Best Rock Drummers


I've seen most of them and by far the two that stand out are Neil Peart of Rush and Ceasar Z. of Golden Earring. For non-rock I would say it's a no brainer with Buddy Rich.
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I agree. John Densmore is always overlooked, but he was a very good asset for the Doors. Nothing fancy, but always did what was good for the music.

Let's not forget Aynsley Dunbar. Just listen to him on the Frank Zappa disc "The Grand Wazoo". Technical mastery as well as artistic originality. There are few that are his equal technically, and I would put him in my top five overall.

Keith Moon, John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell. No one could

touch Moon…saw all 3’of these guys and so many more.

iIn addition to The Who tracks mentioned in this thread, listed to the Underture on the “Tommy” rock opera…best rock drumming I have ever heard on a recording…

Had the pleasure to see him with The Who 8 times…unbelievable 

Keith Moon lived such an outrageous life, he would have re-learn how to play the drums before recording the later albums. 

As good as Bonham is, he was not as fearless as Moon. It is true that Moon would play over things that most session drummers would dare not try. It's something only novices attempt.  But he's fearless...he made it work and The Who's style allowed for it. 

There is more consistent badass style with Bonham from song to song. But Moon gives me goosebumps on just the few songs he's great at.

Best Rock Drummer is a really fun...but it's a joke. Everyone has their great moments and made their contributions. They're all great. I think Ringo is fantastic...it took me a long time to realize that he simply deferred to the music. He was also mire influential than Buddy Rich to aspiring drummers.

 

Totally agree with Aynsley Dunbar's work on 'The Grand Wazoo' - I'd also nominate Simon Philips for Phil Manzanera's '801 Live'. 

And Ringo is awesome - what an amazing drummer he is...