If you could cop the skills of any five drummers...

[Goody602]

I found no search result on this so don't kill me if it has already been asked. If you could magically acquire the skills of any five drummers, dead or alive, effectively make you one of the (if not best) drummers on the planet, and maybe in history, which five drummers would you pick and why? My picks:

Steve Gadd: For his style and groove, but most of all for his amazing ability to play what is perfect for the song everytime, no more, no less. The consummate musician.

Zach Hill: For his insane right foot, ability to play complex patterns in different time signatures, and his general unorthodox approach to the kit.

John Bonham: I know, I know, but after all these years he's still one of my favorites. I'd take his power, tremendous feel, attitude, but most of all that thunderous drum sound.

Buddy Rich: For the lightning fast chops, classic style, ability to swing, and be the ultimate showman.

Vinnie Colauita: For his ability to play anything and everything under the sun.

As Stezajobudvi, I would rule the galaxy on drums.

[Class A Drummer]

Steve Gadd- Insane style and playing ability.

Jojo Mayer- Also really good technique with both lightning fast hands and feet. Really funky drummer too.

Dave Weckl- really creative and powerful player, with once again, insane technique and playing abilty. And he has 2, count em 2 sets of signauture sticks.

Jack DeJohnette- Amazing Jazz player. Huge infulence in jazz.

John Bonham- One of the few to ever pull of the lumberjack Mustache look. Need i say more?

[secondXheartbeat]

Benny Greb: dynamics and sensitivity

Benny Greb: sense of groove and time

Benny Greb: insane technical ability

Benny Greb: interdependance

Benny Greb: showmanship

[mlaponsky]

Steve Gadd - for his groove and sense for what a song needs

John Bonham - for his power and insane triplets

Billy Cobham - for his mastery of the strangest time you could play (especially in Mahavishnu)

Keith Moon - maybe he wasn't the most collected or precise, but I'd take his attitude behind the set any day

Vinny Colaiuta - for his pure skill

[mikeybbdrummin]

Buddy Rich; showman ship, unbelievable hand speed and technique.
Steve Smith; smoothness, creativity and feel.
Gregg Bissonette(Favorite); versitility, groove, feel, dynamics, musicianship.
Thomas Lang; technical ability, 4-way independence and power.
Any speed metal drummer; Not up on who's on top of their game. It covers speed, endurance and double bass/hand techniques not covered by the four previous drummers.

[wishihadapearl]

aquiles priester: lightning hands and feet while doing complex stuff
travis baker: like his style
bonham: drum sound
thomas lang: showmanship
jojo mayer: diddo

[pimp_my_RIDE]

Independance: Panos somthing... ouoplos
Chops; I'm gonna have to say dave weckl
Feel; The gadd man all the way
Rudimental skill: Casey Brohard
Showmanship; the rev

[Drummer Karl]

Jack DeJohnette- Amazing Jazz player. Huge infulence in jazz.

Hahaha, yes, and this sentence by John Abercrombie is so nice:

"Jack has a great beat. If you can find it."

Jack is really an awesome musician, and I say MUSICIAN conciously because he is really not just a drummer. His knowledge about music and especially Jazz is amazing. He definitly a living legend...at least for me.

so, back to topic. Actually I never want skills from other drummers, I want to develope my own skills also my bad things about drumming. Of course you all are always improving those bad sides but you always has it. this side. and even Vinnie Colaiuta has it.
I am happy with what I have right now and what i will do over the years...I like that this way will be hard but fun, where would our life go if we can choose skills? ;-)

Karl

[meandhimcallitus]

Vinnie Colaiuta
Marco Minnemann
Benny Greb
Josh Freese
Zach Hill

for different reasons

[FloEy]

Vinnie Colaiuta - for his ability to play andything and just the fact that he can groove like a monster.

Virgil Donati - for his crazy feet, his mastered ability of polyrhythms, his crazy grooves. (Im guna hera it for that but yes Donati can groove!) check this out if u dont believe!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=OVBEnHA1rsg&search=virgil%20donati

Buddy Rich - ability to swing and his crazy ass hands

Dave Weckl - his overall playing is great

Steve Gadd - the groove machine

[emmerson]

Virgil Donati's Feet
Danny Carey's Indepence
Benny Greb's Groove
Thomas Lang's Hands
Gavin Harrison's Sense of music

[baz]

...Ringo.

Levon Helm.

Bob DiSalle.

Pick Withers.

Max Weinberg.

The reason that I chose these as my fave five is more for their contribution to their music overall than by their drum chop monsterness.

I am not all that familiar with a lot of the drummers that many of you have chosen, for as an old fart, I think of metal as the plate in my head, punk as the little snot that tips over my garbage can, and Emo as a finnish hockey player. I do know who Gadd Bonham and Rich are but if I wanted to play like them, I would have to grow a few extra limbs.

Barry

[michael drums]

...Ringo.

Levon Helm.

Bob DiSalle.

Pick Withers.

Max Weinberg.

The reason that I chose these as my fave five is more for their contribution to their music overall than by their drum chop monsterness.

