Beat It: The Top 10 Singing Drummers
Russell Hall|09.16.2011
During rock and roll’s glorious history thus far, it’s remarkable how few drummers have served double duty as lead singers. So uncommon is the phenomenon, in fact, that whenever it does happen, the sight almost smacks of novelty. In the list below, we profile 10 drummers who’ve also proven themselves to be superb rock singers. Please chime in, in the comments section, with thoughts about worthy candidates who we may have overlooked.
10. Levon Helm (The Band)
Virtually everyone who watches The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese’s film documentary about The Band’s 1976 farewell concert, comes away mesmerized by the power of Levon Helm’s performances on the classics “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” A multi-instrumentalist, Helm handled drums on the vast majority of The Band’s material, and his soulful, southern voice was integral to the group’s style. Cancer of the vocal cords nearly stilled that voice at the turn of the century, but happily, Helm eventually regained use of his unique gift.
9. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
Paul McCartney and John Lennon may have been more polished singers (as was George Harrison, for that matter), but neither could imbue a song with as much unaffected charm as Ringo Starr could. “Yellow Submarine,” “With a Little Help from My Friends” and similar tunes saw the jovial drummer give a loveable, slightly off-key tilt to Lennon and McCartney’s impeccable melodies. Post-Beatles, the legendary drummer came roaring out of the chute with two Top 10 solo hits, in the form of “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Back Off Boogaloo.” His 1973 solo album Ringo, remains a classic.
8. Moe Tucker (Velvet Underground)
In much the same way that Ringo did for The Beatles, Moe Tucker brought an unfettered charm to the Velvet Underground’s songs in those instances in which she sang lead vocals. In her case, that happened in just three instances – most notably on the bouncy ditties “I’m Sticking with You” and “After Hours.” Of the latter song, Lou Reed once said the tune was “so innocent and pure,” he couldn’t possibly sing it himself. Post-Velvets, Tucker released several solo albums that featured her girlishly sprite singing voice.
7. Micky Dolenz (The Monkees)
Although he’s not one to easily dole out compliments, former Monkee Mike Nesmith once said it was drummer Micky Dolenz’s voice that made The Monkees’ sound distinctive. Indeed, even when the group wasn’t getting along with one another, Nesmith and Peter Tork readily turned over lead vocal duties to Dolenz for their own compositions. Several Monkees hits – including “I’m a Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville” – show Dolenz to be an impeccably gifted pop singer.
6. Phi Collins (Genesis)
Collins’success lies in his superb musicianship. Confronted with the departure of frontman Peter Gabriel in 1974, Genesis auditioned hundreds of replacement singers, without satisfactory results. Little did they know that Gabriel’s rightful successor was lurking behind the drum kit. Subsequently, as his tenure in Genesis wound down, Collins staked out a career as one of adult contemporary music’s most successful pop artists.
5. Pete Rivera (Rare Earth)
During Rare Earth’s extraordinary run in the late ’60s and early ’70s, fans who ventured out to see the band live were likely surprised when they discovered that the singer of the group’s colossal hits – “Born to Wander,” “Get Ready” and “I Just Want to Celebrate,” to name three – occupied a seat behind the drum kit. A native of Detroit, Pete Rivera was in fact the driving force behind one of the few white groups signed to Motown. Rivera remains active in music today, touring occasionally and sometimes doing radio and TV commercial voiceovers.
4. Peter Criss (KISS)
Reportedly it wasn’t his drumming style, but rather his “Wilson Pickett-style” voice that gained Peter Criss entry into KISS as a founding member. Indeed, on such songs as “Black Diamond,” “Hard Luck Woman” and, of course, “Beth,” Criss stakes out vocal terrain that’s as exemplary as his skills at the drum kit. His autobiographical 2007 solo album, One for All, showcases all aspects of his multi-faceted talent.
3. Grant Hart (Husker Du)
Alternative rockers Husker Du would have been considerably more one-dimensional had it not been for drummer Grant Hart’s vocal style. Sharing lead singer duties with Bob Mould, Hart brought a melodic and tuneful quality to the band, both with regard to his songwriting and to his singing. The long-haired Hart was sometimes regarded as Husker’s “hippie” member, partly due to his propensity to drum with bare feet.
2. Don Henley (Eagles)
Such Eagles hits as “Witchy Woman,” “Hotel California” and “The Long Run” would possess an altogether different vibe were it not for Don Henley’s distinctive voice. Following the Eagles’ breakup in 1980, the veteran drummer staked out the most successful solo career of any of the former members of the band, scoring such monster hits as “Dirty Laundry,” “Sunset Grill” and “The Boys of Summer.” In 2008, Rolling Stone honored Henley with the #87 slot in the magazine’s list of al-time greatest singers.
1. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures)
Even as his unique drumming style was contributing mightily to Nirvana’s overall sound, Dave Grohl was secretly recording home demos that would comprise the basis for his emergence as one of rock’s most versatile artists. Fronting the Foo Fighters, Grohl’s searing vocals (and fine guitar playing) gave shape to a sound nearly as explosive as that of his former band. His work in Them Crooked Vultures has been impeccable as well.
