Category: Drums and Drummers

Drumming is an essential component of rock music, and there are countless songs that feature iconic drum parts that have become famous in their own right. From classic rock to modern hits, here are 15 rock songs that are famous because of the drumming.

“Wipeout” by The Surfaris

One of the most famous drum intros in rock history, “Wipeout” features a driving beat that has become instantly recognizable. The song is a surf rock classic and has been covered by countless bands over the years.

“In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins

Phil Collins’ haunting ballad “In the Air Tonight” features a slow and powerful drum part that builds to a climactic finish. The song’s iconic drum fill has been sampled in countless hip-hop and pop songs over the years.

When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin

One of Led Zeppelin’s most famous songs, “When the Levee Breaks” features a massive drum sound that was achieved by recording the drums in a stairwell. The song’s driving beat and powerful fills have influenced countless rock and metal drummers over the years.

“Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin

Another Led Zeppelin classic, “Moby Dick” features an extended drum solo by John Bonham that has become legendary among drummers. Bonham’s technical prowess and creative approach to drumming set a new standard for rock drumming.

“Tom Sawyer” by Rush

One of Rush’s most popular songs, “Tom Sawyer” features a complex and intricate drum part by Neil Peart. Peart’s use of odd time signatures and intricate fills has made him one of the most respected and influential drummers in rock history.

“YYZ” by Rush

Another Rush classic, “YYZ” features a driving beat and complex rhythms that showcase Peart’s incredible technical skills. The song’s instrumental structure puts the focus squarely on the drums, making it a fan favorite among drumming enthusiasts.

“Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen

“Hot for Teacher” is one of Van Halen’s most popular songs, thanks in large part to Alex Van Halen’s driving drum beat. The song’s intro features a blistering drum solo that sets the stage for the rest of the song.

“Back in Black” by AC/DC

“Back in Black” is one of AC/DC’s most iconic songs, thanks in large part to Phil Rudd’s simple but effective drum part. The song’s driving beat and powerful fills perfectly complement the song’s heavy guitar riffs and catchy melody.

“Run to the Hills” by Iron Maiden

“Run to the Hills” is one of Iron Maiden’s most famous songs, thanks in large part to Nicko McBrain’s powerful drumming. The song’s driving beat and intricate fills have made it a fan favorite and a staple of the band’s live shows.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is one of the defining songs of the grunge era, and Dave Grohl’s driving drum part is a big reason why. The song’s simple but effective beat perfectly complements Kurt Cobain’s raw guitar riffs and angsty lyrics.

“Bulls on Parade” by Rage Against the Machine

“Bulls on Parade” features a driving drum part by Brad Wilk that perfectly complements the song’s aggressive guitar riffs and politically charged lyrics. The song’s powerful rhythm has made it a fan favorite and a staple of the band’s live shows.

“Schism” by Tool

“Schism” is one of Tool’s most popular songs, thanks in large part to Danny Carey’s intricate drumming. The song features complex rhythms and intricate fills that showcase Carey’s technical prowess and creative approach to drumming.

“The Pretender” by Foo Fighters

“The Pretender” is one of Foo Fighters’ biggest hits, and Taylor Hawkins’ driving drum part is a big reason why. The song’s powerful beat and catchy fills perfectly complement Dave Grohl’s soaring vocals and guitar riffs.

“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons

“Radioactive” is one of Imagine Dragons’ most popular songs, thanks in large part to Daniel Platzman’s driving drum beat. The song’s tribal rhythms and catchy hooks have made it a fan favorite and a staple of the band’s live shows.

“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

“Uptown Funk” is one of the biggest hits of the past decade, and it’s in no small part thanks to the driving drum beat by Bruno Mars’ drummer, Homer Steinweiss. The song’s funky rhythm and catchy hooks have made it a staple of dance floors and radio stations worldwide.

In conclusion, these 15 rock songs have become famous not only for their catchy melodies and memorable lyrics, but also for the iconic drumming that drives them. From the massive sound of Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks” to the complex rhythms of Rush’s “YYZ,” these songs have set a new standard for rock drumming and inspired countless drummers to pick up the sticks and start playing.