I am not all that familiar with a lot of the drummers that many of you have chosen, for as an old fart, I think of metal as the plate in my head, punk as the little snot that tips over my garbage can, and Emo as a finnish hockey player. I do know who Gadd Bonham and Rich are but if I wanted to play like them, I would have to grow a few extra limbs.

Barry

And funny it is, baz! Hee...hee... Love your sense of humor. It's easy to understand. Thanks for posting...Play On! ;-)

[michael drums]

Vinnie Colaiuta - for his ability to play andything and just the fact that he can groove like a monster.

Virgil Donati - for his crazy feet, his mastered ability of polyrhythms, his crazy grooves. (Im guna hera it for that but yes Donati can groove!) check this out if u dont believe!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=OVBEnHA1rsg&search=virgil%20donati

Buddy Rich - ability to swing and his crazy ass hands

Dave Weckl - his overall playing is great

Steve Gadd - the groove machine

Wow! Great list here, FloEy. 5 of my all time favs. Thanks for listing them for me...Play On!

;-)

[mlehnertz]

Have you posted anywhere, in any thread on any forum, a post that wasn't about how great someone else's post was and thanking them? You offer as much to the thread as a maitre d does to a dining experience. Merci and bon appetit!

[HardcoreLogo]

Wow, only 5, gee.....there are sooooooo many drummers better than me(lol).......
JoJo.......outta all the technique guys out there today, his style speaks to me, he's just too good for me to copy(yet)

Steve Jordan.....can anyone say "GROOVE"?

Danny Carey.....off the wall, but still in step with whats happening in rock today

Chester Thompson.........loved his stint with Zappa

Dom Famularo.............chops, and a super attitude, after you talk with with this guy, you think you can fly.....

There are so many more, this was just the first five that came to mind........

[michael drums]

Have you posted anywhere, in any thread on any forum, a post that wasn't about how great someone else's post was and thanking them? You offer as much to the thread as a maitre d does to a dining experience. Merci and bon appetit!

Thanks mlehnertz. It's always a pleasure to see your kind replys. It always makes my day to log on and see how well you make a person feel. What an inspiration you are!

Oh, and, uhh...I see you don't know what's French for...Play On!

among other things.....

[FunkyDrummin]

Carter Beauford - The man plays some of my favorite grooves...and he plays open-handed!

Johnny Rabb - Love his ability to sound like a drum machine - his free hand technique is phenomenal

Buddy Rich - Nobody else quite gets me saying, 'What the hell was that?' like Buddy.

Thomas Lang - 4 way interdependence, showmanship, and sick feet.

Dave Weckl - Have you seen this man play? He looks like he's moving on ball bearings...he's so smooth and fluid in his technique, he makes playing look easy.

[stillgroovin]

1. Jeff Porcaro
2. Steve Gadd
3. Buddy Rich
4 Bernard Purdy
5.Jo Jo Mayer.........There are of course, more, but these are my top 5.

[Mook]

Top 5 in terms of technical ability would be:-

Buddy Rich
Dennis Chambers
Vinnie Colaiuta
Alphonze Mouzon
Steve Gadd

In terms of feel & musical direction (not that the one's above suffer from lack of feel):-

John Bonham
Elvin Jones
Gene Krupa
Bernard Purdie
Billy Cobham

[Paul Quin]

Why 5? If I could have the skills of any one of the numerous players listed above I would be quite happy. After all if I could "cop the skills" of Steve Gadd, wanting the skills of Vinnie as well just seems greedy. And Buddy and Weckl and Carlock and Jordan!!!! I might just explode!

Paul

[pdp 9091]

Pearts Mind
Bonhams Sound
Buddy Rich's Chops
Jo Jo Mayers Foot
Dennis Chambers Smoothness

[lebyron]

Dennis Chambers
Carter Beauford
Dave Weckl
John Blackwell
Ahmir Thompson

I would be one funky boy.

[xkevinx]

Tony Williams: All around chops, beautiful musical phrasing, seamless metric modulation, yellow drums.
Elvin Jones: Polyrhythmic genius, power, unmistakable sound.
Jack DeJohnette: Ability to imply the beat while phrasing freely, musicality.
Max Roach: Swing, swing, swing, and a musical evolution over time.
Billy Cobham: Chops.

[the gayge]

I thought about this for a while and I think my list was going to be xkevinx's almost verbatim, but then I was thinking that copping all those players chops and feels and stuff may affect my ability to enjoy their music as much as I do now. I wouldn't want to knowingly play with all of Elvin's finesse and unstoppable musicality because then those records wouldn't seem as perfect to me as they are now. So I'm prefacing this list by saying I don't want to nab these guys skills, I want these to be five people I can continue to draw inspiration from for the rest of my life.

-The incomparable Elvin Jones- To me, everything that made his playing so exciting and beautiful to me doesn't really fit into words (I have no problem with how cheesy that was).

-Brian Blade- The future of music all wrapped up in one dude. I've been buying every record he's played on. Hear him with Wayne Shorter or Kenny Garrett or hear him with Joni Mitchell. Damn.

