Greatest Drummers
Submitted by auralm on Thu, 10/24/2002 - 12:36
Tags:
- Keith moon (The Who)
- John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
- Stewart Copeland (The Police)
- Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
- Narada Michael Walton (Jeff Beck, Weather report)
- Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis)
- Bill Bruford (King Crimson)
- Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix)
- Neil Peart (Rush)
- Ginger Baker (Cream)
- Dave Grohl (Nirvana)
- Matt Cameron (Soundgarden)
- Danny Carey (Tool)
- Maureen Tucker (Velvet Underground)
- Ian Paice (Deep Purple)
- Scott Asheton (The Stooges)
Author Comments:
In no particular ordereder
My drummer friend says that Ringo Starr wasn't a good drummer.
Discuss?
Ringo could certainly do what the songs he played required him to do. He *was* a mediocre singer and a horrible song writer, but he wasn't a bad drummer. He didn't show off as became the style, so the many have assumed he simply couldn't play. He was a band member, and played to fit the band's songs.
Which doesn't mean he could Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, Maureen Tucker, or Jaki Liebezeit, but...
IMHO.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I think it's been rather fashionable for amateur or semi-pro drummers to dismiss Ringo. I used to play drums, and amongst the drumming collective I hung around with, I was the only Ringo fan amongst Neil Peart acolytes. To be completely honest, rock drumming begins with Ringo. No, he wasn't a show-off, nor was he obsessed with tricky poly-rhythms and massive kits, but he certainly was innovative. Just listen to any post-"Rubber Soul" album and you'll hear how important his drumming was to the Beatles.
In other words, mediocre drummers can make good bands sound bad, but great drummers make mediocre bands sound great. Ringo falls under the latter.
By the way, L Bangs, nice to see a Jaki Liebezeit sighting here. I thought I was the only one around who listens to Can...
Nah, I've been dipping my toe into that pond a bit over the last year or two... Great stuff, terrific drummer.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
fool, you best not be calling the Beatles mediocre.
sorry. anyway.
yeah, i agree that Ringo was a vital element. He added punch and a light-heartedness to the backbeat. I know every drummer should have "steadiness," but I think (speaking as a nonmusician, mind ye) that Ringo made it a virtue. His drums enhanced the songs, rather than distracted the listener from them.
also, and this may not be entirely to Mr. Starkey's credit, but that sound! his drums had a full sound to 'em that everyone scrambled to catch up to.
OOPS! Did I say that? Me thinks me may have mistakenly dissed the Beatles. No, I didn't mean to call the Beatles mediocre, but I guess you got my point.
I once mentioned to a good friend of mine, who's a DJ and loves Drum & Bass as much as I do, that "Tomorrow Never Knows", with it's swirling, repetitive beat, was the first drum & bass track ever recorded. He thought I was nuts until I played it for him. Now he includes it on every set list he spins at a local club where we live.
wow. I love DJs with taste. that's cool.
Heh, i don't know why i even put Peart there, i have never been a Rush fan. He is probably the most technically accomplished drummer i've heard though. Ringo just has lots of soul.
Peart is a legend and should be atop many lists. But I'm telling you, listen to Tool and Carey. The guy is flawless. I understand that he comes after the greats like Moon, Peart, Bonham, but he's taken it to an entirely different level. I've seen him live now on 5 different occasions (seen Peart like 10 times) and Carey brings down the joint. he plays the skins like he has 5 arms.
good conversation fellas, I'd be interested to know your thoughts.
big props for yr inclusion o' Mo Tucker. primal.