The best drummers in the world -

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 which other drummers are considered the best in the world. 

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Charlie Watts -

Watts has played drums for the Rolling Stones since January 1963. He also had his own group, the jazz-influenced Charlie Watts Quintet. The Rolling Stones drummer died on August 24 2021 at the age of 80.

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John Bonham - 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.

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Buddy Rich -

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.

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Phil Collins - 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.

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Ringo Starr -

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.

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Ginger Baker - 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!

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Mick Fleetwood -

Co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood's drumming has provided the band with a solid backbone since 1967. 

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Mitch Mitchell -

An English drummer, Mitchell is best remembered as a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

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

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Shelia E. - 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.

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Dave Grohl -

Grohl's four years with seminal grunge band Nirvana sealed his reputation as one of the industry's most accomplished drummers.

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Max Weinberg - 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.

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Tommy Lee -

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.

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Alex Van Halen - 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.

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Earl Palmer -

Palmer played drums for the likes of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and a host of other illustrious music stars.

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Steve Gadd - A highly regarded drummer, percussionist, and session musician, Gadd has worked with Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, and Kate Bush, among many other diverse acts.

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

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Hal Blaine -

Session drummer Hal Blaine has worked with Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, and Steely Dan, among other legendary acts.

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Bill Bruford -

Bruford was the original drummer with progressive rock band Yes. He is now retired.

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Terry Bozzio -

The American drummer has worked with the likes of Frank Zappa

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Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste -

A founding member of American band The Meters, Modeliste is regarded as a pioneer of New Orleans funk.

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Clyde Stubblefield -

Working with James Brown, Stubblefield's drum patterns on Brown's recordings are considered funk standards.

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Stuart Copeland - 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.

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

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Michael Shrieve -

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. 

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Keith Moon - 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.

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Manu Katché -

A French drummer and songwriter, Katché has worked with, among many others, Peter Gabriel and Dire Straits.

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Cindy Blackman - 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.

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Larry Mullen Jr. -

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.

See also: The 30 greatest rock bands of all time

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