John Bonham of Led Zeppelin Dominates New Drum Poll: Top 50 Albums / Influential Drummers

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Drum & Drummer:  The following poll conducted by Rhythm magazine lists the 50 albums voted as the top drum albums of all-time.  The poll does leave out many highly innovative and influential drummers, but it provides a good starting point for drummers searching for albums featuring great drummers.  There are a lot of drummers and recordings missing from this list that I would consider essential listening.

Considering it is a list of only 50 albums, it does a fantastic job of introducing some of the greats of the drumming world.

I have added my comments about selected albums and drummers from the list.  I also give some suggestions for further listening for aspiring drummers and musicians.  Many of the listed albums have been (and continue to be) highly influential to my own development as a drummer/musician.

Poll Source URL: MusicRadar.com

A new poll of the Top 50 Greatest Drum Albums is dominated by Led Zeppelin, who have an impressive five albums in the Top 50.  The list, published by Rhythm magazine, takes into account the votes of the mag’s writers as well as many of the star drummers the magazine has interviewed over the last five years, including Dave Grohl, Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) and Steve White (Paul Weller).

Top honors go to Led Zeppelin’s fourth album (featuring the drum double-whammy of Stairway To Heaven and When The Levee Breaks), with The Beatles’ Abbey Road coming in second.

There are some notable omissions in this list, though.  There are no albums by Cream featuring Ginger Baker, and the only albums in the Top 10 made in the last 30 years both feature Dave Grohl.

MusicRadar wonders; are they not making truly great drummers any more?

Here’s the Top 50 albums countdown…

• #50 The Who – Live At Leeds (1970)
  Drummer: Keith Moon

D & D:  I consider this to be one of the greatest live recordings of all-time.  “Get Your Ya-Ya’s Out” by the Rolling Stones, “Live at the Fillmore” by the Allman Brothers, “Live at the Royal Albert Hall (1966)” by Bob Dylan, and numerous other classic albums top this list as well (in my opinion).  The energy that pulses through the speakers when “Live at Leeds” is put on is incredible.  Keith Moon is a legendary drummer, and his drumming style is explosive and instantly recognizable.

• #49 Mahavishnu Orchestra – Birds Of Fire (1973)
  Drummer: Billy Cobham

D & D:  I consider Billy Cobham is a lightning fast jazz drummer with a style that blends jazz, fusion, orchestral techniques in a unique way.  Cobham’s drums are tuned very tightly for faster stick response, and this helps give him his signature sound.  I would highly recommend any of Billy Cobham’s albums to drummers looking to learn new ways of expressing themselves on the drum set.

• #48 James Brown – Live At The Apollo (1962)
  Drummers: John ‘Jabo’ Starks and Clyde Stubblefield

D & D:  John ‘Jabo’ Starks and Clyde Stubblefield hold James Brown’s band together on this funk/soul masterpiece.  They are super-tight with the rhythm section, and their interplay with the horn section is always spot on.  This is a very nice example of how to play funk rhythms that groove in the pocket. Forty-six years later, this album continues to lay the template for funk drummers looking to make their audience dance.

• #47 Iron Maiden – Number Of The Beast (1982)
  Drummer: Clive Burr
• #46 Herbie Hancock – Head Hunters (1973)
  Drummer: Harvey Mason
• #45 David Bowie – The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust (1972)
  Drummer: Woody Woodmansey
• #44 Pantera – Vulgar Display (1992)
  Drummer: Vinnie Paul
• #43 Van Halen – Van Halen (1978 )
  Drummer: Alex Van Halen

D &D:  When I was first learning drums, I listened to Alex Van Halen’s playing over and over.  He has a very intuitive rock style that complements Eddie’s guitar playing beautifully.  His playing is very creative, but never overly busy. Although highly capable of showing off when needed, Alex tends to play more simply to support the vocals and guitar parts of Van Halen’s songs. Van Halen I & II show drummers how to appropriately play rock music.

• #42 Radiohead – Ok Computer (1997)
  Drummer: Phil Selway

D & D:  I love the musicality of Phil Selway’s playing with Radiohead.  He tends to keep his rhythms repetetive on some songs (when needed), but he really strecthes his legs out on others.  His jazz leanings are also apparent on certain Radiohead tracks.  When listening to Radiohead, I often hear a lot of my personal drumming influences come out in Selway’s nuanced playing.  Some of their later albums are more of an acquired taste, but I have found them to be among my favorites after repeated listenings.

