Beat it! The best drummers in the world
Charlie Watts -
Watts has played drums for the Rolling Stones since January 1963. He also had his own group, the jazz-influenced Charlie Watts Quintet.
Buddy Rich -
Few drummers match Buddy Rich for power, speed, and virtuosity. As a bandleader, he was instrumental in blending his drum rhythms into complex orchestral arrangements.
Phil Collins - The English drummer is also a gifted singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. A member of Genesis, he went on to forge a highly successful solo career.
Ringo Starr -
He isn't The Beatles' original drummer, but Starr's input forever changed the Fab Four's sound. Incidentally, left-handed Starr plays a right-handed kit.
Mick Fleetwood -
Co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood's drumming has provided the band with a solid backbone since 1967.
Gene Krupa - Krupa was an American jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer. He also appeared in several Hollywood movies.
Tommy Lee -
One of the wild boys of rock, Tommy Lee is a founding member of hard rock band Mötley Crüe. His revolving and spinning drum kit endeared itself to millions of metalheads.
Alex Van Halen - Dutch-American musician Alex Van Halen is known as being the drummer and a founding member of Van Halen. He cites Buddy Rich among his lifelong influences.
Steve Gadd - A highly regarded drummer, percussionist, and session musician, Gadd has worked with Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, and Kate Bush, among many other diverse acts.
Bill Bruford -
Bruford was the original drummer with progressive rock band Yes. He is now retired.
Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste -
A founding member of American band The Meters, Modeliste is regarded as a pioneer of New Orleans funk.
Ian Paice - Paice co-founded the original line-up of heavy metal pioneers Deep Purple. He later played drums for Whitesnake and the Gary Moore Band.
Manu Katché -
A French drummer and songwriter, Katché has worked with, among many others, Peter Gabriel and Dire Straits.
Cindy Blackman - The American jazz and rock drummer was inspired to play drums after listening to celebrated jazz drummer Max Roach. She frequently works with Lenny Kravitz.