-Steve Jordan- Amazing groove, always has really inciteful things to say, and he's environmentally concious. What a guy.

-Max Roach- Such a huge force in the forward evolution of not just drumset, but music in general.

-John Bonham- Can't say no to Bonham.

[michael drums]

Pearts Mind
Bonhams Sound
Buddy Rich's Chops
Jo Jo Mayers Foot
Dennis Chambers Smoothness

Hey pdp...I really like how you listed here. You just described ME! Hee...hee...

Nicely put...Play On! ;-)

Oh, umm...This would be an incredibly percussive musician....

[mlehnertz]

Unreal. Please see post #16.

Hey pdp...I really like how you listed here. You just described ME! Hee...hee...

Nicely put...Play On! ;-)

Oh, umm...This would be an incredibly percussive musician....

[Rhythmic Disciple]

This is difficult, but extremely fun...Hmmmm...

...Okay!

Jeff Porcaro - His 'golden' feel!
Gary Husband - Drive, power and committment.
Jo Jo Mayer - Technical facility and funk.
Carter Beauford - Groove Groove Groove
Vinnie - IMO the undisputed No.1

That's insane - can you imagine this person existed?

[Raymond Bloom]

I don't want to be a copy of anyone I want to develope an unique style so others could copy me :-)

If I could, I would basically be a mix between Jojo Mayer musically (many people really miss the fact that he has astounding snese of musicality, feal and groove!) and technically) I'm already working on that! lol
Virgil Donati for his polyrhythmical superpowers :-)
If speaking about style - Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton and Steve Gadd

[CBPEAVEY]

John Bonham's power and speed
Virgil Donati's ability to play strange sounding things
Mike Portnoy's feet
Cozy Powell's hands
Buddy Rich's single handed roll

[michael drums]

Unreal. Please see post #16.

Real! Please see post #17.

[mlehnertz]

It's bad enough that you don't have any information in your head but what's worse is that you don't even have an opinion of your own.

As for on-thread. I don't need five drummers. I need one. Vinnie. Enough said.

Real! Please see post #18.

[michael drums]

It's bad enough that you don't have any information in your head but what's worse is that you don't even have an opinion of your own.

As for on-thread. I don't need five drummers. I need one. Vinnie. Enough said.

Please see post #31.


Oh, and, uhh...YOU don't deserve my "opinion".

Merry Christmas!

[fixmejesus]

Mark Brzezicki
Stewart Copeland
Neil Peart
John Bonham

thats it...

[Fat Elvis]

Tought choices -- almost cant go wrong here. here are mine:

Steve Gadd for everything he does -- he never over plays and is always locked in the pocket.
Carter Beauford best chops on the planet. Even though he was listed second, he is probably my first choice.
Jack DeJohnette (is there a better jazz performance than Bitches Brew? I think not)
Mark Brzezicki (kudos to fix for pointing out this fantastic drummer -- listen to The Cult's "Love" or any Big Country)
Daney Carey for just an unbelievable sense of strength and power in odd time sigs

[Exportdrummer]

Jason Bittner - For his amazing bass speed mostly but his other skills

Neil Peart - For his amazing music thoery and all his skills

John Bonham - for his single bass speed

Mike Portnoy - like Neil peart but also just all his other skills like stick twirling

Jojo Mayer - for all his awesome grooves

[CHOPS36]

I don't mean to beat an opinion poll, but being new to the forum, I feel I need to input my "2 sticks" worth............these are in no order of preference or popularity

Neil Peart - Precise Timing
Phil Collins - Distinctive sound and feel
Dave Weckl - finess
Thomas Lang - all around speed and clarity
JoJo Meyer - groovability

[Tetley]

Buddy rich - the mans a legend

Gene Krupa - very musical

Jojo Meyer - very funky and musical. amazing groove.

Thomas Lang - Power and precision, makes it look so easy

Jose Pasillas - Very creative. Rocky and funky.



and while we're at it michael drums, gotta agree with mlehnertz, you dont appear to have shown an original thought, you hijacked two other posts as your own opinion because you couldn't have your own. PDP 9091 wasn't describing you, because those guys put together could probably come up with their own list.

You even said you weren't gonna post a list til you saw one you liked and nicked it. you're only getting defensive cos you got caught bang to rights. Why do you care whether or not one person doesn't deserve your opinion, the forum is for posting your own thoughts and opinions to everyone not just that one person. Dont use it as an excuse for not having any.

[drummerchick435]

My guyfriend
Animal (great personality and style! haha)
Buddy Rich
John Bonham
Neil Peart

EDIT:
Mike Portnoy
Neil Peart
Buddy Rich
Whoever is the drummer for Hillsong United on their I Heart Revolution CD (a Christian worship band from Down Under - my favorite place!) He has amazing groove
Steve Gadd

[Merkaba]

Danney Carey- for his amazing creativity
Thomas Lang- for his being near perfect
Buddy Rich- for his speed, showmanship, and every thing else
Billy Cobham- because I am a left handed drummer
Neil Peart- for his style

[Sirwill]

My Hybrid drummer! The left hand of Buddy Rich. The right hand of Steve Gadd. The right foot of Louie Bellson. And the left foot of Chris Adler. Finally the brain of Neil Peart.

