Mike Portnoy Names His Top 10 Greatest Drummers

Mike Portnoy is one of the most acclaimed and influential drummers in the world of progressive metal and rock. He is best known as the co-founder and former drummer of Dream Theater, the band that revolutionized the genre with their complex and virtuosic compositions. He has also played with many other bands and projects, such as Liquid Tension Experiment, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, The Winery Dogs, Sons of Apollo, and Metal Allegiance. But who did Mike Portnoy list as his greatest drummers of all time?

Who are the drummers that inspired and shaped Portnoy’s style and technique? In a recent interview, Mike Portnoy revealed his top 10 greatest drummers of all time. His list also features some of the most iconic and legendary names in the history of music, from different genres and eras. Let’s take a look at his choices and see what makes them so special.

1. Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr played with The Beatles. They are Mike Portnoy’s favorite band. Mike Portnoy named Ringo Starr as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said The Beatles would not be the same without him. He also said Ringo Starr made him want to play the drums.

Ringo Starr is a very influential drummer. He did many things that other drummers did not do. He used matched grip and tuned his drums to the songs. Starr played fills across the bar lines. He experimented with different sounds and effects. Moreover, he had a distinctive style. Starr blended rock, pop, country, and jazz. He also created musical drum parts and served the songs perfectly.

2. Keith Moon

Keith Moon played with The Who. They are one of the pioneers of hard rock and rock opera. Mike Portnoy named Keith Moon as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said Keith Moon is “the ultimate rock drummer”. He also said Keith Moon made him want to play fast and loud.

Keith Moon is a very influential drummer. He redefined the role of the drummer in a rock band. He had an explosive and flamboyant style. Moon combined technical skill, improvisation, and unpredictability. He played with a large and unconventional drum set. Furthermore, he created thunderous and chaotic drum parts. Moon matched the intensity and aggression of The Who’s music. He was also a charismatic and wild personality.

3. John Bonham

John Bonham played with Led Zeppelin. They are one of the most influential and successful bands in rock history. Mike Portnoy named John Bonham as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said John Bonham is “a powerhouse behind the kit”. He also said John Bonham made him want to play with groove and soul.

John Bonham is a very influential drummer. He combined the power and speed of hard rock with the groove and swing of blues and funk. He had a heavy and precise style. Bonham also had a strong right foot, a solid backbeat, and intricate and syncopated fills. He played with a large and loud drum set. He tuned it to produce a deep and resonant sound. Bonham had a versatile and creative style. He adapted to the diverse and eclectic music of Led Zeppelin.

4. Terry Bozzio

Terry Bozzio played with Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, and his own solo projects. He is known for his technical proficiency, creativity, and massive drum set. Mike Portnoy named Terry Bozzio as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Mike Portnoy said Terry Bozzio is “the ultimate progressive drummer”. He also said Terry Bozzio made him want to play complex and challenging music.

Terry Bozzio is a very influential drummer. He expanded the boundaries of drumming with his original and experimental style. He was one of the first drummers to use electronic drums, drum machines, and MIDI controllers. Bozzio also incorporated orchestral percussion, world music, and ambient sounds into his drumming. He played with a huge and elaborate drum set. He created melodic and harmonic drum parts. Bozzio complemented the music.

5. Neil Peart

Neil Peart played with Rush. They are one of the most influential and successful bands in progressive rock history. Mike Portnoy named Neil Peart as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said Neil Peart is “a legend and an icon”. He also said Neil Peart made him want to write drum parts and lyrics.

Neil Peart is a very influential drummer. He combined the power and speed of hard rock with the complexity and sophistication of progressive rock. He had an intricate and elaborate style. Peart also had a high level of coordination, independence, and endurance. He played with a large and rotating drum set as well as creating diverse and dynamic drum parts. Peart matched the music and the lyrics. He was also a prolific and acclaimed lyricist. He wrote the majority of Rush’s songs.

