Some names come to mind. Mick Fleetwood. Mickey Hart. Ringo Starr. The above mentioned Jim Keltner. Who was the drummer for Ginger Baker and Traffic? What about Mike Shrieve. Damn, this is interesting and challenging to figure out.

I think it is very difficult to choose ONE drummer who is absolutely the best simply because it is very difficult to compare drummers in different styles. I think if your comparing what kind of historical impact a drummer made on the music he/she played, you can more accurately assess who is at the top. As an example, it is very difficult to compare Ringo Starr to Elvin Jones to someone like Dave Weckl or Steve Gadd. They are all completely different drummers. In my opinion Ringo Starr can even carry Elvi 's stick bag, but he has a place in history too. It's hard to single out one who is the best, though we can choose our "favorites".

What groups did Elvin Jones play with?

Traffic's drummer was Jim Capaldi. Ginger drummed for Cream, of course- whom else, I don't know (but he and Jack Bruce are playing together again- reconstituted Cream, sans Eric- and from what I've heard on the radio, they sound terrific. Bruce's voice hasn't changed a bit). Don't know much about the technical aspects of music, but as a fan, my favorite drummer would have to be Keith Moon. Would think John Bonham merits mention, as well. Ringo was a great personality, and served the Beatles well. Only proficient, it is my understanding, as a drummer, though (McCartney was actually known to overdub Ringo's drum playing, from time to time. Ever the perfectionist, he was actually a better drummer than Ringo).

McCartney is a good drummer, wow. I knew that sometimes he play many many instruments on his albums.

Ravi Shankar is pretty good on the tabla.

Pretty good? He's awesome.

Woo Woo! One I know and one I agree with!

Rock and Roll drummer? Mitch Mitchell from The Jimi Hendrix Experience gets my vote. Followed closely by Keith Moon of the Who. Both were explosive and completely capable of playing lead especially Mitchell. Give a listen to "Fire" someday. Hendrix wakes up every few measures to hit a guitar lick and everything else is Mitch... *smile* Karl

I can hardly argue with these two. I'll have to put a mention in for Bill Kruetzman and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. Mickey wrote a great book on drumming around the world. Anyone know of drummers webs sites that are worthwhile?

Can't believe I forgot Mitch Mitchell- and you're right, I was listening to "Fire" just the other day, and he was electrifying...If I remember correctly, he was replaced by Buddy Guy (sort of a mediocre talent, in comparison)- do you have any idea why? Have a hazy (purple, of course) recollection of Mitchell dying... Don't know, as I said, enough about the technical aspects of music to discern if Mitchell was a greater drummer than Moon- but you have to admit that if you needed a great drummer AND someone to destroy a hotel room, Keith would have to be your guy...

What do y'all think of Santana's drummer?

I read or heard that Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding found out they had been "replaced" from someone in the press. UGH! I don't know if Mitchell is still alive or not... As for Moon.... Hehehe what an animal! Pete Townsend gives him much credit for making the Who the band they were. He says he would be playing and of a sudden, things would just explode behind him. Keith Moon banging away like B52 dropping bombs.

Really blows (what happened to Mitch Williams)- and hard to believe Jimi would go along with something like that... Santana's drummer was the guy you mentioned before, Mike Shrieve, right? Have to rewatch their Woodstock set, because I don't remember him, though he must have been excellant (to drum for Carlos)...

Mitch Mitchell was not replaced. The Experience broke up and Jimi Hendrix formed a new band called the Band Of Gypsys with Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles (writer & original performer of "Them Changes") on drums. Band of Gypsys didn't last too long, and the next group was the new Experience, or, as I call it, the Gypsy Experience, since it had Billy Cox on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. That's how thw band was when Jimi died. And forget "Fire". You want the greatness of Mitch? Listen to "Manic Depression"!

A couple of years ago I went to a Billy Joel concert - the guy who played drums was excellent. What is his name?

Hmmm, no idea.

A question to which you have no answer? How amazing - and reassuring.

The greatest drummer of all time, of all time, is Reni from the Stone Roses. he really is the best, I promise you, the absolute most talented, skilful, rhythmical drummer ever ever ever. i've never heard anything like it.

Examples?

anything off of the first Stone Roses album. Umm..anything off of the second Stone Roses album. if you have a good record store anywhere near you, you *owe* it to yourselves to go out and buy a copy of either, preferably both, albums. They're called "Stone Roses" (first album) and "Second Coming" (second album). the first album is the the best album i own, and the best i ever will own. it is the only collection of music that i have heard for the first time and instantly loved all of it. nothing, not even any of the beethoven which i own, comes close. it is, quite simply, god's perfect music.

What year were these released?

Do they sing rock music, or what? Because I don't listen to heavy metal - gives me a headache.

the first album is the most perfect form of pop music ever ever produced, and coming from me that's some compliment, since I'm the most hyper-critical of all musicians anywhere ever. the second album is a lot more funky, and takes more getting in to than the first, but it's still very good. the first album was released in 1989, by Silvertone Records, and the second in 1994 on Geffen Records (part of MCA). Track them down...maybe at www.musicboulevard.com (i think that's the url)

I'll go have a look in Jecklin.