[Class A Drummer]

A thread was made a while ago kinda like this except it was hands, feet, originality, and technicality.

Left hand, Jojo Mayer or Miki Mangini, Right hand, Jojo Mayer or Mike mangini, Left Foot Thomas Lang, Right foot Jojo Mayer. Brain, Steve Gadd.

[Colin1374]

left foot of tim waterson, right foot of jojo mayer, left hand buddy rich, right hand johnny rabb, and brain of Thomas Lang

and vocals of Aaron Gillespie

[Drummerboy3940]

Right Foot-Gerald Heyward
Left Foot-Horacio Hernandez
Right Hand-Johnny Rabb
Left Hand-Jojo Mayer
Brain-Thomas Lang

This would be one sick drummer

[FunkenGrooven]

#1 - Grant Collins! An amazing guy as well as a great drummer. Great technique, insane independence, awesome positive attitude and a fantastic arranger and composer.

#2 - Gordon Rytmeister - A top Aussie drummer who is the 'go to' man in Melbourne for sessions and TV shows with a live band.

#3 - Angus Burchall - Toured and recorded with John Farnham for 20+ years. He must be doing something right to have that job for so long. I would also like his ride cymbal and snare drum collection!

#4 - David Garibaldi - for his funky groove and pioneering style.

#5 - Paul Brook - Incredibly talented individual. I love his ideas and concepts. He's very down-to-earth, has a wicked sense of humour, and is not afraid to tell it like it is.

[joey]

errrrr

bonham-single bass speed deffo and his amazing fills

buddy rich-cuase he is just a legand

dave grohl-power and hard hitting

keithe moon-cmon the guys mad

ian paice-all of his skills

[TomasHakkesBrain]

Antonio Sanchez-Chops
Vinnie C-Musicality
Buddy Rich-Fire
Dave Lombardo-Fills and Double Bass
John Bonham-Power and Sound

[Gibbersticks]

Oh these questions are fun!

1. Gavin Harrison - The first time I heard him play on Porcupine Tree's In Absentia album I completely freaked out. Most creative drumming I had ever heard until they put out Deadwing. Thanks to Gavins Rhythmic Visions DVD I finally learned how to play Rosanna.

2. Jeff Pocarro - I still remember the day my dad bought Toto IV and how excited he was. I was 5yrs old. When I heard Rosanna.........magic!!!

3. Danny Carey - What planet is this guy from? Power, skill, insane sense of time. Great band.

4. Josh Freeze - Who hasn't he played for. He can do it all

5. John Bohnam - The thunder god!!!

[secondXheartbeat]

Right Foot: Benny Greb
Left Foot: Benny Greb
Right Hand: Benny Greb
Left Hand: Benny Greb
Brain: Benny Greb

[Daveian]

1. Buddy Rich - Great hand technique.
2. Mike Portnoy - Good foot technique, great style of music and seems to be very funny guy.
3. Jimmy Chamberlin - Has a good technique and I realy like his style of music.
4. John Bonham - This man was a speed king and was the drummer for one of the greatest rock band of all time (from my point of view).
5. Animal - Great character

Ok, the fifth place was very hard to choose, I could have but a lots of drummers there but wasn´t able to make up my mind so I just named the great muppet character....hehe.

[drozzy]

All Parts - Zombified Bonham.

[Tyr]

Marco Minnemann and Dave Weckl. I'm sure all that talent could keep me busy for quite some time!

[RaincloudMusic]

I If you could magically acquire the skills of any five drummers, dead or alive, effectively make you one of the (if not best) drummers on the planet, and maybe in history, which five drummers would you pick and why?

JEFF PORCARO Time....time ....time.....very elegant style of playing-not a lot of wasted motion in his playing. PHRASING!!!!!!!!!!! Overall musical ability. Awareness of song form and "pocket".

DANNY SERAPHINE Jazz chops for days-he's old school. Love Danny's ability to keep a groove churning. Endurance. Flash where Flash counts. His sense of "pocket" is pretty sweet. (http://www.ctatheband.com). <<---GO HERE!

KELTNER Another 'groove' guy---and another player aware of finesse (not a whole lot of wasted motion with Jim, either).

GREG BISSONETTE Rock solid groove.

DAVE COOPER
Has played for almost 40 years; has coached some world-class guys and gals; one of whom led Santa Clara Vanguard to their 1993 World Title. Cooper's a Gadd freak, and my best friend on this Planet. He has an amazing sense of "time'; chops for days but he knows when to rein it in.... DYNAMIC RANGE. He's a groove cat and a complete bad@$$ jazzer.

Those are my picks.


T

[RaincloudMusic]

5. Animal - Great character

Ok, the fifth place was very hard to choose, I could have but a lots of drummers there but wasn´t able to make up my mind so I just named the great muppet character....hehe.

