Top 25 Favorite Drummers countdown thread! (Number 1 & 2 Up!)

[jingle.boy]

Curious ... how many distinct names were submitted?

[ReaperKK]

I gotta check when I get home to my PC but at last count it was 244 (going off memory here) but it's slightly less now because I cleaned up misspellings

[Fonzie]

I can't believe The Atomic Clock isn't higher, or at least better known around these parts.

Let's not forget the SYL, as well as the Testament and Death etc

[devieira73]

Cozy Powell played in so many great hard rock albums and his drumming had a great good taste and heaviness. Great albums  with him on it and very good exemples of his work: Rainbown - Raising; MSG; Whitesnake - Slide It In; and Black Sabbath - Headless Cross.

[romdrums]

Had both on my larger list. Gene's playing with Strapping Young Lad was phenomenal.  Also got to see him pull double duty on a show where Testament was opening for Anthrax.  He played Testament's set and then sat in for Charlie with Anthrax because Charlie's mom had just passed.  Tore it up on both sets!! Super nice guy, too.

Cozy Powell made my list largely due to ELPowell.  I was 8 years old when that album came out, and my Dad was a huge ELP fan.  We were both blown away at how big Cozy's drum sound was compared to Carl Palmer, and it gave that album so much weight.  My Dad also took me to the Richfield Coliseum outside of Cleveland to see them on that tour for my 9th birthday.  It was such a killer show!  It's a shame that band couldn't hold it together for another album or two.

[Stadler]

25   Reasonable chance, depending.
24   No chance in hell; there are other drummers IN HIS BAND that might, though.
23   He's either going to be in someone's top ten or not on the list, so probably won't make the final.
22   No chance. I might take some crap for this one.
21   No chance; most people won't know who he is.
20   No chance.
19   No chance (part of what will possibly be the only "father/son" pair on anyone's list)
18   No chance, due to this band being a pariah around here.
17   60-40 he makes it.
16   Probably no chance, but a crying shame.  The man is a mule.
15.   Slim chance; he is arguably my vote for best drummer in his genre, though there's another guy that gets all the press.
14   One of three guys from a certain band to make my list; probably won't make the final.
13   90% lock
12   100% lock
11   Slim chance; the other guy who replaced him has a better shot.
10   Should be a 100% lock; this forum?  50-50 at best.
9   Cozy Powell
8   No. 11's "other guy".   Should be 70-30 to make it.
7   Sadly, no chance. 
6   Sadly, probably no chance; he's a pale shell of his former self, but some of his early live work is incendiary.
5   SHOULD BE 100% lock.
4   100% lock
3   100% lock
2   100% lock
1   100% lock and my guess for Number One overall.

NR:  Gene Hoglan; good player, not on my radar since I find much of SYL to be unlistenable.

[Metro]

Gene Gene the Drumming Machine 

I like Rainbow Rising, which has some killer drumming. That’s all I’ve heard from Mr. Powell though. Not enough for him to make my list.

[Adami]

0/2 but both great drummers.

[DragonAttack]

24  Cozy Powell  #10  (same as TAC!)

Became big in my world for his work with Brian May, and then I checked out a lot of his earlier efforts.  A few pix included in my Queen discography regarding his way too early death.

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=57201.msg2932389#msg2932389

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Gene Hoglan - Between his work with Dethklok, Death, Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend Band, Testament, and numerous guest spots, The Atomic Clock absolutely deserves tk be on this list. Not to mention Dave Lombardo sites him as a major influence on his drumming style. I had him at #8. Thought I would have the top spot, glad I'm not the only one that thinks he is deserving to be among the greats!

Cozy Powell - I've heard numerous albums that he has played in, but he never grabbed my attention as a drummer. He always just faded into the background for me. Unranked.

[hefdaddy42]

0/2 for me, no surprise there lol

[TAC]

I like the first Rainbow record, which has some killer drumming. That’s all I’ve heard from Mr. Powell though. Not enough for him to make my list.

