The Greatest DRUMMER of ALL TIME? 

Buddy’s words were when questioned by a nurse before surgery, “is there anything you can’t take?” He answered “Yeah, Country Music”. What a character he was.

Any of the drummers in Spinal Tap. They gave their lives for their art.

The one drummer that really has moved me with his playing is the great Roy Haynes who btw is 98 years old now!

Not even a mention of Tony Williams? Technically amazing, and one of the most conceptually innovative and influential drummers of all time. Vinny, Steve Smith, Weckl and a whole generation of contenders for "greatest drummer ever" all love Tony. If I had to pick one guy, it would be him.

I love Bill Ward and Ian Paice. Rich live is an awesome sight.

I think Joe Morello and Louie Bellson are worth a mention, especially Joe's influence on Bonham with the use of hands in a solo also Louies first use of double bass drums.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This video is only about western drumming.

In terms of influence, Animal from the muppets has reached millions of young people.

Manu Katche, Omar Hakim, Stu Copeland, Tony Williams ….man! So many good drummers! (And I’m a guitar player lol) One of the most unique drummers I’ve ever seen was Gary Husband who is also a BEAST keyboard player. Man. So many gifted people

This was a blast to watch....to listen to your answer unfold. Fantastic!

Loved this video. It really makes you think!

I saw Buddy live in 1980 in London, absolutely incredible, the best for what he did. Interesting you touched on the subject of why Buddy still amazes today, now that’s down to his artistry, and many drummers have that special feel but with Buddy his artistry was incredible eg his cymbal technique, dynamics etc and I saw first hand what he did back in 1980 with a four piece kit and young players he had in his band, that changed me forever. Both him and Krupa were superb

Neil Peart spent his teenage years in my city, we named a pavilion after him mate.

Great, sensible discussion. Thank you.

Thanks, Andy. Enjoyed the discussion.

Ian Paice on the drummmms YESSSSSSS!!!!

Another great video. Very insightful. I will have to break out my Grandfather’s old record collection of Benny Goodman albums and take more note of Gene Krupa’s work.

Elvin Jones is fantastic, a commanding presence and so inventive. But for virtuosity and versatility my top choice is Jack DeJohnette. Jack can do everything tremendously well. He excels in every context. He can do the heavy stuff in electric bands and he can play acoustic jazz with wonderful subtlety.

My personal favourite is Phil Collins, but there are so many! You didn't mention Stewart Copeland, Chester Thompson or Barrimore Barlow...or Jeff Porcaro. It's impossible, right? Being a non-drummer myself, I guess I fall for the ability to be 'in the song' while elevating it with mastery of the instrument. John Densmore from The Doors also had something unique...

My approach is to be as “Melodic” as I can while keeping in the tempo and beat of any song. I use my toms in various rhythm patterns to create a melody within the segments of the song that flows with the main melody. My favorites are Phil Ehart, Neil Peart, Frank Beard, Nick Mason, Simon Philips. They all play in a melodic style with large kits.

I know he's not the best drummer technically, but I don't think there was ever a more exciting drummer than Keith Moon. Every song was like a drum solo all the way through, especially when playing live. He never just played the beat. What he did was beat up the drum kit as if it had made an untoward remark about his mother's virtue. I saw the Who live at Charlton Athletic back in the 70s and they were amazing. Keith Moon played with such energy that it almost exploded into chaos, but not quite. No other drummer has ever had me on the edge of my seat like Keith Moon.

To me, it’s Mike Mangini, because he can play any genre of music and he can jump in on a song that he had never heard before and play it perfectly.

Saw the vid where buddy rich plays a 3-4 min drum solo deploying numerous techniques while the rest of the band largely watches. I could watch that vid 20 times on a loop. Incredible.