*standing ovation ensues*

"ANIMAL" has more 'character' than a lot of human beings I know!!! GREAT PICK!
I wish I'd thought of him. He ROCKS HARD!
Him and "Rolf" ..........unbeatable team, and two of the "yo" cats in the Muppet world.

[sk8er247]

lars ulrichs power and speed
joey jordison speed and technique
buddy richs legendary skills
danny carey's sweet playing
tommy lee's penis. nah jk dave lombardo's stamina

[d.c.drummer]

Dennis Chambers' Hands- Power and Speed

JoJo Mayers Feet- OMG!

Marco Miniman- Independence

Dave Weckle Brain- Musical Genious across all playing styles.

I'm so far away from all these guys that all i can do is practice, practice, practice. And one day. I could be better than all of them. Not really, but you know what i mean.

[drumminjohn]

John Bonham (Led Zeppelin): Sound, triplets, speed, creativity

Mitch Mitchell (The Jimi Hendrix Experience): Blistering speed, ride cymbal work, afro

Ginger Baker (Cream): Tom work, creativity, musical sense

John Densmore (The Doors): Cymbal work, sound, latin beats

Keith Moon (The Who): craziness

I'd be the definition of 60's rock drumming...

[Rebige]

Vinnie Colaiuta

Steve Gadd

Dave Weckl

Buddy Rich

................gotta get back on the 5th one

[Sirwill]

Easy. Buddy Rich,Neil Peart,Louie bellson,Steve Gadd,Ronny Tutt.

[Womble]

Marco Miniman

I think you mean Marco Mini-me.

Dave Weckl Brain- Musical Genius across all playing styles.

Particularly in jazz, rock, and white man's funk.

[Guinness]

The creativity of Peart
The pocket of Gadd
The hands of Jacob Kaye
The integrity of Rich and
The showmanship of Tommy Lee.

[Artglfr]

I will have to give 5 single bass and 5 double as I often switch styles first Single Bass Ringo...consummate player of SONG, Paul English(from Willie Nelson) diversity and ability to morph effortlessly as he follows Willie! John Bonham...no reason to even say anything here just JOHN BONHAM is enough, Gene Krupa just because he IS KRUPA one of the Founding Fathers, Levon Helm...creativity, ability to sing and play, great rolls and innovative Drum tracks.

Double Bass; Barrett Deems...another innovator one of the first Double Bass players and "the fastest Drummer alive" for his time, Mitch Mitchell for his work with Hendrix, Tommy Aldridge has been a monster forever, Carmen Appice an originator loved Beck, Bogart and Appice, Vanilla Fudge and Cactus weren't too bad either and of course Ginger Baker for his Cream and Blind Faith work and live he is awesome.

[Fur drummer]

1) Louie Bellson - Love his double bass work and solos. Oh baby, what a cool drummer.
2) Buddy Rich - For his speed.
3) Charly Antolini - Another cool drummer that is creative and smooth.
4) Billy Cobham - Double bass work and creativity.
5) Carl Palmer - Same reason as Buddy. Speed and coordination.

[BellsOfRhymney]

Gene Parsons -for his speedy syncopation ..that right hand!

also

Earl Palmer -for his smooth feel and fat tone.

[nhzoso]

John Bonham
Stan Lynch
Frank Beard
Alex Van Halen
Michael Bland,

Oh yeah now that would be a groovy ass, funky, hard hitting, timekeeping freak of nature..

[matt986]

let's see..Meg white of course.....

ok, seriously, lol

Steve Gadd
Bill Bruford (sp?)
JoJo mayers
Ginger Baker
Greg Bissonette

[michael drums]

My five would be:

1.) Buddy

2.) Dave (Weckl)

3.) John (Bonham)

4.) Neil

5.) Vinnie

...And I'd NEVER leave out...Steve (Gadd)...Ya just CAN'T leave him off the list...Play On!

Yea, yea...I know that's 6, but come on...it's Gadd, for Gadds' sake... ;-)

[epis-mike]

carter beauford - i've never heard a drummer play so much at one time and never overplay. great groove as well

matt cameron (soundgarden era) - his ability to play odd time and change time signatures without ever getting in the way of the song and play in such a fashion that it seems he's playing very simply when he's not.

dave lombardo - he sounds like an avalanche

stewart copeland - love his feel, love his fills, can't get enough octobahns

tomas haake - no one else i've heard can create such driving power and polyrythmicly to boot!

[II xMETALx II]

Dave Lombardo
Mike Portnoy
Derek Roddy
John Bonham
Dave Weckl

[MrNoisy]

#1 - Grant Collins! An amazing guy as well as a great drummer. Great technique, insane independence, awesome positive attitude and a fantastic arranger and composer.

#2 - Gordon Rytmeister - A top Aussie drummer who is the 'go to' man in Melbourne for sessions and TV shows with a live band.

#3 - Angus Burchall - Toured and recorded with John Farnham for 20+ years. He must be doing something right to have that job for so long. I would also like his ride cymbal and snare drum collection!

#4 - David Garibaldi - for his funky groove and pioneering style.

