Best Drummer

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.

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

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 !

youd forget Keith Moon!!!!!! thats a enormous mistake...

I've never heard of Bill Brudford, but I woted for him because his name is close to Bill Bruford.

Maybe not as fast or flashy as Portnoy or Peart and the likes, but Phil Collins '70's stuff (Genesis and Brand X) is fantastic. Take his drumming on Squonk, or on Unorthodox Behaviour, and the Intruder sound he did for Peter Gabriel.

Here's a great prog drummer that I didn't see mentioned yet:

Furio Chirico

I'm glad Claudio Trotta was mentioned even though I'm not a big DeM fan.

Reed Lover wrote: Anyone who thinks Portnoy is better than Peart is either deaf or daft in my opinion.Portnoy himself would tell you he is inferior to Peart... As Arsillus so succinctly put it: Peart by far,with Bruford close behind!!!

Surely thats just modesty on Portnoys part? Ok so Im deaf and daft and a Reed Lover/Pig hybrid

Edited by Snow Dog

not forget Jon Hiseman

w/o order:

guy evans

neil peart

phill collins

bill brufford

alan white

ian paice

carl palmer

billy cobham

ringo starr