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#3 Ginger Baker
Considered one of the greatest drummers of all time. Peter “Ginger” Baker was born in London. He began playing drums as a teen, and at age 16 he was already touring. He started the band “Cream” in 1966, and when it fell apart, he created the band “Blind Faith.” Ginger Baker's next years were marked by addiction and fights with bandmates. Financial reasons ultimately drove him to settle in South Africa, where he still lives and raises polo ponies. -
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#4 Keith Moon
Keith Moon was born in London, England. At age 17, He joined “The Who.” He also collaborated with future members of “Led Zeppelin” on several projects. Additionally, he released a solo album in 1975. He died tragically of a drug overdose on September 7, 1978, when he was just 32 years old. -
#2 John Bonham
John Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter. He was the drummer of “Led Zeppelin.” Bonham was admired for his speed on playing drums, power, fast right foot (allows him to do cool things), distinctive sound, and his grove to the music. He is highly considered to be one of the best drummers in the history of rock music. -
#9 Ian Paice
Ian Paice began his professional career in the late 50s playing drums in his father's dance band. The first band he was in was called “Georgie & the Rave-Ons”, which was renamed for “The Shindigs”. They released their first single when Ian Paice and George Adams were 17. In 1966, Paice joined the band “The MI5”, which soon changed its name to “The Maze” and they produced a number of singles, recorded mainly in Italy and France. -
#6 Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford grew up listening to jazz music. As an amateur drummer in the 1960s, he took many lessons from Lou Pocock of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He then began his professional career in 1968. He influenced the so-called British “Art Rock” movement, touring internationally with “Yes” and “King Crimson” from 1968-74. Later, Bill wrote and performed his own music with his own band “Bruford.” Later, Bruford to form his electro-acoustic jazz group “Earthworks” in 1986. -
#10 Carl Palmer
Palmer began taking drum lessons as a young boy. In 1966, he played in some bands, In the summer of 1970, Palmer formed a band with Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. They developed a sound that merged art, rock jazz, electronica, pop rock and classical music. During that time Palmer went on to develop a solo career. In the ‘90s, he released two albums with “ELP.” In 1998 “ELP” fell apart. Palmer played in the following bands (in order): The Craig,” “The Chants,” “The Thunder Birds” and “Elp.” -
#5 Terry Bozzio
Terry Bozzio was born in San Francisco, California. He started playing makeshift drum sets at the age of 6. At the age of 13 he saw “The Beatles” premier performance and begged his father for drum lessons. In high school he earned a music scholarship and later went on to the College of Marin. During this time he studied concurrently with Chuck Brown on the drum set and Lloyd Davis and Roland Kohloff on a percussion scholarship. -
#1 Neil Peart
Neil Ellwood Peart, is a Canadian musician and author. Neil Peart has received numerous awards for his musical performances, and is known for his technical proficiency and stamina. He grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. He spent some time in England and when he returned homein 1976, he joined a local Toronto band, “Rush.” Early in his career, Peart's performance style was hard rock. As time passed he began to incorporate jazz and big band. -
#7 Danny Carey
Danny Carey was born in Paola, Kansas, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for “Man of Steel” (2013), “Free Birds” (2013) and “Tool: Salival” (2000). He played metal music and is known for winning in the progressive metal band “Tool.” He has been married to Sabine since March 23, 1997. -
#8 Mike Portnoy
Mike Portnoy was born on April 20, 1967 in Long Beach, New York, USA. He is known for his technical skill as a drummer and “Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage” (2010), “Dream Theater: Chaos in Motion” (2008) and “Dream Theater: Live at Budokan” (2004). He has been married to Marlene Portnoy since July 30, 1994.