Great job Andy on this one! I'm not expert in drummers but you said almost word by word what I would said on that subject. And at the end Buddy Rich of course. I've been raised with older brothers who listened to Buddy Rich and sometimes I watch Rich vs Monster of Muppet show or Jerry Lewis, etc. Rich was available for these shows and it helps for his popularity today. He was quite interesting in interviews too.

Love them all. Best drumming gigs I ever saw were 7 that right now I can think of. Peart Hemipheres tour Rush. Joe Satch gig I saw. Jonathan Mover was awesome and stole the show. The Who. Moonie 76. RTF UCLA 76 Tony Williams. Zappa 78 I am thinking it was.. that was Vinnie C OFC. Terry B. with Jeff B and opening for Tull Night after Night UK. And NOT mentioned in 1980. Greek Theater. There and Back tour. Front row pit center. Jeff playing 5 feet away for a whole gig. Simon Phillips!!! Played the best drumming gig I have seen. RU-vid has the gig at the Greek. I think the great MIke M recorded it.

my guess is you're going to say buddy rich my favorite is elvin jones - it's not the chops but how complex his rhythms are, like there are 3 different things happening at the same time - especially the 60's coltrane live recordings are unlike anything else I've ever heard from a drummer

You have to be lucky to enter as a drummer the lime light but I always will remember Andre Borgman on the album Decipher of the band After Forever only to be eclipsed bij Daniel Presland of Ne Obliviscaris. They both play not only extremely skillful but are part of the the whole sound experience of the songs.

Great video. To start with thought you had boxed yourself into a corner....but you worked that through very logically.....well done sir!!!!

If I'm not mistaken, the drummers in the thumbnail are: Mayer, Grohl, Cobham, Peart, Narada, Ringo and Sugarfoot.

Will listen to this tomorrow, I hope you talk some Pierre Moerlen. Bruford, Peart and Moerlen are my favourites. Also Ordy Garrison.

I have seen many live shows, some of the greatest musicians from the last 60+ years, Sting, the Police, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Weather Report, Jack DeJohnette, Bruford's Earthworks, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, King Crimson, Yes, ABWH, ELP, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Zappa, Bowie, SRV, Jeff Beck, Rush, Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Santana, the Grateful Dead to name a few. Saw Buddy once, after his bypass surgery. As I compared him to all the other musicians, he struck me as the one who was BORN TO PLAY what he was playing. His mastery was as effortless as breathing.

Phil Collins favourite drummer was Tony Williams. He was also a Cobham fan, as I spoke to him at a Cobham gig. (I had to name drop)

When I think of drummers whose drumming I want to listen to, it's one you didn't mention at all. Stewart Copeland. He was a technician, had a unique style and his drumming fit the music. Like Neil being the best drummer Rush could have had, Stewart was the best drummer the Police could have had.

Buddy had incredible hands and was a real entertainer.. Papa Jo Jones was the most natural drummer of all time, so relaxed.

Billy Higgins. From Ornette Coleman to Jackie McLean to Dexter Gordon to Donald Byrd, nobody swings and propels a band with the seemingly effortless dexterity and invention of Mr. Higgins. There are lots of great drummers. He's my favorite. His name on a record cover guarantees I'll take it home.

Great explanation for your choice of Buddy Rich. I think the same would apply to Art Tatum in a piano great ranking. May not love the recordings of both of these artists but no denying the talent and influence .

Gene Krupa was my first ever influence learning his solos note for note and of course Buddy and Max Roach. Vinnie/Steve Gadd/Weckl were my later influences

There are very few true music/cultural critics of this depth on this channel. Most are just (mostly) guys listing their top whatever or reaction videos from know nothings. I remember reading Greil Marcus on Bob Dylan and h ow fascinating Marcius is.. Your knowledge , range, perception and intellectual prowess is just a pleasure to be with, even on topics I know little about.

Greatest how? Great in technical virtuosity? Great on being an influence to many? Great on being a musician first and be part of a larger artistic experience? Great by pushing the envelope and be able to switch and successfully adapt to music styles, preferences? Some drummers played essentially with the same band (same genre) all their lives while others played with many musicians across a broad spectrum of styles. Some drummers never composed anything and others were leaders, composers, teachers, pioneers. So, how do you measure greatness?

