From explosive rock solos to subtle jazz grooves, a great drummer can make a good band great. Whether you're looking for the top 10 drummers of all time, interested in exploring famous rock drummers, or curious about who ranks among the best drummers of all time, here's hoping that our shortlist has at least some of the drummers you think deserve a spot. However, if you disagree and think we should have included some other drummers, please let us know in the comments, as picking just 10 amazing drummers is impossible.
| Rank | Drummer | Primary Style | Signature Recording(s) | Hallmarks / Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) | Rock | Moby Dick | Defining hard-rock power; feel + speed |
| 2 | Neil Peart (Rush) | Prog rock | YYZ | Precision, odd meters, lyricist |
| 3 | Buddy Rich | Jazz | West Side Story Medley | Virtuoso speed & control |
| 4 | Tony Williams | Jazz/fusion | Emergency! | Invented jazz-rock fusion at 19 |
| 5 | Elvin Jones | Jazz | A Love Supreme | Thunderous triplets; redefined time-feel |
| 6 | Hal Blaine | Pop/session | Be My Baby | 150+ US Top-10 hits |
| 7 | Clyde Stubblefield | Funk/hip-hop | Funky Drummer | Most-sampled drum break ever |
| 8 | Keith Moon (The Who) | Rock | Won’t Get Fooled Again | Chaos, energy, lead-drum style |
| 9 | Ginger Baker (Cream) | Rock/fusion | Toad | Jazz roots, polyrhythms, double-kick |
| 10 | Gene Krupa | Swing/big band | Sing, Sing, Sing | First drum star; iconic solos |
John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
John Bonham is often hailed as the greatest drummer of all time because he combined raw power with remarkable precision, creating grooves that were both heavy and deeply musical. His thunderous bass drum triplets, innovative fills, and legendary solos like “Moby Dick” pushed rock drumming into new territory. More than speed or volume, it was Bonham’s feel—his ability to make complex rhythms swing—that set him apart, influencing generations of drummers and defining the sound of Led Zeppelin.
His innovative single-foot kick technique made him one of the most renowned rock drummers in history, and even decades later, his recordings continue to be used as examples for hard rock and heavy metal drummers. Bonham's huge sound came partly from his mastery of different drum set types and kit setups.
Great drumming is about more than speed; it's about groove, feel, and sound. From the heavy bass of John Bonham to the iconic fills of Keith Moon, the greatest rock drummers could make a whole band come alive. Their playing style shaped the way entire generations listened to music, proving that the right rhythms can define both drum songs and albums.
Neil Peart (Rush)
Neil Peart raised the bar for rock drumming with complex patterns, a mastery of odd time signatures, and meticulous solos. For progressive rock fans, he's a hero, and he also wrote most of Rush's lyrics, which contributed to the band's intellectual edge. Peart's sprawling setup included an array of cymbals and toms, making him a master of the parts of a drum kit. Peart is a model of precision and creativity and easily one of the finest drummers of all time.
Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich was an incredible drummer famous for outstanding speed, explosive solos, and exceptional control. He was the benchmark for jazz drumming. He led big bands and regularly appeared on television. He was one of the first drummers to become a household name, and even decades later, performances like the West Side Story Medley are essential viewing. Take a look.
Tony Williams
Tony Williams was a jazz drummer who played with Miles Davis as a teenager in his Second Great Quintet. He formed The Tony Williams Lifetime at the age of 19. He released Emergency!, a landmark record that influenced jazz and rock drummers. With a mix of speed, power, and innovation, he's easily one of the best drummers of all time.
Elvin Jones
Elvin Jones' drumming revolutionised jazz rhythm. He was the powerhouse behind John Coltrane's classic quartet, where he elevated drumming from accompaniment to the driving and expressive voice in the music. Have a listen to A Love Supreme, where you can hear the balance between the pulse and freedom.
He's easily one of the most influential and greatest drummers of all time, influencing jazz, rock, and other genres. For more interesting drum facts, Elvin Jones' style is often cited as a case study in jazz education.
Many of the best-known drummers were not just band members; they were innovators who transformed the world of rhythm. Whether in jazz, metal, or funk, they found new ways of playing and pushed the limits of
Hal Blaine (The Wrecking Crew)
Hal Blaine was a drummer who worked with artists like The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, and many more as part of The Wrecking Crew. The drumming on "Be My Baby" is among the most famous drum intros ever recorded. Blaine was a creative and adaptable behind the kit, shaping the sound of modern pop and rock music.
Clyde Stubblefield
Clyde Stubblefield was James Brown's “Funky Drummer”. He's one of the best drummers of all time, but not for flashy solos but through pocket and groove. His syncopated rhythms were the driving force behind Brown's band.
The drum break from “Funky Drummer” is one of the most sampled rhythms in hip-hop and has been used by artists from Public Enemy to Dr. Dre. If you’re a beginner looking to learn grooves like Clyde’s, start with some easy drum songs that focus on pocket and timing.
