Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) by
AAL2014 
Here's a fun chart idea I came up with.. Modern Drummer Magazine, the same mag I've been subscribed to and thumbing through for almost 5 years, published a list of the 50 Greatest Drummers of all time voted by the readers back in 2014. I love lists and this was a very poignant list at the time for me. Of course with any list, there will be omissions. Everyone on this list is a very special and influential player so it's tough to say who should be on instead.
This chart is ordered the exact way the drummers were voted. The albums chosen are ones I think of as being the best (or one of the best) works by the artist, and the comments on each are my own. Drums have been an enormous part of my life for almost 10 years. I wouldn't be apart of this website without the drums choosing me to be apart of a spectacular rhythmic journey.
Here is my tribute to the drums, the greatest drummers, and the greatest drum magazine on the planet.
- Chart updated: 06/28/2017 21:15
- (Created: 08/23/2016 21:27).
- Chart size: 50 albums.
There are 3 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) has an average rating of 87 out of 100 (from 2 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 56,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from United States. (Remove this filter)
The Legend: Buddy Rich is a smart pick for number 1, really. Nobody in the history of the instrument has done more to bring drums to the forefront, as well as have world class chops, speed, phrasing, and musical smarts. Buddy's personality came through in his drumming. He was a ferocious, charismatic, and handsome but had a world class temper to boot. His rants aimed at his big band mates after shows is the stuff of legend, almost as much as his drumming. Although Buddy wasn't the nicest guy, his passion for perfection and the instrument shined brighter than anything. Buddy Rich is the greatest drummer of all time.
The Album: The Best of Buddy Rich is a compilation that shows different sides of Buddy, but all the same tenacity. The West Side Story Medley, Love For Sale, and Channel 1 Suite allow the listener a glimpse of Buddy's chops and charisma. This is a must have for any percussionist.
Best Performances: Nutville, West Side Story Suite, Groovin' Hard. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: I've been playing drums since late November of 2008. Tony Williams has been a mainstay in my listening studies for about six months. In that short amount of time, much of my playing, soloing, and technique has changed (or I'm at least actively changing day by day). Tony's traditional grip, his meter, his vocabulary, his musicality, and his control and discipline in songs and solos just blow my mind. I could write a paragraph on his kit and it's tone alone. Tony's playing with Miles continues to open my mind to different realms of jazz and jazz drumming, and his solo work should be heard by every drummer on Earth. In my mind, Tony Williams is the most brilliant drummer ever.
The Album: So far, of all the work I've heard from Williams, this is the most well rounded and interesting on all accounts drumming to my ears. Songs like Fred, Proto-Cosmos, and Letsby show Tony's dexterity as a fusion player. The mini solos he plays around Holdsworth and co's riffs and mind-bending and tasteful. One minute you notice his chemistry with the bass player, the next with guitar, the next with the whole unit as they fire into some of the most brilliant jazz rock I've ever heard.
Best Performances: Proto-Cosmos, Black Comedy, Fred [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: It has been said before, to understand the impact of Elvin Jones, you must listen to a pre-Elvin drummer, Elvin, and a post-Elvin drummer. He really did have that big of an impact. A great bandleader as well as role player, Elvin had a hand in taking jazz to the next level, most famously with John Coltrane. Records like Ascension, A Love Supreme, and My Favorite Things, would not be anywhere near the same without Elvin on drums. His phrasing was brilliant and unique. It was totally his. His control of dynamics was also world class. Elvin gave some of Coltrane's pieces a rock feel just because his personality shined through his playing so completely. His fills inspired rock guys like Bonham too. Just listen carefully. It's worth it.
The Album: A Love Supreme is my favorite jazz album. Although Coltrane's brilliance is the brains behind it, I truly believe and feel Elvin is the driving force. Elvin helped propel some of Coltrane's hooks to new heights. His solo at the beginning of Part 3 is a prime example of the influence John Bonham took from him. Part 4, which is considered one of the finest pieces in the history of jazz has a totally unique feel because of what Elvin did percussion-wise. Gongs, timpani, cymbal swells, wow. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: You've probably heard Dr. Gadd before whether or not you know the name. One of the most recorded drummers in history is known for his world class feel and phrasing. His signature licks (of which he often toys around with the timing) have influenced countless drummers who he helped pave the way for. Any serious drummer will tell you, if he hasn't by now, Steve Gadd is a drum god. He can be a rocket accelerating for take off during a solo like in the famous fills of Aja, or he can lay back and give you one of the most infamous grooves in pop music history like Paul Simon's 50 Ways..