Andy, I’m surprised you didn’t include pocket/groove as one of your criteria, i.e. the ability to be a great “pocket drummer”. Because for me as a cover band/ wedding band keyboard player, the drummer I always want to play with is the one who creates an unmistakable pocket the instant they drop in, and that’s what elevates the song and gets the feet tapping and the heads nodding in the crowd!

certainly a tough one . . . can't argue with Buddy though. personally I couldn't ignore Hal Blaine, who inspired me to start playing drums at the age of 8, even though I had no idea who he was, I only figured out 30 years later was the guy he played on all the records that got me so excited as a kid that I had to start banging things. Billy Cobham remains the touchstone of technique and innovation for me and Buddy Rich was a major inspiration, but along with the drummers you mentioned I'd include Charlie Watts, Tony Williams, Jimmy Gordon, Mitch Mitchell, Stewart Copeland, Elvin Jones, Ian Paice . . .

Saw Buddy Rich, John Bonham, and Phil Collins - I also really enjoyed hearing Paul Thompson, Alan White, and Ian Price. Wish I'd seen Art Blakey and Elvin Jones (and Keith Moon)!

One of the most innovative drummers I've ever heard is Drumbo (John French) on the early Captain Beefheart albums. He hits his kit with every drum having almost equal emphasis. Nothing sounds like it.

been clicking on all your stuff lately

bloody love the fact that i found this channel

Jack DeJohnette

I’ve been waiting for someone to do a video with this topic. I’ve heard many contemporary drummers refer to drummers of the late 30s thru the 50s with great reverence. I understand the respect they have for those who came before them. Those drummers of yesteryear created the foundation of how drums are played today. But I always wondered that yes, early drummers created a fundamental but that drummers like Cobham, Walden, Bozzio..elevated that fundamental or added much much more to it. Could Krupa, Rich play in the odd time signatures and make it musical? I’m not a drummer but a great appreciator of percussionists. I’ve had the exact question of who is the best drummer. Of course Krupa and Rich’s names popped up but I didn’t want them to be. I wanted the best to be ‘my’ favorite drummer.

For me the drummers that move me emotionally are as follows Mitch Mitchell, Jack de johnette, narada Michael Walden Sean Rickman

One of the best channels on RU-vid. Good stuff!

Couldn ´ t agree more with your choice. But it reminded me of a quote by Joe Zawinul to one of his fine drummers, don ´ t know which: if I ever catch you doing 16 ths over the toms, you ´ re sacked. And this brought me back to Billy Cobham to whom I took a certain reserve, if only in hindsight: let alone virtuosity, does one really enjoy so many (syncopated) 16 th or 32 nds when listening to music or is it just showing off skillfulness? I prefer drummers that just support the song: Ringo, Steve Gadd, Harvey Mason, even Keith Moon with Who.

Carl Palmer is one of the most underrated drummers no one ever talks about

Carl Palmer Stewart Copeland

Love your approach to this question Andy and how you took us through this dialogue that evaluates drummers based on multiple criteria. You are correct in terms of how many of these drummers were perfect for the groups they were in: Neil Peart - Rush; Ringo - The Beatles etc... This is validated by the following thought experiment: Imagine Keith Moon playing in The Beatles. Yikes!!! It would have been a disaster from Day 1. Or Ringo in Led Zeppelin? Bonham was perfect for Zep; Moon was perfect for The Who; Ringo was perfect for The Beatles and......