Keith Moon (The Who)
Keith Moon was the drummer for The Who and helped redefine what a drummer was for. Rather than keeping steady time, he filled songs with crashing cymbals, fast tom runs, and a manic energy that almost made the drums the lead voice in the music. He famously hated drum solos and preferred to just be creative within the songs themselves. Stylish, destructive, and relentless, he was a great drummer and an unforgettable character.
Ginger Baker (Cream)
Ginger Baker was one of the founding members of Cream alongside Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. He fused jazz and rock, creating a style that inspired many other drummers. The solo on "Toad" is often cited as one of the earliest recorded rock drum solos.
A fiery personality combined with technical mastery, Baker was one of the greatest drummers of all time and demonstrated what rock drumming could achieve, becoming an icon during the late 1960s rock explosion.
An iconic drummer isn't just someone who can play fast tracks; it's about the style, creativity, and the unique way they approach rhythm. Think of the fills that make a song instantly recognisable, or the new age approaches that fused jazz with rock. From John Bonham's heavy sound to session legends who quietly shaped entire albums, the list of great drummers shows how rhythm can be both subtle and powerful.
Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa helped put drummers in the spotlight. His tom-tom work on "Sing, Sing, Sing" with Benny Goodman helped make the drum solo a centrepiece of jazz and swing concerts. Krupa was a showman, and his energy and charisma helped show how a drummer could be a star rather than just another musician.
His drumming went beyond swing and even inspired early rock drummers, such as Keith Moon and John Bonham. Whether you're inspired by Bonham's thunder, Peart's precision, or Krupa's showmanship, the best way to improve is with guidance. Find a drum tutor near you to start your journey.
Who is the greatest drummer of all time? 🥁
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I am actually surprised there was no mention of some incredible drummers. Billy Cobham, Narrada Michael Walden, Havey Mason, Dennis Chambers, Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey, Mike Clark, Bill Bruford. How can you talk about female drummers and not even mention Terri Lynn Carrington or Trish Lash?
I’m surprised those are the only names you found missing ;) I am certain that any top 10 (or 15) list anywhere will be completely different depending on who’s writing it. I know that, although he wasn’t on every list I researched, I still included Ringo Starr because he’s a personal favourite of mine. There are a great number of incredible drummers out there and I didn’t even scratch the reggae, funk or pop scene. Thanks for adding some names to the list – anyone else have any favourites we didn’t mention?
Rick Allen aka the Thunder God from Def Leppard?
I think you have to put Ringo Starr on the list, no he wasn’t a “flashy” drummer, but through the Beatles, he probably inspired most of the rock pop drummers that would pick up a pair of drumsticks after 1964. I myself played drums in a little street fair’s band silver wings ✈️ test flight, with a 1982 album of that name, and a 45rpm single titled “misfits love” that you can find on YouTube under the band name Mona Lisa and silver wings. And as you could hear starting out here my “minimal” drum sound influence was Ringo and charlie watts. This was when I had shortly began playing with silver wings test flight, later I would pick up influences from drummers like Keith moon and ginger baker. Even in 1977 and through the 1980s when my brother David (lead guitar and vocals) began that band the drummers like Ringo, charlie and Keith was influencing drummers all over the world.
Thanks for sharing this! Ringo’s impact—especially his understated, song-first style—is huge, and your own experience really shows how widely he and Charlie Watts shaped drummers of that era. We appreciate you adding this context, and we’ll keep it in mind when we next update the article.
No mention of Vinnie Colaiuta… Dave Weckl..
Gary Novak… and female Terri. Lyne Carrington…And!! Dave Grohl.. your kidding?!
Once he stated “ I can hit 2 crash cymbals at once, because I can free both my hands”…
Really…. No way.!!!
I would think Ringo Starr should be on this list. Through the Beatles he probably influenced most rock/pop drummers that picked up a pair of drumsticks after 1964. I played drums with a little street fair’s band that recorded a independent album in 1982 titled silver wings test flight , (Starr records in Ohio) and a 45rpm single titled “misfits love”. Same band but under the band name Mona Lisa and silver wings , the 45 single can be found on YouTube, so you can hear that my personal influences as I was starting out in my brother David’s band (lead guitar and vocals) was Ringo and charlie watts (the minimal drum style was how I learned, later listening to drummers like Keith moon and ginger baker picking up more. Ringo and charlie was masterful in knowing what to put in , and what to leave out. 1980s drummer, Mike gladden, silver wings ✈️ test flight
Hi Mike! Thanks so much for sharing this! Ringo’s influence—especially through his tasteful, minimalist style—is undeniable, and your personal journey really highlights that impact. We appreciate you adding your perspective, and we’ll definitely bear this in mind when we next update the article.
How is Jeff Porcaro not on this list? Yea, that’s some bull$#!+
Porcaro should be on this list
How could you not have Steve Gadd in your list!.
Gadd is king!!
WTF Dave Grohl ??????
My choice may be a little controversial, but I always loved Jim Gordon.