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Rock, pop, jazz, and R&B music would sound pretty limp without a drum beat. That's why drummers are often one of the most popular members of the band. But who's the best drummer out there, the supremo on the skins, the one who hits hardest and fastest?

Check out this gallery, and find out who to beat.

▲Bonham (pictured second left) provided the power behind Led Zeppelin, and is cited by many music critics as the greatest and most influential drummer in history.

▲Legendary drummer for The Who, Moon's singular drumming technique is still praised by critics and musicians. He's up there with John Bonham as one of the world's greatest.

▲Few drummers match Buddy Rich for power, speed, and virtuosity. As a bandleader, he was instrumental in blending his drum rhythms into complex orchestral arrangements.

▲The English drummer is also a gifted singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. A member of Genesis, he went on to forge a highly successful solo career.

▲He isn't The Beatles' original drummer, but Starr's input forever changed the Fab Four's sound. Incidentally, left-handed Starr plays a right-handed kit.

▲A pioneer of drumming in genres like jazz fusion, heavy metal, and world music, Baker is also celebrated as a founder of English rock trio Cream. A giant among drummers!

▲Watts has played drums for the Rolling Stones since 1963. He also tours with his own group, the jazz-influenced Charlie Watts Quintet.

▲Co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood's drumming has provided the band with a solid backbone since 1967. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

▲An English drummer, Mitchell is best remembered as a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0 NL)

▲Krupa was an American jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer. He also appeared in several Hollywood movies.

▲Commonly referred to as "The Queen of Percussion," Shelia E. worked with the George Duke Band before meeting Prince in 1978. Her drumming is notable on the 'Purple Rain' recording sessions.

▲Grohl's four years with seminal grunge band Nirvana sealed his reputation as one of the industry's most accomplished drummers. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

▲The longtime drummer with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band has also worked as bandleader for 'The Tonight Show.' Weinberg tours regularly with his own band as well.

▲One of the wild boys of rock, Tommy Lee is a founding member of hard rock band Mötley Crüe. His revolving and spinning drum kit endeared itself to millions of metalheads.

▲Dutch-American musician Alex Van Halen is known as being the drummer and a founding member of Van Halen. He cites Buddy Rich among his lifelong influences.

▲Palmer played drums for the likes of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and a host of other illustrious music stars. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

▲A highly regarded drummer, percussionist, and session musician, Gadd has worked with Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, and Kate Bush, among many other diverse acts. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

▲Influential and technically adept, the drummer with Canadian rock band Rush was also its primary lyricist. Pert is now retired from music.

▲Session drummer Hal Blaine has worked with Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, and Steely Dan, among other legendary acts. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

▲Bruford was the original drummer with progressive rock band Yes. He is now retired. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.5)

▲The American drummer has worked with the likes of Frank Zappa. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

▲A founding member of American band The Meters, Modeliste is regarded as a pioneer of New Orleans funk. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

▲Working with James Brown, Stubblefield's drum patterns on Brown's recordings are considered funk standards.(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

▲The American musician and composer was the drummer for British rock band The Police. He continues to produce his distinctive drum sound and singular style on solo projects and movie soundtracks.

▲Paice co-founded the original line-up of heavy metal pioneers Deep Purple. He later played drums for Whitesnake and the Gary Moore Band.

▲Shrieve is best known as the drummer with Santana. His drum solo during 'Soul Sacrifice' at Woodstock has gone down in music history as one of the most electrifying. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

▲A French drummer and songwriter, Katché has worked with, among many others, Peter Gabriel and Dire Straits. (Photo: Wikimedia/GFDL 1.2)

▲U2's drummer played martial beats in a childhood marching band, an experience he acknowledges as influencing his decision to become a musician. 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'Pride (In the Name of Love)' perfectly illustrate the martial beat present in many of the band's compositions.

▲The American jazz and rock drummer was inspired to play drums after listening to celebrated jazz drummer Max Roach. She frequently works with Lenny Kravitz. More trivia: Blackman is married to famed guitarist Carlos Santana.