The 30 most influential drummers

One-half of the legendary drumming Appice brothers, Carmine first earned serious recognition with the psychedelic rock band Vanilla Fudge. Through the years, Appice played with the likes of Paul Stanley, Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck, and Rod Stewart — the latter with which he co-wrote the hit “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?" and showcased himself as a quality songwriter. 

Appice's versatility and general ability to mix the technical and improvisational aspects of drumming allowed his career to extend into his 70s. He's been credited with influencing the likes of Phil Collins, Tommy Lee, and John Bonham. 

When we talk about greatness and the ability to do it all, look no further than Ginger Baker. A disciple of the blues and jazz, Baker is considered one of rock's first superstar drummers. He lived the life of a true rock star. The co-founder of the band Cream along with Eric Clapton, Baker's smooth tempo and affinity for using two bass drums helped create that signature sound. The Hall of Famer, who was also a valuable part of Blind Faith, shines on the 1966 Cream instrumental "Toad." Just about anyone who is anyone in the rock world of drummers considered Baker, who passed away in 2019 at age 80, a major influence.

A big part of the Motown sound, Benjamin was the renowned, longtime drummer within the Motown family. In fact, "Papa Zita," as he was nicknamed, was the first studio drummer to play for the iconic record company. Benjamin played on such classics as The Miracles' "Shop Around" and "My Girl" from the Temptations. 

The Beatles cited the Rock & Rock Hall of Famer Benjamin as an influence, notably for his overall dynamic playing and the ability to keep a steady, crisp backbeat that essentially was the foundation for many a great Motown track. 

Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and the Supremes. Those are just a few legendary artists and groups Blaine played with while establishing his renowned legacy. In the world of professional drumming, it's believed that Blaine is the most recorded drummer of all time (more than 35,000 sessions). 

While a technically sound performer, Blaine's greatest asset was likely his versatility. It didn't matter the genre, Blaine tended to make every session better. Among the notable tracks — he was part of 150 top-10 singles in the United States — Blaine appeared on: "Be My Baby" from the Ronettes; Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water;" "Help Me, Rhonda" by the Beach Boys; The Byrds' "Mr, Tambourine Man" and The Association's "Windy."

It's daunting to single out the best drummer of all time. However, when narrowing it down to the greatest within the rock genre, "Bonzo" tends to lead the way. Bonham used Led Zeppelin as a showcase for his brilliance that's influenced the likes of just about anybody who picked up a pair of drumsticks at some point during the 1970s. Elite drummers like Dave Grohl and Aerosmith's Joey Kramer are just some professionals who bow to Bonham's work. 

Hailed for his speed and force, Bonham delivered the goods on classic Zeppelin tracks like the "Immigrant Song," "When The Levee Breaks," and "Misty Mountain Hop." However, when it comes to the defining moment in Boham's musical legacy, his magnificent performance on the 1969 instrumental "Moby Dıck" is truly something special.

To the casual music fan, Bozzio might not be a household name when it comes to important drummers. Well, if that's indeed the case, dig deep into Bozzio's work because it's well worth the time. Among the most diverse drummers to sit behind a kit, Bozzio is renowned for his particularly flawless technique. He initially earned acclaim playing with Frank Zappa (check out Bozzio's performance on "Baby Snakes"), where he also provided vocals. 

Bozzio earned success in the 1980s with Missing Persons, fronted by his wife at the time, Dale Bozzio. When it comes to session and studio drummers, there aren't many better than Bozzio. 

Affectionately known in some circles as the "Godfather of progressive-rock drumming." Captivated by those early jazz drummers, Bruford is undeniably best known as the original drummer for prog-rock giants Yes. Bruford's ability to successfully handle the band's daunting arrangements, while making it look easy, influenced the likes of modern-day stars such as Matt Cameron and Mike Portnoy. Following his first stint with Yes, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer joined fellow prog-rockers King Crimson and toured with Genesis in the 1970s.

