Great musicians who should have been famous except....

To the OP’s question of best drum lead in, I say all you 70’s rock fans should be ashamed of yourselves. It’s clearly Carl Palmer’s Tank.
part of the beauty is the original studio version is very different from the Works version with orchestra.
Palmer as face forward a style as could be with ELP strongly stated that drum playing should be about the music, not the drummer.  Totally changed his style with Asia.  Seen him several times show how he can makes umpteen different sounds come out of one cymbal, or drum.

Bdp24’

“John Bonham’s famous kick drum triples (ask your son what that means) are played purely to show he can play them---they are musically unrelated to what any other musician is playing.“

Really?  Not what I’m hearing.  At all.  All the players mentioned are great.  No need to single out Bonham for a unfounded snipe.  He was great, and inspired many.

Also, didn’t see Carmine Apple mentioned.  Another foundation for others, including Bonham.

Appice!

Bomd,
" As a drummer, and fan of free improv/ avant- jazz, I’m always searching out well recorded, esoteric drummers"

Check out: 
Dave Mitchell & James Payment in "Do Make Say Think's" album: "Winter hymn, country hymn, secret hymn"  

A couple other great esoteric drummer are Joe Culver & Ed Farnsworth from the band "Bardo Pond"