Originally by Adam TylerList RulesRank the list based on their singing prowess, not their drumming skills.
Prepare to be impressed by this list of drummers who also sing. These musicians are both notable as capable drummers and as vocalists. Many of them performed in both roles in a single band, including Ringo Starr (who did vocals and drums on The Beatles' "Octopus Garden" and "Yellow Submarine," among others) and Karen Carpenter. Other singing drummers became notable for their vocal skills only after parting ways with their former band, as is the case with Dave Grohl. Initially known primarily as the drummers for iconic grunge band Nirvana, he stepped out from behind the drum kit to serve as the frontman and lead singer for his follow-up project, Foo Fighters.
Drummers are often the least visible, famous members of a large, popular rock band, making the number of great percussionists who have proven themselves to be great singers rather low. (The number dwindled even further on April 19, 2012, when the world lost the legendary Band drummer Levon Helm.) Vote for your favorite drummer/vocalists, and if you can think of any that haven't made the cut, add them at the bottom of the page.
11,7311,000Karen Carpenter
Pop music, Soft rockAlbums: Karen Carpenter
Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who... more2
2,2491,352Dave Grohl
Doom metal, Rock musicAlbums: Foo Fighters, Probot, Pocketwatch, Touch, Sign of Love
David Eric Grohl (born January 14, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and... more![Phil Collins]()
32,3061,389Phil Collins
Blue-eyed soul, Pop musicAlbums: Face Value, Both Sides, No Jacket Required, Hello, I Must Be Going!
Philip David Charles Collins (born 30 January 1951) is an English drummer, singer,... more![Don Henley]()
42,0241,218Don Henley
Pop music, Rock musicAlbums: The End of the Innocence, Building the Perfect Beast, I Can't Stand Still, End of the Innocence, Dirty Laundry
Donald Hugh Henley (born July 22, 1947) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record... more![Levon Helm]()
51,458860Levon Helm
Americana, Rock musicAlbums: Dirt Farmer, The Ties That Bind: The Best of... 1975-1996, American Son, Electric Dirt, Levon Helm
Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm (May 26, 1940 – April 19, 2012) was an American musician and actor who... more![Roger Meddows Taylor]()
61,061728Roger Meddows Taylor
Rock music, Heavy metalAlbums: I Wanna Testify, Surrender, Electric Fire, Fun in Space, Happiness?
Roger Meddows Taylor (born 26 July 1949) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and... more7
959675Peter Gabriel
New Wave, Pop musicAlbums: Peter Gabriel, Us, Security, Up, Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats
Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer... more![Ringo Starr]()
81,4401,066Ringo Starr
Pop music, Rock musicAlbums: I Wanna Be Santa Claus, Concert for George, Sentimental Journey, VH1 Storytellers, Vertical Man
Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English... more9
468185Roger Taylor is an English fiction and non-fiction author. He was born in Heywood,... more![Micky Dolenz]()
101,180933George Michael Dolenz Jr. (born March 8, 1945) is an American actor, musician, television... more11
501338Chris Cornell
Rock music, GrungeAlbums: Carry On, You Know My Name, Euphoria Morning, Scream, Part of Me
Christopher John Cornell (né Boyle; July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017) was an American musician,... more![Sheila E.]()
12698627Sheila E.
Pop music, Rock musicAlbums: Ricky Lawson & Friends: First Things 1st, Romance 1600, The Glamorous Life, Sex Cymbal, Sheila E.
Sheila Cecelia Escovedo (born December 12, 1957), better known under the stage name Sheila E.,... more13
663499Taylor Hawkins
Rock music, Post-grungeOliver Taylor Hawkins (born February 17, 1972) is an American musician, best known as the... more14
623477Ginger Baker
Blues-rock, Jazz fusionAlbums: Horses & Trees, Stratavarious, The Early Cream of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, Middle Passage
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939) is an English drummer and a founder of the... more![Peter Criss]()
15665660Peter Criss
Glam metal, Pop musicAlbums: One for All, Peter Criss, Let Me Rock You, Cat #1, Out of Control
George Peter John Criscuola (born December 20, 1945), better known by his stage name Peter... more![Stewart Copeland]()
16495485Stewart Copeland
New Wave, Pop musicAlbums: Kollected Works, Klark Kent: Music Madness From the Kinetic Kid, The Rhythmatist, Orchestralli, The Stewart Copeland Anthology
Stewart Armstrong Copeland (born July 16, 1952) is an American musician and composer. He was... more17
328375Buddy Miles
Rock music, Rhythm and bluesAlbums: Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles - Live! / Love Devotion Surrender, All the Faces of Buddy Miles, A Message to the People, Blues Berries, Sneak Attack
George Allen "Buddy" Miles Jr. (September 5, 1947 – February 26, 2008), was an American rock... more18
232337Don Brewer
Rock music, Hard rockAlbums: We're An American Band, Shinin On, Born To Die, Good Singin Good Plahyin, Grand Funk
Donald George Brewer (born September 3, 1948) is an American drummer who is best known as the... more19
279433Eric Carr
Glam metal, Heavy metalAlbums: Rockology, Unfinished Business
Paul Charles Caravello (July 12, 1950 – November 24, 1991) better known by his stage name Eric... more20
149214Gil Moore
Heavy metal, Progressive rockGil Moore (born October 4, 1953) is a Canadian musician. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,... more21
204322Mike Portnoy
Thrash metal, Progressive metalAlbums: Cover to Cover, Live in Tokyo, Cover 2 Cover, Prime Cuts
Michael Stephen Portnoy (born April 20, 1967) is an American drummer and songwriter primarily... more22
258403The Rev
Progressive metal, Third-wave of skaJames Owen Sullivan (February 9, 1981 – December 28, 2009), professionally known by his stage... more23
139216Megan Martha White
Blues-rock, Punk bluesMegan Martha White (born December 10, 1974) is an American drummer and occasional singer known... more24
191285Chicago
Ballad, SkaAlbums: Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago II, Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be, Santa?, Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, calling themselves the... more25
112191Caroline Corr
Pop music, Rock musicCaroline Georgina Corr MBE (born 17 March 1973), known to fans as the "Chick with Stick", is... more
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