Best Rock Drummers

I started drum lessons at 5 years old in 1967. My parents bought me a set in 1968. I played up through college then gave it up. I liked Jazz more than Rock. My influences were Philly Jo Jones, Art Taylor, Paul Motian and lately Joey Baron.

I should clarify, transcribing Joey Baron recordings while playing with Masada,

Keith Carlock is also a jazz drummer who plays rock. Or rather a drummer who plays whatever he must. My favorite bands with him is with Wayne Krantz on guitar.

Dallas Taylor is underrated. I saw him with CSN and he was very impressive. That being said, the best depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you need a studio drummer and want a platinum or gold record, Gary Chester is a very good choice. Hal Blaine is of course another. For a very musical drummer with great chops, Jim Gordon though it pains me to mention him. For a live show, I would say Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann. Also, I saw the Buddy Rich Big Band and as fun as Buddy Rich is to watch, an evening of drum solos can be a bit tiresome.

No one mentioned Pierre Moerlein!

Always thought Kenny Jones was a better drummer than Keith Moon, just not for The Who. But aside from 'Quadrophenia' and 'Live at Leeds' I couldn't care the least about The Who. Faces on the other hand, the best thing Rod Stewart ever did and Kenny Jones was killing it.

@danager I know Who fans are sensitive about not praising 'Who Are You' but for me, that album was a departure from what The Who did prior. Keith Moon knew he was dying, so a depressing cloud hung over the entire band. Disco was pumping steady and to me, that album reflected the Disco age. Even the Dead went Disco with 'Shakedown Street' and that bothered me deeply. I love 'Quadrophenia' and Criterion did a great job remastering the movie. 'Who Are you' seemed like a sell out by comparison, no pun intended.

@larsman  I don't agree with you about other Who records being as drastically different from one another as 'Who Are You' was to The Who's earlier efforts. Anyway, if you like 'Who Are You' that much, then to each his own.