50 Greatest Drummers of All Time

For a band, who would you say is the most important individual of the group? Perhaps the lead vocalist, because they are the literal “voice” of the band? Or maybe the lead guitarist, because who doesn’t love hearing a good, catchy riff?

But what about the drummer? You know, the person who’s usually responsible for making you headbang to the rhythm or tap your foot to the beat of a song? They don’t get enough credit for what they do.

The drummer is the backbone of a band. The one who gives music its personality, its drive. They are just as essential to the group as anyone else and for good reasons too. Let’s show our appreciation and take a look at some of the best drummers to ever walk the earth!

50. Cozy Powell

First on our list is Cozy Powell, a drummer who has earned quite the reputation for his work with rock bands such as Rainbow and Whitesnake. In 1999, one of the bands Powell played for, the short-lived Emerson, Lake & Powell, was interviewed and they told a funny story about how the drummer had forgotten his sticks for a rehearsal. Powell had considered using some fallen branches from an orchard, but fortunately, someone was able to get him proper drumsticks from town. Talk about thinking outside the box.