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.

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.

Share this chart
Collector's summary (filtered)Log in or register to discover the great albums that are missing from your music collection!

This chart is currently filtered to only show non soundtrack albums. (Remove this filter)

Sort by
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
BUDDY RICH

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]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank in 1969:
None
Rank in 1960s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
JOHN BONHAM

The Legend: John Henry Bonham has influenced more drummers than almost anyone and it's why he's a deserving second place on the Modern Drummer list. The greatest rock drummer of all time had a somewhat short professional career, but to me, that makes his mark on drumming and popular music even greater. Bonham's thunder on the skins powered Led Zeppelin in a way that no other drummer could. His mix of tenacity and grace has been copied by many but never duplicated. Fuck, this guy has a triplet fill named after him!

The Album: Physical Graffiti might be my favorite Zeppelin album. It certainly shows Bonham's capability to shower the listener in a blanket of thick, fat grooves. The production on PG especially had an effect on Bonham's drums. Listen to Kashmir and listen to the bass drum patterns. So much nuance.


Best Performances: Kashmir, Good Times Bad Times, Fool In The Rain
[First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,477
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
NEIL PEART

The Legend: If there is but one term I can use to describe the Professor, Neil Peart and his drumming, it would be Focused Intensity. Neil has been a mainstay among popular drummers for over 4 decades. He has influenced generations of drummers, widened the mindset of a typical rock drummer, and still plays at an incredibly high level today at 60+ years old. Neil's beats, fills, solos, and stick twirls have been drummed (or air-drummed) probably more so than any other drummer. Night after night on tour, Neil's solos were more than drum solos, they were musical explorations mixing traditional drum set pieces with electronic pads making sounds varying from conga to jazz horn. Neil Peart's hunger for rhythmic knowledge has inspired me since day 1.

The Album: Let's start with the drum sound on Moving Pictures. It's fucking immaculate. The snare drum is tight, the bass drum is punchy, the toms and cymbals are crisp in their own, distinct ways. Moving Pictures was the record that launched Rush from prog rock heroes to enormous arena packers around the world and Neil's drumming is a huge part of that. The solo in Tom Sawyer is one of the most legendary drum parts in the history of the instrument. It's as well crafted as it is famous. YYZ also contains legendary drum moments and interplay between the 3 members that almost mimics free jazz. The Camera Eye, Vital Signs, and Red Barchetta also contain poignant drum tracks from Neil who cemented his legacy on this album.


Best Performances: La Villa Strangiato, Xanadu, YYZ
[First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,342
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
TONY WILLIAMS

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]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
55
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
ELVIN JONES

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]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,075
Rank in 1965:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
6. (=)
Aja 
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
STEVE GADD

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]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,372
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
VINNIE COLAIUTA

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]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
590
Rank in 1987:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
8. (=)
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
KEITH MOON

The Legend: I could begin and end this section with they created Animal the Muppet based off of Keith's antics and likeness. The guy was a total mammoth and had a totally unique style. Being a great rock drummer came naturally to Keith. He practiced rarely if ever, but what came out of him in songs and solos was pure, unadulterated mayhem that took the Who to heights few rock bands have ever seen. On any given night, Keith was a tornado on the drums.

The Album: Perhaps the most legendary live album in the rock canon, Live at Leeds shows exactly what I'm talking about in reference to Keith's tornado-esq drum stylings. The only known footage from that show shows Keith tearing through the set like a wild animal. Keith made Live At Leeds what it was through his fierce and explosive drumming.
[First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,388
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
RINGO STARR


The Legend: Some might see Ringo voted in at number 9 on this poll and think "What the hell? Ringo is barely even a drummer!", which is quite a shame. Ringo revolutionized the world of drums by not only being in the Beatles and being a personality of his own, but by being a great thinker behind the drums with a God given perfect sense of time. Songs like Come Together, Oh Darling!, The End, A Day In The Life, Let It Be, etc all have characteristics and personality to them in large part because of the feel and rhythms Ringo chose. He wasn't a great drummer in the traditional sense, but drumming would not be the same without him. He still tours today with his All Star Band featuring the great Gregg Bissonette on drums, and provides arenas and theaters packed with fans a feeling of love only a Beatle could exude.

The Album: If you were to say "Hey, AAL2014, Abbey Road is the greatest album of all time" I would say... "Perhaps." I love Abbey Road like a family member. It's a warm, inviting, musically viable and excellent collection of songs that combined of the moods of all 4 members of the band. One of the reasons Abbey Road is my favorite Beatles album is because of the feel and dynamic playing Ringo displays. From the laid back, legendary fill of Come Together, to the bluesy brilliance of Oh Darling!, to the simplistic yet well executed "solo" in The End, Ringo's playing on this album exemplifies why he's such an influence.


