is pretty damn good. He made a Cat Power show enthralling when the lady herself was clearly somewhere quite different

Check him out towards the end of this

The man, as far as I am concerned, drumwise. Yes Pete Thomas is great, my 2nd favourite, with Clem Burke, dodgy time keeping and all, allegedly, my 3rd. Dave Mattacks has the most acutely clipped time keeping I know, with sudden drum rolls for freedom clattering around the edges. And he sets his own kit up. I have a discarded drumstick at home in my study, and itis a miracle it is still in one pice, so hard has it been thwacked, with great big dents and rips in the wood,

and

Nicky 'Topper' Headon from the Clash was remarkably versatile. He made the Clash IMHO.

Simple, straightforward, the best.

Hot drumming!

Let's reel them off shall we...Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, U.K., sessions for Roy Harper, The Roches, David Torn etc.etc.
One of the few drummers to make a success of electronic drums.
Now an esteemed jazzer and (arguably) a national treasure.

Also Bill Reiflin's worth a mention..moving from the chaos of Ministry to holding REM together takes a bit of skill ( as well as his work with Robyn Hitchcock)

I still find Keit to be one of the most thrilling musicians ever; when him, Townsend and Entwistle were on form it's just hugely exciting.

Favourite moment? The Real Me from Quadrophenia. Daltrey vocals and Townsend's guitar are the elements that pin it all down, while Keith and Entwistle are pretty much the lead instruments. It's a great little role reversal and really bloody powerful to listen to!

The mighty, Mighty Max Weinberg has fired the engine of the E Street Band for over thirty years without missing a beat. Deserves a medal for stamina and physical effort on those marathon three- plus hour shows. Not pure flash, he's a subtle player too. The metronome underpinning of songs like Point Blank or the frantic fills on Candy's Room are where he shows off, but elsewhere he swings subtly and unobtrusively. Also the finest chat-show bandleader of the MW7 on Late Night With Conan O'Brien.

I love Elvis and the Attractions on that album, but just can't listen to it any more because of that to$$er in the audience who keeps up an almost continuous series of cowboy whoops throughout the entire album.

Know what I mean?

no one has mentioned Ginger Baker yet. He was the pioneer of the double bass drum and his 13 minute Toad solo is well worth a listen.

Worthy of a mention is Mark Brzezicki of Big Country fame. Good solid stick man, worked with other artists notably on Pete Townshend's Empty Glass album.

Also Martin Chambers of the Pretenders, always had a soft spot for Chrissie but that is beside the point.

is about right - would be good to edit him out.Wonder if he is still around and aware that a couple of Brits are mighty annoyed with him. Maybe we can organise a lynch party.

Next question?

If deceased counts, then for me it has to be John Bonham. Although I argued elsewhere on this site that he wasn't really a ROCK drummer as he loved soul and r&b most of all (which meant he had the funk) he was in a rock group, so he qualifies.

I think the sheer number of times he's been sampled on hip hop records is testament to his enduring influence.

...but John Maher of the Buzzcocks should at least be mentioned in despatches.

There's so many good ones. Current favourite is the drummer in Secret Machines. Sounds like a young John Bonham.
Phil Collins anyone?

the last Richard Thompson Band is exceptionally good - think his name is Michael Jerome - he played on last couple of albums too but really comes into his own Live. David Mattacks is indeed a great drummer but when I have seen him live he has been a bit too muscular - almost like he has to use brute force to get his message across. The other drummer who was a bit like that but also very good is Terry Williams - exceptional in Dire Straits live band, believe he also played with Man in their early days.

...before someone mentioned Bonzo? I'm disappointed...

For my tuppence, Dave Grohl did a pretty decent job with Nirvana (not to mention QOTSA for No-one Knows).

Mitch Mitchell is a regular subject of debate amongst drummers, but to me his freewheeling style sat very nicely with his most famous employer (Mr. Hendrix).

And of the current lot, I'd say Dominic Howard of Muse is certainly very impressive, following the Bonham/Grohl template of

Chops + Power / Playing for the band = Correct

I love watching him play, this is just from an acoustic show:

Here are some not mentioned above:

Steve Goulding of The Rumour. Fantastic drive and swing.
Ritchie Hayward. Wake up Word people, can't believe he's not been mentioned.
The Big Figure! Respect..
Stewart Copeland. Absolutely integral to his band's sound.

Hal Blaine was pretty unbeatable too.

... of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers is a giant who rarely gets the credit he deserves.

Also Max Weinberg, Jay Dee Daugherty (the beautiful, simple drum break on "Without A Word" by Tom Verlaine!) and most certainly Hal Blaine, good old Ringo, and of course Bernard "Pretty" Purdie. David Palmer (check out "Another Boy Drowning" by The The on the Shades Of Blue EP).