#5 - Paul Brook - Incredibly talented individual. I love his ideas and concepts. He's very down-to-earth, has a wicked sense of humour, and is not afraid to tell it like it is.

I am afraid Paul passed away on 3rd May after a 2 year battle against cancer

[Justin_F]

John bonham- his sound is just so fantastic, it's like controlled thunder, impecable groove, and a pocket deep enough to fit his bass drum in.

Matt Abts- he's got the ability to do anything and everything. his groove is rediculous and his style is amazing, his interplay of simplicity and complexity are mind boggling.

Time alexander- so powerful, yet so simultaniously groovy. he knows how to perfectly fill every space of a melody

bernard purdie- great attitude, monster chops and groove

david garibaldi- funka-dunka-licious playing and neck cracking groove, unbelieveable muscian

[tomgrosset]

Theres so many to choose from but I guess it would have to be Max Roach, John Bonham, Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd and Tony Williams. A drummer that had all of those attributes would be beyond belief.

[rendezvous_drummer]

1) Tony Williams- IMO, the perfect drummer!
2) Steve Jordan- Favorite Drummer
3) Larry Mullen Jr.- The guy is my personal favorite drummer.
4) Elvin Jones- A beast!!
5) Art Blakey- So much passion.

I know I have 2 favorite drummers.

[Vinnysimmo]

Mitch Mitchell
Keith Moon
John Bonham
Animal
Tim Waterson

[The popes love child]

Jojo Mayer
Joe Morello
Phil Collins
Thomas Lang
Ahmir Thompson

I'd be set for any situation.

[bballdrummer34]

Tony Williams
Dafnis Prieto
Antonio Sanchez
Elvin Jones
Tony Williams

[BellsOfRhymney]

Earl Palmer
Gene Parsons
Dallas Taylor
Gene Krupa
Jeff Hamilton

[fourstringdrums]

Bernard Purdie for his legendary feel and groove.

Stanton Moore for his funk and second-line ability.

Steve Gadd for the obvious reasons. Again, his legendary status and his rudimental use on the set.

D'erico Watson for his creativity and insane right foot.

Steve Jordan for his groove making ability.

[crlujan]

Brian Blade
Jeff Hamilton
Stanton Moore
Joey Baron
Elvin Jones

...because they'd make a good stew.

[2bsticks]

Buddy Rich
Bill Bruford
Carl Palmer
John Bonham
morphed> Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Marco Minneman, Dennis Chambers

[Zildjian232]

john bonham-god father of rock duh
danny carey-power and polyrhytems
gavin harrison-fantastic all around versitile
dennis chambers-extreme speed and coordination
bill bruford-fucken prog legend

[thebrza]

Chris Pennie, Braun from Mastodon, John Bonham (the requisite)

[Mikebike88]

1. Thomas Lang(chops, independance)

2. Benny Grebb (groove, groove, groove, dynamics)

3. Steve Gadd (groove, groove, groove, groove, groove, groove)

4. Simon Phillips (groove, chops, independance, ambidexterity)

5. John Bonham (his thundering sound and syncopation in a rock setting is second to none)

[meshuggah1324]

Tomas Haake - independence
Gene Hoglan - speed
Dave Weckl - jazz style
Morgan Agren - fusion style
Neil Peart - all around

[YoungDrummer14]

Jojo Mayer: Everything
Johnny Rabb: View of playing (his melodic style)
Benny Greb: Groove
Thomas Lang: Chops
Steve Gadd: Everything



and the sixth of course,
Animal: Dashingly good looks


Man I wish that would happen!

[Damian Blake]

Neil Peart first and foremost
Vinnie Paul
Buddy Rich
Dennis Chambers
Mickey Dee

[BKoval]

Chambers
Garibaldi
Bonham
Peart
Moon

[michael drums]

Buddy rich - the mans a legend

Gene Krupa - very musical

Jojo Meyer - very funky and musical. amazing groove.

Thomas Lang - Power and precision, makes it look so easy

Jose Pasillas - Very creative. Rocky and funky.



and while we're at it michael drums, gotta agree with mlehnertz, you dont appear to have shown an original thought, you hijacked two other posts as your own opinion because you couldn't have your own. PDP 9091 wasn't describing you, because those guys put together could probably come up with their own list.

You even said you weren't gonna post a list til you saw one you liked and nicked it. you're only getting defensive cos you got caught bang to rights. Why do you care whether or not one person doesn't deserve your opinion, the forum is for posting your own thoughts and opinions to everyone not just that one person. Dont use it as an excuse for not having any.

Whatever, Dude.... :-(

Geeesssshhhh....

