The Best Drummer?

**roto Tom** · November 3rd, 2003, 03:47 PM

O.k. I don't obviously want to strat a war, but generally the "greatest drummers" are usually refered to as Jazz or Fusion type drummers because it can be a little bit more technical. But all styles aside, who do you think is probably the greatest drummer ever? I know there is alot of geners and technics out there but I would probably have to go with Buddy Rich. I think if you put him side by side with today top drummers, vinnie, gadd, weck, ext.. he would blow them all away hands down!

**peter c** · November 3rd, 2003, 05:07 PM

While the disease is terrible,
the drummer is probably the
greatest drummer and the bar
is now at the highest level.

[img]confused.gif[/img]

**roto Tom** · November 3rd, 2003, 06:36 PM

All I'm saying is Buddy Rich in his prime could blow anyone away todays music, yesterdays you name it! The man was unbelievable!

**peter c** · November 3rd, 2003, 07:15 PM

Roto,

Have you seen Virgil?

Just asking... [img]cool.gif[/img]

**five eight** · November 3rd, 2003, 07:21 PM

Buddy never played badly but he has more rivals today than ever before.

Once Buddy started wearing that gray toupee in the early 80s was when I thought he peaked, even better than the 50s and 60s era Rich. His ideas flowed more organically and he branched out onto some slim limbs, playing brushes, beating sticks together (the way drumlines do today) and he looked more fluid than ever. In all the videos I've seen of him he re-cycled a lot of his 50s/60s licks over and over again. He was beyond that in his twilight years and playing like a man possessed.

Let me restate my point, Buddy was never lame or bad but there's a lot more 'fast guns in Dodge' now than ever before.

**peter c** · November 3rd, 2003, 08:03 PM

I was fortunate enough to
see Buddy a number of times.

The command he had over
the drums was incredible,
like nothing I had ever
seen, until I saw Virgil.

Every drummer has to get up
off his throne and they have
to go out and see Virgil
Donati play the drums.

We're not talking about the
music here. Buddy was NOT
the most musical drummer in
my book but he WAS the most
facile. Facility is just that and
if that's what we are talking
about, again, you MUST go
out to see Virgil.

Do NOT pass GO. Go directly
to Virgil and then let's chat
about what you see. Don't
listen to him. SEE HIM and
prepare yourself for what
will come.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

[ November 03, 2003 04:08 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]

**roto Tom** · November 3rd, 2003, 10:35 PM

I have seen Virgil, he was amazing but still no Buddy. Buddy to me is the king kind of Like Elvis there have been many great preformers in Rock out there but when it all comes down to it, there is only one king. And besides Buddy had a great attitude and really respected his bands!

The only thing he could have used to put him ovr top would be a nice set of Roto toms. What do you think of Roto toms? I love them and won't play a kit without them, they just add something special to the mix.

"to the great roto tommers"!

[ November 03, 2003 06:37 PM: Message edited by: roto Tom ]

**peter c** · November 3rd, 2003, 10:57 PM

Well, when you're talking
about "singing" and then
saying "Elvis" in the same
breath, I can see that you
are comparing Buddy in a
different way to Virgil,
than I, which is often the
case, when such comparisons
come up. Buddy lovers are
true to the grave.

So, rather than try conv-
ince you of what I believe
is just as good a facility
in Virgil, I'll move along
and say...

...the best Roto-Tom-mer I
ever heard was Ndugu, during
the iconic days, with the
Dukey-Stick himself! I find
myself wishing he'd go back
to that great sound. He's a
fabulous drummer!

As for Buddy respecting ANY-
BODY, that (I believe), came
very IN-frequently.

Out of his mouth, over the
years, I heard more negative
things about others than I did
positive but then, I would
rather focus on his positive
contributions to the drums,
which are clearly at the
highest level.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

[ November 03, 2003 07:02 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]