A rock band wouldn’t be complete without a great drummer. Sometimes drummers play other instruments on the album, sing (back) vocals and co-write the songs as well.
But we most appreciate those impressive drum solos. It’s a given that they value sound quality, comfort and customization. It’s time to look at the brands of their choice:
Tico Torres — Bon Jovi
Born in 1953, Torres is the band’s oldest member and has been with the band through its whole discography. Tico’s favorite drums and drum equipment are:
- Drums/Hardware: Pearl drums
- Cymbals: Paiste
- Sticks/gloves/griptape: Easton Ahead Tico Torres
- Drumheads: Remo
- Snare: Emperor X (Ambassador Snare)
- Toms: Coated Emperors on (Ambassador Ebony)
- Bassdrum: Powerstroke 3 on (Powerstroke Ebony)
- DW hardware
- LP percussion
- Beato bags
Lars Urich – Metallica
Lars Ulrich is referenced in the movie Prince &Me (2004) , when the prince of Denmark is trying to come up with famous Danish names to impress the crowd he is dining with, and Lars’ name does the trick.
Founding member/co-song writer of Metallica, Lars’ tour kit of the past 3 years is as follows:
- Drums: Tama Starclassic Maple, LU Magnetic Orange
- Snare- on tour: (standard Lars Ulrich Signature LU1465
- Snare- studio: LU1465 and LU1465BB (bell brass)
- Cymbals : Zildjian
- He also used K Zildjians or K Customs in the studio
- Drumheads: Remo
- Toms — Coated Emperor | Clear Ambassador
- Bass — Clear Powerstroke 3/Powersonic (depending on venue)| Ebony Powerstroke 3
- Snare — Coated Controlled Sound (black dot on reverse) | Clear Hazy Ambassador
- Hardware : Tama and Drum Workshop
John bonham (1948- 1980) – Led Zeppelin
According to Rolling Stone readers, Bonham is still their favorite drummer today. And we can’t blame him, since his style fast, unique and powerful.
- Drums: Ludwig Green Sparkle, Ludwig Amber Vistalite, Ludwig Stainless Steel
- Snare: Ludwig Chrome Supraphonic 402 Snare
- Bass Pedal: Ludwig Speed King Bass pedal
- Cymbals: Paiste Cymbals
- Drum heads: Remo (Remo Coated Emperors or Ludwig equivalent
- Bass drum pedal: Ludwig Speed King Pedal
Rick Allen — Def Leppard
My favorite drummer is Rick Allen. It’s not because I’m a drummer. It’s not because I have all the technical knowledge and made an expert decision on his talent. But I am an absolute rock fan, and a Def Leppard fan. And any rock fan can appreciate a drummer who remains in his band, (and remains their drummer) after he lost one arm!
Rick’s drum gear is split into two:
Before the accident:
- Drums: Pearl Drums, Ludwig drum kit
- Cymbals: Paiste’s RUDE and 2002 cymbal lines
- Snare: Black Beauty Super Sensitive snare
After the accident:
Allen used a customized kit built by Simmons — drum pads as he played the snare drum and toms with his one arm.
- Drums: DW acoustic drums, Zildjian acoustic (customized kit)
- Cymbals: cymbals Acoustic
- Pads: Hart Dynamics Acupad electronic pads
- Samplers: Akai samplers, and custom-manufactured
- Cable routing:Whirlwind (customized)
*He uses four electronic pedals for his left foot, so that the sound will replicate what he will have made with his left arm.
Joey kramer- Aerosmith drummer
Joey Kramer has a fun website where the about page section includes info on his favorite drum kits, as well as the first kit he ever bought:
- Drum Sticks: Zildjian
- Drum Kit: Ludwig Drums – Vintage Classics
- First Kit Ever: Kent
I gotta say…in terms of pure, classic-style drumming, Michael Shrieve, whose solo during the performance of “Soul Satisfaction” at Woodstock remains, in my mind, an unparalleled percussion performance. Also – just to set the “standard” by which ANY drummer should be measured, Buddy Rich (1917-1987) is necessarily mentioned here. Sure, he wasn’t technically a “rock” drummer, but there isn’t a drummer out there who would ever even suggest that he/she could go toe-to-toe with Mr. Rich. I’ve seen Mr. Rich perform – without question, he could out perform any of the drummers out there today USING ONLY HIS LEFT HAND AND AN “ORTHODOX” GRIP! Jus sayin’
big claim
HA! buddy rich has nothing on neil peart and bonzo. he was ok, but he was overrated. back in the 40’s theres was no one else except shaugnessey and rich, so he became famous. he wouldnt have made it today at all. HELL I can play better than him. and im not doing it pro anymore.
Make a video and send me the link, and then ill tell you if your better then buddy rich haha
John Bonham and Keith Moon were, IMHO, two of the finest drummers ever.
Just listen to the drums on Zeppelin’s ‘Since I Left You’. Man, makes my hair stand on end everytime.
And Moon, while he may not have been technically perfect, was one hell of a performer. One of the finest guys on the stage. I mean, come on, Moon is the reason why we all wanted to play rock music, have wild fun. He is the reason why Rockstar is spelled with a capital R!
Ahem… Did we forget a certain resident north of our border??? Neil Peart??? I seem to remember that he has had rather extensive drum kits (w/them surrounding him) and a rotating drum riser that rotates to face the audience with which ever way he wants…
Drum Workshop Collectors Series in
“Steampunk” finish
23″ kik drum. VLX shell series
8,10,12,13″ rack toms.
X shell series
15 x 2,16,18 floor toms.
VLT shell series
14″ x 6.5″ VLT series snare
13″ X shell series piccolo snare
Copper plated DW 9300 series hardware
5000 series DW Hi Hat
9000 series DW dbl.Bass drum pedals
Roland TD 20X V Drum triggers
(mounted in DW Collector series shells)
Roland V Cymbals and Hi Hats
Dauz trigger pad
Fat Kat trigger pedals
Mallet Kat Express (Midi Marimba)
Sabian Paragon Brilliant cymbals
in “Steampunk” finish
Pro Mark NP Signature 747 drumsticks
w/ Series of 6 Alchemy Symbols
9′ x 9′ Octagonal rotating drum riser
in “Steampunk” finish
2 x Squirrel cage fans (to cool his hands)
DW / Remo Clear Coated Batter heads on toms
Remo Ambassador X Snare Batter heads
Whirlwind custom built drum loom
Kelly SHU internal kick drum microphone mount
Electronics/Sampler rack:
2 x Roland V Drum TD20 X
Percussion modules
Roland XV 5080 Samplers
Glyph Hard Drives
Roland Midi Displays
Behringer line mixer
Monster power conditioner
Bubba Gump room
(warm up prior to showtime)
DW Collector series
in Aztec Red fade to Black
18″ x 16″ kik
12″ rack tom
13″ 14″ flr toms
13″ piccolo snare
DW 2000 series hardware
Assorted Sabian Paragon cymbals