[Ony]

Tony Royster Jr.
Brann Dailor
Moe Carlson
Neil Peart
Joey Jordison

[Joe P]

Gavin Harrison - incredibly musical playing
Gregg Bissonnette - just all-around amazing playing, with a huge background of styles
Mike Portnoy - great sense of time and amazingly tasty (prog) metal grooves
Jojo Mayer - amazing (hand AND foot) technique and improvisational skills
Dave Garibaldi - incredible funky grooving capability

[caprisun3484]

Tony Williams (his up-tempos are awesome and Lifetime is just insane)
Elvin Jones (IMO the best jazz drummer ever)
John Bonham (so heavy, so much groove)
Brian Blade (musicality and creativity)
Steve Jordan (I'd love to have that groove)

[aydee]

I'd actually like the skills of about a 150 players, but the most economical way is to acquire the skills of :

1) Buddy Rich

2) Elvin Jones

3) Max Roach

4) Tony Williams

5) John Bonham

(see, this way I get all my Vinnies, and Bissonettes, and Jojos,and Weckls, and Smiths n' Chambers,Blades, and Gadds....... and all the rest of em, for free! )

Yay!!!!!!!

[Ozzy Biz]

John Bonham - You've heard Zep, you know why
Steve Jordan - he plays the tastiest grooves going around
Vinnie Colaiuta - plays everything from Megadeth to Chic Corea and does it right.
?uestlove - amazingly versatile, yet simplistic. Joshua Redman to the Roots to Ben Harper & John Paul Jones
Stanton Moore - Funk, New Orleans, Metal (Corrosion of Conformity)

On a side note, if you haven't seen or heard footage of the Bonaroo superjam with John Paul Jones, Ben Harper and ?uestlove playing Led Zep songs and jamming, check it out on youtube. Good sh*t.

[volume_3]

Gavin Harrison
Rob Jones
Jon Theodore
Thomas Pridgen
Neil Peart

[12:5]

gavin harrison...he combines all the drummers mentioned in one package

[DaveyBoy]

Dave Grohl
Abe Laboriel Jr.
Trevor Lawrence Jr.
Neil Peart
Jose Pasillas

[PineyplayParadiddles]

Carter Beauford- great groove and as an open hand player as well, I've learnt loads
Bonham- Right foot
Mike Portnoy- Style and double bass
Neil Peart- One word...Perfect
Buddy Rich- Dont even need to say!

[DWfan20005]

John Bonham- Super Fast Right Foot
Chad Smith- Amazing Groove
Keith Moon- Drum Fills
Neil Peart- Snare Drum Chops
Carter Beauford- Open-Handed Playing Technique

[Mr. Pasquini]

Brann Dailor: Speedy, Creative hands, great musicality
Derrek Roddy: Fast feet, tons of technique
Bernard Purdie: Such groove and feel
Bobby Jarzombek: Complete 4 way coordination
Martin Lopez: Latin Jazz, Metal, Prog, Who wants some crazy licks from every type of music?

[Dr Drums]

let's see Art Blakey - Musical Melodic Playing Dennis Chambers - Technique and Timing Chad Smith - Groove , Showmanship Jack De Johnette - Cordination, Dynamics Mark Guiliana - Amazing Creativity

[fat in the middle]

Keltner- creativity meets the song

Levon Helm- Culture inside the song

Ben Riley- for just being able to get inside Monks music

Papa Joe- Taking the instrument to that creative place, with great technique.

Johnny Vidocovich- representing music without boundries [and groove of coarse]

I do share Carl's views, but would like to add Tony Williams' concept of putting drummers influences together, and their strong points to make up what you want to be as a drummer.

[Derek]

Only five ? I'll try -

Steve Gadd

Tony Williams

Elvin Jones

Buddy Rich

Harvey Mason ( I'm suprised I don't see his name more ).

But I leave too many of my favorites off of a list of only five.

[zazzypuddinginatube]

i would have to go with,
Chad Smith
Terry Bozzio
John Bonham
Greg Bissonete
Dave Grohl

[2bsticks]

Buddy Rich
Carl Palmer
Bill Bruford
Vinnie Colaiuta
Dave Weckl

That's a good start anyway.

[LinearDrummer]

Heres mine -

Dave Weckl (obviously :P) - for his vocabulary/phrasing and effortless motions around the kit.
Buddy Rich - speed does matter!
Virgil Donati - crazy independence and understanding of rhythm.
Steve Gadd - pocket and feel at its finest.
Tony Williams - incredible power and musicality.

Put those 5 together and morph them into me and I'd be a BEAST :D

[Derek]

I know I've already posted five, but I have to add one more thing.

I'd love to be able to handle a pair of brushes the way that Jeff Hamilton does !
The man is an artist.

[FourT6and2]

Danny Carey
Dennis Chambers
Carter Beauford
Mike Portnoy
Aaron Katz (drummer for Percy Hill, an amazing band from the New England area)

I also gotta mention Josh Freese.

[Mikey D]

?uestlove
Mark Guiliana
Brian Blade
Dennis Chambers
Tony Williams

[gretschgal1]

Seraphine
Purdie
Keltner
Jeff Porcaro
Joe Porcaro


(groove, phrasing, impeccable time, understanding of song form.....all masters of finesse!)

ps: Whoever listed Animal ---man, that cracked me up! ;-)
Animal RULES

[mrchattr]

Gotta be honest.

Me
Me
Me
Me
Me

And no, I'm not saying I'm better than all the other people listed here. Obviously, I'm not. But I'm a HUGE fan..and I mean HUGE fan...of having your own style, developing your own playing techniques and ideas, and enjoying learning the language of percussion, and how to express yourself. I think too many people spend too long learning other drummers stuff, and never learn how to truly express themselves.

