You heard me! I said Drummers. Seems like the lead singers get all the attention while the drummer sits in the background holding everyone together. Here are the top 5 that -- I think -- have really cool, great or unusual names:
5. Neil Peart - Rush. It's hard to compete for a spot in the band when the other members have names like Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Neil Peart stands out as one of the few "Lead Drummers" in rock-n-roll. Basically, it just means that he doesn't sit idly by and hold a 4/4 rhythm -- he actually plays his drums differently for each song... at times mimicking the melody. Best Progressive Rock in the business.
4. Bun E. Carlos - Cheap Trick. The thing I most remember about seeing Cheap Trick live is that Bun never looked like he was working. He had the trademark cigarette hanging out of his mouth, keeping time without breaking a sweat. Rick Neilsen played his antics out on the front of the stage while Mr. Carlos kept it together in the back.
3. Tico Torres - Bon Jovi. Whether you want to believe it or not, this man can actually play the drums. He, Jon and Richie (and other members of the band, I suppose) all hail from New Jersey and grew up playing in this band. I think that's the way it should be. Sometimes you can make the chemistry work, but you can't beat it when it's as natural as when good friends get together and play.
2. Dave Uosikkinen - The Hooters. I'm sure you're asking yourself "Who?". I saw the Hooters in concert twice during their 'peak years' and one could almost forget their drummer -- if he didn't have such a unique last name. Not sure of the origin (guess I could have looked that up) but it's pronounced "wah-SEEK-an-en". I've never forgotten that.
1. Lars Ulrich - Metallica. Who else? I mean, this guy has a take-no-prisoner's attitude towards drumming. If I had to build a heavy metal band from the ground up, this would be my first call. Most likely, no others would be considered. Love him or hate him -- love the band or hate them -- you have to admit this is one guy who upholds all the rules of heavy metal rock-n-roll.
[insert Ronnie James Dio 'devil hand sign' and Gene Simmons 'tongue out' here]
5. Neil Peart - Rush. It's hard to compete for a spot in the band when the other members have names like Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Neil Peart stands out as one of the few "Lead Drummers" in rock-n-roll. Basically, it just means that he doesn't sit idly by and hold a 4/4 rhythm -- he actually plays his drums differently for each song... at times mimicking the melody. Best Progressive Rock in the business.
4. Bun E. Carlos - Cheap Trick. The thing I most remember about seeing Cheap Trick live is that Bun never looked like he was working. He had the trademark cigarette hanging out of his mouth, keeping time without breaking a sweat. Rick Neilsen played his antics out on the front of the stage while Mr. Carlos kept it together in the back.
3. Tico Torres - Bon Jovi. Whether you want to believe it or not, this man can actually play the drums. He, Jon and Richie (and other members of the band, I suppose) all hail from New Jersey and grew up playing in this band. I think that's the way it should be. Sometimes you can make the chemistry work, but you can't beat it when it's as natural as when good friends get together and play.
2. Dave Uosikkinen - The Hooters. I'm sure you're asking yourself "Who?". I saw the Hooters in concert twice during their 'peak years' and one could almost forget their drummer -- if he didn't have such a unique last name. Not sure of the origin (guess I could have looked that up) but it's pronounced "wah-SEEK-an-en". I've never forgotten that.
1. Lars Ulrich - Metallica. Who else? I mean, this guy has a take-no-prisoner's attitude towards drumming. If I had to build a heavy metal band from the ground up, this would be my first call. Most likely, no others would be considered. Love him or hate him -- love the band or hate them -- you have to admit this is one guy who upholds all the rules of heavy metal rock-n-roll.[insert Ronnie James Dio 'devil hand sign' and Gene Simmons 'tongue out' here]