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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71120 Printed Date: July 12 2025 at 07:50 Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Greatest Prog Rock Drumming Performance?Posted By: WatcherOfTheSkies88
Subject: Greatest Prog Rock Drumming Performance?
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 16:44
What's the greatest progressive rock drumming performance in a song that you've ever heard? Let's exclude drum solos. I'd like to focus on performances where the drumming is particularly difficult.
John Bonham's performance on "Achilles Last Stand" (which IMO is definitely a progressive rock song) jumps out at me as being particularly awesome.
Replies: Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 16:46
I love Michael Walden's drum performance on Eternity's Breath.
I also love Bruford's drumming on 'One More Red Nightmare'.
Also, Collins' drumming on 'Born Ugly'.
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 16:48
Too many to list
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Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 16:52
I just voted in the King Crimson drummers poll, so this seems like a natural continuation. One of my absolute favorite moments in all of prog is Mike Giles' drumming on the song Epitaph. It's so simple, but really listen to it! Masterful.
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Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 17:07
The Quiet One wrote:
I love Michael Walden's drum performance on Eternity's Breath.
Seconded
Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 17:35
Alan White on The Gates of Delirium is amazing
Niel Peart on La Villa Strangiato is out of this world
Carl Palmer on Tarkus is definitely worth a big mention especially the Welcome Back... version
and Mike Portnoy on Dance of Eternity deserves a mention (not the biggest prog metal fan though)
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Posted By: JROCHA
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 17:59
Billy Cobham on Mahavishnu's One Word
Steve Gadd on Aja by Steely Dan ( not prog though )
Jon Theodore on Drunkship of Lanterns by the Mars Volta
Danny Carey on Tick & Leeches by Tool
Aaron Harris on Garden of Light bt ISIS
Neil Peart on La Villa ( how can anybody not like this amazing drumming! )
Posted By: Klogg
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 17:59
This one is amazing
------------- Pentagram Pizza YumYum Bloody
Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 18:43
Carl Palmer on Pictures at an Exhibition (live), especially The Gnome Bill Bruford on Starless
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: September 08 2010 at 19:10
Peter Giger in the two Dzyan albums Time Machine and Electric Silence
Joe Koinzer in the Brainstorm debut album Smile Awhile
Jon Hiseman in Colosseum Live (1971)
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 01:27
Paul Cook (IQ) on Widows Peak. Pure energy and violence committed on a drum kit.
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 03:48
JROCHA wrote:
Steve Gadd on Aja by Steely Dan ( not prog though )
Excellent, superb drumming on that one. I do think that particular Steely Dan song is prog though.
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 05:46
Mike Portnoy in Finally Free
Neil Peart in Natural Science
Cozy Powell in Stargazer
------------- Nothing can last
there are no second chances.
Never give a day away.
Always live for today.
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 05:49
This:
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BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue.
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 07:38
So many to choose from:
Billy Cobhamany track on Spectrum Ian Wallaceon The Sailors tale by King Crimson Carl Palmer on Toccatta by ELP Bill Bruford on We'll Let You Know by King Crimson Michael Giles on Pictures of a City by King Crimson Carl Palmer on The Barbarian by ELP Carl Palmer on Food For Your Soul by ELP Brian Davidson on Country Pie by the Nice Bill Bruford on Lucky Seven by Chris Squire Jaki Liebezeit on Vitamin C by Can Neil Peart on YYZ by Rush Bill Bruford from Larks Tongues in Aspic Part 2 by King Crimson Mani Neumeier and Jan Fride on Jan and Mani by Guru Guru Brian Davidson from She Belongs to Me by the Nice Carl Palmer from Infinite Space by ELP (why do most folks dislike this track ?)
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Posted By: Cactus Choir
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 08:33
ExittheLemming wrote:
Carl Palmer from Infinite Space by ELP (why do most folks dislike this track ?)
I don't! In fact I'm one of those curious souls who listens to side 2 of Tarkus more than the first....
Prog: Jon Hiseman - Valentyne Suite by Colosseum
Terry Bozzio - Carrying no Cross by UK
Mike Giles - 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson
Bill Bruford - Starless by King Crimson
Carl Palmer - The Barbarian by ELP (also Karn Evil 9, Toccata, Food For Your Soul and loads of others)
Pierre van der Linden - Anonymous II by Focus Brian Davison - Credo by Refugee
Are they prog? Not sure but they're great anyway:
Cozy Powell - Stargazer/A Light in the Black by Rainbow
Ian Paice - Burn by Deep Purple
Bill Ward - Behind the Wall of Sleep by Black Sabbath
------------- "And now...on the drums...Mick Underwooooooooood!!!"
"He's up the pub"
Posted By: Anirml
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 09:43
Soo Many! I will mention Robert Wyatt, a drummer who sang while he played drums.