The Album: Steely Dan is known very fondly for their ability to craft such well orchestrated pieces as well getting the right people to play on them. Steve Gadd isn't the only drummer to play on this album (See: Bernard Pretty Purdie) but he has the most famous moment, the drum solo in the title track. His triplets, flams, crashes, ratamacues, and feel propel that song into the next stratosphere. Steve Gadd is one of the most in demand session players and has been for almost 50 years, so to find a record that provides the right exemplary piece to showcase Gadd is tough, but Aja is a great place to start. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: The most complete drummer of all time? In my eyes, it's very possible. Vinnie's resume features a list of who's who names in the history of popular music including Zappa, Sting, Jeff Beck, Megadeth, and Herbie Hancock. The artists in that sentence are very different in style yet Vinnie, over the course of 40 years in the business has fit each role like a glove while adding his flair and flavor of virtuosity. Vinnie can play things with his left hand I can only dream of playing with both hands. Studying his heroes like Cobham, Williams, and Rich, Vinnie continued to mold himself to be one of the greatest drummers who ever lived.
The Album: Joe's Garage is not only one of my favorite Frank Zappa albums, it also contains drumming from Vinnie (in of course all different styles) that I will show to anyone unfamiliar with his playing. You want playing in 21/16? Okay. Pop-fueled reggae patterns? Yup. Explosive and perfectly placed fills? Of course. Vinnie's work on Joe's Garage made him a legend long before his work with many artists that would cement his legacy as it was named one of the top-25 drumming performances of all time by Modern Drummer in 1993. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: The man who brought drums to the forefront. Not only did Gene have the chops of an all timer, his charm and charisma were like few if any others. In the days of famous drum battles on television, Gene and Buddy would go toe to toe quite often. You may prefer one or the other, but they were the positive and negative of each other playing-wise. Rich's chops and speed were countered every time with a perfectly charming motif of percussive brilliance from Krupa. Neil Peart has been quoted as saying the Gene Krupa Story, the movie on Krupa's life, is what made him want to be a drummer. That's influence right there.
The Album: [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: Dream Theater is just not the same without him. A modern day drum hero, Michael Stephen Portnoy, was in Dream Theater for almost 30 years before leaving his baby and brainchild. During his tenure in one of prog rock's most popular bands, listeners heard his drumming, writing, arranging, and vocals grow consistently. His personality became as big as his drum kit. Mike's use of odd time and what he can do in and around it is astounding...or perhaps Astonishing?... and it served Dream Theater and their rabid nerd fanbase incredibly well. Outside of Dream Theater, Mike has blazed trails with countless projects, prog or not. Flying Colors, Avenged Sevenfold, LTE, PSMS, The Neal Morse Band, the Winery Dogs, and Transatlantic have all put out incredible work with Mike on the skins. One of the hardest working musicians in the world, Mike was the youngest drummer to ever be voted into Modern Drummer's Hall of Fame.
The Album: Six Degrees may not be my favorite Dream Theater record, albeit it's really great, but I think it shows Portnoy at his absolute peak of musicianship. The drum tracks to The Glass Prison, The Great Debate, Misunderstood, and of course the different parts of the 45 minute title track are all over the place but in a perfectly arranged way. The album sandwiched between my favorite DT album SFAM, and their heaviest work Train of Thought, provided an excellent musical bridge with some of their finest ensemble playing. This is in the midst of the era where Portnoy and Petrucci took hold creatively as well as from a business stand point too. Mike proved his worth in that regard quite well being the voice and face of one of prog's modern day legends. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: The Drum Also Waltzes, Max Does Too. To hear Max Roach play is to experience the drums as a moving, breathing, entity. Not to mention he was one of the first to reach that level on the modern drum kit. Max did so much for the drums as a historical figure, from providing a certain feel that still cannot be duplicated, a vibe of cool comparable to that of Miles Davis, and chops and dexterity that inspired everyone from Buddy Rich and Tony Williams, to Neil Peart and Stewart Copeland. If you play the drums, you owe more than you know to Max. He revolutionized the rhythmic world.
The Album: According to my account here, Jazz at Massey Hall is the oldest album I've listened to and the oldest album I own. It still plays like it was recorded months ago. That ensemble of musicians were on fire the night of this recording, Max being no exception. There is a life to this album and these songs, in large part providing by Max's swing that helped open me up to Jazz as a whole. Salt Peanuts is fun, A Night In Tunisia is a classic, this record is as good as it is important. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
The Legend: Billy Cobham is one of the true greats. His feel, dexterity, chops, writing ability, and originality are all world class. Few drummers in their prime had more athletic prowess than Cobham. One of my favorite things about Billy's playing is how genre bending it is. One day you could put on a jazz record he did with Miles, then a balls out fusion record like Birds of Fire or Spectrum, or you could just watch videos of him showing off his snare drum chops. His playing is one of a kind. Even now at the age of 72, he is still touring, teaching, and playing at a very high level. I've seen him twice in the past 4 years. It was a treat each time inside of the most intimate venue I've ever been. Billy Cobham is a drum inspiration.
