100 Greatest Drum Beats

Britain's Rhythm magazine has chosen their list of the 100 Greatest Drum Beats of All Time. Enlisting the help of people like Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot), Joey Jordinson (Slipknot), Thomas Lang and Peter Erskine, the editorial staff put together their list of 100 great rhythms that span from 30's jazz to current material.

Here is the top 25:

1. The Funky Drummer (Parts 1 & 2) - James Brown (Clyde Stubblefield)
2. When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin (John Bonham)
3. Cissy Strut - Meters (Zigaboo Modeliste)
4. Take Five - Dave Brubeck (Joe Morello)
5. Back in Black - AC/DC (Phil Rudd)
6. Won't Get Fooled Again - Who (Keith Moon)
7. Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman Orchestra (Gene Krupa)
8. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (Dave Grohl)
9. Ballroom Blitz - Sweet (Mick Tucker)
10. Cold Sweat - James Brown (Clyde Stubblefield)
11. Raining Blood - Slayer (Dave Lombardo)
12. Rosanna - Toto (Jeff Porcaro)
13. Roxanne - Police (Stewart Copeland)
14. One - Metallica (Lars Ulrich)
15. Good Times, Bad Times - Led Zeppelin (John Bonham)
16. Blue Monday - New Order (Oberheim DMX drum machine)
17. We Will Rock You - Queen (Roger Taylor)
18. Lust For Life - Iggy Pop (Hunt Sales)
19. Quadrant 4 - Billy Cobham (Billy Cobham)
20. Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2 (Larry Mullen, Jr.)
21. Superstition - Stevie Wonder (Stevie Wonder)
22. Sunshine of Your Love - Cream (Ginger Baker)
23. Come Together - Beatles (Ringo Starr)
24. Midlife Crisis - Faith No More (Mike Bordin)
25. Sexy MF - Prince (Michael Bland)


I looked at the top 100 and I know that these types of lists are very subjective, but I see two glaring ommissions, Bruce Gary (The Knack) with "My Sharona" and John Lennon's "Instant Karma," (with the drums being played by Alan White). Both of these cuts feature fantastic drum 'riffs' and would certainly make my top 10. Additionally, Ringo Starr is such an under appreciated talent, you mean to say that only one Beatles cut made the list? And what about Mick Fleetwood? Any comments?

To see the rest of the list, visit:
100-greatest-drum-beats-of-all-time