And the late, underrated Pete De Freitas of Echo & The Bunnymen must never be forgotten:

Oh well, time for bed.

inventive, groovy, original, powerful, extraordinary - and a tremendous show-off to boot (a prerequisite of a truly great drummer).. well known rock fact: most drummers want to be front men really.

this is outrageous stuff - notice at the end how sting will point the camera anywhere but at his arch nemesis

and these are just silly

Listening to this in the car- what a great LP! Up there with "Some Fantastic Place" as Squeezes finest. But, seeing as this is a drum string, revisit Argy Bargy for some of the best drumming about. Good man, Mr Lavis!

Few better than Ringo really. For evidence - 'She Said She Said', 'Rain', 'Ticket To Ride'. Essential, creative additions to those songs - nobody else would have done better.

Reni was alright too for Stone Roses. Must also agree with Charlie Watts and John Bonham - unquestionable brilliance.

......ever give me your monkey, Damon...........

I like the work he did with Ry Cooder in the '80's. Very melifluous. If a drummer can be that. And if I've spelt it right.

Had a soft spot for Pick Withers in Straits' first incarnation before they went all over-produced. A lovely, subtle player I thought.

Loved those Stewart Copeland vids, he's got an amazing touch.

Just a few extras from me then:

Tony Thompson, for effortless groove. Just find a Chic track or production (my current favourite is Sister Sledge's "He's The Greatest Dancer").

Steve Gadd, for creating one of the most sublime and delicate of rhythms on "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover", and demonstrated here in an instruction video:

Neil Peart (do I have to add, "of Rush"?), for playing about 20 different instruments at once, all on the drums! How's about this for a drum kit (vid's a bit long but if you can stick it out until towards the end, he starts triggering samples which is quite fun). Oh, and he's pretty good when playing with the band too.

A rock drummer is quite a specific thing and I’d have to say Bonzo was probably the best I’ve heard. Pete Thomas, Phil Collins and Dave Mattacks are great too and probably more versatile than Bonzo but then we’ve heard them play with a number of different bands – I have only heard Bonzo in Zeppelin but they did cover a lot of ground.

Away from “rock” the best drummers I have ever heard were Dennis Chambers playing with Steely Dan, and Al Jackson with Booker T, Al Green, Eddie Floyd and pretty much anyone else he played with.

... but if we're remaining in the realm of rawk then Dave Lombardo from Slayer undeniably rawks...

I'm no drummer but as an energetic 15 year old I couldn't even do "air drums" to this!

...Bill Bruford, Phil Collins, John Bonham, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. All very different drummers but all of them I could hear and know instantly it was them, which is the sign of a great drummer to me. I couldn't even name one drummer from the 'landfill indie' brigade, which to me says a lot.

Probably the best Indie drummer of all time...?

Good call,saw him with RT on the "Mock Tudor" tour and thought he rocked.Where is he now?
Bill Bruford-absolutely astonishing stuff,his King Crimson years being my own particular favourites.
Joe Vitale anyone? Loved his contibutions to Joe Walsh's records.Something of a multi-instrumentalist too.Really,it's just not fair!

Not a 'rock' drummer perhaps, but Greg Roberts underpins Dreadzone's mighty live sound. A friend of mine defines his style as 'tight as fuck' drumming! Apologies for the poor visual and audio quality of this clip, but you'll get some idea. He keeps it simple but is right on or even slightly ahead of the beat. See Dreadzone live if you get the chance.

For the early nominations, I give you two. "Legs" Larry Smith from The Bonzos. Indispensable to their live act with his personality and his looning (now theres a word!), but could not carry a beat in a bucket. Witness his stickless contribution to the Bonzos 2006 tour.
Secondly, Buffin of the mighty Mott The Hoople. My Musu friend Billy M. used to crease up with laughter at the feeble attempts of his drumming. Listen to ANY live Mott album and you will see what I mean.

Am just listening to "Halleluhwah" and "Yoo Doo Right". Had the good fortune to see him with Jah Wobble many moons ago. Not flash, but Mr Metronome..

How many other drummers looked as great in a flowery dress? (I await prospective replies with not a little foreboding...)

is a good and inventive drummer

I don't think I've seen him mentioned above. Nor the chap out of U2

And Tony Meeham did a lot to get the ball rolling.

Matt tonge from Bloc Party is the reason their first album was raised from the mire of all the other indie bands around at the time...

Sorry if that's a little current, very out of character, his drumming just drew me in

Dr Feelgood. He made them swing like an elephant's willy

Listen to almost any Creedence song (except the very long ones) and note the economical but integral drum sound. With any drumming, less is usually more, and the aim should be to support the singer, not to engage in posing or attention-seeking behaviour. The dreaded 'drum solo' was surely one of the most superfluous aspects of any performance by any band ever!

from The Doors. Go back and listen to his work: it's the sound of a man thinking about the song and what he can do to make the song sound better. Brilliant drumming from a bloke who clearly recognises that it's a team effort and the drums aren't just there to keep time.

