Debates may rage, arguments follow and protests be lodged, but here are our all time favourite drum solos as performed and recorded by the giants of percussion.

NOTE: A list of 100 great drum breaks and ‘swapped fours’ will follow but this may take some time for research and final agreement by a panel of judges including Lord Rimshot of the Institute of Rhythmic Studies.

   TITLE / PERFORMER       ARTIST / GROUP

  1. The Time Machine / Jon Hiseman             Colosseum
  2. Skin Deep / Louie Bellson                       Duke Ellington
  3. Sounds of The Loop / Joe Morello           Dave Brubeck
  4. A Night in Tunisia  / Art Blakey               Jazz Messengers
  5. Sing, Sing, Sing  / Gene Krupa             Benny Goodman
  6. Drum Conversation / Max Roach       Parker/Gillespie
  7. Old Man River  / Sonny Payne                    Count Basie
  8. Seamen’s Mission  / Phil Seamen         Victor Feldman
  9. A Fifth For Frank  / Frankie Butler       Curtis Counce
  10. Hi Fly Drums / Buddy Rich                   Woody Herman

NOTE: We would like to have included any solos by Billy Cobham, ‘Philly’ Joe Jones, Zutty Singleton, Big Sid Catlett, Jo Jones, Lou Fromm,  Charlie Persip, Ronnie Verrell, Lionel Hampton, Ginger Baker, John Bonham, Cozy Powell, Mitch Mitchell, Carl Palmer and Sandy Nelson but space and our ear drums do not allow any further indulgence – until now.

                                  DRUM-TASTIC!

                                  One More Time

             TOP TEN GREAT ROCK DRUM SOLOS

      1.Toad                                     Ginger Baker/Cream                     

     2. Moby Dick                         John Bonham/Led Zeppelin

     3.1812 Overture                   Cozy Powell

     4.Voodoo Chile                    Mitch Mitchell/Jimi Hendrix Experience

     5. Sha La La                           Brian Downey/Thin Lizzy

     6.The Mule                           Ian Paice/Deep Purple

     7. Working Man                  Neil Peart/Rush

     8. Duet                                    Phil Collins & Chester Thompson/Genesis

     9. Little B                               Brian Bennett/The Shadows

   10.Jungle Drums                 Jiving K. Boots/Jungle Pilot

                                     DRUM-TASTIC!

                                     One More Once

            TOP TEN GREAT DRUM BREAKS, FILLS & FOURS

  • 1.Don’t Be That Way     Gene Krupa          Benny Goodman
  • 2 How High The Moon Buddy Rich          Lionel Hampton
  • 3 Fantail                         Sonny Payne                    Count Basie
  • 4 Moten Swing               Lou Fromm                   Harry James
  • 5 Flying Home               Butch Ballard            Duke Ellington
  • 6 So What                       Jimmy Cobb                      Miles Davis
  • 7 Tale of An African Lobster Shelley Manne Shorty Rogers
  • 8 Apple Honey              Dave Tough                 Woody Herman
  • 9 Cash Box                     Gus Johnson                      Count Basie
  • 10 Billy Boy                Philly Jo Jones                   Red Garland