Bang on the Drum All Day

As a follow up to the my wildly successful posting on the "Greatest Voices in Rock and Roll" (I think 12 people read it), the sequel will cover one of my favorite instruments - the drums. After all, who doesn't love the drummer in a rock and roll band?

There are literally hundreds to choose from, and similar to the previous list, they can be vehemently debated. I'm OK with good old fashioned sparring as long as no one gets hurt.

So, once again, in no particular order.......

CARL PALMER - For some reason, this guy gets overlooked on most lists. Quick hands and impeccable timing, he pounded the snare for both Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Asia. In both occasions, he brought many of the songs to another level. Just listen to Karn Evil 9 or Soul Survivor and you'll see what I mean.

JOHN BONHAM - It's hard to be in Led Zeppelin and not be an expert in your field. Bonham had a lot of great, original Jimmy Page riffs to work with, but no one has ever hit the drums harder. When pundits said that LZ's music came from the gods, it was Bonham that evoked them.

ALAN WHITE - Probably one of the most underrated percussionists of his generation, but his 2 tours of duty with YES showcased his talents in both progressive rock, traditional, and pop rock. The early years in YES called for complex rhythms and he was up to the task.

PHIL COLLINS - Long before he grabbed a microphone, Phil seemed to have 4 sticks in his hand when he played never ending songs in Genesis. His signature style continued throughout his solo work and his distinct sound was simulated, but never duplicated.

NEAL PEART - It's hard to believe Rush is still around, but Neal is a central part of the reason. Some would argue that his arrangements were the most complex in the history of rock, and I tend to agree. He hit on beats that typically remained silent and drove Rush's arena classics into new territory Probably the greatest ever.

ALEX VAN HALEN - He had some pretty cool songs to work with as they were a mix of hard rock and fun rock (is that even a label?). What he was most famous for was hitting the epicenter of the ride cymbal. That distinct sound set him apart from the rest. His best work was done well before Jump.

STEWART COPELAND - The Police didn't play as hard as some of their rock contemporaries. However, like most of Sting's lyrics, the music was very technical. Their reggae rock often kept him between genres, but he was able to master both. His work on the Synchronicity album really showcased his versatility.

ROGER TAYLOR - In Queen, Freddie Mercury received all the attention. But Taylor deserves a fair shake. He had a lead singer with a driving voice and a lead guitarist that practically created a rock opera each night. He sat in the back seat on many occasions, but his skill is second to only a small few, and his beat on "We Will Rock You" will be played in stadiums forever.

TAYLOR HAWKINS - When your lead singer played the drums in an iconic rock band, that's a lot of pressure. No matter. Dave Grohl's writing in the Foo Fighters usually has the drums in mind, so Hawkins needs to be on top of his game. He probably hits the drums more often than anyone in history. Great hand speed.

KEITH MOON - The Who may be the original arena/stadium anthem band. The songs had power and energy, driven by powerful vocals and guitar windmills. Moon kept pace, and rose above many other British Invasion bands of his generation. He's regarded as a major influence on many other members of this list.

GINGER BAKER - He didn't have as long a shelf life with Cream as did other drummers with their bands during his time, but Eric Clapton gave him some classics to work with. And he made them his own. You could make the argument that his style and influence helped shape the eventual sound of the classic rock drummer.

CARTER BEAUFORD - Carter who? Fans know he's in the Dave Matthews Band. And experts know that he's forced to play many different styles, as DMB can do rock, jazz, punk, and more. A very versatile drummer over a long period of time.

Alright, that's it. Hopefully, more than 12 people read this. With a little luck, more than 50% will even care. Gentleman, start your engines and let the debate begin.