It's the feel. It's the feel. It's the feel.
[First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
60,086
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
10. (=)
Drum Crazy 
Compilation
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
GENE KRUPA

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]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank in 2001:
None
Rank in 2000s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 49. Page 1 of 5

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%
Country Albums %


United States 33 66%
United Kingdom 10 20%
Mixed Nationality 3 6%
Jamaica 1 2%
Nigeria 1 2%
Sweden 1 2%
Canada 1 2%
Compilation? Albums %
No 46 92%
Yes 4 8%
Live? Albums %
No 47 94%
Yes 3 6%
Soundtrack? Albums %
No 49 98%
Yes 1 2%

Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) chart changes

There have been no changes to this chart.
TitleSourceTypePublishedCountry
Top 50 Greatest Music Albumszelecaster23Overall chart2024
Top 50 Greatest Music AlbumsDimitritovOverall chart2018
Top 40 Greatest Music AlbumscoppolaleoneOverall chart2016Unknown
Top 50 Greatest Music AlbumsralflordOverall chart2010Unknown
Top 50 Greatest Music AlbumsGassmanOverall chart2011
Top 50 Greatest Music AlbumsJuanLuisGG14Overall chart2023Unknown
Top 50 Greatest Music Albumsluigi522Overall chart2017
Top 40 Greatest Music AlbumsKeithGMOverall chart2016Unknown
Top 50 Greatest Music AlbumskscottiOverall chart2010
Top 40 Greatest Music AlbumsvinceOverall chart2014Unknown

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?


Register now - it only takes a moment!

