Stay Music Week continues! Following our roundups of the 100 Greatest Excursions of All Time and the ten Most Distinctive Excursions to Catch in Fall 2025, we’re shifting gears to speak about an underrated staple of reside music: drummers.
When contributing to our Drum Week celebration final 12 months, almost each drummer we spoke to emphasised the respect that they maintain for his or her fellow percussionists. Drumming, in any case, is an intensely bodily and taxing exercise, but drummers are sometimes under-appreciated by musicians, followers, and even their very own bandmates. It’s no straightforward job, however those that get to do it on the most important phases take that problem with pleasure and, normally, sweat.
And, as the previous couple of years have indicated, they do it with the total data that the position has significantly excessive turnover charges. Many drummers have exited bands and brought up new touring gigs in the previous couple of years, and there are many components at play. Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain retired from touring final 12 months after a number of a long time behind the package, citing well being causes and a want to go away “the grind of the in depth touring way of life.” Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron departed the band for related causes, citing the bodily toll, continuous touring, and calls for of the band’s three-hour exhibits.
On the similar time, evolving band dynamics are sometimes a catalyst for drummer changeover. Because the days of the Wrecking Crew, there have been quite a few employed weapons glad to step out and in of the studio for a gaggle or be part of them briefly on the highway. Josh Freese and Ilan Rubin have been ripping as session and touring specialists for years, making their respective swaps in Foo Fighters and 9 Inch Nails a unusually becoming final result.
Each band has its justifiable share of challenges, and for teams like Oasis and The Who (who each occur to have significantly excessive expectations with regards to their rhythm part), they’ve needed to cycle by many alternative drummers through the years. It’s a place of utmost significance — what’s a band with out their rhythmic spine? — however it’s additionally straightforward to lose observe of which drummers are enjoying for which bands nowadays.
So, take into account this your information to who’s drumming for whom nowadays, as we roundup thew newly-welcomed drummers for 10 bands, from AC/DC and Foo Fighters to Bob Dylan and Primus.
Then, make certain to see our checklist of the 100 Greatest Excursions of All Time, share with us your favourite #LiveMusicMemory, and listen to what some artists selected as their very own. Additionally, take a look at our suggestions of reside albums, live performance movies, and extra celebrating one of the best in reside music right here.
