Five essential rock drummers left out of the BBC’s top 33

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Lists of the greatest musicians often spark debate, and the BBC is continuing that tradition. Following their recent ranking of top rock guitarists, they’ve now published a list of the 33 best rock drummers.

I noticed their initial list left out five guitarists and could also be improved by adding another five drummers who were deserving of inclusion.

The BBC article has a really strong list of drummers, similar to their lists of top guitarists. While a couple of the choices might be surprising, the article does a good job of explaining why they were included. I won’t list all 33 here – it’s worth checking out the original article if you’re interested, as it’s a good read.

Five more essential rock drummers not on BBC Music’s list

It’s strange they chose an odd number of musicians. I originally assumed listing 31 guitarists meant they struggled to decide who to exclude. Now, with 33 drummers, that decision seems even more difficult. It would have been even tougher if they’d considered these five additional drummers, all of whom I believe deserve to be on the list.

Carl Palmer

Carl Palmer first gained recognition playing with bands like the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Atomic Rooster, but his career truly took off when he joined Emerson, Lake, & Palmer. He wasn’t simply a drummer for the group; he was essential to their unique sound.

Honestly, Palmer was just a ridiculously good drummer – way more technically skilled and faster than most. What really set him apart, though, was his background in jazz and classical music – it was a perfect fit for what ELP was doing. He didn’t just stick to a standard kit either; he brought in all sorts of cool percussion instruments. You can really hear it on their biggest song, “Fanfare for the Common Man” – it’s full of those extra layers and sounds.

Carl Palmer truly shined on stage after his time with Emerson, Lake & Palmer, especially when playing with the progressive rock supergroup Asia. His improvisational solos during those performances became famous and were a far cry from the predictable drumming you sometimes hear in rock music. It’s surprising, given his skill and reputation, that he wasn’t ranked among the top 33 drummers on that particular list.

Phil Collins

I’ve always been amazed by Phil Collins! He wasn’t just an incredible drummer for Genesis, but when Peter Gabriel left, he stepped up as the frontman – and he still played drums! It’s so cool that he managed to handle both roles, both with Genesis and when he started doing his own thing. Of course, he’d occasionally bring in other talented drummers like Chester Thompson to help him really focus on singing, but he never abandoned his kit completely. It’s a testament to his skill that he could pull that off!

Is Phil Collins a great drummer? He’s definitely a talented musician, and while many now recognize him as a singer, his drumming on songs like “In The Air Tonight” – especially that famous drum fill – is instantly recognizable and memorable. But does he deserve to be considered one of the best?

He’s a really strong candidate. His abilities are better than many others, and he’s managed to develop them while also excelling at writing, singing, and performing both as a soloist and with groups – that’s impressive.

Dave Lombardo

Many metal fans would be surprised not to see Slayer’s Dave Lombardo on a list of top drummers. He’s widely considered one of the very best, particularly when it comes to thrash metal.

He’s a fast and skilled drummer who plays with a lot of power, making him a great fit for metal music. You can easily recognize his style thanks to his strong double bass technique. Interestingly, despite playing metal, he also incorporates a diverse range of percussion instruments into his sound.

Lombardo drew inspiration from legendary drummers like Keith Moon and John Bonham, and now he’s becoming a major influence himself for a new generation of musicians.

Don Brewer

Don Brewer, like a lot of drummers, played in several bands throughout his career. However, he’s most famous for his work with two legendary groups: Grand Funk Railroad, which he helped start and for whom he wrote and sang lead vocals on many hit songs, and as a long-time touring drummer for Bob Seger, both with and without the Silver Bullet Band.

Don Brewer was a powerfully energetic drummer who was key to the Grand Funk Railroad’s blend of blues-rock and funk. He played with incredible force and volume – people said he played as if possessed, and you can really hear that energy in his drumming. He’s definitely one of the most influential drummers and deserves to be recognized as one of the greats.

Taylor Hawkins

Okay, I know some people might think it’s a bit emotional to include Taylor Hawkins on this list, and honestly, I get that. It’s just… sometimes you don’t truly appreciate someone until they’re gone, you know? It really hits you then.

Taylor Hawkins was a vital member of the Foo Fighters. He wasn’t known for flashy performances or revolutionary style, but he was a consistently excellent and reliable drummer for one of the biggest rock bands around. He had a real impact on people and will be dearly missed.

Taylor Hawkins consistently exceeded expectations in his work, earning significant recognition throughout his career. This included induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Foo Fighters and being named Best Rock Drummer by Rhythm magazine in 2005 – accomplishments that strongly supported his potential inclusion in any hall of fame.

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2026-04-11 14:00