TitleSourceTypePublishedCountry
The Beatles AAL2014Custom chart2024
Rush - The Studio Albums AAL2014Custom chart2020
MetallicA AAL2014Custom chart2023
Best Ever Debut Albums AAL2014Custom chart2023
Tool AAL2014Custom chart2021
Dream Theater AAL2014Custom chart2025
Bob Dylan- So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Iron Maiden- The Studio Albums AAL2014Custom chart2024
Led Zeppelin- The Studio Albums AAL2014Custom chart2016
Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) AAL2014Custom chart2017
John Coltrane.... So Far.... AAL2014Custom chart2024
Miles Davis... So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
My Favorite Mike Portnoy Albums AAL2014Custom chart2021
Black Sabbath: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Mastodon AAL2014Custom chart2025
Bruce Springsteen- So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2023
Album Closers AAL2014Custom chart2024
Album Openers AAL2014Custom chart2025
Chris Cornell / Soundgarden AAL2014Custom chart2021
Top Greatest Albums #101-200 AAL2014Custom chart2024
Foo Fighters AAL2014Custom chart2023
My Favorite Drummers AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Concert List AAL2014Custom chart2024
Queen- So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2020
Best Ever Album Covers AAL2014Custom chart2024
Jazz/Jazz Fusion/Jazz Rock AAL2014Custom chart2024
Judas Priest: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2024
Manchester Orchestra AAL2014Custom chart2023
Thin Lizzy- So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Deep Purple: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2023
U2: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2020
Death AAL2014Custom chart2023
Motörhead: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Alice Cooper: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Fiona Apple AAL2014Custom chart2023
David Bowie: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Rush - The Live Albums AAL2014Custom chart2021
Sepultura: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2020
Slayer: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2020
Run The Jewels AAL2014Custom chart2021
The Greatest Greatest Hits AAL2014Custom chart2023
Rap/Hip Hop AAL2014Custom chart2024
Billy Cobham: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2023
Elton John: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Stevie Wonder: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2024
Pink Floyd: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2024
Kansas: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
The Rolling Stones: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Yes: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Death Grips: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2023
Joni Mitchell: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
Deftones: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2020
The Roots: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2021
Talking Heads: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2020
Dinosaur Jr: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
AC/DC: So Far... AAL2014Custom chart2025
KISS: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Megadeth: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2020
Peter Gabriel: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2020
King Crimson: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Red Hot Chili Peppers: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2020
System of a Down AAL2014Custom chart2021
The Who: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Genesis: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
A Tribe Called Quest AAL2014Custom chart2021
MF DOOM: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2021
Björk: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Brian Eno: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Return To Forever AAL2014Custom chart2021
Tony Williams/The Tony Williams Lifetime: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Eminem: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2021
Anthrax: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2021
Neil Young: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Prince: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Van Halen: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Frank Zappa: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Velvet Underground AAL2014Custom chart2024
Nick Cave: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Kendrick Lamar AAL2014Custom chart2024
Mr. Bungle AAL2014Custom chart2021
Ne Obliviscaris AAL2014Custom chart2024
Gentle Giant: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Radiohead: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Best Ever Live Albums AAL2014Custom chart2025
Weather Report: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Renaissance: So Far… AAL2014Custom chart2021
Talk Talk AAL2014Custom chart2021
Marvin Gaye: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Ranking Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top 500- An Exploration AAL2014Custom chart2024
Kanye West: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Worst Albums I’ve Listened To AAL2014Custom chart2025
Fela Kuti- So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2022
The Honorable Mentions AAL2014Custom chart2022
Objectively Ranking BEA’s Top 100 AAL2014Custom chart2024
Best Ever Bookends AAL2014Custom chart2025
Favorite Album By Letter AAL2014Custom chart2022
Ranking The 10’s AAL2014Custom chart2025
Parliament Funkadelic: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Pleasant Surprises AAL2014Custom chart2023
Joy Division AAL2014Custom chart2022
Earl Sweatshirt: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Top Greatest Albums: #201-300 AAL2014Custom chart2023
Prog Rock AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Mountain Goats: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Best Ever Works of Lyrics AAL2014Custom chart2023
Metal (Heavy, Thrash, Death, Black, Nu, Grind, etc…) AAL2014Custom chart2024
Danny Brown: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Thundercat: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Best Ever Final Albums AAL2014Custom chart2023
Outkast: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Big Star AAL2014Custom chart2023
Charles Mingus: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Max Roach: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Blue Öyster Cult: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Buddy Rich: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Tyler, The Creator: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Lingua Ignota AAL2014Custom chart2023
Phoebe Bridgers AAL2014Custom chart2023
Wu-Tang Clan & Solo Members: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Tom Petty (& The Heartbreakers): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
RUN-DMC: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Lil Wayne: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Pavement: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Michael Jackson: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
KRS-ONE w/Boogie Down Productions: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Noname AAL2014Custom chart2023
Jay-Z: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
The Police: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
The Notorious BIG AAL2014Custom chart2023
Aretha Franklin: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Aerosmith: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Allan Holdsworth: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Black Thought: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Emerson, Lake & Palmer: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
James Brown: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Jeff Beck: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
John Cale: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Kate Bush: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Leprous: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Napalm Death: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Nirvana AAL2014Custom chart2023
Paul McCartney (Solo/Wings): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Pixies: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Roxy Music: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Sun Ra: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Beach Boys AAL2014Custom chart2025
The Kinks: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Beastie Boys: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
1970’s: #’s 101-200 AAL2014Custom chart2023
Jiro Inagaki: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
McKinley Dixon: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Favorite Albums From Japan ?? AAL2014Custom chart2024
Janet Jackson: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Elvin Jones (Solo/Co-Leader): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Clash: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Dorothy Ashby: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Favorite Albums From Australia ?? AAL2014Custom chart2024
Elvis Presley: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Bob Marley & The Wailers: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
D’Angelo AAL2014Custom chart2023
Billy Woods: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2023
Knower AAL2014Custom chart2024
Art Blakey: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
John Frusciante: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Best Ever Album Titles AAL2014Custom chart2024
Matana Roberts: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Fire!/Fire! Orchestra AAL2014Custom chart2024
Ranking Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums (#’s 101-200) AAL2014Custom chart2024
Swans/Gira: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Favorite Albums From Sweden ?? AAL2014Custom chart2024
LSD and the Search For God AAL2014Custom chart2024
Mammal Hands: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
CAN: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
The Doors: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Best Ever Sophomore Albums AAL2014Custom chart2024
Godspeed You! Black Emperor AAL2014Custom chart2024
R.E.M.: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
ZZ Top: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Vampire Weekend AAL2014Custom chart2024
Yazz Ahmed AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Caretaker: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Corima AAL2014Custom chart2024
Herbie Hancock: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Alice Coltrane: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Paal Nilssen-Love ?: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Kamasi Washington AAL2014Custom chart2024
JPEGmafia: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Albert Alyer: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
I Like To Sleep (Norway) AAL2014Custom chart2024
Ruins: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Satoko Fujii: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Elephant9 (Norway): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Explosions In The Sky: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Tigran Hamasyan: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Favorite Albums From Norway ?? AAL2014Custom chart2024
Krokofant: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Sleep: So Far AAL2014Custom chart2024
Kero Kero Bonito: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Favorite Albums From France ?? AAL2014Custom chart2025
MGMT: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Steve Reich: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Cymande AAL2014Custom chart2024
Nina Simone: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Eloy: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Opeth AAL2014Custom chart2024
Portishead AAL2014Custom chart2024
Gluepot AAL2014Custom chart2024
mewithoutyou: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
John Lennon: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
The Flaming Lips: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Between The Buried & Me: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Scott Walker: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Favorite Albums From Germany ?? AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Band: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Tortoise: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Batsumi AAL2014Custom chart2024
Melody’s Echo Chamber AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Residents: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Akiko Yano: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Masayoshi Takanaka: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Jazzpospolita (Poland): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Faust: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
This Heat AAL2014Custom chart2024
Agabas (Norway) AAL2014Custom chart2024
Yusef Lateef: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Pharoah Sanders: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Dälek: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Armand Hammer: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Michael White: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Solo Albums by Members of The Beach Boys: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Labi Siffre: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Embryo: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Nick Drake AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Lounge Lizards AAL2014Custom chart2024
Jorge Ben: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
SPELLLING: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Cure: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Larry Graham/ Graham Central Station: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Lamp (??): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Uriah Heep: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Smiths AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Mamas & The Papas: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Ringo Deathstarr: So Farr.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Slowdive: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Simon & Garfunkel AAL2014Custom chart2024
Crucis (??) AAL2014Custom chart2024
Arco Iris (??): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Manic Street Preachers: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Jethro Tull: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Popol Vuh (??): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Gogo Penguin: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Kikagaku Moyo (??): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Neutral Milk Hotel AAL2014Custom chart2024
Mount Eerie: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Sly & The Family Stone: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Ween: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Thinking Fellers Union 282: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Unwound AAL2014Custom chart2024
Billy Meier (Norway) AAL2014Custom chart2024
The Dismemberment Plan AAL2014Custom chart2025
New Order: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Taylor Swift: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Stereolab: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2024
Crumb AAL2014Custom chart2024
Favorite Albums From Brazil ?? AAL2014Custom chart2025
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Curtis Mayfield: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Mötley Crüe: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Paul Simon: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Ratt: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Triumph: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Boston: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Styx: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Creedence Clearwater Revival: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Badfinger: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Van Morrison: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Sigur Rós: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Bill Evans: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Hüsker Dü: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Fugazi: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Brainiac: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Eagles: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Built To Spill: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Tom Waits: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Guided By Voices: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Title Fight AAL2014Custom chart2025
Alvvays AAL2014Custom chart2025
Leonard Cohen: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Free AAL2014Custom chart2025
Bad Company: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Ringo Starr: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
George Harrison: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Sonic Youth: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Steely Dan: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Siouxsie & The Banshees: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Big Thief: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Chico Buarque: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Brian Wilson (Solo): So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
The Moody Blues: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Tom Zé: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
1970: Year Chart Pt. 2 (#101-200) AAL2014Custom chart2025
Silver Jews: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Slade: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025
Fleetwood Mac: So Far.. AAL2014Custom chart2025

Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) ratings

Average Rating: 
87/100 (from 2 votes)
  Ratings distributionRatings distribution Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AV
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.

Sort ratings
RatingDate updatedMemberChart ratingsAvg. chart rating
  
90/100
 Report rating
06/15/2017 01:45 bobbyb5  Ratings distributionRatings distribution 72590/100
  
100/100
 Report rating
10/01/2016 12:41 mostlymor  Ratings distributionRatings distribution 4589/100

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)

From 06/15/2017 06:54
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.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 06/15/2017 01:49
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
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
From 10/01/2016 12:42
Excellent chart, enjoyed your comments particularly.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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)

Anonymous
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
Log in or register to assign a rating or leave a comment for this chart.
Recognised  Decade Charts (2020s)
1. 100 Best Albums of the 2010s: Staff Picks by Billboard (2019)
2. BrooklynVegan's Top Albums of 2010s by BrooklynVegan (2020)
3. The A.V. Club's 50 best albums of the 2010s by The A.V. Club (2019)
4. All The Best Albums Of The 2010s, Ranked by Uproxx (2019)
5. Gorilla vs. Bear Albums of the 2010s by Gorilla vs. Bear (2019)
6. Top 100 Albums of the Decade by Crack Magazine (2019)
7. NME's Greatest Albums of The Decade: The 2010s by New Music Express (2019)
8. Top 50 Albums of the 2010s by The Wild Honey Pie (2019)
9. 100 Best Albums of the 2010s by Rolling Stone (2019)
10. The 50 best albums of the decade – 2010 to 2019 by Independent (2019)
11. The Needle Drop's Top Albums Of The 2010s by The Needle Drop (2019)
12. The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s by Pitchfork (2019)
13. The 101 Best Albums of the 2010s by Spin (2020)
14. The 50 Best Albums of the Decade by Deep Cuts (2019)
15. The 100 Best Albums Of The 2010s by Stereogum (2019)
16. Die 100 besten Alben der 10er Jahre by Musikexpress.de (2020)
17. The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s by Paste (2019)
18. Die besten Platten 2010-2019 by Spex (2019)
19. Los 30 mejores discos de la década de 2010 by Esquire España (2023)
20. BEST OF 2011 - 2020: Die besten Alben des Jahrzehnts by laut (2020)
Back to Top