He’s not on the first Rainbow album.

[King Postwhore]

0/2 for me, no surprise there lol

I bet we have a few similar pics that others wont have on their lists. 

[Evermind]

Did not submit the list, but I know Cozy Powell and he would've made my list for sure. So I'll say I'm 1/2.

Never heard of the other guy.

[Metro]

I like the first Rainbow record, which has some killer drumming. That’s all I’ve heard from Mr. Powell though. Not enough for him to make my list.

He’s not on the first Rainbow album.

My mistake, I thought Rising was the first album.

[pg1067]

24 - Gene Hoglan (t)


24 - Cozy Powell (t)

One of two is how I think this is going to go for me.  I was about to say I didn't know who Gene Hoglan was, but I have this vague memory that Dark Angel practiced at the same facility my band did at some point.  I remember one of the guys in my band said there was this huge guy carrying a crazy amount of drums by himself.  Be that as it may, if I've ever heard anything this guy did, I don't know it.

I had Cozy Powell at #7.  Awesome player, and I always thought he had a cool look.  He's done TONS of stuff, but his work with Rainbow should get him a spot on the list by itself.


25   Maybe...not sure
24   Probably not
23   I'd say 60-70% chance no
22   Probably
21   Probably not
20   Probably not
19   90% yes
18   Nein
17   Absolutely should be, but I'm thinking less than 50/50
16   Nope
15   Not even a little chance
14   No way, eh
13   90+% yes
12   Not a chance
11   Nope
10   I think yes, only about 60% sure
9   Should be...75+% likely
8   75+% likely
7   Cozy Powell
6   Hmmm...really not sure, but I think less than 50/50
5   Same band as #8 - one of them should make it, if not both
4   90+% yes
3   Lock
2   Might sneak in around 21-25
1   Lock for top 3

Not ranked:  Gene Hoglan

[Stadler]

24 - Gene Hoglan (t)


24 - Cozy Powell (t)

One of two is how I think this is going to go for me.  I was about to say I didn't know who Gene Hoglan was, but I have this vague memory that Dark Angel practiced at the same facility my band did at some point.  I remember one of the guys in my band said there was this huge guy carrying a crazy amount of drums by himself.  Be that as it may, if I've ever heard anything this guy did, I don't know it.

I had Cozy Powell at #7.  Awesome player, and I always thought he had a cool look.  He's done TONS of stuff, but his work with Rainbow should get him a spot on the list by itself.


25   Maybe...not sure
24   Probably not
23   I'd say 60-70% chance no
22   Probably
21   Probably not
20   Probably not
19   90% yes
18   Nein
17   Absolutely should be, but I'm thinking less than 50/50
16   Nope
15   Not even a little chance
14   No way, eh
13   90+% yes
12   Not a chance
11   Nope
10   I think yes, only about 60% sure
9   Should be...75+% likely
8   75+% likely
7   Cozy Powell
6   Hmmm...really not sure, but I think less than 50/50
5   Same band as #8 - one of them should make it, if not both
4   90+% yes
3   Lock
2   Might sneak in around 21-25
1   Lock for top 3

Not ranked:  Gene Hoglan

To this day, the parts of the "Slow 'An Easy" video with Cozy are very cool.

[romdrums]

Since we're guessing who might make it from our own lists, here's my guesses:

25. Maybe?
24. Possibly maybe? Probably not.
23. No idea
22. Likely, I think
21. Highly Likely
20. Likely
19. Who knows?
18. Probably
17. Highly Likely.
16. Possibly
15. Good chance, but not definite.
14. Probably not.
13. Likely.
12. With this crowd, yes.
11. Possibly, but like 50/50 at best.
10. Likely.
9. He should be mandatory listening.
8. Likely.
7. Maybe.
6. Lock.
5. Should be a lock.
4. Likely.
3. Likely.
2. He better be a lock.
1. Lock.

