The drummer is one of the most vital members of any band. Without a drummer in the band, there won’t be a beat, and ultimately, no fun! There have been many prolific drummers in the past that have really set the bar high. Names such as John Bonham, Phil Collins, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, and Stewart Copeland are often bandied around when we talk about famous drummers. However, in the current music scene, there are many big names that are still around and playing an important role. Here are the best modern day drummers that you should know about.
Michael Blakey
Michael Blakey is arguably one of the biggest names in the current music industry. He is a musician and a television producer, an artist manager and a composer, and has had a long and varied career in the world of music. Blakey has been widely regarded as one of the finest drummers of his time and has played with many of the leading artists and bands. Modern Drummer Magazine regards him as one of the best drummers alive today. He has played with famous names like Julio Iglesias, Brooke Allison, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and many others. Blakey is more than just a drummer, though.
In 1979, Blakey became the resident producer at Hansa Studios in Berlin and has worked with many famous artists such as Dire Straits, Eminem, Gloria Gaynor, and many others. He also has shares in Maserati, a luxury automaker and is the co-founder of 2K Sounds. He is the music producer of Disney’s “Cinderella II: Dreams Come True”. Blakey has a net worth of more than $60 million and has established himself as one of the biggest names in the world of music.
Roger Taylor
When we talk about big names in the world of music, Roger Taylor is definitely one that sits right at the top. Roger Taylor was the drummer of Queen, and often served as the backup singer to Freddie Mercury, the golden voice of an entire generation. Taylor has worked on many of the greatest hits produced by the band, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Father to Son, I’m in Love With My Car and plenty of others. Roger Taylor is easily one of the biggest names in the world of music and needs no introduction. While Mercury may have passed away, Taylor still performs with the band.
Don Henley
The Eagles are arguably one of the greatest bands to have ever been formed. With their unbelievable hit “Hotel California” and songs like “Desperado”, the band has won the hearts of many. Don Henley has been one of the greatest influences on the band and his input was vital to the success of the band. Henley is widely regarded as one of the leading drummers of his time, and even today, tours extensively. There are many other big names that we can talk about, including Phil Collins, who started off with Genesis but then decided to release his own solo albums to critical acclaim.