Drum solos in rock music are propulsive, electrifying, and very deserving of recognition. They don't always get it. Rock drummers are legendary. Think of Ringo Starr of the Beatles and Keith Moon of the Who. They try to imagine those bands without them. It's tough, isn't it? Their musicianship drove the greatest music of those groups. Drums are the necessary (and often overlooked) backbone of so much fantastic rock music. People may quibble with that, but I sincerely feel that way. To prove the point, here are four unforgettable rock drum solos that showcase the talent of their drummers.
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'Won't Get Fooled Again' by The Who
American Songwriter rightfully rhapsodized about the drum solo on "Won't Get Fooled Again" from The Who's masterful 1971 album, Who's Next? Per the outlet, "The drumming throughout this song is pure madness, but then about two-thirds of the way into the song, it just explodes like a war zone. Big fills meet seemingly never-ending tom hits. The kick drum pounds. You are suddenly inside the drum kit itself...That is what The Who's Keith Moon could do. That was his magic." You could say that Moon was one of the bad boys of rock, but his wildness was also what made him great. No instrument suited him as well as the drums. I listened to this song today for the first time in ages. Brilliant album, brilliant song. The Who at their finest were truly untouchable.
'In The Air Tonight' by Phil Collins
Drums help to define this song from the 1981 Face Value album. According to the outlet, "The climaxing moment when the drum solo/fill hits is one countless classic rock fans have waited for." That impassioned moment should be enshrined somehow. It punctuates the song with a feverish, pounding, raucous signature. One eloquent commenter on Reddit who tried to analyze the enduring popularity of the drum solo on this song said it well. "Perfect timing, perfect dynamics, perfect production, iconic." Thank you, Phil Collins, for your genius! Air drums, anyone?
'Come Together' by The Beatles
Maybe Ringo Starr wasn't the best technically proficient drummer, but he was really singular and unique. Per Modern Drummer. "As Paul McCartney said when picking his own favourite drummers: "'Not technically the best by a long shot, but for feel and emotion and economy, they're always there, particularly Ringo.'"
The outlet continued, "Another stalwart of percussion, Nirvana's Dave Grohl, has also shared his appreciation for Ringo's style at large. When asked to pick the best drummer of all time, Grohl responded resolutely: "'Define 'best drummer in the world,' Grohl said in a tribute video for Starr's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame presentation. 'Is it someone that's technically proficient? Or is it someone that sits in the song with their own feel? Ringo was the king of feel.'"
'Aja' by Steely Dan
Per Far Out Magazine, "['Aja'] is a staple for drummers wanting to take their playing up to the expert level. [Steve] Gadd's part was recorded in just two takes and when added to the fact that his solos were improvised, it makes this isolated track even more incredible. He was told by the band to 'play like hell,' when he entered the studio, and he didn't disappoint." Yep. So true. Few bands have such a distinctive sound as Steely Dan did, and Gadd was an indispensable element of it.