As mysterious a band that Tool's been over the decades, Carey has never shied away from the spotlights or been as enigmatic as others in the band — notably frontman Maynard James Keenan. Carey also happens to be one of the most successful progressive rock drummers of all time. Long praised for his complex time signatures and ability to treat his hands and feet in the same manner while playing, Carey has followed the likes of Bill Bruford in terms of mastering the complex drumming of this genre. Heavily influenced by jazz, Carey is also considered one of the more diverse drummers in the hard rock and metal scenes.

The legendary Phil Collins is one of the most versatile entertainers of all time. Though he's well known for his presence as a frontman and through solo hits like the radio-friendly "Sussudio," Collins' drum work with Genesis, especially before it became a full-blown pop band in the mid-1980s, is considered a genius on many levels. Collins' drumming on the 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and the title track from 1981's Abacab, have been praised for decades. Of course, Collins' fill on his solo classic "In the Air Tonight" even had Mike Tyson swooning.

The international music world took notice of Copeland through his work with The Police. Listen to its classic "Roxanne" to experience some of Copeland's subtle greatness. In that light, Copeland was responsible for a good chunk of the band’s early work, which offered plenty of his innovation, especially with his use of the hi-hat, in the overall composition of the music. In addition to his solo efforts, Copeland has long composed film scores (Wall Street, She's Having a Baby) and contributed his music for various television projects like The Young Ones and Desperate Housewives.

This list is not limited to only men. Known as the "Queen of Percussion," Sheila Escovedo, aka Sheila E., earned mainstream fame with her 1984 release The Glamorous Life. The popular title cut was written by Prince and showcased why she's long been considered a stellar drummer. On the nine-minute studio take, she offers an extended, blistering drum solo just over halfway through and another solid run later in the song. But before she broke through on her own, Sheila E. had already made her bones while working with the likes of Lionel Richie,  Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross.

Some music critics and historians believe that Elvis Presley owes a great deal of his success to his accompanying drummer for more than a decade. At least in part, Elvis' moves and ability to shake and shimmy on stage were made possible by Fontana's ability to cook behind the drum kit. "Hound Dog" (with those memorable rapid fills), "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," and "Jailhouse Rock" are just a few of Fontana's signature moments with The King. And, again, in part, Fontana was responsible for upping the tempo of that country and bluegrass vibe to become a prime force in the rockabilly sound that was taking over.

The legendary Gadd has played with everybody who is remotely anybody. He contributed to Paul Simon's classic "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," toured with James Taylor, and his drum work is the undisputed highlight of Steely Dan's 1977 classic "Aja." Those are just a few of the seemingly countless examples. Both prog-rock and jazz fusion are on full display on the latter. Legend has it that his drumming on that track was so masterful that others involved in the Steely Dan recording just sat back and watched in awe.

Amid the wake of Taylor Hawkins' death, it will be interesting to see if Dave Grohl finds himself behind the drum on a more regular basis — if at all — when Foo Fighters return to the stage in 2023. While he's best known to a generation of music fans as the frontman of this massive popular rock act, Grohl is still one of the great and most versatile drummers on the planet. He's known for his raw ferocity, which began with a punk posture, continued when he joined Nirvana and became more refined. He treats playing drums as a science, took each aspect of the craft, and found his niche. Some of Grohl's best work can be found in such tracks as Nirvana’s " Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "In Bloom" and "A Song For The Dead" with Queens of the Stone Age.

Following in his father's footsteps as a jazz/swing drummer, Jackson was the backbeat when it came to recording sessions at the famed Stax Records in Memphis. While there, Jackson and other session players (including fellow legends Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn) formed Booker T. & the M.G.'s, best remembered for the instrumental hit "Green Onions." Known for his impeccable ability to keep time and the rhythm moving without missing a beat, Jackson also played with fellow superstars like Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, and Al Green before his tragic shooting death in 1975 at age 39. 

Widely considered the first "star" drummer. Or, perhaps, the one that people truly paid attention to while playing beginning in the early 1920s. In addition to being an exemplary drummer known for his stellar press rolls, Krupa was the first real showman. His playing, posture, and approach to his role in the band stood out. He's also regarded as a pioneer in setting up the modern drum kit, expanding the volume and power of drumming. Though Krupa played with many of the celebrated band leaders of the time, he's likely best remembered for working with Benny Goodman and his extended drum solo on "Sing, Sing, Sing."

