10 Drummers who Sing Well

This list came about when my friend Madge (see, Peg, I told you I wouldn't use your real name!) said that there aren't many drummers who sing well. So I spent precious hours last week doing music video "research" instead of working and making money so my friend could see the light.

So here goes, Madge:


1. Phil Collins - Yeah, yeah. I know. He wrote some profoundly crappy tunes. Unfortunately, his career seems overshadowed by them now. But Phil Collins is a ridiculously proficient musician in addition to being a powerful performer. (And don't go there about Peter Gabriel - apples and oranges.)

If you think Phil Collins is a lightweight, watch the last minute of this video.

Well, like Don Henley, I can sing from behind the drums, but it just looks so shitty. That's why you don't get many singing drummers now. And I never wanted to be a singer. When Peter left Genesis and we couldn't find another singer, I drew the short straw. So, in many ways, my career happened by accident. I just wanted to be a drummer. - Phil Collins

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2. Andy Sturmer, Jellyfish


(Not the best quality video, but shows off Sturmer's skills well.)

Some of you may not be familiar with the 90's band Jellyfish. If so, go out and buy their work, essential for any decent music collection. Jellyfish composed lush little power pop symphonies that are candy to the ears. Andy Sturmer, lead singer and drummer, was extra cool because he stood while playing drums.

Here's some cleaner audio of Jellyfish. 



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3. Don Henley, The Eagles

 

The Eagles get a bad rap sometimes and I'm never sure why. There's even an "I Hate the Eagles" Facebook page. They're considered too cookie cutter or bland, I suppose. But they have some of the tightest harmonies in rock and Don Henley's voice, to me, is very comforting and familiar, like old jeans.

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4. Stan Lynch, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Stan was a little younger than us. But he was a very good drummer and he was really conscientious, and he worked really hard. And he sang as well. He sang harmony. He was a powerhouse onstage. He was so powerful I used to say he had this fifth gear that he could go into and just really make everything explode

- Tom Petty

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5. Levon Helm (The Band, etc.)

 

Some consider Levon Helm a national treasure. He could easily make my list of "Musicians who Didn't Suck as they got Older."


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6. Karen Carpenter, The Carpenters



Most people don't know that Karen Carpenter was an accomplished drummer, placing first in Playboy's reader poll for Best Rock Drummer of 1975.

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7. Peter Rivera, Rare Earth



What a gem of a video, right?

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8. Kelly Keagy, Night Ranger



Kelly Keagy was a last-minute addition, but the more I watched him, the more I realized how he rightfully belongs on this list.
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9. Sheila E


Watch her go off at 1:20.


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10. Don Brewer, Grand Funk Railroad



Saving my best unearthed video for last. This is what you call rock.

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Okay, now you'll remind me of several key drummer/singers that I missed. Musicians such as:

Dave Grohl. (He didn't drum and sing together all that often.)
Ringo? (He doesn't sing all that well, really.)
Mickey Dolenz from The Monkees? (Nice voice, not much of a drummer though.)

I'll stand corrected if you mention:

Buddy Miles
Peter Criss, Kiss
Roger Taylor, Queen
Meg White, White Stripes
Robert Wyatt, Soft Machine