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Bloviating Zeppelin: Three Best Drummers

Bloviating Zeppelin

(in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Three Best Drummers




















What would your list consist of for the:

Three best drummers in music?

Mine:

1. Ginger Baker (Cream, Material, Masters of Reality, etc.)
2. Neil Peart (Rush)
3. Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson, etc.)

If you doubt that Ginger Baker is the best living drummer, then you need to check out the current Cream revisited DVD entitled Cream At the Royal Albert Hall, 2005. Thirty-seven years after their final tour, they are no less stellar.

Eric Clapton looks great; Jack Bruce looks like a Dachau survivor (but plays and sings wonderfully!) and Ginger Baker snags the drumkit as though he was 40 once again -- but try to ignore his socks and shoes.

I have ancillary drummers of course; Carl Palmer (ELP), Carmine Appice (Cactus, BBA) , Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa), Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra: performed fabulously live!), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin, likely the strongest drummer ever!), Phil Collins (Genesis), Rick Allen (Def Leppard), Bev Bevan (ELO), Phillip Rudd (AC-DC) and, oddly enough, Ringo Starr. Ringo knew when to begin, and, more importantly in terms of tracks, when to stop. Sometimes simple really is good.

WHAT ARE YOUR THREE BEST DRUMMERS IN MUSIC?


BZ

10 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to chime in on this one, my middle son is an awesome drummer and there is only ONE that I will say anything about. Without a doubt:

Neil Peart

Hand him the award and turn off the lights cuz this one is over.

Sun Jul 30, 11:21:00 AM PDT  
Blogger Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Stacy: Hey, welcome aboard, thanks for commenting and come back again!

I just have to agree with you on this one. I've seen Rush live and have also purchased their R30 DVD, a celebration of 30 years of the band. Neil Peart is just darned good. Period. You're right; this one IS over.

BZ

Sun Jul 30, 12:18:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Bushwack said...

Neil Peart is the best ever hands down...

Sun Jul 30, 05:49:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Bloviating Zeppelin said...

But: I still placed Ginger Baker on top because he has not only survived but THRIVED as he got older. He still has his chops and his chops are DAMNED GOOD.

Technically Neil Peart is outstanding. He makes it in years like Ginger Baker and he'll likely be Number One for eternity.

BZ

Sun Jul 30, 05:50:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Bushwack: you ever watch Rush live? There is no comparison. What an exquisite band to see live. If you haven't, sometime before you die, SEE them!

BZ

Sun Jul 30, 05:51:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Gayle said...

I haven't seen Rush live. I will put it on my agenda and hope that someday I will have the opportunity. :)

Sun Jul 30, 06:21:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Gayle: most really good rock bands are dead and gone. I wouldn't venture three inches out of my house to see most musical groups today.

The thing that makes Rush special is not only their individual accomplishments, but how they meld as a group. Neil Peart is simply one of the most gifted drummers I've ever had the pleasure of seeing; he also writes the lyrics for the bulk of the Rush songs.

Geddy Lee provides vocals and, I suppose, one could say he is an acquired taste. However, as one who tried to play bass some years ago, to be able to sing appropriately in the proper cadence AND then play bass in an entirely different cadence and downbeat is an amazing feat -- one in which Lee pulls off customarily with aplomb and ease. Individually he one of the better bass players extant.

Alex Lifeson is not "up there" in the land of Great Guitarists but, considering the sum of the parts, his role is demanding. He provides precisely what is needed when it is needed.

They were great 30 years ago, and they are great now.


BZ

Sun Jul 30, 06:31:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Rivka said...

Neil peart.. HANDS DOWN. I have seen Rush live.. I would have to say Phil Collins.. I have seen him live too. Elton John doesn't play drums, but I saw him live a long time ago, and it was my chance to see a genius in real life. Of course, Rush was as well and so was Phil.
Phil had this incredible drum solo mid-way through his concert. I was floored. Of course, that was in my band days, and a lot of drinking was done at those concerts..

Sun Jul 30, 07:02:00 PM PDT  
Blogger bigwhitehat said...

The three best? Neil Peart, Neil Peart and Neil Peart.

Sun Jul 30, 08:02:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Rebecca: oddly enough, most persons don't really understand what an incredible drummer Phil Collins is. They associate him as a vocalist for Genesis but, of course, his vocals were SECOND behind Peter Gabriels in the original GENESIS band. His greatest forte lay in his drumming ability. His backup vocals became Front Street when Gabriel left the band. Collins is STILL one helluva drummer!

BWH: yeah, okay, we got it. Neil Peart is clearly the winner here.

BZ

Sun Jul 30, 08:39:00 PM PDT  

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