Best Drummer

Progger wrote: OldFatherThames wrote: Nick Mason ..I think that when this guy appears on a best drummer poll...there is a problem ! Quote from Roger Waters '' Nick played the drums on The Wall with a little help fom his freinds''. Also, didn't Pink Floyd use a second drummer and a couple of percussionists on their last two tours? Guess he needed a little help from his freinds on tour also!

eee......help on the wall ???? What it mean...nothing complicate on drums on the wall album !

As one who been drumming for about 38 years now (see my post in the ELP topic about Palmer vs Peart), out of all the drummers you got in the poll (which are all great) I'd have to give it to Bill "Brudford". For almost 33 years I've seen him several times, starting with the '72 tour of Yes (Genesis opened for them, how's that for a prog fest?) and all through King Crimson and solo and Earthworks. The man just gets better and better and more inventive everytime I see him! The only time I was somewhat disappointed on what he was doing was his short-lived infatuation with electronic drums during the ABW&H and Union phase. Electronic drums are ok (and fun sometimes) for effect like Neil did occasionly, but I wouldn't want to do an entire set of them. I think Bill was just going through a period there. He found a new toy and decided to have some fun for a while and screw around with them. Reading interviews with him, he has a sort of whimsical sense of humor in him. So I don't think he really took it that seriously. Thank God he got out of it and went back to good old acoustic drums.

As for my personal favorite, I'd have to give it to Billy Cobham (which you don't have here, shame on you). Over the years I've been able to do most of the riffs the other drummers you have here (of course they were doing them first, so I'm not saying I'm better. Get that? No ego here!). But Billy is just way beyond anybody. His ability to shift from right-handed to left-handed execution is just mind-boggling. Neil and Bill have been able to pickup on some of these tricks, but still hasn't come close. I've seen most of these other guys and even met some of them at their clinics (including Billy) and I'd have to give the throne to him as the best this side of Buddy Rich. But that's my opinion, enough said. Later.



Edited by marktheshark

Voted where? I've seen Portnoy and I still don't think he has the dexterity of Billy! Billy has not been in the limelight much for the past 15 years, he's been living in Switzerland teaching and recording, but that doesn't mean he's out of the picture. C'mon give me a break! Portnoy's a terrific drummer and he only hits these polls now 'cause he's still going strong on recordings! Ask him yourself and he'll probably tell you the same thing I've said.

I voted for Jason Rullo because he is the drummer of Symphony X and I like them more than any of the other bands with those drummers. But, I really like Bobby Jarz of Spastic Ink's drums, I really like how he uses the cymbals.

Did somebody mention Michael Giles already?

If not, then I will. Very underestimated drummer. Take his drumming on the 1st Crimso album, the way he comes in on "neuro surgeons scream for more", the way he opens "In The Court..." (the track). Also great on Anthony Phillips' Sides.

Good point. While I say Billy is way up the ladder on prog and jazz, when it comes to all around rock 'n roll drumming, I would say Keith was the most influential. He pretty much started it all. Where would Neil and Alex Van Halen and many others be without him.

Now there's a drummer who's been around! Not a question of who's he played for, but who hasn't he played for!

Thank you Moogtron III for mentioning Michael Giles (and if anyone else did, thank you, too). I've only heard him on two albums (first 2 Crimson) but that's enough to tell me he's the greatest, not to mention his attire is dashing. I refuse to vote in this poll until you put his name up there.

Dream Theater are one of the best prog bands cause they have Mike Portnoy.  The same could be said for Transatlantic, Liquid Tension Experiment and Neal Morse's solo efforts.  This does not mean that the other musicians in these bands are crap or anything, but he is majestic.

Cheers

yarstruly wrote: They are all superb drummers....I have always had great respect & appreciation for Peart & Bruford, and many of the others in the poll...But I had to give some love to the greatly unerrated & underestimated Alan White!  Listen to Soundchaser, Ritual, The Ancient, Release Release, Machine Messiah, Changes Endless Dream & so many others....The man is grossly underrated!

The Bruford/White drum duet on the 'Union tour' was simply amazing!  For some reason they didn't do it at all the 'union' shows. I saw them twice on that tour but they omitted it at the second show

Edited by Progger