The aforementioned Stewart Copeland cited Mitchell as a major influence on his drumming. And why not? It would seem hard for any musician playing behind Jimi Hendrix to stand out, but Mitchell pulled it off. Teamed with bassist Noel Redding, a fellow Brit, it was hard to find a better rhythm section in rock during the late 1960s. Heavily influenced by jazz, Mitchell's precise, tempo-driven drumming perfectly complemented Hendrix's creative guitar playing. Mitchell drew accolades for his performance on the 1967 Jimi Hendrix Experience classic album Are You Experienced, which included hits "Foxy Lady" and "Manic Depression."

Lovingly known as "Moon the Loon." When it came to unabashed, full-on assault with the drumsticks, The Who legend was your man. And he was as talented on stage as he was self-destructive off it. From trashing hotel rooms to blowing up toilets, Moon was the ultimate character who took excess — on and off the stage — to new heights. He was known for his remarkable speed, precision, and fills that highlighted songs like "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Substitute," and "Bargain." Moon would destroy his kit at the end of shows, then head off to drink for hours. Sadly, alcohol consumed much of his life, as did prescription medication near the end. Moon died of an overdose in 1978 at age 32.

Paice has the distinction of being the only one of the revolving door of Deep Purple members to remain with the Hall of Fame rock outfit throughout its illustrious history. It was there that Paice solidified himself as one of hard rock's finest drummers. Longtime Deep Purple bandmate Richie Blackmore called Paice the "motor of the band." To that end, Music Radar identified Deep Purple's "Black Night" as one of the best examples of Paice's immense talent. In addition, Paice played with Whitesnake and collaborated with the Beatles' Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

In the lore of Rush fans, the order of prominence probably goes something like this: Neil Peart, God, Jesus. The consensus among other drummers of various talent levels was that nobody other than the late Peart could play the complex music of the prog-rock giants. Though technically sound and amazingly creative, what’s perhaps most impressive about Peart was that he made it all look quite easy. Not to mention, he was an underrated showman and always humble about his talent — a perfectionist who was willing to learn. Many Rush songs exemplify Peart’s greatness, but "YYZ"  and "La Villa Strangiato" would compete for his gold standard.

It would not be a stretch to say that Porcaro was the most prominent studio drummer of all time. Porcaro’s commercial popularity peaked in the 1980s with Toto. His drum work on the band’s Grammy-winning hit "Rosanna" — particularly the conclusion — is a prime example of the late Porcaro’s exceptional work (that memorable half-time shuffle) that was never flashy but always tight and precise. But even before Toto, Porcaro was a household name, getting his start by drumming for Sonny & Cher, then eventually hooking up with Boz Scaggs. Porcaro played with legends such as Joe Cocker, Elton John, Jackson Browne, Diana Ross, and Aretha Franklin — all before he died at age 38 from a heart attack in 1992.

When it comes to the legendary, classic drummers, Rich is among the elite. The aforementioned Gene Krupa, as noted in Rolling Stone, called Rich "the greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath." Rich's focus was on jazz, but he made an early living and earned acclaim with the Big Band stylings of Tommy Dorsey in the 1940s, and he notably worked with Frank Sinatra. Rich's unmatched speed with the sticks was a spectacle behind the kit and made him arguably the greatest American drummer of his time. He influenced the likes of John Bonham, Phil Collins, Black Sabbath's Bill Ward, and Carl Palmer. Rich's work on "Bugle Call Rag" is three-plus minutes of heaven for any drum fan. 

The first of two prominent drummers to work with icon James Brown simultaneously. Schooled in the blues, Starks eventually became one of the recognized pioneers of the funk drumming movement. Having already established himself as a steady and promising drummer, Starks hooked up with Brown. Until 1970, he shared the drumming spotlight with the great Clyde Stubblefield (more on him soon) as part of the backing band to the "Godfather of Soul." Known for his smooth groves, Starks also played with B.B. King, and his work continues to be sampled regularly.

