Armor of Light
Senior Member
While still being the drummer..
I'm thinking Phil Collins obviously.
Phil Ehart?
Don Henley?
I'm thinking Phil Collins obviously.
Phil Ehart?
Don Henley?
What DRUMMER has the most success / notability as the songwriter?
- Thread starter Armor of Light
- Start date
Al Strange
Platinum Member
Roger Taylor did a bit in Queen, Lars in Metallica, and Neil Peart wrote all the lyrics in Rush...does Dave Grohl count? 
Out of Round
Active Member
I think the short list would have to be the ones already mentioned. It would be hard to beat Queen, Eagles and Phil Collins for total sales and fame.
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Armor of Light
Senior Member
I'm not sure if Grohl counts anymore. But, does Lars belong at all? Did he actually write any songs? I'm not a fan, so I dunno.Roger Taylor did a bit in Queen, Lars in Metallica, and Neil Peart wrote all the lyrics in Rush...does Dave Grohl count?
Out of Round
Active Member
I don't know if he was the songwriter, but maybe Levon Helm for having a lasting influence on other artists? I dunno, just throwing names around...
Bo Eder
Platinum Member
Does Neil count? He was the lyricist. Isn’t songwriting about writing the music? I mean I know Bernie Taupin wrote a lot of those lyrics with Elton John back in the day, but we wouldn’t have heard those lyrics if Elton didn’t write the music. Otherwise Bernie Taupin would be one of our greatest poets. And Elton continued to produce hit music long after he and Bernie split up.Roger Taylor did a bit in Queen, Lars in Metallica, and Neil Peart wrote all the lyrics in Rush...does Dave Grohl count?
SharkSandwich
Junior Member
Lars is very involved in Metallica's songwriting process.
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Al Strange
Platinum Member
Yes, Neil counts IMO...I only asked if Dave Grohl counts because Taylor Hawkins is the full time drummer in Foo Fighters and Dave is predominantly singer/guitarist?
Al Strange
Platinum Member
His name’s on the credits, he’s a songwriter?
Swissward Flamtacles
Member
Some more composing drummers: Max Roach, Airto Moreira, Jack De Johnette, Tony Williams.
Al Strange
Platinum Member
Carmine Appice wrote this:
Out of Round
Active Member
Forget what I might've said, it's definitely Carmine! ?
Bo Eder
Platinum Member
Rod Stewart hates him even more ?
Bo Eder
Platinum Member
I dunno. I’m on the fence about Neils’ inclusion because you can’t say he actually wrote any of the music. Maybe Alex and Geddy could elaborate?Yes, Neil counts IMO...I only asked if Dave Grohl counts because Taylor Hawkins is the full time drummer in Foo Fighters and Dave is predominantly singer/guitarist?
Al Strange
Platinum Member
Yeah, Taupin and John were inducted into the Song Writers Hall of Fame...shouldn’t have let Taupin in... the cheeky chancer!
?
doggyd69b
Silver Member
Lars didn't write any songs, but he (corrected most of them) he basically would tell them what things to change and they did on Every single Metallica song (over 150 songs) so he didn't write any single song but has writing credits on all of them.
Armor of Light
Senior Member
Cool. Good for him!
GretschedHive
Silver Member
R.E.M. split all cowriting equally since—as students of rock and roll—they knew that songwriting credits were often a key contributor to band disharmony. But they were fairly open in interviews about who did what, and drummer Bill Berry wrote some of their best and most beautiful songs, such as "Perfect Circle,""Driver 8," "Cant Get There from Here," "Everybody Hurts"—on which he doesn't even appear—and "Man on the Moon." Just how important he was to the band was made crystal clear to fans by comparing the 10 albums they did with him and the 5 they did after he left.
GretschedHive
Silver Member
According to Levon, Robbie often took songwriting credit that wasn't (entirely) warranted.
toddmc
Gold Member
Don't forget, Lars "arranged" every single song (while all James did was write the riffs, lyrics and probably the beats as well) ?