* What do you call someone who hangs around with musicians? A drummer.
* What do you call a drummer that breaks up with his girlfriend? Homeless.
* What's the last thing a drummer says in a band? "Hey guys, why don't we try one of my songs?"
Yes, yes, funny shit. But now it's time for the drummer's revenge. We did a poll on Planet Rock for The Coolest Drummer On The Planet. Not the best, the most technical or the most successful. The Coolest. With that in mind, here are the results:
10) Mitch Mitchell (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) Mitch Mitchell is an incredible drummer (despite what Ginger Baker says - jealous, Ginge?!). When you're a kid dreaming of being a superstar rock drummer this is the way you see (and hear) yourself playing drums - flamboyantly, fluently, and fabulously. No video can capture this - except Jimi at Monterey - but then there's about 1 microsecond of Mitch and a billion of Jimi.
8) John Stamos (Beach Boys/Full House) Single handedly destroyed the legacy of the Beach Boys (Mike Love Not War!) Could life have got any worse for Stamos? Enter KAK!
7) Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) Knows how to wield a wand. The man had a drum cage. That spun. Upside down. Whilst doing copious amounts of drugs and alcohol. I feel sick thinking bout it. Spinning. Nauseous. Out of Control. Aroused? Bleeeuuuyuu...
6) Meg White (The White Stripes) Keep It Simple, Stupid. Ps - We also love the Velvet Underground's Mo Tucker (who invented her own style of drumming).
5) Paul McCartney (The Beatles) A journalist once asked John Lennon, is Ringo Starr the best drummer in the world? "Ringo's not even the best drummer in the Beatles."
4) Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age) Graduated from the drum school of: Harder Is Better (fourth in his class). Did the unthinkable and gave up the sticks for g.g.gui...I can't even say it. Sold Out.
3) Phil Collins (Genesis) The sovereign country of New Zealand have a sense of humour. "In the Air Tonight" has recently hit #1 on their pop chart twenty years after the fact. The reason - below:
2) John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) A behemoth. The behemoth. And has inspired as many hip hoppers as rock n roll people. That's genius. Bonham's reputation makes him appear loud and leaden. But when you listen it's heavy and light and dexterous and swings. Enjoyed a drink with meals.
1) Keith Moon (The Who) We, and you, love Keith Moon. The pill-popping 60s Keith Moon of "My Generation", "Anywhere, Anyhow, Anyway" and "Magic Bus". Not the bloated 70s Moon with the eyebrows looking to take over Luxembourg. He played with complete abandon. He also never played hi-hat. That equals victory.