Regardless of what you think of Deep Purple. Played with a nice small kit too.

...greatest ever rock drummer? No, but some great playing with Lizzy nonetheless.

of Clutch must be my favourite drummer currently active.

Some bands - can't think of too many who are around now, I must admit - are in this magical situation where every member is an absolute master of what they do. Attractions & Zeppelin would be past examples. I think it applies to Clutch, though. Gaster can do the pounding rhythms necessary for a sound verging on metal, while keeping an absolutely perfect groove - live as well as on CD.

Would also mention Manu Katche, who adds real texture to anything he plays on.

And I think we should be keeping an eye on Mince Fratelli, as well.

Rick Buckler of the Jam was a great, tight, energetic drummer; Budgie of the Banshees/Creatures was highly innovative; Kenny Morris who Budgie replaced was atmospheric; then Steve Morris of Joy Division/ New Order and a little later, the sadly departed Malcolm Treece of the Wonderstuff.

Currently - I always enjoy the Bad Seeds' drums/percussion supplied by Jim Sclavunos and Thomas Wylder. They know when to lead, when to emphasise, when to support and even when to sit back and shut up :-)
The Fratelli guy is good as is the Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders.

Jarle Vespestad of the wonderful Tord Gustavsen trio (as well as Supersilent and Silje Nergaard) may well be the finest drummer on the planet if you prefer the understated.

Oh, I know, this is supposed to be about rock drummers. That's ok. Supersilent play rock. Of sorts.

This is not understated. Hard to believe it's the same guy.

Bun E Carlos of Cheap Trick - best rolls ever

Key evidence, the whole of Live at the Budokan

I really cannot believe not one person has suggested Steve White.

Drummed for Paul Weller for 20+ years - guested for the Who at Live8. Makes some of the suggestions on here laughable.

Others in the top 5 - John Densmore, Al Jackson Jnr, Moon, and the guy from The Meters - can't remember his name..

OK, not strictly rock, but one of todays true greats - be sure to watch all the way through.

...Mr Robert Wyatt...

...genius.

out of The Sisters Of Mercy

Levon Helm

... on the grounds that Ringo (allegedly) wasn't even the best drummer in The Beatles!

put in a masterful, restrained performance on Dylan's 'Desire'. His drumming drives that record as much as Scarlet Rivera's violin...

with Rockpile.

Non - rock, Al Jackson. That Stax doc on BBC4 was just wow!

Nicko McBrain?

You should be ashamed...

I agree with the Steve White nomination. He is a class act, unlike his brother Alan who I actually thought worsened Oasis's songs. Far too fussy and fiddly. Ironically the drum intros that amateur drummers would all joyfully reproduce in their bedrooms are the sacked Tony McCarroll ones: Cigarettes & Alcohol, Live Forever.

Additionally, their bands would have been incomplete without them: Phil Collins, Ian Paice, Clem Burke, Stewart Copeland, Reni.

Phil Collins, Bill Bruford, Chester Thompson - all available on Genesis' Seconds Out. John Bonham - how did he always seem to be half a beat behind and yet make it sound so right? Steve Gadd's work with Steel Dan.

I know this guy Mick from Folkestone who used to drum in a band with Noel Redding (before Hendrix) and reckons Keith Moon was distinctive, but rubbish (said the same about Mick Fleetwood too!)

I always rated Paul Thompson from Roxy Music - anyone else?

Danny Carey of Tool and Phil Selway of Radiohead. Both guys are in bands that constantly use all kinds of bizarre time signatures and changing tempos. The opening of 'Ticks and Leeches' by Tool is just insane. Selway is so damn precise, you can't tell when it's him laying down the crazy beat or when it's electronic. Check out '15 Step' and tell me that's an easy rhythm to keep.

Thought I'd sneak this one in. Not strictly a rock drummer, but I came across him on Sting's Dream of Blue Turtles album and really rate the drumming on Children's Crusade on that and the subsequent live album, Bring On the Night. Check out:

http://tinysong.com/1sYn

He has a history too as his Wikipedia entry testifies:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Hakim

KC is the current drummer for Steely Dan. He has remade Dan as one of the great bands to see live. Almost gave up playing myself after seeing them last year....too damn good to compete with. Not much fun spending a whole gig saying "No, dunno how he's doing that".

... before the booze took over, but Vinny Appiece wasn't a bad replacement.

he was in there, somewhere

... to claim that I am? Just kidding...

My vote is on TERRY BOZZIO. Don't think his band Missing Persons was big outside the US, but they were fantastic. Each and every one of them a previous member of Frank Zappa's band.

I also adore JOEY BARON. He's background is Jazz, but he also kicks Rock ass. He was once booked to do overdubs on a David Bowie recording. Bowie heard him and said: "Erase all drum tracks, we'll redo the lot of them with this guy!"

Also thought that TONY WILLIAMS did a pretty good job for PiL.

I misread your post and did a double take after I read that you adored Joey Barton.