• #41 Tool – Aenima (1996)
  Drummer: Danny Carey

D & D:  Danny Carey’s playing with Tool sets the bar higher for rock drummers. The first time I heard Tool, my jaw dropped wide open.  Danny combines subtle jazz and fusion techniques with metal, and he is an incredibly diverse drummer.  His approach to the drum kit is very balanced, and I love the way he improvises within his grooves, pushing and pulling the music to new climactic moments.  I hear new things in Danny’s playing every time I listen to Tool.

A Perfect Circle with Tool’s singer Maynard Keenan features another of my favorite drummers.  Josh Freese is one of the most sought-after session drummers in the music industry, and one listen to A Perfect Circle will show you why.  Much like Danny Carey, Josh Freese is a master of synchopation. Josh’s style tends to be more reserved than that of Carey, and they both are insanely talented at shifting between odd time signatures with fluid groove and dynamics.  Danny Carey and Josh Freese are both drumming forces to be reckoned with.

• #40 Metallica – …And Justice For All (1988 )
  Drummer: Lars Ulrich

D & D:  My first band played a lot of Metallica covers, and this album has a lot of ideas for musicians who are into metal that switches between melodic and thrash.  I personally find James Hetfield’s rhythm guitar parts just as inspiring as Lars’ drumming. Kirk Hammet’s lead guitar is also blistering on “…And Justice For All.”

• #39 Jimi Hendrix – Axis: Bold As Love (1967)
  Drummer: Mitch Mitchell

D & D:  I have listened to this Jimi Hendrix album more than any other, and listening to Mitch Mitchell play with Hendrix has taught me an incalculable amount about the art of drumming.  “Axis: Bold as Love” varies between nuanced jazz playing and full-out driving rock drumming.  This 1967 classic has been a prized part of my CD collection since I very first heard it.

Mitch Mitchell effectively did for the drumming world what Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar playing community.  Fusing jazz with rock and blues in a bombastic, unapologetic way – they both paved the way for future musicians looking to push the envelope with their musical expression.

Mitch Mitchell and Jimi Hendrix collaborated in the studio together to write almost all of the music for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, recording their parts together live before adding bass, vocals, and additional instrumentation.  Listening to the progression of Jimi’s playing with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, it is obvious how Mitch Mitchell’s improvisational drumming style was key in helping form the sound Jimi’s guitar parts (and vice versa).

If you love great music, listen to “Axis: Bold as Love” immediately (if not sooner).

• #38 Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977)
  Drummer:  Mick Fleetwood
• #37 Mastodon – Leviathan (2004)
  Drummer:  Brann Dailor
• #36 Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)
  Drummer:  Matt Johnson
• #35 The Beatles – Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
  Drummer:  Ringo Starr
• #34 Buddy Rich Big Band – Big Swing Face (1967)
  Drummer:  Buddy Rich

• #33 Pantera – Far Beyond Driven (1994)
  Drummer:  Vinnie Paul

D & D:  Pantera has helped define metal music since the early ’90’s. Vinnie Paul’s double bass style has definitely influenced my own playing. Pantera’s later albums became increasingly heavy and complex.

I would also recommend singer Phil Anselmo’s work with DOWN to fans of heavier music.  The sound of DOWN is more Southern rock-tinged, and the heavy-handed drums flow perfectly with their chugging, grinding guitar work.

 

• #32 Chick Corea – Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (1968 )
  Drummer:  Roy Haynes  

D & D:  Roy Hanes drumming influenced artists such as Tony Williams (Miles Davis), Elvin Jones (John Coltrane), and countless others.

Read more about Roy Haynes by clicking this link: The Influence of Roy Haynes

 

• #31 The Police – Ghost In The Machine (1981)
  Drummer:  Stewart Copeland
• #30 Sting – Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993)
  Drummer:  Vinnie Colaiuta
• #29 Sly And The Family Stone – Fresh (1973)
  Drummer:  Andy Newmark
• #28 Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy (1973)
  Drummer:  John Bonham
• #27 Metallica – Master Of Puppets (1986)
  Drummer:  Lars Ulrich
• #26 Mahavishnu Orchestra – The Inner Mounting Flame (1971)
  Drummer:  Billy Cobham

 

D & D: There is a very good reason that Billy Cobham shows up on this list repeatedly. Listen to any album with Cobham for examples of stellar progressive fusion jazz drumming. Even non-drummers will ask who is playing when they hear Cobham’s music.

 

• #25 Frank Zappa – Joe’s Garage: Act 1 (1979)
  Drummer:  Vinnie Colaiuta

• #24 Buddy Rich – Swingin’ New Big Band (1966)
  Drummer:  Buddy Rich

D & D:  If you have never listened to Buddy Rich, you need to. Rich was a jazz pioneer and innovator. Listen to this if you want to hear the definition of swing. Drummers of every style can learn an immense amount from the master of swing.

