The Best Classic Rock Drummers Of All Time Ranked

Conceptually, classic rock has been analyzed by academics as an effort by critics, media, and music establishments to canonize rock music and commodify 1960s Western culture for audiences living in a post-baby boomer economy. The music predominantly selected for the format has been identified as commercially successful songs by white male acts from the Anglosphere, expressing values of Romanticism, self-aggrandizement, and politically undemanding ideologies. It has been associated with the album era (1960s–2000s), particularly the period’s early pop/rock music. The classic rock format evolved from AOR radio stations that were attempting to appeal to an older audience by including familiar songs of the past with current hits. In 1980, AOR radio station M105 in Cleveland began billing itself as “Cleveland’s Classic Rock”, playing a mix of rock music from the mid-1960s to the present. Similarly, WMET called itself “Chicago’s Classic Rock” in 1981. In 1982, radio consultant Lee Abrams developed the “Timeless Rock” format which combined contemporary AOR with rock hits from the 1960s and 1970s. Here are all of the best Classic Rock Drummers of all time ranked.

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See more: The Best Grunge Drummers Of All Time Ranked

15. Mick Fleetwood

“Mick Fleetwood has not only incredible timing but he is a musician. Playing fast and loud isn’t the mark of a great drummer. His timing is perfect and he knows when to hit and when not to hit. Truly a talent. Neal Pert is amazing and a wonderful musician as well. Mick deserves to be up there based on pure musical talent.”

14. Charlie Watts

“Rock music would be without the signature rhythms of The Rolling Stones without the amazing grooves set by this man and his partner in crime, Keith Richards. Charlie Watts has kept the beat for the greatest rock in roll band in the world for 50 years. That sound will live forever!”

13. Ringo Starr

“People say he isn’t technically proficient, which isn’t true. He isn’t the most, he’s more unorthodox than untechnical, being a lefty using a righty kit. But what really shines is his creativity. He’s probably the most creative drummer ever with his fills. His versatility is unmatchable as he drums every beagles song perfectly. He serves the song good instead of himself.”

12. Don Henley

“Wrote some of the best songs in rock history. Helped in pioneering a new california rock sound back in the 70s than many bands followed afterwards. His drumming was perfect for the eagles and his voice is incredibly unique. Also known for putting mics on every drum in order to get better sound which hadn’t been done before”

11. Ian Paice

“Ian is extremely talented as a drummer. He is able to perform a single handed drum roll which he in fact made famous/invented. Able to make brilliant drum solos even back in the day it surprises me on how talented he is. He is a major part to the success of Deep Purple.”

10. Roger Taylor

“Roger Taylor is really that kind of a drummer, whose sound you can recognize. He has an amazing voice, he plays also quitar, and he is also the sexiest man alive. Somehow Roger always reminds me of that boy, who lived at the 80’s and loved fooling around the cameras.”

9. Carl Palmer

“Carl, in his 60’s has all the energy of a young drummer- and then some. His kit alone can make one dizzy but to see and hear him play it can strike awe into even the most jaded listener. This man is top- cream of the crop!”

8. Nick Mason

“Amazing drummer and highly underrated. Pink Floyd is one of the great all-time bands. Nick Mason and Richard Wright’s contributions to their sound has never been given proper credit. As others have mentioned, just watch Nick on Live at Pompeii and see a master in action.”

7. Stewart Copeland

“It’s notable that Copeland has a very tasteful, yet masterful approach to the drums, much in the way that jazz drummers play. His technique is grounded in jazz and as such he drums in a way that is technically very difficult to play, but is not flashy, adding to the music in which he’s playing instead of mugging for attention. He worked tremendously well as a counterpoint to Sting’s bass playing, as well as actually contributing to the reggae stunning style as opposed to just conforming to it.”

6. Phil Collins

“Without a doubt one of the most underestimated drummers in the world. Just listen to the early Genesis albums. He is incredible on every single song, always bringing something new to the table. He is not only an amazing drummer technically, being able to play songs in the weirdest time signatures not to mention his incredible speed, but he has so much feeling in his playing that it’s almost disgusting. I am confident that this man is able to play just about anything.”

5. Mitch Mitchell

“Mitch Mitchell is very underrated. That probably has to do with the fact that he played with Jimi Hendrix, which is understandable, but still. His drumming was very good on songs like Fire, Little Wing, and many more. One of the most iconic and influential drummers that ever lived.”

4. Ginger Baker

“Ginger gives real spine to a band that bends, stretches, pulls tight or walks under heavy load. He paints you a MURAL, not a picture. And with every other performance ads a detail that he forgot to put there before. He doesn’t play a song or a number if you will. His musical life is His piece. Most of drummers above are just studio drummers, repeating themselves all the time, a door to door salesmen, pushing their lame ass product.”

3. John Bonham

“Known for his power, but had a great range of dynamics, which is best seen in ‘No Quarter’. Some incredible beats, and his work with a Bass drum was just awesome. Despite his complexity, always kept a steady rhythm and was key to Zeppelin’s sound. He gave the band its unique style by using Page’s guitar riff as his beat, but still kept the sound steady.”

2. Neil Peart

“No questions asked, Neil Peart’s drumming capabilities far surpass those of any of his counterparts in the music scene. The complexity and insanity of the time signatures and constantly changing styles of La Villa Strangiato stand as a testament to his skill. Most other drummers would be satisfied to get bored with what they do later in life because “hey, it works”, but, Peart decided to entirely reinvent his even then remarkably outstanding drumming style just to keep it from getting stale.”

1. Keith Moon

“Keith may not be the most complex drummer ever but what he lacks in complexity more than makes up for in power and endurance. Keith’s drums
Needed to be buffered so not to diminish his bandmates. He played a drumstick so thick they called them trees when playing in concert cannot be controlled I was just kind a drummer he was his riffs ran together so much on recordings it would seem like one long drum solo.”