[El Barto]

I always regarded Cozy as a solid drummer with a fairly limited bag of tricks. That said, he was so good at what he did he'd have easily made my 25. He was one of those guys that never really called much attention to himself, but played everything flawlessly every time. When somebody refers to a drummer as a machine Cozy is what they were talking about. You listen to some of the old Rainbow live shows and he was just a beast from beginning to end.

[The Realm]

24 - Gene Hoglan (t)
Appeared on 8 of 28 lists
Highest Finish: 6 (Metropolaris)
3 Top 10 Finishes

24 - Cozy Powell (t)
Appeared on 7 of 28 lists
Highest Finish: 5 (DTwwbwMP)
5 Top 10 Finishes

Gene Hoglan - unranked and surprised to see Gene make it. Really shows that metal is possibly going to be a strong influence on the list if this is anything to go by.

Cozy Powell - unranked. Not a favourite of mine but a great drummer.

[TAC]

24 - Gene Hoglan (t)
Appeared on 8 of 28 lists
Highest Finish: 6 (Metropolaris)
3 Top 10 Finishes

24 - Cozy Powell (t)
Appeared on 7 of 28 lists
Highest Finish: 5 (DTwwbwMP)
5 Top 10 Finishes

I had Gene Hogland at #24. The guy is an absolute beast. I can't say I love many albums that he is on, but if I hear he's on an album, I give it a listen.

I had Cozy Powell at #10. I mean, he makes the list just for Rainbow's On Stage live album. He's played on so many iconic albums, including MSG, which a Top 5 album for me.

I've saw Cozy twice, the first with ELPowell in 1986, and the second time with Brian May in 1993.
We actually met him after the ELP show as he was getting into an awaiting car.








25
24 Gene Hoglan
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10 Cozy Powell
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

[nick_z]

Didn't get around to sending a list, but these two are a great start...

I can't claim to know Cozy Powell's body of work super-well, but even just his drumming on Rainbow's Rising and Long Live Rock 'N' Roll is pretty iconic. As for more recent performances (relatively speaking) his work on Malmsteen's Facing the Animal is super-tasty too...hard-hitting as usual, but with a lot of flair too (the album is probably the last Malmsteen album worth listening to  ) Looking at the year, that must've been one of his last...

Gene Hoglan is fantastic. First I heard of him was on Death's Individual Thought Patterns. So, so good. Intricate, fast drumming, but he made it sound pretty effortless and "loose", if that makes any sense (even though it was super tight!). Lots of great stuff (including Dark Angel, of course, which was truly his band), but ITP and Symbolic is really where it's at in terms of Hoglan's best drumming for me.

[KevShmev]

Turns out Hoglan played on Terria, one of my favorite albums ever.  D'oh!  I guess it shows how little I pay attention to who the other players are on Devin's albums.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Turns out Hoglan played on Terria, one of my favorite albums ever.  D'oh!  I guess it shows how little I pay attention to who the other players are on Devin's albums.

Yeah, I was gonna say, I could have sworn you were familiar with Hoglan.

[The Realm]

Turns out Hoglan played on Terria, one of my favorite albums ever.  D'oh!  I guess it shows how little I pay attention to who the other players are on Devin's albums.

Yeah, I was gonna say, I could have sworn you were familiar with Hoglan.

Yes, Hoglan has been prolific and played on many albums from many different artists. I actually don't really even associate him with one band, I've always felt he was a 'gun for hire'. This aspect made it hard for me to actually rank him as a favourite but no doubt he is a beast behind the kit.

[Dream Team]

I should add for those not aware, that Hoglan is a GREAT lyricist. His lyrics especially on albums like Time Does Not Heal and Scars by Dark Angel. One that stands out is the title track of TDNH about a girl who had been molested.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Hoglan is on my honorable mentions list.  Definitely more of a mercenary player, but his work on Death's Symbolic alone should have him in contention.  He's also a monster on Fear Factory's Mechanize. 

