Drummers every bass player should know , and why.

[mambo4]

I hope this generates some useful info. We can all easily come up with a list of bass players we should know, but what about drummers?

There is a Victor Hooten Basecamp YouTube video where he helps a bass player improve his timing by asking him to imagine in his mind playing along with a really good drummer. I’ve done this a few times myself and it does seem to help. But it made me realize that I don’t really have a mental inventory of really good drummers to refer to. Who were the great rhythm sections of the past? Which drummers made contributions to music that us bassists can learn from? I’d be curious to know what other peoples thoughts are .

My personal favorite has always been Stewart Copeland, but I don’t know if I can actually say that his particular style, imagined in my head, when actually contribute much to my bass playing.On the other hand, if I imagined a Drum part from the Meters it immediately seems to impact the character of my playing. Yet I can’t name the guy off the top of my head.

What’s the drummer that you think every bass player should know about, and why do you think that?

 

[Shalto]

Count Bassie Orchestra is a legendary rhythm section.

Some good choices would include Dave Garibaldi (for funk), Steve Jordan (for pop or blues with a touch of swing), Vinne Paul was a very groovy drummer for heavy metal. Gavin Harrison does some really interesting things (prog rock).

 

[mambo4]

The drummer for the meters is Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste

Bernard Purdy is another name I hear a lot. Can anyone can point me to some seminal Purdy tracks?

 

[Al T.]

The late Al Jackson Jr. is a particular favorite. Soko Richardson is a great blues drummer also.

 

[bass12]

Al Jackson was phenomenal. His work with Al Green, especially, was just fantastic. Incredible feel/rock solid time paired with a wonderful sense of originality. One of the greats for sure.

 

[JimK]

The drummer for the meters is Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste

Bernard Purdie is another name I hear a lot. Can anyone can point me to some seminal Purdie tracks?

Some "recent" ones-
"Babylon Sisters" - Steely Dan
"Home At Last"- Steely Dan
..plus most of The Royal Scam.

The Aretha stuff with Chuck Rainey is a must ("Rock Steady").

 

[Michedelic]

The drummer for the meters is Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste

Bernard Purdy is another name I hear a lot. Can anyone can point me to some seminal Purdy tracks?

 

[Michedelic]

I hope this generates some useful info. We can all easily come up with a list of bass players we should know, but what about drummers?

There is a Victor Hooten Basecamp YouTube video where he helps a bass player improve his timing by asking him to imagine in his mind playing along with a really good drummer. I’ve done this a few times myself and it does seem to help. But it made me realize that I don’t really have a mental inventory of really good drummers to refer to. Who were the great rhythm sections of the past? Which drummers made contributions to music that us bassists can learn from? I’d be curious to know what other peoples thoughts are .

My personal favorite has always been Stewart Copeland, but I don’t know if I can actually say that his particular style, imagined in my head, when actually contribute much to my bass playing.On the other hand, if I imagined a Drum part from the Meters it immediately seems to impact the character of my playing. Yet I can’t name the guy off the top of my head.

What’s the drummer that you think every bass player should know about, and why do you think that?

Why? The songs and grooves speak for themselves
Bill Bruford...

Mitch Mitchell...

Hal Blaine...



Billy Cobham...

Clyde Stubblefield/Jabo Starks...

Oh yeah, these two guys...


Then the toughest gig as a bass player, holding down the low end, playing lead, and grabbing on to the leash of a runaway animal...

 

[Michedelic]

Gene wasn’t too shabby...

 

[Uncle Ernie]

Reni from the Stone Roses really grooves

 

[Londo Molari]

Pierre Morlen


John Weathers


Don't know his name but he's awesome


Mark Helm

 

[Zoffy]

As a drummer myself for over 40 years, I would suggest any of James Brown's drummers (Clayton Fillyau, Jabo Starks, Clyde Stubblefield, Melvin Parker). James Brown was like Frank Zappa in that he expected a high standard of musical skill and ability of his band. The connection between the bass and drums on most James Brown songs is really tight - and James was absolutely adamant that the rhythm section always hit the 'one' going so far as to fine bassists and drummers who missed it.

Check out "Mother Popcorn" - one of my favorites...

 

[rashrader]

This drummer has put in some solid work.

 

[39-Bassist]

Brian Downey - Thin Lizzy (great meter and chops, easy to follow)
and of course another one with a great meter...Frank Beard

If you cant feel and play in and out of the pocket with those guys you should not be playing bass.

 

[Killing Floor]

Terry Bozzio because he is an octopus.

Donald Johnson because his timing is amazing.

Makaya McCraven because he’s amazing.

Art Blakey. Jazz legend.

Any I missed can be found here:

Hey, Bass, Who's Your Favorite Drummer?

 

[bearhart74]

Dennis Chambers
Steve Gadd
Larnell Lewis
Dave Weckl
Mike Clark
Elvin Jones
Bill Ward

 

[oren]

Some great names here!

I’ll add:
Jack DeJohnette
Paul Motian
Ed Blackwell
Billie Higgins

 

[DirtDog]

Topper Headon

 

[Jefenator]

Big +1 for Ziggy Modeliste. The Meters have become one of my most important musical influences.

 

[jamro217]

Some of my favorites are not household names but are extremely talented musicians. Not just "drummers", but "musicians". Some or all write their own material, sing or are multi-instrumentalists.

Garry Peterson
Jim Capaldi
Franz Di Cioccio
David Garibaldi
Carl Palmer
Harvey Mason
Buddy Miles