The Album: Spectrum was a bit of a surprise hit for Cobham who went solo from the Mahavishnu Orchestra shortly before this release. Cobham, in 3 different incarnations (Miles' Bitches Brew, Mahi Mahi, solo) helped open the door for fusion to reach the mainstream, mind you all of those releases spanned a short 3 years. On Spectrum Cobham showed his writing chops as well as his drumming chops. Some of the riffs and arrangements on the record are incredibly memorable. Spectrum, Stratus, Quadrant 4, and Snoopy's Search are fusion classics. Many artists, fusion or otherwise, have covered songs from this album including Jeff Beck, Prince, and PSMS. It was as impactful as it was good. Clocking in at just over a half hour, Billy Cobham turned the drum world upside down with Spectrum. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) composition
Decade | Albums | % | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
1930s | 0 | 0% | |
1940s | 0 | 0% | |
1950s | 4 | 8% | |
1960s | 8 | 16% | |
1970s | 14 | 28% | |
1980s | 12 | 24% | |
1990s | 3 | 6% | |
2000s | 8 | 16% | |
2010s | 1 | 2% | |
2020s | 0 | 0% |
Artist | Albums | % | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
Frank Zappa | 2 | 4% | |
Dream Theater | 2 | 4% | |
Led Zeppelin | 1 | 2% | |
Jojo Mayer & Nerve | 1 | 2% | |
The Quintet | 1 | 2% | |
Dave Matthews Band | 1 | 2% | |
Aretha Franklin | 1 | 2% | |
Show all |
Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) similar charts
Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
---|---|---|---|---|
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | zelecaster23 | Overall chart | 2024 | ![]() |
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | Dimitritov | Overall chart | 2018 | ![]() |
Top 40 Greatest Music Albums | coppolaleone | Overall chart | 2016 | ![]() |
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | ralflord | Overall chart | 2010 | ![]() |
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | Gassman | Overall chart | 2011 | ![]() |
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | JuanLuisGG14 | Overall chart | 2023 | ![]() |
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | luigi522 | Overall chart | 2017 | ![]() |
Top 40 Greatest Music Albums | KeithGM | Overall chart | 2016 | ![]() |
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | kscotti | Overall chart | 2010 | ![]() |
Top 40 Greatest Music Albums | vince | Overall chart | 2014 | ![]() |
Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.
Create & share your own charts.
Have your say in the overall rankings.
Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
Discover new music & improve your music collection.
Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
Create a wishlist of albums.
Help maintain the BEA database.
Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Other custom charts by AAL2014
Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) ratings

where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing all 2 ratings for this chart.
Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
90/100 ![]() | 06/15/2017 01:45 | ![]() | ![]() | 90/100 |
100/100 ![]() | 10/01/2016 12:41 | mostlymor | ![]() | 89/100 |
Please log in or register if you want to be able to leave a rating
Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) favourites
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a favourite
Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) comments
Showing all 3 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Maximum Rated First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)

Thank you Bobby. I appreciate that, I still have some work to go on this chart with comments and I still have a couple of these drummers to listen to so I can provide an honest comment on why they were voted onto this list. So hopefully you'll revisit later haha.
Karen Carpenter was indeed a great drummer. Unique player who had a lot of personality and made it come through in her playing. I haven't listened to a ton of the Carpenters' music however I've seen a number of awesome solo videos from her on YouTube. Pretty great snare chops.

That was very informative to someone like me who really doent shit about music. Heh heh. I like it. Ive heard people i know who play drums say that Karen Carpenter was actually a good drummer. Is that true? I thought they were joking but they weren't. Lol
Excellent chart, enjoyed your comments particularly.
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a comment
Your feedback for Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014)

A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
Best Ever Artists | |
---|---|
1. The Beatles | |
2. Radiohead | |
3. Pink Floyd | |
4. David Bowie | |
5. Bob Dylan | |
6. Led Zeppelin | |
7. The Rolling Stones | |
8. Arcade Fire | |
9. Nirvana | |
10. The Velvet Underground | |
11. Neil Young | |
12. Kendrick Lamar | |
13. Miles Davis | |
14. The Smiths | |
15. The Beach Boys | |
16. Kanye West | |
17. R.E.M. | |
18. Pixies | |
19. Jimi Hendrix | |
20. Bruce Springsteen |