Who s the Most Inspiring Drummer

Django136

Member
I think the one who is inspiring and the one who inspired me Mr. John Henry Bonham
 
Mainly:
Mr. Ian Paice
Mr. John Bonham
Mr. Bill Ward
Mr. Cozy Powell
Mr. Carmine Appice

Additional:
Mr. Les Binks
Mr. John Tempesta
 
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Hello Drummerworld,


I thought I'd begin my DW journey on this post. I really like this subject. I've always been inspired by THE one and only, Buddy Rich. No one comes to my mind quicker than he does, when asked this question. Thanks!

Glad to be here. May it be a great journey!
 
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Most inspiring drummer? What day of the week is this?

But I guess the drummer who always makes me want to get behind the kit is Art Blakey. He always had this way of playing something that said, "Hey! It's the drums, people! POW!"
 
There's a million of em but right off the top of my head the first ones that come to mind are:

Mike Shrieve (early Santana)
Chad Cromwell (fairly recent Peter Frampton/Mark Knopfler
 
I'm most inspired by simpler drummers because they play effective patterns that I can play cleanly and with groove. So for me, it's Ringo, Charlie, Moe and Meg. On the other hand, colourful players with lots of bright sounds inspire me, especially Bill Bruford and Stewart Copeland.

All my usual suspects ...
 
Recently it appears that our friend from Cuba has inspired many on this board to help him out with gear. Now that's inspiring!!

GJS
 
I'll follow Construct's lead... its the guys who made me get behind the drums in the first place...Ian Paice, Don, Brewer, Jim Gordon, and yea that Santana kid- Mike Shrieve..
 
hmm three of the most influential drummers (for me) are Gavin Harrison, Jojo Mayer & Mike Portnoy.

oh and Todd Sucherman.

...and Lester Estelle jr.

oh and I can't forget Benny Greb.

...also there's Virgil Donati who's continued to inspire me.

...and the insane Thomas Lang (hey that almost rhymes!)

...and the list goes on and on and on and on...

...and on, and on and on and...

-Jonathan
 
well lots of drummers influence me, but i'd have to say for inspiration, billy kilson

he took up the drums at 16, and is now one of the greats of our time, rick marotta picked up sticks at 21, a month or so later he was doing sessions!
i think that they are 2 inspiring stories, it's never too late!
 
Easy.........Vinnie!!

Countless sessions across countless genres. He's the most complete drummer I've ever seen. I'm really begining to believe that there is NOTHING he can't do. From jazz to rock, from fusion to metal.....he's done it all. To specialise AND master, across so many differing playing styles is inspirational indeed. Regardless of the style you play, you'll find something in Vinnie's 'multi-skill set' to inspire.
 
This is easy...

My pops (Eddie Valencia) . He inspires me to practice and play.

All others entertain me.


Take care.
 
A question: how many people here's "most inspiring" drummer is the same as who they consider to be "the best" drummer?

That's a good question.

Myself, I reject the idea that there's such a thing as the best in any artistic field, because that brings in measurable standards that simply can't encompass the uniqueness of every individual. In other words I think it's wrong to try to measure every artist using the same ruler.

Really, this could apply to every human being. It's just that some voices speak to you more than others do, but that does not make their way of speaking the best.
 
A question: how many people here's "most inspiring" drummer is the same as who they consider to be "the best" drummer?

My most 'inspiring' is an easy one. The 'best' is a debate I just can't get into.....too many best's to choose from for mine. And my 'favourites' list would struggle to be written on the full length of a toilet roll, there's that many of them.

Three distinctly different categories and only one that I can answer honestly.
 
A question: how many people here's "most inspiring" drummer is the same as who they consider to be "the best" drummer?

Actually I do not. The most inspirational drummers for me were Tommy Lee and Lars Ulrich. Both guys were almost front men from behind the kit. Everybody knew who they were and they were as intrical to the band as the lead singer. Neither are my favorite drummers now, and likely dont make the top 100 of any "best drummer" list, but when I picked up a set of sticks they were the guys I tried to emulate.
 
A question: how many people here's "most inspiring" drummer is the same as who they consider to be "the best" drummer?

Guilty. But judging by the other responses to this question, I'd be out-numbered way to much to have any chance too defend myself. So I plead "The Fifth".

Interesting question there, Pollyanna.
 
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I just had a feeling that a number of responses were talking about the drummers they liked best or figure are the best (as far as they can tell, based on taste, drumming value systems etc).

My list includes some very simple players because, with limited technique, outrageous laziness and zero drive to be a "monster", I'm interested in a more minimalist, "non-drummy drummer" approach because that's something I reckon I can pull off with enough headroom not to sound too sloppy. Since I also enjoy quirky drummers who give songs unusual flavours, the first four players I mentioned inspire me to think outside the square in a manageable way.

As for drummers who I tried (badly) to ape in 1975, it comes down to the first two albums I bought (aside from stuff like 20 Dynamic Hits, Slade, The Sweet and other trash rock/pop) - Machine Head and David Bowie's Pinups ... Ian Paice and Aynsley Dunbar. I drummed along with those records a lot. The first "rudiment" I remember playing was playing fast 16ths (singles, of course) going back and forth between snare and mounted tom. I had no idea they were 16ths at the time; it was just flashy fast stuff with the musical sensibility of a brick that I figured would give me enough cred to get in a band. My poor, poor neighbours :) I was in a band in three months. We were bad and we knew it, but we were pretty pragmatic about it because we just wanted to play rock n roll.

Con struct (if we're being all formal/subterfuge about it :), I agree 100%. The point of "best of" lists to my mind is to be reminded of players you've forgotten and introduced to enjoyable new players.

PFOG, I could never be inspired by Vinnie. It would be like being inspired to be a sexpot like Elle. I'm a "one", Vinnie and Elle are "tens" (Vinnie's not a bad looking fella too). I'm the audience ... yeah, I'm giving you cheek *grin*

Eclipse, are you big on showmanship when you play these days?

Jeff, I don't understand "The Fifth".

Gee, I've written a lot. I'll shut up now ...
 
Recently it appears that our friend from Cuba has inspired many on this board to help him out with gear. Now that's inspiring!!

GJS
100% correct. Leo is certainly a recent inspiration to me. Such tenacity in the face of adversity can't help but inspire. It's not always outwardly impressive things that inspire me, sometimes it's that little something special that connects with me at a fundamental level.

My early drummer inspirations;

Dave Irving (Sad Cafe)
Prairy Prince (Tubes)
Nigel Olsson (original Elton drummer plus local lad (born just down the road from my birth place)).
Tommy Aldridge.

A little later on;

Simon Phillips.
 
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