Best Progressive Rock Drummer

First, I don't see Cobham as a prog drummer, but if he has to be included he's my choice, if he's not, then Bill Bruford and Carl Palmer ( I would love to see Mike Giles once in a while)

Here are missing many Italian drummers, which are very good. For example listen to Furio Chirico in Arti E Mestieri, drummer in Museo Rosenbach or Area...

I'm not a Rush fan at all, but nevertheless: I had to vote once for Neil Peart.

Though I still miss Michael Giles.

Furio Chirico

 

Billy Cobham is the BEST DRUMMER ...ever

                                             

...listen to "The Noonward Race" , any other drummer got

 

There is absolutely no doubt about who the best prog rock drummer is: the late Pierre Moerlen of Gong (sadly died May 3rd 2005 at age 52). Just listen to him play on Gong albums like "You", "Shamal", "Gazeuse!" or any of their live albums. I don't like his drumming on later albums like "Downwind" or "Time is the Key", though his technical skills are more on display there, but the soul is lacking a bit there; he's just too busy proving he is the best on these albums. Of course Gong are not as well known a band as Genesis or Yes, and their music may prove too freaky for the taste of many, but the drums are superb, and no-one who ever heard him can deny that.

Oh, and any who never heard the name and don't believe me should go to the Gong homepage http://www.planetgong.co.uk/  and have a look at the tributes given to him there.

As to Billy Cobham: No doubt he is technically ultra-skilled, but his drumming in my opinion is soulless. He sounds like a car-mechanic to me.

Edited by BaldJean

I'm tempted to vote for Alan White, but I think Neil Peart will get my vote. They're all amazing, though.

Bill Bruford

>Everyone agrees that Collins is a superb drummer. Just a an arsehole for ruining Genesis!

In the new issue of Progression Magazine, it sure seems like he wants to atone for past sins. He said would do a classic Genesis tour with Gabriel on vox and Collins doing drums only.

Now if only Gabriel would lighten up and do a Genesis tour!

BaldJean wrote: There is absolutely no doubt about who the best prog rock drummer is: the late Pierre Moerlen of Gong.

Being a drummer myself I can only whole-heartedly subscribe to that. Pierre Moerlen was the best ever. Apparently Saint Peter was of the same opinion, that's why he required him for his house-band. Other good prog drummers are (not necessarily in that order) Pip Pyle, Bill Bruford, Christian Vander, Phil Collins, Simon Phillips, Mani Neumeier, Christian Burchard, Jan Fride. To name just a few. Prog requires good drumming.
Counter example: Hartwig Biereichel of Novalis. If ever you want to hear some uninspired drumming, listen to "Sommerabend" or other Novalis records on which he plays. Yuk!!!