer was that Linn LM-1

John Blackwell a "9"? and Bobby Z and "8"? .. Wow !! It's amazing what people hear. RIP Blackwell.

Michael Bland is the only Prince drummer that stood out for me and I like him heaps.

Pretty impressive how on the same page we all were on these!

Sheila E of course!!! There is music in her whole family. I hope she wins, check her out in Sign O The Times concert video and that drum solo. So sexy and strong. Cheers

I miss YOU Prince.

Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of this. You have done a simply superb job putting this all together, worked really well. Thank U 4 everything.

John Blackwell RIP

NOTE: I haven't watched the clip yet but being a professional drummer myself here's my opinion. It all DEPENDS on what style were talking about.... For keeping the pocket.... Bobby Z For electrifying energy.... Sheila E For OVERDRIVE PHAT-BACK Funk.... Michael Bland For Superior Technical Funk...John Blackwell l

I would have to give a slight nod to Michael Bland, then John Blackwell, then Ms. Shelia E.

Brother PF, I often watch your posts. I love that you keep the focus on the positive aspects, and impact of Prince on our lives, in a space where there is so much negativity. This post is phenomenal :) Thank you for making the time to reach out to the other judges, and to compile their input. Love and Blessings : Dale :)

Great video! :) can’t wait for more videos from the judges panel

Sheila E.

This was a VERY GOOD idea and an excellent video. They're all great drummers but I'll have to go with John Blackwell(RIP).

This was a lot of fun! Love the panel concept/other channel concept!

I went to Berklee with John Blackwell. He was not only an amazing drummer, but he was a very down to earth, good person. RIP John

Sean here from Purple Current. This was the most fun I've had in a long time watching this!!!!!! Thank you!

This was fun I enjoyed this very much. Thanks!

I'm all about the Revolution so Bobby Z

I like Michael B and John Blackwell, iconic drummers, expressive in their artistic deliverance. Unforgettable and outstanding performances. However, the other drummers are all worthy artists in their own right, and all participated in the creation of the fabulous and inspirational music of Prince .

John Blackwell.

John Blackwell and Micheal B. 💜💜💜💜

U should who was prince's best bass player and rhythm guitarist as well and keyboardist

One thing for sure a Bunch of Amazing Drummers played with P!!! 777

Prince's Friend, thank you for putting together such a fun video! Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen. My personal pick would be Michael B., but what I found interesting with the top three is that they each brought their own individual style that complemented Prince's musical direction so well.

saw Prince play drums at a 3121 aftershow. Highlight of the night for me... so. Prince!

Drums impress me the most when they're not necessarily doing flashy solos, but when the drummer's pure skill and musicianship makes a whole song better. Michael Bland is a genius at that -- something like, say, The Morning Papers isn't a drum showcase, but it's full of moments from him that make you think 'wow, that was just PERFECT'

That was a lot of fun! Hope to see one on the bass players. Btw, for me its Sheila . She is an all around fantastic performer. If you haven't seen the video of her tribute to Prince then you need to see it. She will leave you sobbing...

I knew it would come down to Sheila E & Michael B! With John Blackwell coming in real close! This is a hard one to call! They all brought something unique to the table that made Prince, “Prince!”

Oh yes, so love the reviews by all here & thankfully as always spot on with this 1 ... I so miss & Love John B. myself ... really missed ...

As a drummer I say Michael B. for the way he powered/drove the band but if you're looking for "Flash" then you go with John B.

And Prince as always was great

This was really great video love 2 see more of this!!

Great collaboration Prince Friend. This was fun to watch, however my list is as follows: (Hee-Hee, not that you asked, or did you?). 1. Michael B. and John Blackwell 2. Prince 3. Sheila E This was nice! You guys should get together on Prince’s bass players like this...

This was a fantastic video! Great to see the collaboration with the UK's Mr Ant who has an amazing channel and has done some brilliant reviews with the Nightchild. Of course Prince choose to work with all of the drummers which gives him 10/10 for taste!

Wow! What an education I got watching this video...it is most excellent!! So much so that I'll most likely watch it again. It's so cool to see something that you learn from as well an immensely enjoy. Great job Friend! Btw, Michael Bland/John Blackwell are my favorite Prince drummers.

The top 3 John Blackwell, Prince, and Sheila E no particular order. Not taking nothing away from the other drummers they are very talented and deserve recognition.

I'm sure you've seen it, but just in case. Watch the 2007 ALMA Awards performance. Sheila E was on the tamales in heels and she just smoked everybody. And overall, I thought that was a fantastic freaking live performance. One of my favorites.

This is a hard one to answer! It’s a toss up between Michael Bland and Sheila E. John Blackwell is in the mix too!

Sheila E by far...

Cool vid but the right order should be 1. Either John Blackwell or Michael B 2. Either John Blackwell or Michael B 3. Sheila E 4. Cora Dunham 5. Hannah Welton 6. Prince 7. Bobby Z or Kirk Johnson 8. Bobby Z or Kirk Johnson

What a great way to connect this community!

Great video! My favorite is Michael B. Such a powerfull drummer. Sheila was always more than a drummer with the band. An extention of Prince. She's amazing.

Sheila E hands down, after seeing her perform on Signs of the Time (AMAZING)!