Cozy Powell is solid, just not someone I gave a lot of consideration to. 

[wolfking]

Nice start.  I had Gene at 24 and Cozy at 23.

25.
24.   Gene Hoglan
23.   Cozy Powell
22.   
21.   
20.   
19.   
18.   
17.   
16.   
15.   
14.   
13.   
12.   
11. 
10.   
9.   
8.   
7.   
6.   
5.   
4.   
3. 
2. 
1.

[coz]

I gotta ask, and I don't mean any disrespect here, but are you a fan of hundreds of drummers? Because when I hear favorites, I think the ones that really rise above the rest. And if you have 60 favorite drummers, there must be hundreds to choose from. Maybe you do. Maybe there're hundreds of drummers you're a big fan of. I dunno. But I don't think favorites means every drummer who has done stuff you like, and if I came up with a list of 60 drummers, it'd just be drummers in bands I like, or famous drummers that I respect but don't really love/listen to often, not necessarily drummers I love on their own or that I focus on.

Sorry for the late reply, but no.  I've been hitting things with sticks for almost 40 years now and absorbing a variety of music for longer.  When I do, naturally, the drums are where I focus much of my attention.  While making up my initial list, 59 names were put down which I legit thought could potentially make my 25 favorites.  I wouldn't say that I'm a FAN of even a hundred.  Hundreds I am aware of and respect their work, yes.  First two revealed today fit that bill for me.

[coz]

I'm 0/2.  Appreciate both, but can't call either a fave.  No Cozy for the coz!

25. I think this maniac will be picked
24. Dirty chance he'll make it
23. Pretty sure you'd say "who"?
22. I miss this guy.  Wish he was still with us.  Not gonna make it here. :'(
21. This weirdo won't make it.  40 years and 14 studio albums with the same original quartet.  Impressive stuff.
20. A unique cat whose style is highly revered in drumming circles.  Not sure here though.
19. Huge name.  Guaranteed pick.
18. Spicy lefty.  He has a shot.
17. In 2005, a no-brainer to be on here.  Today.  Maybe?
16. Probably won't be here.  It's a crime.
15. 100% this monster's here.
14. Brother of a legend on one of our other lists.  Won't be surprised if he makes this list.
13. Groove metal master.  Won't make the list though.
12. Another real cool cat.  A rock player with a huge jazz background.  I'm gonna say he won't be named here.
11. Classic rocker who's very likely.
10. Also very likely but not a classic rocker.
9. Liked him before, but since the band's 3rd release in 93 I have loved his playing.  Not going to make the list.
8. He started further down my list.  But the more I thought about it, his talent and style make him absolutely unique.  Probably.
7. This forum?  Of course.
6. Prog dude.  Pretty sure he'll be here.
5. Not sure on him.  Highly respected, but not sure how well his name is known outside the drumming community.
4. Second one on my list who's known by a nickname.  (My first draft had three).  Not going to be named here.
3. For sure.  Legend
2. I've thought mostly highly and sometimes low of this guy.  He's still my number 2 basher though.
1. The master

[coz]

Disregard

[ReaperKK]

0/2 for todays update

23 - Blake Richardson
Appeared on 7 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 3 (Puppies_On_Acid)
3 Top 10 Finishes

Didn't crack the top 25 for me, I'm just not familiar with enough work but the little I do know is pretty killer.

24 - Bill Ward
Appeared on 8 of 29 lists
Highest Finish: 6 (Stadler)
4 Top 10 Finishes

I'm familiar with Bill Ward from Black Sabbath but he never really stood out to me as a possible contender.

[King Postwhore]

0 for 2 again.

[KevShmev]

I had Bill Ward 13th and figured that's about where he'd finish.  Very surprised to see him finish this low.

[Mladen]

Finally someone I had on my list. I had Bill Ward at #21.