Btw I can play Moon in June now! Singing while playing the drums it's terrific.
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Posted By: Mr. Maestro
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 10:03
Cactus Choir wrote:
ExittheLemming wrote:
Carl Palmer from Infinite Space by ELP (why do most folks dislike this track ?)
I don't! In fact I'm one of those curious souls who listens to side 2 of Tarkus more than the first....
Prog: Jon Hiseman - Valentyne Suite by Colosseum Terry Bozzio - Carrying no Cross by UK Mike Giles - 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson Bill Bruford - Starless by King Crimson Carl Palmer - The Barbarian by ELP (also Karn Evil 9, Toccata, Food For Your Soul and loads of others) Pierre van der Linden - Anonymous II by Focus Brian Davison - Credo by Refugee
Are they prog? Not sure but they're great anyway: Cozy Powell - Stargazer/A Light in the Black by Rainbow Ian Paice - Burn by Deep Purple Bill Ward - Behind the Wall of Sleep by Black Sabbath
Seconded on the Focus piece. Pierre van der Linden is seriously underrated.
------------- "I am the one who crossed through space...or stayed where I was...or didn't exist in the first place...."
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 13:54
martinprog77 wrote:
Cozy Powell in Stargazer
yep love that
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 14:04
ExittheLemming wrote:
Brian Davidson from She Belongs to Me by the Nice Carl Palmer from Infinite Space by ELP (why do most folks dislike this track ?)
Both interesting choices. 'Blinky' was well up there in the late sixties with some of the best drummers of the time.
Infinte Space would never occur to me as an example of Carl Palmer at his best.It certainly shows another side of him.
I'll throw in another Carl Palmer track - Three (Emerson,Berry and Palmer) - Desde La Vida. Powerfull controlled performance.
Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 15:55
I too would vote for Wyatt, l have the third Soft Machine album with the 2nd cd being a live recording! Their live stuff is rad!
Posted By: Noak
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 16:55
The drumming on Angel's Egg by Gong is really cool.
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 21:51
something by Vander
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: September 09 2010 at 21:56
I wouldn't say the greatest drumming, but I think Alan White's performance on Anne of Cleves from Rick Wakeman's 6 Wives is really awsome. I also like lots of parts from Carl Palmer are really good for me, specially those from the classical adaptations.
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 11:03
The duet drumming of Phil Collins and Chester Thompson in Genesis Seconds Out, from Cinema Show, Dance on a Volcano and Los Endos.
And I know you said no solos, but if you happen to hear a bootleg of the Abacab Tour called "Picture About" the duet solo in Los Endos is one of the best drumming solos I have ever heard.
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 11 2010 at 02:10
Dellinger wrote:
I wouldn't say the greatest drumming, but I think Alan White's performance on Anne of Cleves from Rick Wakeman's 6 Wives is really awsome. I also like lots of parts from Carl Palmer are really good for me, specially those from the classical adaptations.
Yep I love White's drumming on that track as well.
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: September 11 2010 at 03:26
Gavin Harrison on the outro to the extended version of Hatesong on Porcupine Tree's 'Arriving Somewhere...' DVD.
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Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: September 13 2010 at 15:09
I'd like to add:
Phil Collins on the Musical Box in this version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z73VD_pA83Q - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z73VD_pA83Q
Posted By: esky
Date Posted: September 14 2010 at 15:32
You gotta' be kidding. Too many to choose from even though much of Bruford's live work with KC is stellar.
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: September 14 2010 at 17:00
a drummer that rarely gets mentioned on PA anywhere, is Dedalus's Enrico Grosso On the Dedalus debut, he is incredible
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: September 14 2010 at 18:17
Klogg wrote:
This one is amazing
Yeah .. take that Mike Portnoy!
------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com
Posted By: ferush
Date Posted: September 14 2010 at 18:38
This show is in the album called Three Sides Live.
Posted By: moebius
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 01:24
Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson) - LEVEL FIVE
Christian Vander (Magma) - Emehntett Re II
Gil Sharone (The Dillinger Escape Plan) - Mouth of Ghosts
Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta) - Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt
Danny Carey (Tool) - The Grudge
Posted By: esky
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 08:51
I had a night to think about it all over again, and I have to amend myself. Alan White's performance on Yesshows' The Gates of Delirium was quite simply a tour-de-force display of strength and stamina mixed in with delicious sloppiness (I mean that in a good way here). All through it, it seems as if Steve Howe is having a rough go keeping up with him. One of the greats.
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 09:03
A big yes (pun very much intended) to Alan White on the Yesshows version of Gates... a brilliant performance.
Anything by Jon Theodore (particularly This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed by The Mars Volta)
Don Cabarello's Damon Che is always worth a look see too (Delivering the Groceries at 138 Beats Per Minute from 1998's What Burns Never Returns always makes me sit up and take notice)
------------- I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision.
- Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill
Posted By: Lizzy
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 11:29
To all the above I have to add Clive Bunker's performance on Dharma for One.
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 12:45
progkidjoel wrote:
Gavin Harrison on the outro to the extended version of Hatesong on Porcupine Tree's 'Arriving Somewhere...' DVD.
Agree, that's a fantastic performance. In fact there's som many great Harrison moments all over Porcupine Tree albums. Love all his little subtleties and inflections he puts in.
My favourite prog drummer though is Phil Collins. Selling England era is my favourite work from him. Absolutely stunning!
.... and then there's Bruford on Starless....in fact the Red album as a whole.
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 14:16
Nightfly wrote:
progkidjoel wrote:
Gavin Harrison on the outro to the extended version of Hatesong on Porcupine Tree's 'Arriving Somewhere...' DVD.
Agree, that's a fantastic performance. In fact there's som many great Harrison moments all over Porcupine Tree albums. Love all his little subtleties and inflections he puts in.
My favourite prog drummer though is Phil Collins. Selling England era is my favourite work from him. Absolutely stunning!
.... and then there's Bruford on Starless....in fact the Red album as a whole.
for Bruford and Harrison and the associated comments
...although my favourite album from Collins as a drummer is Duke. I also like ATTWT for his drumming especially Deep In The Motherlode and Burning Rope.
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 01:34
sigod wrote:
Don Cabarello's Damon Che is always worth a look see too
Seconded. (it's Caballero by the way )
------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385
Posted By: Atoms
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 04:05
Jay Dorfman on Just a Poke by Sweet Smoke
Billy Cobham on Birds of Fire by Mahavishnu Orchestra
Posted By: progvortex
Date Posted: September 18 2010 at 00:20
thellama73 wrote:
I just voted in the King Crimson drummers poll, so this seems like a natural continuation. One of my absolute favorite moments in all of prog is Mike Giles' drumming on the song Epitaph. It's so simple, but really listen to it! Masterful.
I'm glad you mentioned Mike Giles! He's often overlooked, but his drumming is so textural and powerful.
------------- Life is like a beanstalk... isn't it?
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: September 18 2010 at 01:21
progvortex wrote:
thellama73 wrote:
I just voted in the King Crimson drummers poll, so this seems like a natural continuation. One of my absolute favorite moments in all of prog is Mike Giles' drumming on the song Epitaph. It's so simple, but really listen to it! Masterful.
I'm glad you mentioned Mike Giles! He's often overlooked, but his drumming is so textural and powerful.
Very true, not a flashy pyrotechnician but a very subtle, sensitive and understated player whose contribution becomes an inseparable part of the composition. Check out his drumming on the McDonald and Giles album (well worth the purchase)
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Posted By: progvortex
Date Posted: September 18 2010 at 01:34
ExittheLemming wrote:
progvortex wrote:
thellama73 wrote:
I just voted in the King Crimson drummers poll, so this seems like a natural continuation. One of my absolute favorite moments in all of prog is Mike Giles' drumming on the song Epitaph. It's so simple, but really listen to it! Masterful.
I'm glad you mentioned Mike Giles! He's often overlooked, but his drumming is so textural and powerful.
Very true, not a flashy pyrotechnician but a very subtle, sensitive and understated player whose contribution becomes an inseparable part of the composition. Check out his drumming on the McDonald and Giles album (well worth the purchase)
Nice. Giles, Giles and Fripp's version of I Talk to the Wind was the only other Mike Giles I have heard until now, but I'm giving McDonald and Giles a listen on Youtube-- great stuff
------------- Life is like a beanstalk... isn't it?
Posted By: Ruby900
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 14:58
The Quiet One wrote:
I love Michael Walden's drum performance on Eternity's Breath.
I also love Bruford's drumming on 'One More Red Nightmare'.
Also, Collins' drumming on 'Born Ugly'.
I totally agree. Michael Walden on Apocolypse is awesome. He is almost not human......
Would he be the same as the "Narada" Michael Walden on Fripp's Breathless and also of Mahavishnu Orchestra fame? If so, he is awesome indeed. All over the place good.
Posted By: Ruby900
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 15:48
esky wrote:
Ruby900 wrote:
The Quiet One wrote:
I love Michael Walden's drum performance on Eternity's Breath.
I also love Bruford's drumming on 'One More Red Nightmare'.
Also, Collins' drumming on 'Born Ugly'.
I totally agree. Michael Walden on Apocolypse is awesome. He is almost not human......
Would he be the same as the "Narada" Michael Walden on Fripp's Breathless and also of Mahavishnu Orchestra fame? If so, he is awesome indeed. All over the place good.