Lay down a backbeat!
After some thought, I decided to set up another Substack account for my other writing. Which will include history, music, politics, and technology. Almost all of my tech writings will be about Mac and Apple, well because that’s what I have and love to use since I was exposed to a Mac II in another century. I’m going to be lazy with my first post and share one from my other substack account. This is about those sho ‘nuff funky time-keepers. The guys on the riser, the drummer! These are mostly “rock” guys and I plan a piece on funk, soul, Latin, and R&B drummers and percussionists, soon. After I take a few shots at the current political situation in the UK and the US.
✓
Greetings, I have refrained from writing about Everton for another day, so today’s topic is musically related.
Many conversations revolve around who is the “best” or a list of “top” players. Some people really take it seriously and may seem willing to turn to fisticuffs to convince you of their choice.
Nothing like that, here. Anyway, I’m too old for fisticuffs.
So here’s my top 10 drummers, unlike classic music or jazz to a certain extent there isn’t a rock/pop/soul/r&b/etc canon to compare musicians. (Insert drummer joke, here.)
So we’ll start at 10 and work our way down. Comments are welcome as are subscriptions.
✓
10. Zak Starkey (Oasis, the Who): He’s Ringo’s son and Keith Moon’s Godson and the fact he sits on the drum riser behind Pete and Roger is enough to warrant his inclusion.
9. Neal Peart (Rush): I’ll be honest I’m not much of a Rush fan, always thought they were pretentious. However, by all accounts, Peart is a good drummer. A trio that has success needs good drumming.
8. Stephen Jo Bladd (J. Geils Band): I first heard him on Full House and he played some epic and powerful fills for one of the best party bands around.
7. Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer and others): Often almost invisible behind his massive kit. He was more than a match for the virtuoso Keith Emerson’s keyboards.
6. Max Weinberg (E-Street band): Anybody who knows me, knows my love for Bruce and the band. And as Bruce says “He brings the big beat, night after night.” Mighty Max indeed.
5. Billy Cobham (Miles Davis, Mavinishu Orchestra, etc): He played with Miles and John McLaughlin, that’s more than enough to convince me.
4. Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones): Probably the most mellow Stone, he sadly passed last year. It’s been said he never missed a beat or a fill.
3. Ringo Starr (The Beatles, All-Starr band): Ringo’s irreverent Scouse humour and the fact he didn’t write songs contributed to the myth he wasn’t a very good drummer. Untrue! Playing left-handed on a right-handed kit, he developed a unique style.
2. John Bonham (Led Zep): How important was he to the original monster of rock? The band broke up after his death. I’ll be honest, I always think he and No.1 are just about interchangeable.
1. Keith Moon (The Who): Moonie was barking mad and lived the rock and roll lifestyle to his quick end. Behind his massive kit, he was powerful and provided the drive for one of the most explosive bands ever.
I’m sure I left out somebody’s favourite, but as always comments are welcome. Just be reasonably nice and try not to be a wanker! Oh yeah, subscribe. Really, it’s more than you can possibly imagine.
Max weinberg needs to move up a few spots….74 years old and playing. 3 hour shows. There is literally nobody on earth that can do what he does