I'd have to say Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater, or the guy from Rush (I can't believe I've forgotten his name...).

Guy named Little Tommy O'Shannon from a band called the Poon Bandits. He had 6 fingers on his left arm that gave him an edge on some weird rythms. The Bandits were huge in Hearne, Bremond, and Marlin back in the late 80s.

Awesome! Poon Bandits rock...

I saw this guy that had two and half arms. He had two normal arms and a stub that he would play cowbell on.
On top of that he had three legs!!
He had three bass drums that he would use to run triplets on.

Would have been better known, but he was in a Norteno band out of Sweden.



Formerly known as cornbread.

more cowbell...

Ever?
Wasn't there a guy in the 12th Century from the African Congo who could play like Steve Gadd/Jeff Porcaro/Mike Portnoy/Stewart Copeland/John Bonham/Neil Peart all with one arm?

Stumpy Joe from Spinal Tap

And if you're looking for serious answers, check the numerous prior threads on this topic.

Buddy Rich or Louie Bellson

Shelly Manne or Gene Krupa.

well i am a little biased but i think danny carry is up there with the best...i have read reviews on tool and he has been called great and even extra-terristial. and i know ya'll didn't ask but i think the best guitarist is that guy who was in rage....his solo is know your enemy is amazing

Art Blakey

Neil Pert (sp?) from Rush

Elvin Jones

Charlie Benante from Anthrax...

Billy ******' Cobham. End of thread.

the youngest brother from hanson

Karen Carpenter

Bongo Joe, San Antonio street musician that played two 55gal. oil drums...


Didn't we do this about two weeks ago...?

I think this thread is required every two weeks.

We've been over this a million times and it's John Bonham.

Louie Bellson once again! I had the pleasure of playing on stage with him many years ago. Top-notch player. I learned a lot from watching him and I don't even play drums.

The audience was captivated as well. Let's face it: most drum solos suck and it takes real talent to keep the average listener interested in a "drum-only" moment. This is the caliber of musician that Louie is. He's the man.

BTW, he is also responsible for introducing/inventing the dual kick-drum setup.

Buddy Rich

I know everybody is going to hate me but lately I'm thinking it's Travis Barker. For such a skinny guy he hits hard and maintains.

Plus to hear him him talk about drumming it really it a passion for him. He is banging away every day.

Dave Grohl can play pretty much anything, don't think there is anyone out right now that I'd say better than him. He guests on a good deal of artists records, QOTSA, Tenacious D, he did a lot of the drumming on the new NIN album thats coming out soon. But the craziest/fastest drumming I've ever heard is the guy from Dimmu Borgir, I've never heard anyone do what he does on the drums and I don't think anyone out there is better at speed drumming than him. My $.02

also, add jack dejohnette and tony williams, those guys are pretty good drummers.

[This message has been edited by Professor Frick (edited 2/21/2005 1:24p).]

Brian "Thundergod" Rosenworcel of Guster. I've never seen (or heard) anything like his hand-played beats. All these other guys do it with sticks, Thundergod does it with his digits. Dude is amazing.

Buddy Rich
Neil Peart (Rush guy)

Jazz drummer I saw at Preservation Hall last December was the best I've seen in a long time. Guy had to be 60 years old.

If Alex Van Halen really played "Hot For Teacher" realtime in one track, he's definitely up in the top 5. I've never heard for sure if he pulled it off or mixed that track.

tx4guns,
"Hot for Teacher"
Alex used a special kick pedal.
at least that's what my brother told me.

I'm surprised this thread isn't overrun with John Bonham responses.

http://www.jimmychamberlincomplex.com/

By no means the best, but very good.

OK Buck, my vote is Bonzo.

Living drummer, tougher question. I would defer to actual drummers to answer this. Grohl is pretty amazing, though. Love Peart too. Obviously, two different styles...and they fit in perfectly with what their sound is. Hell, Meg White is a perfect match for the White Stripes. All about what works for 'ya. And it works pretty well for these bands.

quote:

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Brian "Thundergod" Rosenworcel of Guster. I've never seen (or heard) anything like his hand-played beats. All these other guys do it with sticks, Thundergod does it with his digits. Dude is amazing.

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John Bonham did that over 30 years ago.

Keith Moon - The Who
Jason Bonham - Bonham (I keed, I keed)
Neil Peart - Rush
Matt Cameron - Soundgarden
Don't know his name but the drummer for Live.
Marky Ramone - The Ramones