MR

This is not based on technical ability. This is based on the drummer's ability to make you say "holy fuck, that guy just burned 10,000 calories playing the drums" So this means no crazy technical hi-hat beat that lasts for 45 minutes while the vast portion of the drummer sits completely still. I am talking about high energy live drumming.

My list, in no particular order.

Deen Castronovo
Casey Grillo
Tommy Clufetos
Shannon Larkin

Agree on Deen.

But the drummer that completely blew me away when I saw Chickenfoot live is Chad Smith. Monster drummer.

Todd Sucherman
John Panozzo
Alan Gratzer
Steve Smith
Kevin Bauman (local tribute band drummer)

Deen Castronovo
Neil Peart
Lars Ulrich
Randy Castillo
Steve Smith

John Bonham
Steve Smith
Deen Castronovo
Neil Peart
Keith Moon

I have to add Mike Portnoy to my list too.

Couple favorite drummers that kill behind the kit, but yet can throw down vocally too........

Pat Torpey ~ Yesterday (during drum solo) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ513MKJHFI
Deen Castronovo

Neil Peart
Bill Bruford
Carl Palmer
Mike Portnoy

Also, the new DT drummer, Mike Mangini is awesome as well.

Check out these videos for DT's auditions for a new drummer...Cool stuff.

The Spirit Carries On Part 1
The Spirit Carries On Part 2
The Spirit Carries On Part 3

Neil Peart
Keith Moon
Carl Palmer
John Bonham and...

Eric Carr...I was only 10 years in 1983 when I heard I Love it Loud...it was the reason I became a rock and roll fan.

Like many already mentioned, so I will just add:

Nicko McBrain
Vinnie Paul
Terry Bozio
Aynsley Dunbar
Nick Menza
Tommy Aldridge
Rod Morgenstein
Ian Paice
Cozy Powell
Leonard Haze
Dave Lombardo
Michael Shrieve

I have to go with those who I liked best in live concerts.

Deen Castronovo
Virgil Donati
Chad Smith (have to agree with Melissa about Chickenfoot)
Neil Pert
Steve Smith

Neil Peart
Terry Bozio
Steve Smith
Keith Moon
John Bonham
Jonathan Mover
Deen Castronovo
Max Weinberg
Todd Sucherman
Steve Gadd
Budy Rich (Just because he's so entertaining to watch)
Liberty Devito
Mike Portnoy

And Tony Royster Jr. He and Smitty are pals. At 12 yrs. old, Royster won a "drum off" in Boston that Smitty actually competed in! True story. Here he is that same year playing a drum solo that's just unbelievable considering his age.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPncumXZExo

Steve Smith, post Journey, I think his best work in Journey was wasted on Trial By Fire, particularly on One More

Deen Castronovo, some don't care for the harder edge he brings to Journey, I prefer it, though Smith is hard to match for finesse, his double bass drumming should be utlized at least a little.

Virgil Donati, Soul Sirkus

Archetype wrote:This is not based on technical ability. This is based on the drummer's ability to make you say "holy fuck, that guy just burned 10,000 calories playing the drums" So this means no crazy technical hi-hat beat that lasts for 45 minutes while the vast portion of the drummer sits completely still. I am talking about high energy live drumming.

My list, in no particular order.

Deen Castronovo
Casey Grillo
Tommy Clufetos
Shannon Larkin

10 posts in and no one said Jeff Porcaro...wow...

Neil Peart
Phil Collins
Phil Ehart
Eric Carr

Joe Vana wrote:10 posts in and no one said Jeff Porcaro...wow...

He was one of the best no doubt...but I got into Toto more during the phase while Luke was the front man so the Toto I liked best was with Simon Phillips on drums except for Kingdom of Desire.

NoMoreTails wrote:

Joe Vana wrote:10 posts in and no one said Jeff Porcaro...wow...

He was one of the best no doubt...but I got into Toto more during the phase while Luke was the front man so the Toto I liked best was with Simon Phillips on drums except for Kingdom of Desire.

