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.

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31. (=)

Songs For The Deaf 

 Queens Of The Stone Age

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DAVE GROHL

The Legend: Dave Grohl deserves this spot and here's why...
Bands: Nirvana, QOTSA, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures, Probot, Scream.
Albums: Nevermind, In Utero, TCV, Songs For The Deaf, The Colour & The Shape.
Drum Tracks: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Song For the Deaf, Everlong, Warsaw.

There are obviously more to list, but there are nothing but classics there. He played drums with or on all of them. He didn't just play on them, he played THE perfect parts on them with the right delivery and feel. Grohl has Bonham like feel. He doesn't have super chops or speed to burn, but his musical IQ is very high. Long live David Grohl, he really is one of the greats.

The Album: Songs For The Deaf is a modern day classic, made essential to my ears by Dave's drumming. If the first two songs on the record weren't enough for you then how about the drum intro for Songs For the Dead? Talk about a classic drum moment. Dave's feel and intensity on this record is what makes it great and he fit the roll of QOTSA's skinsman better than anyone so far. It's always exciting to hear Dave and Josh are working together. This album (as well as the incredible Them Crooked Vultures album), is proof positive to their chemistry as well as Dave's prowess as the greatest rock drummer of his generation. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

2002

Appears in:

1,124 charts

Rank Score:

10,759

Rank in 2002:

5

Rank in 2000s:

16

Overall Rank:

128

Average Rating:

 83 (1,507 votes)

Comments:

74

32. (=)

Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 

 The Traveling Wilburys

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JIM KELTNER [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

1988

Appears in:

321 charts

Rank Score:

2,170

Rank in 1988:

13

Rank in 1980s:

121

Overall Rank:

806

Average Rating:

 76 (392 votes)

Comments:

30

33. (=)

Are You Experienced 

 The Jimi Hendrix Experience

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MITCH MITCHELL

The Legend: In late 60's England, the musical landscape was filled with countless great musicians and legendary drummers. John Bonham, Ian Paice, Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, Ringo Starr.. etc. Mitch Mitchell was a standout in that crowd and earned a place in the eons of drumming with his perfect blend of jazz and rock to accompany the most famous guitar player of all time, Jimi Hendrix. The chemistry between Jimi and Mitch is what gravitated me toward Mitch's drumming and Jimi's music in general. They were great for each other, Hendrix was lucky to have him. Impeccable single strokes, fills, paradiddles, and swing.

The Album: [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

2,210 charts

Rank Score:

22,678

Rank in 1967:

4

Rank in 1960s:

12

Overall Rank:

39

Average Rating:

 87 (2,479 votes)

Comments:

169

34. (=)

Fear Of A Blank Planet 

 Porcupine Tree

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GAVIN HARRISON [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

2007

Appears in:

427 charts

Rank Score:

3,983

Rank in 2007:

11

Rank in 2000s:

73

Overall Rank:

439

Average Rating:

 81 (594 votes)

Comments:

35

35. (=)

Sticky Fingers 

 The Rolling Stones

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CHARLIE WATTS

The Legend: The only man who can say he held the throne behind the legendary Stones. Kind of all that needs to be said. Much like the aforementioned Ringo Starr, Charlie fuels his rock band like literally nobody else could ever do with a feel that is many often try to steal but can't quite replicate. It's in his hands, it's that simple. What's more is Charlie's unique approach to rock drumming and some of the drum performances he's laid down. Albums like Exile on Main Street, Sticky Fingers, Aftermath, and Let It Bleed would not have been the same without him. [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

1971

Appears in:

1,640 charts

Rank Score:

17,704

Rank in 1971:

5

Rank in 1970s:

19

Overall Rank:

63

Average Rating:

 86 (1,907 votes)

Comments:

135

36. (=)

Prohibited Beats 

 Jojo Mayer & Nerve

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JOJO MAYER [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

2009

Appears in:

2 charts

Rank in 2009:

None

Rank in 2000s:

None

Average Rating:

 Not enough data

Comments:

0

37. (=)

Back To Oakland 

 Tower Of Power

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DAVID GARIBALDI [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

1974

Appears in:

10 charts

Rank Score:

14

Rank in 1974:

436

Rank in 1970s:

4,508

Overall Rank:

46,286

Average Rating:

 73 (17 votes)

Comments:

0

38. (=)

Time Out 

 The Dave Brubeck Quartet

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JOE MORELLO [First added to this chart: 08/24/2016]

Year of Release:

1959

Appears in:

649 charts

Rank Score:

6,538

Rank in 1959:

3

Rank in 1950s:

3

Overall Rank:

255

Average Rating:

 84 (730 votes)

Comments:

39

39. (=)

In The Jungle Groove 
Compilation

 James Brown

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CLYDE STUBBLEFIELD [First added to this chart: 08/25/2016]

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

68 charts

Rank Score:

497

Rank in 1986:

44

Rank in 1980s:

465

Overall Rank:

3,040

Average Rating:

 78 (85 votes)

Comments:

6

40. (=)

8:30 

 Weather Report

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PETER ERSKINE [First added to this chart: 08/25/2016]

Year of Release:

1979

Appears in:

19 charts

Rank Score:

63

Rank in 1979:

213

Rank in 1970s:

2,231

Overall Rank:

17,087

Average Rating:

 75 (20 votes)

Comments:

2

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Total albums: 50. Page 4 of 5

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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%
Aretha Franklin	1	2%
Rush	1	2%
Tower Of Power	1	2%
Toto	1	2%
The Blues Brothers	1	2%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	33	66%
	10	20%
	3	6%
	1	2%
	1	2%
	1	2%
	1	2%

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

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

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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
90/100	06/15/2017 01:45	bobbyb5	725	90/100
100/100	10/01/2016 12:41	mostlymor	45	89/100

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

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From AAL2014 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.

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Rating:  

90/100

From bobbyb5 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

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Rating:  

100/100

From mostlymor 10/01/2016 12:42

Excellent chart, enjoyed your comments particularly.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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