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Iconic drummers in rock 'n' roll
25 October 2021, 17:32
Let's take a look at some of the greatest rock and indie percussionists in history. Is your favourite in here?
They sit at the back. But they're part of the engine room that keeps every band running. They may be the butt of a thousand jokes, but we've picked out a collection of our favourite tub-thumpers.
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Matt Helders, Arctic Monkeys
A key member of the Monkeys' appeal Mr Helders also supplies a mean backing vocal. Best moment: The furious opening to Brianstorm.
Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm (Official Video)
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Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Together with Flea, he keeps the Chili Peppers funky. Best moment: The teeth-rattling thwack of Give It Away.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Give it Away - Live at Slane castle
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Ringo Starr, The Beatles
Everyone mocks old Richie Starkey for "not even being the best drummer in The Beatles", but thousands of bands have tried to copy his particular, steady but distinctive thwack. He even wrote a song called "Drumming Is My Madness". Best moment: The manic ending to Strawberry Fields Forever.
The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever - Isolated Drums
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Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters
The Laguna Beach rocker cut his teeth touring with Alanis Morissette in 1997, before being asked to join the Foos by Grohl and never looking back.
Foo Fighters - Drum Solo/Taylor Hawkins- April 26, 2018 West Palm Beach Florida
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John Bonham, Led Zeppelin
Much sampled, much admired, never equalled. Best moment: The solo in Moby Dick.
Led zeppelin moby dick full
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Charlie Watts, The Rolling Stones
Poor old Charlie. He's had to put up with a lot, hasn't he? He's pretty much kept the Stones together for 50 years. Best moment: The satanic samba of Sympathy For The Devil.
Charlie Watts / Jumpin' Jack Flash
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Reni, The Stone Roses
Alan Wren, as he is formally known - the man who mashed up rock and dance beats and created his own genre. Best moment: the hypnotic shuffle of I Am The Resurrection.
Reni Drum solo - The Stone Roses - La Cigale - 4th June 2013
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Mike Joyce, The Smiths
Together with bassist Andy Rourke, the engine room of one of the greatest British bands ever. Best moment: The ending to London.
★ This Charming Man (The Smiths) ★ Drum Lesson PREVIEW | How To Play Song (Mike Joyce)
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Dave Grohl, Nirvana/Queens Of The Stone Age
Strange to think that Big Dave used to be sat at the back. Best moment: The unforgettable salvo that opens Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Dave Grohl and Animal Drum Battle - The Muppets
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Dom Howard, Muse
Put aside the guitar pyrotechnics, what's keeping that band flying? Best moment: The relentless gallop of Knights Of Cydonia.
Knights of Cydonia - Live at Rome Olympic Stadium
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Stephen Morris, Joy Division
Macclesfield's metronomic percussionist, one of the inventors of post-punk. Best moment: When Transmission lifts off.
Joy Division - Transmission [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
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Moe Tucker
The Velvet Underground-Sunday Morning 1967
Moe Tucker - born Maureen Ann Tucker - might not necessarily be the first name that springs to mind, but the Velvet Underground wouldn't have been the same without her. She was known for her unconventional playing style (standing up rather than sitting down) and even began playing with mallets rather than drumsticks.
Not just a drummer, Tucker famously sang on three Velvet Underground songs; After Hours, The Murder Mystery and I'm Sticking With You.
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Ronnie Vannucci Jr, The Killers
The lively ying to sedate bassist Mark Stoermer's yang, Vannucci is the heart and soul of The Killers. Best moment: The driving percussion on Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine.
Ronnie Vannucci: DRUM SOLO
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Travis Barker, Blink-182
The tattooed, be-capped sticksmith behind some nu-metal classics. Best moment: The low key shuffle on I Miss You.
Travis Barker Drum Solo 2011 (HD)
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Lars Ulrich, Metallica
One of the most high profile drummers in rock, Lars was a thrash metal pioneer. Best moment: The drum attack on One.
Metallica - Lars Ulrich - Drum Solo - Jackson, MS, USA - 1992
