Neal Peart or John Bonham or Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa

[james t kirk]

Title says it all.

Who's the greatest drummer of all time?

Neal Peart?

John Bonham?

Buddy Rich?

Gene Krupa?

Click to 3:40

 

[james t kirk]

 

[james t kirk]

 

[james t kirk]

 

[Conil]

Voted for Bonzo, but I really like Billy Cobham.

 

[james t kirk]

Bonham, without a doubt, is the most "powerful" of the 4 drummers on my list.

For me, it's arguable, but I have to give the razor thin edge to Rich, just slightly ahead of Peart.

 

[Garrett]

I think these things are pretty pointless.
They all played in different styles. For example, I think Bonham was unbeatable for what he did, but would probably be my least preferred just due to musical style.

Having said that, Krupa is probably on top for me, simply because he was in *the* era for drummers.
Nothing can compete with those big bands at full swing with the drummer holding it all together. Heavily amplified and multi-tracked bands are simply not the same.

 

[shack]

Having said that, Krupa is probably on top for me, simply because he was in *the* era for drummers.
Nothing can compete with those big bands at full swing with the drummer holding it all together. Heavily amplified and multi-tracked bands are simply not the same.

Then why am I the only one who voted for Krupa?

 

[Garrett]

Then why am I the only one who voted for Krupa?

I was gonna vote, but decided to abstain because I love 'em all in different ways.
Where do you put Hal Blaine, Keith Moon, Steve Gadd... the list goes on and on.

I have always liked the story about Krupa at the famous Carnegie Hall concert and how the band pretty much gave him the credit for driving them all and making the concert a huge success. For me that is the difference between someone keeping time and a great drummer.

Obligatory drummer joke: What do you say to a drummer in a suit?
"Will the defendant please rise?"

 

[dirkd101]

I have to agree with Garrett, all had different styles. That being said, I voted for Peart, as he was very influential on Rush's style of music.

 

[trm]

Buddy Rich

 

[gfelover]

Keith Moon
Mick Fleetwood

 

[Insidious Von]

Whiplash was the best film of 2014, base on two Rich compositions: the aforementioned Whiplash and Caravan.

The best rock drummer: Neal Peart with Dave Lombardo a close second.

 

[Insidious Von]

Dave Lombardo with the rest of his bandmates (RIP Jim Hanneman).

 

[Garrett]

Whiplash was the best film of 2014, base on two Rich compositions: the aforementioned Whiplash and Caravan.

Great movie, and is pretty much a tribute to Rich, but Rich never wrote either one. Caravan in particular is a jazz standard co-written by the incredible Duke Ellington...

Rich was incredible, covered a lot, and has some great albums, but has also had a lot of second rate stuff and bands.
Same goes for Peart... incredible talent but it is still Rush (and I like Rush but...).
For anyone who likes both, the Burning for Buddy sets are quite good.

 

[Insidious Von]

Thanks Garrett, my jazz knowledge is limited. They were probably using the Ellington version in the film. Miles Teller gave it his all, but Buddy Rich is in a different universe. It's like comparing a Magnotta Cabernet to a 2002 Amarone Veronese. Nothing against Ontario wines but...

Awesome cymbals playing!

 

[Insidious Von]

Jimmy Chamberlain had addiction problems to deal with. Without him, The Smashing Pumpkins sounded gloppy - like over cooked pasta.

 

[trippingwalker]

Jimmy Chamberlain had addiction problems to deal with. Without him, The Smashing Pumpkins sounded gloppy - like over cooked pasta.

Yupp... what about Geek USA, Window Pane, or An Ode to No One? All incredible drum performances...

But why hasn't anyone mentioned Mitch Mitchell or Tony Williams or Elvin Jones?! HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[james t kirk]

I was gonna vote, but decided to abstain because I love 'em all in different ways.
Where do you put Hal Blaine, Keith Moon, Steve Gadd... the list goes on and on.

I have always liked the story about Krupa at the famous Carnegie Hall concert and how the band pretty much gave him the credit for driving them all and making the concert a huge success. For me that is the difference between someone keeping time and a great drummer.

Obligatory drummer joke: What do you say to a drummer in a suit?
"Will the defendant please rise?"

I thought about Moon. But to be honest, I really thought he was a notch below the other 4.

Krupa, when you watch the old youtube videos was a madman on the drums, especially for the times.

 

[james t kirk]

Buddy Rich

THAT is the video I was trying to find. I remember watching it years ago on youtube and I remember the sweat just POURING off of rich. (Wrong choice of attire.)

At 4:27 onward is just incredible.