Pete Best remains the answer to one of the great rock trivia questions about who was the Beatles' drummer before Ringo Starr. The truth is, Starr was an exceptional drummer in the 1960s and can still play today. From the Beatles to his own band of All-Stars, and everything in between, Starr is perhaps the most popular drummer in the world — and a cultural icon, to boot. 

He's long been respected for his universally recognizable beats and dedication to his craft. Sir Ringo was undoubtedly overshadowed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and even George Harrison (to an extent), but his greatness will always last in such Beatles classics as "Rain" and "Come Together." 

As a counterpart to bandmate and friend John "Jabo" Starks, Stubblefield's background was in R&B. He also played by feel and was never limited in the direction his talent would take him. Like Starks, Stubblefield was one of the early purveyors of funk drumming. For those unaware of Stubblefield's talent, check out his extended solo on James Brown's "Funky Drummer," which the legendary singer essentially named after the man behind the kit. That performance has long been sampled, notably in the rap and hip-hop communities, where Stubblefield and Starks still have god-like status.

Known as the "Philthy Animal," Taylor has long been considered one of the true pioneers of speed metal drumming. His use of the double-bass drum, specifically on Motörhead's 1979 gem "Overkill" influenced seemingly an entire generation of hard-rock drummers, such as Metallica's Lars Ulrich. In addition, the subsequent solo break near the middle of the song is pure metal gold. The double-bass drum would become a thrash metal staple. Still, nobody seemed to play it better than Taylor, who abused alcohol throughout his life and died in November 2015 at 61 — just over a month before iconic bandmate Lemmy Kilmister passed. 

The Velvet Underground tended to exude a male machismo, mostly from legendary frontman man. But not to be lost was Tucker's contribution to the band. She is revered as much for her approach to playing the drums as for her actual sound. With Velvet Underground, Tucker played standing up, using mallets, and rarely relied on cymbals while sporting a minimal kit.

Her crescendo on the band’s 1967 hit "Heroin" reportedly wasn’t a favorite of Tucker's, but subtly and hypnotically displayed her greatness. Tucker, also an accomplished bass and rhythm guitar player, proved that a woman was more than capable of handling the same type of musical load as the guys. Thus influencing countless young female drummers that followed and had a lasting impact on such alternative bands as The Jesus and Mary Chain and R.E.M.

It was a devastating moment when the world learned that the Rolling Stones legend passed away in 2021 at age 80. In some ways, rock fans thought Watts would play forever. Heavily influenced by jazz legend Charlie Parker, Watts' longevity proved to be just as strong as his playing. Even into his late 70s, there might not have been a tighter drummer on the planet than Watts, who was the backbone of the Rolling Stones for over 50 years. 

"Paint It, Black" and "Get Off of My Cloud" showcase Watts at his best, but some of his blues- and jazz-heavy solo stuff are just as stellar. Subtly, Watts is as much of a musical icon as Mick and Keith. 

This may be a head-scratcher to those who don't follow the alternative or indie genres of rock. Or, perhaps some still mistakenly feel women can't hold their own musically. The third female to rightfully be highlighted on this list, Weiss is known for her musical intelligence and timely power playing. She made a name for herself with indie stars Sleater-Kinney in the 1990s. Her greatness is displayed on two of the band’s bigger hits, “Dig Me Out” and “Turn It On.” She also shines on “Romance,” a song from side project Wild Flag, which included Sleater-Kinney bandmate Carrie Brownstein. As of 2023, Weiss, who has big fans in Eddie Vedder, Matt Cameron, and The Linda Lindas, was a member of Portland, Oregon-rockers Quasi.

Williams was barely a teenager when he started playing drums professionally. By the time he was 17 in 1963, Williams was backing an icon by the name of Miles Davis. Williams had a keen ability to master cymbal patterns at a frenetic pace and keep tempo while playing in a jazz-fueled style perhaps best described as controlled chaos. 

Though Williams' work with Davis made him nothing short of a legend, he truly refined — and defined — his craft in the late 1960s with Lifetime (featuring guitarist John McLaughlin and organist Larry Young), which essentially opened the door to the jazz fusion movement. Yoko Ono, Carlos Santana, and Public Image Limited are among many artists and bands to which Williams also contributed.