musical drummers...who are they ???

Was there ever anyone like Ginger Baker?

for rock, Bill Bruford is at my top of the list "One of a Kind".
Also Pierre Moelen of Gong "Expresso" or "Expresso II" not generally recognized.
My all time favorite drummer is Jack Dejohnette.. the abstract expressionist of the ecm label..
to say nothing of the young Tony Williams with Miles or anything Elvin Jones. Oh yeah, Steve Gadd, well of course.

Ringo not a drummer? Ok, then, let's not belittle him with that title. Call him a "percussionist". You don't get to be the most effective, enduring, varied often danceable, and always tasty pop band ever without a fabulous rhythm section. let's not confuse showy virtuousity with musicality.

Two completely different styles but I really like John Bonham and Keith Moon. I don't think there is another drummer who understands time the way Bonham does--he does so much with so little it is phenomenal. Check out "Houses of the Holy" for some great stuff (though any Zep will do!). Moon is the antithesis, all motion and action but it all seems to hold together. Check out "Who's Next" for some of his best stuff. For another take I like Stewart Copeland of the Police. It's all tight and contained but he uses all of the surfaces and cymbals to propel the music forward. Of the studio musicians I like Russ Kunkel, who worked with James Taylor, Jackson Browne, ETC. Love the drums!

Mick Fleetwood found a way to match a rhythm for every song played by Fleetwood Mac. Subtle but right on. Not the best of all drummers, but one of the best pop drummers ever.