Didn't Simon Phillips take Keith Moon's place at one point in time? I seem to remember him playing with The Who whether it was just for a tour or as an actual band member but can't remember the specifics. I do remember the first time I ever saw him behind a kit I thought he was about 14 years old because of how super young he looked. A more than adequate drummer I recall, just can't fill in the blanks who he played with.

JRNYMAN wrote:

NoMoreTails wrote:

Joe Vana wrote:10 posts in and no one said Jeff Porcaro...wow...

He was one of the best no doubt...but I got into Toto more during the phase while Luke was the front man so the Toto I liked best was with Simon Phillips on drums except for Kingdom of Desire.

Didn't Simon Phillips take Keith Moon's place at oe point in time? I seem to remember him playing with The Who whether it was just for a tour or as an actual band member but can't remember the specifics. I do remember the first time I ever saw him behind a kit I thought he was about 14 years old because of how super young he looked. A more than adequate drummer I recall, just can't fill in the blanks who he played with.

Yes, he filled in with the Who for a while, he was playing for Pete Townsend on his solo stuff as well I think.

Steve Smith

Todd Sucherman

John Bonham

Keith Moon

Guy Gelso from ZEBRA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO98oGK1w0U

Ian Paice - the man is a technician not a tubthumper.


Brian Downey - his drumming married to Phil Lynot'st and Scott Gorham's guitars = musical heaven. "Don't Believe A Word." Just listen. Fabulous.


Clem Burke - always gets overlooked. But shouldn't be.


PS I thought Keith Moon was a shyte drummer.

Jeff Porcaro
Nick D'Virgillio
Roger Taylor
Ringo Starr
Neil Peart


I'd also like to add: Charlie Watts, Bun E. Carlos, and Max Weinberg. Simplistic, song-oriented drummers...but go to YouTube and look up versions of those classic songs (Mick Jagger's 1988 Australian tour, recent Cheap Trick gigs, Springsteen's 1992-93 tour) with other drummers and watch them have the life sucked out of them. I love "chops" guys like Peart and Portnoy as much as the next prog-rock geek, but that, more than any other factor, is the sign of a great drummer, IMO.

WalrusOct9 wrote:Jeff Porcaro
Nick D'Virgillio
Roger Taylor
Ringo Starr
Neil Peart


I'd also like to add: Charlie Watts, Bun E. Carlos, and Max Weinberg. Simplistic, song-oriented drummers...but go to YouTube and look up versions of those classic songs (Mick Jagger's 1988 Australian tour, recent Cheap Trick gigs, Springsteen's 1992-93 tour) with other drummers and watch them have the life sucked out of them. I love "chops" guys like Peart and Portnoy as much as the next prog-rock geek, but that, more than any other factor, is the sign of a great drummer, IMO.

What's going on with Bun? Health problems?

My Top 10:

John Bonham
Neil Peart
Mike Portnoy
Steve Smith
Keith Moon
Bill Bruford
Ginger Baker
Ian Paice
Carl Palmer
Bill Ward

How often do you think Deen Castronovo breaks drum sticks?

Tommy Aldridge


later~

NoMoreTails wrote:What's going on with Bun? Health problems?

That was the story, but I saw him playing at SXSW with Candy Golde (one of his new side projects) and he seemed fine. But maybe his health problems allow him to play, but not do long tours? Who knows.

Steve Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zbP0F59uCw

Deen Castronovo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKQ9H7FeBjo

Dominic Bautista
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB5UmAyh ... e=youtu.be

Kenny Aronoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YPlaGbbrJE

Dominic may be the best of them all. I seen him in Beijing last month. Wow, what a player. That video doesn't do him justice.

Aaron wrote:Steve Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zbP0F59uCw.

Check Smitty out on this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Or2SmID ... re=related

Another favorite I didn't mention earlier, Matt Abts of Gov't Mule, a different style drummer and one of my favorite bands.

Aaron wrote:
Deen Castronovo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKQ9H7FeBjo

Deen used to be a fatass