Drumming is an essential component of rock music, and the sound of the drums can make or break a song. Today’s top 10 rock drummers have their own unique style and preferences when it comes to their favorite drums. In this article, we’ll take a look at the drums of the top 10 rock drummers and what makes them stand out.

Neil Peart (Rush)

Neil Peart, the legendary drummer of Rush, was known for his powerful and intricate drumming style. He was a huge fan of the DW Drums, particularly the Collector’s Series. These drums are made from different types of wood, which gives them a unique sound. Peart’s favorite finish was the Exotic Burst, which gives the drums a beautiful and eye-catching look.

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)

Dave Grohl, the former drummer of Nirvana and frontman of Foo Fighters, is known for his energetic and hard-hitting drumming style. He has used a variety of drums over the years, but his favorite is the Ludwig Classic Maple. These drums are made from high-quality maple wood, which gives them a warm and punchy sound. Grohl particularly likes the Vintage Black Oyster finish, which gives the drums a classic look.

Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)

Taylor Hawkins, the current drummer of Foo Fighters, is known for his dynamic and versatile drumming style. His favorite drums are the Gretsch USA Custom. These drums are made from high-quality maple wood, which gives them a bright and clear sound. Hawkins particularly likes the Vintage Champagne Sparkle finish, which gives the drums a retro look.

Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Chad Smith, the drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers, is known for his funky and groovy drumming style. He has been using Pearl Drums for many years, particularly the Reference series. These drums are made from a combination of maple and birch wood, which gives them a balanced and versatile sound. Smith particularly likes the Piano Black finish, which gives the drums a sleek and modern look.

Lars Ulrich (Metallica)

Lars Ulrich, the drummer of Metallica, is known for his powerful and aggressive drumming style. He has been using Tama Drums for many years, particularly the Starclassic series. These drums are made from high-quality birch wood, which gives them a bright and explosive sound. Ulrich particularly likes the Dark Mocha Fade finish, which gives the drums a sophisticated and elegant look.

Danny Carey (Tool)

Danny Carey, the drummer of Tool, is known for his complex and progressive drumming style. He has been using Sonor Drums for many years, particularly the SQ2 series. These drums are made from high-quality birch and maple wood, which gives them a rich and dynamic sound. Carey particularly likes the Nordic Blue finish, which gives the drums a cool and modern look.

Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam)

Matt Cameron, the drummer of Pearl Jam, is known for his powerful and driving drumming style. He has been using Ludwig Drums for many years, particularly the Legacy Mahogany series. These drums are made from high-quality mahogany wood, which gives them a warm and resonant sound. Cameron particularly likes the Natural Mahogany finish, which gives the drums a simple and elegant look.

Tre Cool (Green Day)

Tre Cool, the drummer of Green Day, is known for his energetic and punky drumming style. He has been using SJC Drums for many years, particularly the Custom series. These drums are made from high-quality maple wood, which gives them a bright and lively sound. Cool particularly likes the Natural Satin finish, which gives the drums a natural and stripped-down look.

Josh Dun (Twenty One Pilots)

Josh Dun, the drummer of Twenty One Pilots, is known for his dynamic and creative drumming style. He has been using C&C Drums for many years, particularly the Player Date II series. These drums are made from high-quality maple and mahogany wood, which gives them a warm and versatile sound. Dun particularly likes the Walnut Satin finish, which gives the drums a natural and organic look.

Joey Jordison (Slipknot)

Joey Jordison, the former drummer of Slipknot, was known for his fast and intense drumming style. He has used a variety of drums over the years, but his favorite was the Pearl Reference series. These drums are made from a combination of maple and birch wood, which gives them a powerful and explosive sound. Jordison particularly liked the Black Cherry finish, which gave the drums a dark and menacing look.

In conclusion, today’s top 10 rock drummers have a wide variety of drumming styles and preferences when it comes to their favorite drums. Whether it’s the warm and punchy sound of the Ludwig Classic Maple, the explosive and bright sound of the Tama Starclassic, or the rich and dynamic sound of the Sonor SQ2, each drummer has their own unique sound and style that they bring to their music. The drums they use are an essential part of that sound, and each drummer has chosen a drum set that best suits their style and personality.