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
- The Time Machine / Jon Hiseman Colosseum
- Skin Deep / Louie Bellson Duke Ellington
- Sounds of The Loop / Joe Morello Dave Brubeck
- A Night in Tunisia / Art Blakey Jazz Messengers
- Sing, Sing, Sing / Gene Krupa Benny Goodman
- Drum Conversation / Max Roach Parker/Gillespie
- Old Man River / Sonny Payne Count Basie
- Seamen’s Mission / Phil Seamen Victor Feldman
- A Fifth For Frank / Frankie Butler Curtis Counce
- 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