Best Rock Drummers


I've seen most of them and by far the two that stand out are Neil Peart of Rush and Ceasar Z. of Golden Earring. For non-rock I would say it's a no brainer with Buddy Rich.
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Speaking of Keith Moon, in the late 60’s and early 70’s Jazz was starting to infiltrate Rock, with drummers having "rudimentary" training making their appearance. Jazz musicians had traditionally looked down their noses at Rock players, as those players (such as Ringo Starr) often had no formal training. But with the appearance of Mitch Mitchell (Hendrix, of course), Bobby Colomby (B,S,&T), and Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge), that was changing. Still, Rock drummers were not considered the equal of Jazz players. Keith Moon was asked in an interview, in an attempt to humiliate him (or at least put him in his place), if he could play in The Buddy Rich Big Band. Most drummers would admit that, no, they certainly couldn’t. But Keith, bless his heart, instead said "No, and Buddy Rich couldn’t play in The Who". Exactly! Would a Jazz drummer have made The Beatles music any better? Or could it be that a Jazz player would have actually make it not as good?

Speaking of Jazz, didya hear what Buddy Holly said about it? "Jazz is strictly for the stay at homes". ;-)

Such an excellent list -All
Keith Moon-  the most uncanny approach/attack on the skins.

Jim Keltner
Randy Castillo
Carmine Appice
Vinny Appice
lp, you are absolutely right. Phil Collins in early GENESIS... just sublime. Watch the Belgian TV program from March 1972 and that basic drum kit... all those dozens cans and symbals with Peart and Portnoy etc. are unnecessary really and just for showing off. His drumming is most fluid and musical not to mention creative second to none. Actually he was the only pro in the band and is the foundation for the classic GENESIS sound. Later in 70´s he learned to play jazz w/ Brand X.

Jon Hiseman, Bill Bruford and Carl Palmer come very close but are more jazz than rock really. Mitch Mitchell is too and his work w/ Hendrix is quite magical. Vesa Aaltonen in Tasavallan Presidentti is superb as well, and so is Pierluigi Calderoni in Banco. And Giancarlo Golzi in Museo Rosenbach RIP

Corky Laing, Lee Kerslake, Bill Ward and Iain Clark (Cressida, Uriah Heep) and Ted McKenna (Alex Harvey, MSG). Phil Ehart and Moon the Loon of course ; ^)