The Best 1980s Drummers Of All Time Ranked
A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drums. Most contemporary western bands that play rock, pop, jazz, or R&B music include a drummer for purposes including timekeeping and embellishing the musical timbre. The drummer’s equipment includes a drum kit (or “drum set” or “trap set”), which includes various drums, cymbals and an assortment of accessory hardware such as pedals, standing support mechanisms, and drum sticks. Particularly in the traditional music of many countries, drummers use individual drums of various sizes and designs rather than drum kits. Some use only their hands to strike the drums. In larger ensembles, the drummer may be part of a rhythm section with other percussionists playing. These musicians provide the timing and rhythmic foundation which allow the players of melodic instruments, including voices, to coordinate their musical performance. Here are the best 1980’s Drummers 80’s ranked.
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13. David Lovering
“David Lovering is an American musician and magician. He is best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band Pixies, which he joined in 1986. After the band’s breakup in 1993, Lovering drummed with several other acts, including The Martinis, Cracker, Nitzer Ebb and Tanya Donelly.”
12. Bill Stevenson
“John William Stevenson is an American musician and record producer. He is the drummer, main songwriter, and the only constant member of the California punk rock group Descendents since its inception.”
11. Dave Lombardo
“Dave Lombardo is something else. Not only can he play at a inhuman speed, but his drum beats are original and flow amazingly to every song. His drum solos are mind blowing, and his talent is far beyond this world.”
10. Alex Van Halen
“Probably one of the most ‘unique’ drummers I’ve heard. I mean I cannot really say he’s a powerhouse like Bonham, can’t say he is as fast as Copeland, can’t say he is as much as a badass like Adler…He’s got a bit of everything and his drumming just sounds ‘beautiful’ and gives so much ‘life’ to the songs instead of just power or speed. I mean listen to songs like When its love, Dreams or Why can’t this be love and you’ll know what I mean”
9. Roger Taylor
“Extremely underrated – even though he is always generally in top 15. But his amazing vocals, song writing, and showmanship tend to make the average person think he is more of a “show”, than the incredible savant he was. In fact, Neil Peart often has been quoted naming Roger Taylor as one of his rock contemporaries who continually work at their craft, as well as his technical proficiency.”
8. Lars Ulrich
“Lars revolutionized drumming. Listen to their first album. Whiplash motorbreath metal militia nobody played that fast in rock or metal bands before. On ride the lightning he proved he could make musical songs like fade to black and for whom the bell tolls work. On master of puppets he perfected his technique of thrash/speed metal while still playing songs Luke sanitarium and the thing that should not be… And justice for all saw his musical ability soar through the roof. Listen to one, dyers eve, blackened, you’ll know what I’m talking about. On the black album he created great atmosphere with complementing all the other great players in Metallica’s sound.”
7. Stewart Copeland
This guy is probably the most unique drummer out there. Combining reggae and ethnic beats into punk rock drumming, he has created some of the coolest licks out there. And he’s a master at keeping time in a way no other drummer has ever done before (crashing on 4, bass drum on 2/3, etc.)”
6. Gar Samuelson
“Gary Charles “Gar” Samuelson was an American musician best remembered for being the drummer for thrash metal band Megadeth from 1984 to 1987, contributing to their first two albums, Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good! and Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?”
5. Tommy Lee
“He is an amazing drummer, playing up side down, also playing piano, a doctor beat, a show man, the best of the best, and he is a song writer to, also he was in many types of music making beats for those styles, there’s no one like him, Tommy really rock’s on!”
4. Jeff Porcaro
“Beat It” by Michael Jackson, “Lowdown” by Boz Scaggs, “I Keep Forgetting” by Michael McDonald, “Dirty Laundry” by Don Henley, “Human Touch” by Bruce Springsteen, “Forever Man” by Eric Clapton, chances are everyone has heard at least one of his great works in the session business as well. He defines the groove very well. I feel that he is very precise about the different types of genres. He played for millions of well-known artists including Michael Jackson and Steely Dan.”
3. Steven Adler
“Steven is definitely not the greatest drummer ever. HOWEVER. He was the greatest drummer Gn’r ever had, when he plays the drums it looks like he’s just being moved my the music, the drummer Gn’r has now will never compare to Mr. Steven “Popcorn” Adler.”
2. Nicko McBrain
“His extreme beats done with a single pedal and skills like the 14/8 riff that not any drummer can perform. I think the octupus Nicko McBrain is the best in his British heavy metal music. Love his drumming on the track ‘Where Eagles Dare'”
1. Neil Peart
“There are many great drummers, but none of the others have the pure talent as a total percussionist of Neil Peart. The way that he manages all of his percussion instruments (drums, cowbells, wind chimes, etc. The list is endless) and hit every note to almost exacting quality every time is unequaled by anybody else. He has continually lived up to his nick name ‘The Professor’. I have only been fortunate enough to see Rush play live once in my life and watching him work his magic was an experience.”