OMG!! I really liked this one!! While Prince could definitely play drums, the drummers he had in his bands out did him in that lane. I think John Blackwell Jr. was an amazing drummer that complements Prince so well and was just raw and fierce in his delivery. I saw clips from Musicology and Montreoux 2009 and I was very impressed by his skills. RIP brotha John. Michael B. is a stellar drummer, and he was one of the reason why I love early NPG. His ferocious sound and the funk in his playing was effortless. Shhh alone that drum sequence was just masterful!! He was great and Prince's best band drummer. But, hands down Sheila E. is the best ever. Her drumming and percussion skills are a masterclass!! Her sense of sound and urgency and how she attacks a song is just mind blowing. Working with Prince only brought her playing to a higher level and she's still doing it. The best and baddest drummer/percussionist on the face of the planet!!

Awesome!! Eloy you are getting better and better. Sheila E and Prince for me are the best for the same reasons Mr.Ant explained. Getting close 10.000... expectations beyond the magic number?? 20.000 ??? hahaha go for it!!!

(Not watched video yet)..Michael B & Jonny B said that Prince was the best drummer in the world ... Shiela E is said to be the best drummer alive... its all personal opinion when it gets to that level of brilliance - I wouldve said it was johnny Blackwell but he said he learnt so much from P... i think the drums in Shhh are phenomenal Jonny used to kill that on stage but of course it was Michael B who did the studio version and earlier stunning live performances - and we go full circle !! Well for me Jonny was sensational and also Michael B! But Michael and Jonny both saying P was their inspiration and the best there was ill take their word for it... lets see what you guys think teehee... incidentally i met Michael B - what a gent - he was a really generous and friendly man as well as astonishingly talented

Ok so i agree with the top 5 - but the top 4 were probably tied for me .. love the the ‘pun phrase’ at the end PF.... ‘Drum roll please’ ......love it x

Unfortunately, some people "listen" with their eyes when it comes to Blackwell (rip).Blackwell was def dope, (and was a really cool guy...he once jumped on drums while I was playing bass at NAMM and told me he jumped on the kit cause I was playing the right bass line!)😂😂, but his pocket was not as solid as Bland's was...I'll take solid, funky pocket over flair...Bland is that dude!!

love the video. how about one about which was the best prince band ?

John Blackwell because his performance at Hop Farm & Montreux 09, there all talented drummers each performing at great gigs ,C C Dunham at the Brits 06, Super Bowl press conference,Hannah Welton Manchester Academy ,great show .

I like Blackwell. His style was ferocious. But Michael B is probably my favorite. His style seemed to complement the whole band. And nobody keeps time as good as him. He's lightning fast and his drums were tuned to perfection. His three chains of gold solo was crazy.

Morris Day was his first Drummer

Good brother, if Prince had a hall of fame for his drummers, I believe John Blackwell would be at the top. Of course all of them were great, but I really appreciate Cora Dunham and Michael Bland.

Michael Bland!!

No doubt...Sheila E. She is a machine! Her timing is out of this world and demonstrated in the raw Trojan Horse concert ( also know as The Small Club concert Holland)

Thank you for doing this it's delightful awesome fun and with a great funk panel. Who did The Ballad of Dorothy Parker drumming? Whenever I listen to this it's the drums I hear 1st and throughout the song. Without a doubt, to me the best Prince drummer is Prince himself. My favourite instrument of his to see him play. Next to Prince is John Blackwell whenever he plays Shhh ... He's got that Jazz feel that he turned me onto. Then Michael Bland is superb and yes very distinctive. I know he did Shhh 1st but John did it better *ducks* (runs and hides😁). Sentimentally love Hannah and Josh on the cowbells they look like they love what they're doing. So thank you all. Must find you guys and subscribe 🎶💜

Awesomely done my friend!

my greater drummer will always be the purple one prince but and they is all number 1 🎹🎸🎵🎤🔥🎶🎼🎻💜💜

Prince was princes best drummer

Good video. I have; Sheila E. & John Blackwell: 10 Michael Bland: 9 Prince & Kirk: 7 Bobby, Hannah, & CC: 6 Please do bassists next.

My favorite was Sheila E and I’m not surprised she won although I was a bit worried at first.

Michael B for the feel, John Blackwell for overall skill. Not that it gives my opinion more weight but for what it’s worth, I’ve been a drummer since I was five years old, so knowing the ins and outs of it I would have to say the most talented drummer he ever had was pretty clearly John Blackwell just because that guy could do everything. The other people were awesome at what they did but what they did was what they did.

Great video idea! I'd say for me it's between Sheila and Michael b

On the Kirk Johnson drum track 21;41 what is the name of that rock guitar track ? thanks

Bobby Z ofcourse. Anyone before or after him didn't have the percussion talent he did. He was very creative and different. His sound was his own. To me he IS the true beat of Prince and The Revolutions sound.

Second, but great as well, Michael Bland. He was and still is fantastic

According to the info I read in Keyboard magazine, NPG keyboard player stated that Prince couldn't keep the beat for longer than 8 bars so they sample him, Prince was always the driving force behind his music and Love 2 the 9s is one of my favorite drum patterns. I hadn't, but i will hit that button, i gotta subscribe to your channel keep it up!!!

No brainer.....Oh Shiela 🎶🎸🎹

John blackwell

This is a neat 4mat. Maybe do the same type of thing like a tournament of pre selected albums. All 4 fun and watching really SMART FRIENDS debate the music.

Sheila E I think probably was the best!! She was an amazing drummer with a BackBeat if you would close your eyes you would think you were listening to a male drummer!! Plus none of these drummers could play percussion the way she can play!! $o I got to give her that on top!!