Re: Who is/are your favourite?
When I started to play drums my first influence was Ian Paice I just loved his grooves and the music he played and the sound he has/had! Besides of rock music I listened to funk
Then I got into jazz music and fusion, actually as far as I remember myself, I allways loved jazz music, I'm addicted to swing! lol
My favourites became, Buddy Rich, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Joe Morello, Jack DeJohnette, Peter Erskine, Tony Williams, Steve Smith, Dennis Chambers, Horacio ''El Negro'' Hernandez, Dave Weckl etc (I'm quite sure I forgot someone!)
Then next huge influence on me was Jojo Mayer. I had a chance to participate in a jazz camp and he came as a clinican, weird but I didn't know anything about him, I have never heared him before and even more I thought electronic music was junk
After his clinics I was totally flored, in that moment I lost all my idols, I thought nothing can impress me but oh boy I was so wrong!
The first thing that was mindblowing - his insane technical abilities (16th notes with left hand @ about 180 bpm? damn...) what is the main thing why people know him but I want to add that he is just a wonderfull musician!
he really made me a better drummer/musician, it was a huge turning point in the way I think and the way I see things
Now I'm still into the love of my life - jazz music and besides of that I play live electronic music
My favourites of my favourites right now are:
Jojo Mayer;
Peter Erskine (for me he is absolutely the best jazz drummer),
Steve Smith (wonderfull teacher with insane technique and high level of musicality)
Steve Gadd (the moment you start to learn his groovs you understand that you won't be able to play them as he does, this man is ''The Groove'' himself heh);
Joe Morello (a true legend and a master of drum set)
Vinnie Colaiuta (you want insane technique combined with great groove? Vinnie is the man!)
Dennis Chambers (you want to heare mindblowing solos and nasty grooves? Gotta check out Dennis Chambers!)
also the leatest favourites are Antonio Sanches, Rodney Holmes has come to my attention, also Keith Carlock and Wolfgang Haffner (probably not many people have heared him, but it is worth to check out his records, really good drummer!) and of course - Dom Famularo, probably the best educator in the world and a pretty insane drummer!
Well, that's basically my life story
I hope you all wearen't too bored!