• #23 Billy Cobham – Spectrum (1973)
  Drummer:  Billy Cobham
• #22 The Police – Outlandos D’Amour (1978 )
  Drummer:  Stewart Copeland
• #21 Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
  Drummers:  Stevie Wonder, Greg Brown and Raymond Lee Pounds
• #20 Slayer – Reign In Blood (1986)
  Drummer:  Dave Lombardo
• #19 Soundgarden – Superunknown (1994)
  Drummer:  Matt Cameron

D & D: Matt Cammeron, to me, is the perfect example of a song-oriented rock drummer. I saw him play with Soundgarden (shortly before they broke up) at Lollapalooza ‘96 at the Gorge Ampitheatre in George, WA, and I was absolutely amazed with him as a musician. Later, in November of 2000, I was able to see Matt perform with Pearl Jam on the last leg of their tour in Portland, Oregon. I will never forget either experience, and Matt’s drumming always drove the song and supported the other musicians on the stage.

Cameron’s adept use of odd time signatures, ghost strokes, and pounding rhythms with Soundgarden drew them comparisons with Led Zeppelin. Listen to any of Soundgarden’s recordings and “Binaural” or “Riot Act” by Pearl Jam for samples of his driving drumming style.

• #18 Miles Davis – Four And More (1964)
  Drummer:  Tony Williams
• #17 Deep Purple – Made In Japan (1972)
  Drummer:  Ian Paice
• #16 Stevie Wonder – Innervisions (1973)
  Drummer:  Stevie Wonder
• #15 AC/DC – Back In Black (1980)
  Drummer:  Phil Rudd
• #14 Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (1969)
  Drummer:  John Bonham
• #13 Rush – Moving Pictures (1981)
  Drummer:  Neil Peart
• #12 The Beatles – Revolver (1966)
  Drummer:  Ringo Starr
• #11 The Police – Regatta De Blanc (1979 )
  Drummer:  Stewart Copeland
• #10 Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced (1967)
  Drummer:  Mitch Mitchell
• #9 John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1964)
  Drummer:  Elvin Jones
• #8 Queens Of The Stone Age – Songs For The Deaf (2002)
  Drummer:  Dave Grohl
  Here’s QOTSA at Glastonbury 2002 with DG on drums
• #7 Steely Dan – Aja (1977)
  Drummers:  Purdie, Gadd, Greene, Humphrey, Keltner and Marotta
• #6 Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II (1969)
  Drummer:  John Bonham
• #5 Miles Davis – Nefertiti (1967)
  Drummer:  Tony Williams
• #4 Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
  Drummer:  Dave Grohl

D & D:  Dave Grohl massively solidified Nirvana’s sound and drove their songs as they alternated between extreme loud and soft dynamic changes.  Their music is melodic like the Beatles and bomastically fuzzed out all at once.  Dave’s style owes much to John Bonham, one of his biggest influences.  Grohl was (and is) an inspiration to rock drummers who want to play with powerfully, solidly, and distinctively.

• #3 Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975)
  Drummer: John Bonham
• #2 The Beatles – Abbey Road (1969)
  Drummer: Ringo Starr

D & D: Ringo Starr’s understated, economical drumming technique continues to set the standard for drummers seeking to play for the song. He was a left-handed drummer that played like a right-handed drummer, which helped make his fill intros even more unique.

Never a fan of extended flashy drum fills, Ringo instead concentrated on supporting the other musicians in The Beatles with his intuitively brilliant and consistent drumming. To discover why Ringo’s work with the Beatles is often unjustly underrated, click here for the article 13 Reasons to Give Ringo Some Respect.

• #1 Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
  Drummer: John Bonham – ‘Bonzo’
  See Stairway To Heaven

D &D: At a very young age, before I even knew who John Bonham was, I recognized that the drum parts of Led Zeppelin songs stood apart from other music on the radio. Bonham’s raw power, sense of feel, precision, aggressively thundering attack, and musicality attracted me to Led Zeppelin’s music before I even understood why. The feel of the drum part that transitions the soft and loud passages of “Stairway to Heaven” still gives me goose bumps after the bajillionth listen. Bonham’s signature style always stood out (in the best way possible) even with Jimmy Page’s virtuosic guitar playing and Robert Plant’s distinctive vocal style.

John Bonham tops the list of most drummers’ influences for very good reason. His playing was always original, passionate, and he cared much more about feel than mere technique. His playing, of course, displayed astonishing hand and foot technique. But it was the powerful musicality and pure feeling expressed by his playing that made him truly original.

 

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