I like Al Jackson Jr. drumming on those tunes with Al Green

Yeah, i also thought of Buddy. The criteria kind of defines technical proficiency on the drums, right? And i never saw anybody else had that much command over the sticks like he had. Wasn't he also a moeller-guy? Listen to his left hand 🎉 awesome

I'm a rock guy and don't really know jazz that well, so my list will be skewed. Here are the ones I appreciate the most, in no specific order ... they're the ones I've heard and/or seen play: Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, Chester Thompson, Ian Paice, Phil Collins, Bill Bruford, Carl Palmer, Barriemore Barlow, Terry Bozzio, Stewart Copeland, Chad Wackerman, Mick Fleetwood, Neil Peart, Nigel Olsson, Nick Mason, Chad Smith, Michael Giles, Steve Gadd, Bill Ward, Terry Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, John Densmore, Paul Thompson, Narada Michael Walden, Michael Shrieve, Ringo Starr, Taylor Hawkins, Ralph Humphrey, Clive Bunker, Ainsley Dunbar.

Danny Carey is someone that comes to mind. Being the last innovator is the hardest thing to do. His timing changes etc.

Hello Andy I am such a fan of your presentations I'm 75 years old and have been a student of drumming since I'm 14 play professionally in top 40 Rock and show bands for 16 years six nights a week and live to speak about it who is the greatest drummer of all time is still up in the air right? I certainly agree with the names that you brought forth. There are just so many more!! It's like asking who's better Bach Beethoven Debussy Chopin Count Basie Duke Ellington or even Cab Calloway who had a totally Kick-Ass band I'm always fascinated by your thought-provoking and insightful presentations thanks

I have seen Buddy Rich video slowed down and every beat of a fast double stroke roll was absolutely perfect in time, dynamics and execution. Technical perfection. He was supreme in a small combo but was known for his big band gigs and showoff solos. To really appreciate his genius you need to listen to his lesser known recordings where he compliments the music with unbelievable sensitivity!

Pete de Freitas of Echo & The Bunnymen. Check their early albums.

Buddy seems like logical choice. He always seemed more precise than anyone else before or since and could do more with a snare than most could achieve with a big kit.

You’re a very interesting guy to listen to, I enjoy your content and points of view as much as any other of my youtube subs. Can you link to the greatest guitarist video in the description? Thanks. You’re looking very groomed these days, with the salt and pepper matching headstock of beard and hair. Like a prog-fusion Rick Beato!

Well, I never saw this one coming...I thought Tony...maybe Elvin, Cobham or Gadd. I liked the Stream Of Consciousness video. Well-done!

Thomas Lang and Colaiuta are my favourites

I don't know, but Bonham is definitely the most sampled and is present (Presence) in more recordings than anyone else. Having said that, who introduced the backbeat?

The most frequently sampled drummer in hip hop is the funk drummer Clyde Stubblefield. So as an objective measure of impact on pop culture, perhaps he should make the list.

Buddy’s Achilles Heel was his left hand. That’s why few drummers can imitate his playing.

In terms of influence you have to give it up to Gregory C Coleman, drummer with The Winstons and inventor of the 'Amen break, which lies at the roots of hip hop, Jungle/drum' bass and dance based music at large. Sad to say they didn't get a sniff of royalties at the time and he died broke and homeless.

Ian Paice converting Rich to Rock!

I expected that Edward will say something unexpected. Near to end I started to suspect that Bruford will be named N1

I think it was Dee Dee Chandler in the late 1800s (New Orleans) that was the first to attach a pulley to a bass pedal to free up his hands for the snare drum.

Andy, you make me laugh! I love that about you! I'm writing these words right now right from the middle of this video, not knowing what conclusion you will arrive at, if any. But you crack me up how you're working your way along. You've just mentioned Gene Krupa. And several other drummers popped into my head when you said his name. You know, Max Roach, Joe Morello, Buddy Rich, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey etc etc. How many jazz musicians has Art Blakey (the Art Blakey "jazz academy") influenced who have gone on to influence everyone else? I just love your spontaneity with all these videos and the light hearted way you approach all of these unanswerable questions : )

Great video Andy! There's an old joke about Buddy Rich (I'm sure you've heard) -- After Buddy's death one of his former sidemen repeatedly called Rich's home and asks to speak with Buddy. After the third call, the reply from Rich's widow was "Buddy's dead - why do you keep calling?" "I know -- " the sideman replies " -- I just like hearing it."