[Come Out Fighting]

1- Neal Peart
2- Tim Alexander
the rest doesnt matter to me, those are my 5

[foursticks]

Gotta be honest.

Me
Me
Me
Me
Me

And no, I'm not saying I'm better than all the other people listed here. Obviously, I'm not. But I'm a HUGE fan..and I mean HUGE fan...of having your own style, developing your own playing techniques and ideas, and enjoying learning the language of percussion, and how to express yourself. I think too many people spend too long learning other drummers stuff, and never learn how to truly express themselves.

Oh I'm with you on this one.
However, there are times where I just want to be Elvin Jones - but then again, who doesn't? ;-)

[cnw60]

but the question is, "who's skills would you cop" - not, "who do you wish you played like?".

and I would cop the skills from Elvin, Tony, Antonio Sanchez, Keith Moon and Karen Carpenter. That way - I'd have mad drumming skills and be able to sing too.

[contemplativedrummer]

Gotta be honest.

Me
Me
Me
Me
Me

And no, I'm not saying I'm better than all the other people listed here. Obviously, I'm not. But I'm a HUGE fan..and I mean HUGE fan...of having your own style, developing your own playing techniques and ideas, and enjoying learning the language of percussion, and how to express yourself. I think too many people spend too long learning other drummers stuff, and never learn how to truly express themselves.

A valid point, one that many seem to miss. However, to take the post literally, we're talking about skills/playing ability here. So, my five would be:

1. Dave Weckl
2. Danny Carey
3. Gavin Harrison
4. John Bonham
5. Tony Williams

[drumeyers13]

Jimmy Chamberlin
Neil Peart
Moe Carlson
Buddy Rich
Derrek Rody

[Drumsword]

Gavin Harrison
Don Famularo
Buddy Rich
Nate Morton
Vinnie Colauitta

[king fail]

Interesting thread;

Jojo Mayer,
Tony Williams,
Benny Greb,
Steve Jordan,
George Kolias


just thought i'd throw that last one in there to spice it up a little bit, lawl

[Ian Williams]

Hola,

Maybe influenced but I try to keep my own style are:

- Bill Ward
- Ian Paice
- Carmine Appice
- Vinnie Appice
- John Tempesta

Cheers,

[blade123]

Buddy Rich
John Bonham
Bernard Purdy
Thomas Lang
George Kollias

[metal overlord]

Dave Lombardo
Tim Yeung
Scott Travis
George Kollias
Chris Adler

[Skinsman38]

Stewart Copeland
Jojo Mayer
Marco Minneman
Buddy Rich
Jon Fishman

reserves: George Hurley, Carter Beauford, Danny Carey, Jeff Watts

[SickDrummerMag]

Tim Yeung
Harvey Mason
Carter Beuford
John Longstreth
Dennis Chambers

[FunkItUp]

Danny Carey - for his sense of time and polyrhythms

Billy Cobham - for his fills, creativity and blazing single strokes

Keith Moon - for the energy and attitude

Steve Gadd - for just the overall feel, groove and great fills

Elvin Jones - for his impeccable ability to play bebop, power, speed (especially with those bass drum triplets!) and just overall playing ability

[stasz]

Tony Williams
Kris Myers
John Bonham
Terry Bozzio
Vinnie Colaiuta

[Trent-Drummer]

Here is THE list:

Buddy Rich - You can't leave poor old Buddy out!
Dave Weckl - Everything he does is genius.
Chad Smith - Technique - looks like he is not even holding the drum stick.
Mike Portnoy - Creativity

and...

ME!!!!

That's right, who wants to be perfect. Where's the fun in that?

[drummerchick435]

My guyfriend
Animal (great personality and style! haha)
Buddy Rich
John Bonham
Neil Peart



EDIT:
Mike Portnoy
Neil Peart
Buddy Rich
Whoever is the drummer for Hillsong United on their I Heart Revolution CD (a Christian worship band from Down Under - my favorite place!) He has amazing groove
Steve Gadd

[aydee]

I'd have to say Tony Williams.

See, because if I can cop him, I've already got Elvin, Max, Philly Joe in the bag. Plus he himself. That makes 4. Then I get Jack De Johnette, cause he became a Tony -.version 2, if you will.

That's 5.

[vegassuper]

Art Blakey; thunder rolls and a ride pattern that never quits
Billy Higgins; busy yet tasteful comping always pleasing to listen to
Philly Joe Jones
Max Roach
Chick Webb

[DrumEatDrum]

Terry Bozzio: for insane chops and overall ability to play odd times & complex rhythms.

Jojo Mayer: for insane technique

Steve Gadd: for insane sense of groove.

Someone like Tim Yeung for insane feet.

Greg Bissonette: for ability to play almost ever style under the sun, just to cover anything left out from the above players.

[blasterbeat]

Benny Greb
Derek Roddy
Jo Jo Mayer
Martin Lopez
Tomas Haake