6. Stewart Copeland

Stewart Copeland played with The Police. They are one of the most popular and successful bands in the 1980s. Mike Portnoy named Stewart Copeland as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said Stewart Copeland is “a master of groove and hi-hat”. He also said Stewart Copeland made him want to play with finesse and subtlety.

Stewart Copeland is a very influential drummer. He introduced a new and unique style of drumming that blended rock, reggae, punk, and jazz. He had a crisp and precise style. Copeland also emphasized the hi-hat, the snare, and the cymbals. He played with a small and simple drum set. He tuned it to produce a bright and cutting sound. Copeland had a versatile and creative style. He adapted to the different styles and genres of The Police’s music.

7. Phil Collins

Phil Collins played and sang with Genesis. They are one of the most influential and successful bands in progressive rock and pop history. Mike Portnoy named Phil Collins as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said Phil Collins is “a great singer and songwriter”. He also said Phil Collins made him want to sing and write songs.

Phil Collins is a very influential drummer. He combined the skill and complexity of progressive rock with the groove and simplicity of pop music. He had a smooth and solid style. Collins had a signature gated reverb sound on the snare drum. He played with a medium-sized and electronic drum set as well as creating catchy and memorable drum parts. Collins supported the songs. He was also a successful and acclaimed singer and songwriter. He wrote and performed many hit songs for Genesis and for his solo career.

8. Dave Lombardo

Dave Lombardo played with Slayer. They are one of the pioneers and leaders of thrash metal. Mike Portnoy named Dave Lombardo as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Mike Portnoy said Dave Lombardo is “the ultimate metal drummer”. He also said Dave Lombardo made him want to play fast and heavy.

Dave Lombardo is a very influential drummer. He introduced a new and extreme style of drumming that defined the genre of thrash metal. Additionally, he had a ferocious and relentless style. Lombardo had a high level of double bass drumming, blast beats, and skank beats. He also played with a large and loud drum set. He created intense and brutal drum parts. Lombardo matched the violence and aggression of Slayer’s music. He was also a versatile and innovative drummer. He experimented with different styles and genres, such as jazz, funk, and classical music.

9. Vinnie Colaiuta

Vinnie Colaiuta played with Frank Zappa, Sting, and many other artists and projects. He is known for his technical mastery, musical diversity, and professional excellence. Mike Portnoy named Vinnie Colaiuta as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said Vinnie Colaiuta is “a beast behind the kit”. He also said Vinnie Colaiuta made him want to play with different artists and styles.

Vinnie Colaiuta is a very influential drummer. He demonstrated a high level of proficiency, creativity, and adaptability in various musical contexts and genres. He had a flawless and expressive style. Colaiuta also had a remarkable control of time, dynamics, and coordination. He played with a medium-sized and hybrid drum set. He created musical and tasteful drum parts. Colaiuta suited the music and the artist. He was also a sought-after and respected session drummer. He recorded and performed with many legendary and diverse musicians, such as Frank Zappa, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, and many more.

10. Lars Ulrich

Lars Ulrich played with Metallica. They are one of the most influential and successful bands in metal history. Mike Portnoy named Lars Ulrich as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He said Lars Ulrich is “a visionary and a leader”. He also said Lars Ulrich made him want to form and lead a band.

Lars Ulrich is a very influential drummer. He co-founded and shaped the sound and style of Metallica, one of the most popular and acclaimed bands in the world. He had a powerful and energetic style. Ulrich also used the snare, the toms, and the double bass drums. He played with a large and metallic drum set. He created simple and effective drum parts. Ulrich supported the riffs and the vocals. He was also a visionary and a leader. He had a major role in the songwriting, the production, and the business of Metallica.

The Bottom Line

These were Mike Portnoy’s top 10 greatest drummers of all time. He is a drummer who has been influenced by many different drummers and genres. He has also influenced many others with his own drumming.

If you are a fan of Mike Portnoy or any of these drummers, let us know in the comments below. What are your favorite drum parts or songs by them? Who are your top 10 greatest drummers of all time? Share your thoughts and opinions with us.