Great drummers are usually known for notable solos. But there are also those precise fills, thundering breaks, and catchy introductions. We have ranked 25 of the best drum solos, fills, breaks, and introductions of all time.
25. "Angel of Death" by Slayer (Dave Lombardo)
Mick Hutson/Redferns
Lombardo's relentless assault on the drums here is special. Not that he didn't shine on other Slayer tracks over the years, but "Angel of Death" stands out because Lombardo goes full throttle. Highlights include his fill coming out of the first guitar break and concluding double-bass rattle followed by a quick but powerful solo surge that brings home one of the great thrash songs of all time.
24. "Black Betty" by Ram Jam (Pete Charles)
YouTube
While the song is famous, probably not many can name the man behind the drums for Ram Jam's successful version from 1977. That would be Charles, who delivered two short but notable solos, or extended fills, during the song's halfway mark. While the guitar intro might garner most of the attention, Charles' contribution to the song should not go unnoticed.
23. "One of These Days" by Pink Floyd (Nick Mason)
Michael Putland/Getty Images/Getty Images
Perhaps the most underrated member of Pink Floyd, Mason does not always get the credit he deserves as a solid rock drummer. There might not be a better example of Mason's talent than this instrumental from 1971. Mason's performance is thepiece's highlight, especially his subtle solo about halfway through. It's not over-the-top like others on this list, but a strong effort worth recognition.
22. "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who (Keith Moon)
YouTube
The first of two times the maniacal Moon will appear on this list. With one minute left in this 8 1/2-minute finale to the classic Who's Next, Moon unleashes a memorable solo leading to Roger Daltrey's legendary scream. While the solo is one of the best parts of the epic track, Moon's playing is dynamite throughout.
21. "The Glamorous Life" by Sheila E.
YouTube
Known as the "Queen of Percussion," Sheila E. earned mainstream pop fame with her 1984 release, The Glamorous Life. The Prince-penned title cut was an MTV hit and partly showcased one of Sheila Escovedo's drum skills. On the studio take, all nine minutes, she offers an extended, blistering drum solo a little more than halfway through and another solid run later in the song.
20. "Overkill" by Motorhead (Phil Taylor)
Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images
Thrash drummers consider Taylor's intro to this Motorhead classic one of the most influential moments in the history of the metal genre. Taylor's double-bass drum assault intro and subsequent solo break near the middle of the song opened ears. The double-bass drum would become a thrash metal staple, but nobody seemed to play it better than the "Philthy Animal."
19. "The End" by The Beatles (Ringo Starr)
John Meore/The Journal News via Imagn Content Services, LLC/USA TODAY
Perhaps Ringo doesn't get much credit for this overall work with the Beatles. One of his most celebrated drum performances comes on "The End." His early solo performance on this closing track(not counting the hidden "Her Majesty") from Abbey Roadis as good as it gets and a reminder that Ringo was well worthy of his place within the band.
18. "Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin (John Bonham)
Watal Asanuma/Shinko Music/Getty Images
There is more to come from the great John Bonham later on this list, but we begin with one of the great drum intros from the second song off Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth LP — otherwise known as Led Zeppelin IV. The title perfectly describes Bonham's drum intro: pure rock and roll. And if that wasn't good enough, Bonham ends the song with a jazz-fused solo.
17. "Karn Evil 9" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Carl Palmer)
Michael Putland/Getty Images
Carl Palmer never passed up a solo. There are solos, fills, and breaks aplenty during this extended epic track from ELP's classic Brain Salad Surgeryrecord from 1973. It's kind of hard to pick out one that stands out. From the beginning of the song's "1st Impression," Palmer makes his presence known. His drumming on this mammoth cut is a mix of brilliant progressive rock with plenty of jazz peppered in for good measure.
16. "Aja" by Steely Dan (Steve Gadd)
Chelsea Lauren/WireImage/Getty Images
Both prog rock and jazz fusion are on full display in one of Steely Dan's most accomplished tracks. It's also a special moment for the great Steve Gadd, the versatile and multifaceted drummer considered among the elite. Gadd's solo during the second half of this nearly eight-minute song was reportedly mostly improvised. It was so good that even his bandmates sat back and watched in awe.
15. "Hot For Teacher" by Van Halen (Alex Van Halen)
YouTube
Alex Van Halen might be responsible for the most recognizable drum intro in hard rock history. His double-bass-fueled, cymbal-aided opening to Van Halen's beloved track from the smash 1984 album is something infant drummers usually aimed to master. Alex's opening pattern continued throughout the song and stood out even among brother Eddie's usual guitar greatness.
14. "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins
YouTube
It was short, sweet, and oh-so-memorable: A simple way of describing Collins' drum break that lasted roughly four seconds near the end of his debut single as a solo artist from 1981. Collins' eerie drum work highlights the song, but the famous break is considered one of the best all-time drumming moments. If we learned anything from The Hangover, we know Mike Tyson is a fan, too.