Bonzo!

After watching this video, I went and watched some Buddy Rich videos, including some of the stuff he did on the Tonight Show. My biggest impression of Buddy Rich is that he almost had too much life for one body to contain -- you're almost waiting for him to explode -- and that's the way he played the drums as well. But he only seemed to play at one dynamic level: LOUD.

I still remember Buddy Rich on Parkinson playing with one arm as the other was in a sling and his drum battle with animal on the Muppet show.

I am glad to hear you mention Meg White. She gets a lot of hate from my perspective. I do understand why people don’t like her playing but I think she is perfect in the context of the White Stripes. That is what ultimately matters the most to me, does the drummers playing fit the music situation perfectly?

This is the best discussion about the greatest drummers historically I have seen. My number one has rotated with the top spot going to Krupa, Bonham, Vinnie, and Buddy. My current list is : (Let me know who you would remove or add)

Here we go..

Keith Moon was another one of those great band member drummers. Like Ringo Starr, in how he complemented what the band wanted to achieve.

My take on who's the "best" drummer is a little different. I have four criteria: 1. chops; 2. creativity; 3. versatility; 4. impact (on drumming/music, not necessarily the same as popularity). On the basis of these criteria I choose Billy Cobham because Buddy Rich didn't play all styles (although he probably could). Also Billy is a greater innovator than Buddy. In the end, it depends on your criteria.

Billy cobham

Buddy Rich is my personal pick , Jeff Campilelli has been the biggest drumming influence on me - just incredible A friend of mine plays in the Nardia Michael Walden band and just loves him Billy Cobham is amazing Gene Krupa Steve Gadd Then the list goes on and on and on. 😂

buddy rich live at ronnie scott's is a fantastic album. but there are so many great and under rated drummers out there. russell gilbrook, stewart copeland, nicko mcbrain, steve gadd, simon phillips, andy edwards … endless list!

MICHAEL PORTNOY is a monster..

You really in your heart think it is Vinnie !

100percent agree.

...and I'm sure Buddy would agree with you. Buddy was fantastic. I remember seeing Buddy on TV when I was a young drummer and being amazed at what he was doing on just the snare drum. I remember thinking "how can a human do that?". And Buddy was on TV a lot back in the '60s and '70 here in the US. Probably the most well known drummer in the country back then. That being said, my favorite jazz drummer is Elvin Jones. Innovation supreme. Sure can't argue with anyone on your list. Any "Greatest" list always brings to mind the (sort of) other side of the coin - the "underappreciated" list. IMHO, in jazz I would include on that list Shelly Manne (50s-60s west coast hardbop), Mel Lewis (countless recordings and the Thad Jones/Lewis Lewis band), and Sonny Payne (50s Count Basie who could swing like crazy). In rock, its gotta be Ian Paice (the vastly underrated Deep Purple drummer). And I'm sure there's more. Maybe a subject for a video?

I was vibing Gene Krupa at the screen, but my mind-powers are obviously not strong enough. 😂 Clearly I'm going to have to work on them as hard as I have to on my left-hand tones... 🤪

Pls do s program on Narada Michael Walden

Drumming is not a area on which I feel able to add much. However, having seen many bands over the years, I personally have only seen one drummer who was able to carry a great, but underrated, rock band in front of a thousand people but also able to front a genuine jazz combo in a small smoky jazz club with personal warmth and character and that is the late Jon Hiseman. Not only a great drummer but also the front man in both bands as well as being a recording engineer and music producer, with all the responsibility that carries. Jon was not technically the greatest drummer of all time but, in terms of his breadth of impact across the music industry over so many years, I can't think of any drummer with more significance. Richard

I’d go with Buddy at #1 but Elvin Jones and Tony Allen would not be far behind. Also would like to shout out Janet Weiss who is one of my favorites.