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During rock and roll’s glorious history thus far, it’s remarkable how few drummers have served double duty as lead singers. So uncommon is the phenomenon, in fact, that whenever it does happen, the sight almost smacks of novelty. In the list below, we profile 10 drummers who’ve also proven themselves to be superb rock singers. Please chime in, in the comments section, with thoughts about worthy candidates who we may have overlooked.
10. Levon Helm (The Band)
Virtually everyone who watches The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese’s film documentary about The Band’s 1976 farewell concert, comes away mesmerized by the power of Levon Helm’s performances on the classics “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” A multi-instrumentalist, Helm handled drums on the vast majority of The Band’s material, and his soulful, southern voice was integral to the group’s style. Cancer of the vocal cords nearly stilled that voice at the turn of the century, but happily, Helm eventually regained use of his unique gift.
9. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
Paul McCartney and John Lennon may have been more polished singers (as was George Harrison, for that matter), but neither could imbue a song with as much unaffected charm as Ringo Starr could. “Yellow Submarine,” “With a Little Help from My Friends” and similar tunes saw the jovial drummer give a loveable, slightly off-key tilt to Lennon and McCartney’s impeccable melodies. Post-Beatles, the legendary drummer came roaring out of the chute with two Top 10 solo hits, in the form of “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Back Off Boogaloo.” His 1973 solo album Ringo, remains a classic.
8. Moe Tucker (Velvet Underground)
In much the same way that Ringo did for The Beatles, Moe Tucker brought an unfettered charm to the Velvet Underground’s songs in those instances in which she sang lead vocals. In her case, that happened in just three instances – most notably on the bouncy ditties “I’m Sticking with You” and “After Hours.” Of the latter song, Lou Reed once said the tune was “so innocent and pure,” he couldn’t possibly sing it himself. Post-Velvets, Tucker released several solo albums that featured her girlishly sprite singing voice.
7. Micky Dolenz (The Monkees)
Although he’s not one to easily dole out compliments, former Monkee Mike Nesmith once said it was drummer Micky Dolenz’s voice that made The Monkees’ sound distinctive. Indeed, even when the group wasn’t getting along with one another, Nesmith and Peter Tork readily turned over lead vocal duties to Dolenz for their own compositions. Several Monkees hits – including “I’m a Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville” – show Dolenz to be an impeccably gifted pop singer.
6. Phi Collins (Genesis)
Collins’success lies in his superb musicianship. Confronted with the departure of frontman Peter Gabriel in 1974, Genesis auditioned hundreds of replacement singers, without satisfactory results. Little did they know that Gabriel’s rightful successor was lurking behind the drum kit. Subsequently, as his tenure in Genesis wound down, Collins staked out a career as one of adult contemporary music’s most successful pop artists.
5. Pete Rivera (Rare Earth)
During Rare Earth’s extraordinary run in the late ’60s and early ’70s, fans who ventured out to see the band live were likely surprised when they discovered that the singer of the group’s colossal hits – “Born to Wander,” “Get Ready” and “I Just Want to Celebrate,” to name three – occupied a seat behind the drum kit. A native of Detroit, Pete Rivera was in fact the driving force behind one of the few white groups signed to Motown. Rivera remains active in music today, touring occasionally and sometimes doing radio and TV commercial voiceovers.
4. Peter Criss (KISS)
Reportedly it wasn’t his drumming style, but rather his “Wilson Pickett-style” voice that gained Peter Criss entry into KISS as a founding member. Indeed, on such songs as “Black Diamond,” “Hard Luck Woman” and, of course, “Beth,” Criss stakes out vocal terrain that’s as exemplary as his skills at the drum kit. His autobiographical 2007 solo album, One for All, showcases all aspects of his multi-faceted talent.
3. Grant Hart (Husker Du)
Alternative rockers Husker Du would have been considerably more one-dimensional had it not been for drummer Grant Hart’s vocal style. Sharing lead singer duties with Bob Mould, Hart brought a melodic and tuneful quality to the band, both with regard to his songwriting and to his singing. The long-haired Hart was sometimes regarded as Husker’s “hippie” member, partly due to his propensity to drum with bare feet.
2. Don Henley (Eagles)
Such Eagles hits as “Witchy Woman,” “Hotel California” and “The Long Run” would possess an altogether different vibe were it not for Don Henley’s distinctive voice. Following the Eagles’ breakup in 1980, the veteran drummer staked out the most successful solo career of any of the former members of the band, scoring such monster hits as “Dirty Laundry,” “Sunset Grill” and “The Boys of Summer.” In 2008, Rolling Stone honored Henley with the #87 slot in the magazine’s list of al-time greatest singers.
1. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures)
Even as his unique drumming style was contributing mightily to Nirvana’s overall sound, Dave Grohl was secretly recording home demos that would comprise the basis for his emergence as one of rock’s most versatile artists. Fronting the Foo Fighters, Grohl’s searing vocals (and fine guitar playing) gave shape to a sound nearly as explosive as that of his former band. His work in Them Crooked Vultures has been impeccable as well.
Read More