13. "Tom Sawyer" by Rush (Neil Peart)
Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images
Any list like this must include Neil Peart. And it won't be the last time we'll showcase the late great Rush drummer. We kick off Peart's legendary drumming work with hisstellar fill into a mini solo of sorts roughly midway through the famous opener from 1981's Moving Pictures. Listening to and watching the overall intensity of Peart's performance on this track is an example of why he's considered among the great drummers of all time.
12. "The Mule" by Deep Purple (Ian Paice)
Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images
Not only is "The Mule" one of the great musical moments for Deep Purple as a collective, but it's perhaps the defining moment for Paice's legacy as one of the best rock drummers of all time. A concert favorite, Paice took center stage with his performance throughout the track, especially his solo moments that essentially rule the second half of the song and deliver a supersonic climax among Ritchie Blackmore's guitar and Jon Lord's organ.
11. “Sedation Deprivation" by Nerve (Jojo Mayer)
YouTube
The famed Swiss drummer has jammed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Nina Simone. He's also well known as the founder of the band Nerve, out of New York City. With that group came this trippy, progressive piece that showcased Mayer at his best. For those unaware of Mayer's talent, give this track a listen. Better yet, check out any of the live videos associated with the performance.
10. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly (Ron Bushy)
YouTube
The album version of this Iron Butterfly classic clocks in at just over 17 minutes. One of the song's highlights is Bushy's solo at just over the six-minute mark, which offers a kind of George of the Jungle vibe. It builds up to a frenetic pace and cools off before the band comes together for a collective jam. Bushy again moves into the forefront at the 13-minute mark. An overall drum performance that was quite impressive for the late 1960s and is still today.
9. "Soul Sacrifice" by Santana (Michael Shrieve)
YouTube
The most widely recognized version of this stellar Santana jam came at Woodstock in 1969. Not only did music lovers get to visually see Carlos Santana's legendary ability on the guitar on the track, but also the underrated talent of the then-20-year-old Shrieve on drums. This performance tends to be a defining moment in Shrieve's career, thanks to a splendidly raucous soloat the halfway mark of the song.
8. "La Villa Strangiato" by Rush (Neil Peart)
Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC/USA TODAY
This piece might have been the brainchild of Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, but the ridiculous complexity of Peart's drum sequencing and patterns is considered among drummers who stood in awe of the late legend. Ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy considered this Peart's defining moment of his career because of the creative and in-depth timing. Not to mention the strong fills and mini solos.
7. “Ticks and Leeches" by Tool (Danny Carey)
Richard Ecclestone/Redferns
Need a reason why Tool's Carey is one of the great modern-day rock drummers? Just listen to this underrated but stellar track from 2001's Lateralusrecord. Carey opens the lengthy tune with a solo assault and keeps the pace going for the next three-plus minutes. Following a melodic guitar break, Carey goes off for the final two minutes of the eight-minute piece, a lesson in hard-rock, precision drumming.
6. "My Generation" by The Who (Keith Moon)
YouTube
As mentioned, Moon was a menace, not only off stage but behind the drum kit. His solo coda on The Who's generational anthem is perhaps his musical highlight. While Moon was physically all over the place on the drums, it's organized chaos — well-structured and superbly timed. "My Generation" is a perfect example of all that. While his finishing solo is stellar, Moon's playing is air-tight from start to finish.
5. "Bugle Call Rag" by Buddy Rich
YouTube
We've kept this list pretty to rock and pop drummers. Yet, a list of drumming greats of any kind can't exist without the great Buddy Rich. His focus was jazz, and there are plenty of great musical Rich moments to choose from over time. However, one can't go wrong with this rendition of "Bugle Call Rag." This version is a little more than three minutes long, but it could be 30 minutes, and we wouldn't stop listening and marveling at the legendary talent.
4. "Toad" by Cream (Ginger Baker)
Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Widely considered Baker's masterpiece with Cream and perhaps the defining moment to his legacy as one of the great drummers of all time. Baker, who passed away in 2019 at age 80, wrote the piece that spans five-plus minutes and put him squarely in the forefront. It's a remarkable offering that all generations of music fans should forever celebrate.
3. "YYZ" by Rush (Neil Peart)
Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images
The studio version (from 1981's Moving Pictures) of this instrumental captures Peart's greatness on various levels — most notably, some time-intense fills. However, it's the version from the masterful live effort Exit... Stage Left that grew Peart's legendary status. The added drum solo near the halfway mark of that 7-minute, 44-second rendition is one Rush fans of any era can agree is special.
2. "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris (Ron Wilson)
Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Wilson made a living out of what's perhaps the most recognizable drum performance in music history. From 1963, this drum-heavy, surf-vibe instrumental was the gold standard for budding drummers. The casual music fan, however, probably doesn't know much about the man behind the song's drum work. Sadly, Wilson passed away in 1989 at age 44 from a brain aneurysm.
1. "Moby Dıck" by Led Zeppelin (John Bonham)
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images
"Moby Dıck" is undoubtedly the highlight of Bonzo's legacy with the classic rockers. This nearly 4 1/2-minute romp from Led Zeppelin's stellar second album is considered Bonham's masterpiece. In live settings, Bonham's performance would go even longer and into an even more impressive realm of musical improvisation.
A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University