Tony Williams vinnie Colaiuta Buddy Rich John Bohnam Billy Cobham Joey Jordison Max Roach Bill Bruford Ginger Baker And tied for tenth: Gene Krupa, Dave Weckl, Chester Thompson, Carl Palmer, Dennis Chambers, Mitch Mitchell, Chad Wackerman, Mike Portnoy + every 17 year old phenomenon I’ve never heard and next year’s Guitar Center drum off champ.

Alfonse Mouzon, Ian Paice, Walden, Cobham, Gadd, Blakey, my fav. unranked

Yes

Thank God there are so many great drummers to listen to. I've been playing for almost 40 years and love all the drummers mentioned. I would have to say that as far as rock goes, if you came right down to it, the two drummers always mentioned are Peart & Bonham, yes there's also Moon, Baker, Ringo...but in the end the two biggest influences are Peart & Bonham no question. Those two guys are the yin and yang of rock drumming. As far as jazz goes, I'd have to go with Krupa & Rich with Tony Williams in there as well. When it comes to fusion, Billy Cobham takes it easily. Prog, I would say Bruford and Palmer. Honorable mentions for me would be Ian Paice who hardly ever gets a mention, the underrated Michael Giles, Mitch Mitchell's jazz influence on rock, Phil Collins' work with Genesis is amazing, Bill Ward might not be the most technical but he influenced tons of drummers. Too many greats. Always a great discussion.

Hi Andy.. and all you ‘skin’-heads out there.. Sorry to be 3 months late to the party but I’d just like to say that.. in terms of trying to come up with an answer to “Who is the greatest drummer ever with an addendum of.. who was innovative and fantastic in their own right but who also, not just supported their lead instrument in the band (or singer) but also helped to fully realise the lead instrument player’s’ ‘vision’ it would be Elvin (RIP). Sadly I never got to see him.. but I bet it would’ve been.. ..Emotional! Thanks

Having a set of discernible categories is a great start and I must agree with yours. Your 'favorite' drummers at the start are fantastic. But I am surprised you didn't mention other Zappa drummers than Bozzio in your run down. Perhaps the top 10 (you like groups of ten it seems) would be more fair. I'll bet you come up with a list soon. While Buddy should be near the top it, seems to me he was much more a technician than a musician. Now I must confess my ignorance, since I myself am not a drummer. But I think your top 10 list in addition to Krupa and Rich must include Ringo and Bonham. Yikes only 6 left! Well yes, Cobham must be on it. For me one of the innovative, technical and perhaps most MUSICAL is Phil Collins. Not just that he could write a tune and could sing, but because he brought all of that into his drumming. He would be up there with Cobham and Bonham. Would Ruth Underwood be considered (or is she more a percussionist)? Anyone who can hang with Weather Report must also be considered....Hakim? I heard him live with WR and was blown away. And I can't slight Vinny or Steve Gadd (Steve IS on my list). Oh, and Ginger Baker. Well, I quit. I am over 11 and must include Copeland. Impossible. And I do like Bruford and so many more. Hell, I am just going to say the best drummer is a tie. Bonham and Collins!

Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Roy Haynes, Manu Katche, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Bernard Purdie, Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Bruford, Jeff Porcaro, John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Omar Hakim, Jo Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Terry Bozzio, Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke. There's your Top 20. Put them in any order you want.

But I can tell you that Bonham studied and idolized Elvin Jones. There's a radio host in the States named Howard Stern. And a couple of years ago,he interviewed Roger Plant for about an hour and a half . And in that interview Plant said that Bonham would cancel concerts when Elvin Jones was playing across town. That Elvin Jones was a God to Bonham. They also cancelled appearances whenever they happened to be in the same town as Rahsaan Roland Kirk.... And I too wondered why you didn't mention Tony Williams.