BUDDY RICH
I could watch him play all day long with just a snare drum. I have recordings where he is just playing for the tune and his timekeeping, sound, and nuances are just impeccable. For me, he was the greatest big band drummer. Another of his many gifts was his incredible stamina during his solos.
Thankfully, my parents would let me stay up late when he appeared on Carson.
JACK DeJOHNETTE
So there I was, at my local record shop, and I came across what was to be my first ECM album purchase; "Timeless", by the late, great guitarist John Abercrombie with Jan Hammer on keys and Jack on drums. Came home, put on "Lungs", and I had no idea what I was in for! Up-tempo swinging that snaked around the pulse and was surging like a restless ocean. Totally freewheeling and cerebral. His solo section contained playing that reminded me Milford Graves, incredible foot speed, and Elvin-ish phrases. The song closes with a funk-ish section that included some Linear patterns, and, again, some incredibly fast bass drum licks. I was completely amazed and a bit traumatized. Since that fateful afternoon at age 17, he has been my all-time favorite player. I could go on and on about him, but I'll focus on a few more things; His incredible, seemingly endless vocabulary of licks and his ability to transcend technique and play great ideas. His incredible use of Dynamics. And all the great cymbal playing! A true innovator!
BILLY COBHAM
Scary-good playing with Mahavishnu, and his Atlantic solo recordings just blew my teenage mind! Billy played it before Simon did, as far as I'm concerned. And, like Jack, a wonderful composer of creative music. The Incredible Hulk of drummers. Speed, Technique, and wonderful playing with odd-time signatures. I recall an episode of The Downbeat Award Show when he was behind that beautiful blue Ludwig Octaplus set playing Lopsy Lu with Stanley, Chick, and Jean-Luc! He flew around those toms with sixteenths and I was amazed at his cleanness. You might be able to see it on YouTube.
These three could keep anyone busy for the rest of their lives playing!
If the list could be larger, I would include Tony Williams, Joe Morello, Elvin Jones, Vinnie, Dave, and more modern players.