Sorry about getting here late. I come from the Gary Chester philosophy about drumming, which is to play musically foremost and then if you’re given a drum solo... Lately I’ve been listening to Dallas Taylor on the first CS&N recording and it sounds very supportive in a musical sense. I’ve always admired drummers who are also musicians i.e. Paul Motion and why he preferred not to solo. I did catch the Buddy Rich Big Band in the very early 1980’s (also the Mel Lewis) and it was fantastic however when I saw Paul Motion with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow, it was something that was very different from what I was previously familiar with. So if I were to make a list, I’d have to consider the complete band and other musical aspects as a whole, which would then, I believe, present a different set of problems altogether. |
Keith Carlock (Wayne Krantz) played with Steely Dan as did Peter Erskin, so both played Rock music. I think worth mentioning is David Kemper who I saw with the Jerry Garcia Band and he is as rock solid as they come. If I had a musically charged group, I would want David Kemper as my drummer. Additionally, I see that nobody has yet mentioned the superb technician Pierre Moerlen who played for Gong. I’m more of a Pierre Moerlen fan than other technicians i.e. Carl Palmer, Neil Peart,... |
The most interesting and fun I’ve seen, has to be the Rhythm Devils (Billy Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart) with the Grateful Dead. The last time was in Santa Clara for the Fare Thee Well tour, both nights. And the more they incorporated electronics the better. I could watch those two play for hours on end. |
bdp24, unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see Leon Russell. Yes, Jim Keltner was a solid drummer too but I never saw him play. Not many of these guys around anymore. |
bdp24, I do know that Jim Keltner is a very musical drummer, he's just not someone that I know about extensively. Primarily his works with Steely Dan and John Lennon are recognizable. I've spent most of my time and energy invested in jazz and classical, mostly classical, so while I do know about certain drummers, my knowledge is not so far reaching within the rock and pop realms. Additionally, I gave up playing drums and percussion in the early 1990's. But, if I were to choose a drummer to have seen live and in the person, it would have been Philly Joe Jones and preferably with Clifford Brown. However, the Miles Davis Quartet would be a near to equal second. |
Very cool Michael, Woodstock 1969 is beyond legendary, What else can be said? |
audiolabyrinth, it's just as funny how no-one knows who Pierre Moerlen is, given he had a long career as a drummer, percussionist, musician and technician. It may just be a generation gap. |
lowrider!
Gong, New York Gong, Daevid Allen's Gong, Pierre Moerlen's Gong,Planet Gong,...so many to choose from. For Pierre Moerlen's Gong, 'Shamal' is a fun listen. Daevid Allen's last record 'I See You' (2014) has some great tracks and Orlando Allen does a fine job on drums and percussion. I'm interested in seeing what becomes of these musicians now that Daevid Allen is no longer of this world. |
Ian Pace stated that Ringo Starr was his favorite drummer while he was learning to play (or something similar). He mentioned that Ringo was a swinging drummer like no other. I've always admired Ringo Starr for his musicality, his unpredictability and as a reliable time keeper (which is under-estimated). I'm just not a big Beatles or Stones guy. However, Charlie Watts is also an excellent drummer. So who's the greatest rock drummer, the one you like the most. |
bdp24, I've got a fever and the only cure is more cow bell! (teehee) I believe that those in a soundtrack situation could benefit from what Broadway musical pit drummers are doing. Pit drummers need to stay four or more measures ahead of the orchestra, conductor and what's taking place on stage. They get too little credit. |
It looks as though many aren't shying away from mentioning jazz drummers. My mention, Joey Baron. |
Not yet mentioned, D.J. Bonebrake from X. |
