Greatest Rock Drummers

Keith Carlock (Wayne Krantz) played with Steely Dan as did Peter Erskin, so both played Rock music. I think worth mentioning is David Kemper who I saw with the Jerry Garcia Band and he is as rock solid as they come. If I had a musically charged group, I would want David Kemper as my drummer. Additionally, I see that nobody has yet mentioned the superb technician Pierre Moerlen who played for Gong. I’m more of a Pierre Moerlen fan than other technicians i.e. Carl Palmer, Neil Peart,...

Yes, yes, yes---David Kemper is fantastic!! He's on T Bone Burnett's Truth Decay album, and has played with Dylan as well. He creates a deep, deep pocket and groove. Another great drummer from Tulsa Oklahoma (Jim Keltner is as well), btw, a town that has also given us quite a few great guitarists (J.J. Cale, Bill Pitcock IV of The Dwight Twilley Band) and pianists (Leon Russell, Elton John's hero).

The most interesting and fun I’ve seen, has to be the Rhythm Devils (Billy Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart) with the Grateful Dead. The last time was in Santa Clara for the Fare Thee Well tour, both nights. And the more they incorporated electronics the better. I could watch those two play for hours on end.

bdp24, unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see Leon Russell. Yes, Jim Keltner was a solid drummer too but I never saw him play. Not many of these guys around anymore.

Einmensch
i have also played drums for over 55 years and from your list, I would only pick Mitch mitchell and Jon bohnam for very good drummers. If you want the very best, I would say Mike Portnoy. He has won dozens of best drummer awards, been inducted in the hall of fame at an early age (maybe the youngest). This guy is so technical. His kid Max is also pretty good. Ginger Baker was pretty good too but pretty basic. I do agree that jazz drummers are usually very good. Blues drummers and pop music drummers are there to keep a beat and that’s about it. Charlie and Ringo, not good technically, but keep a beat for their kind of music. Mickey Dolenz was a better drummer than Charlie and Ringo and Mickey didn’t know how to play in the beginning.