Laying Down the Beat: the 9 Most Famous Drummers of all Time

Most rock bands are known for their front men or guitar players, but who are the most famous drummers of all time? An incredible song requires several elements for its grandeur: an enticing melody, well-written lyrics, a memorable voice and, of course, a beat that ties everything together.

While some people see the drummer as just another musician, I believe their skills can make or break a song, making them one of the most essential parts of any band. Mickey Hart once said that “Life is about rhythm. We vibrate, our hearts are pumping blood, we are a rhythm machine, that’s what we are”, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. The most famous drummers of all time have made it onto this list through their ability to infest our ears with an irreplaceable beat.

Now, there’s a vast universe of drummers in the music industry, but unlike the top 10 one hit wonders of all time, which we covered in a previous article, this list is reserved for rhythmic legends. Although musical taste and preferences will influence any ranking of the most famous drummers of all time, some masterminds’ skill level behind a drum set simply can’t be denied. So let’s see who can take a walk into the drumming hall of fame.

9. Ringo Starr

Many will argue that Ringo Starr doesn’t have the precision or speed to be amongst the best drummers in the world. However, as one of the four Beatles, it’s clear that his offbeat drumming skills are irreplaceable for their unique sound. And although his only solo appeared on the last song of the last album released by the brit pop-gods, his talent is duly noted, by myself at the very least.

The eight most famous drummers of all time are yet to come on our list. Check them out on the next pages.