Phil Collins to Keith Moon: Five of the greatest drummers chosen by Jason Bonham

By Jason Bonham

 

From the singing drummer who has sold 100 million albums worldwide as a solo artist - to one who was a free player, the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham selects his favourites on the drums

Phil Collins Genesis

Phil was Genesis’s third drummer but he went on to become a key member. Singing drummers are rare but he also sold 100 million albums worldwide as a solo artist and is known for one of the most distinctive drum sounds ever – celebrated in that Cadbury’s gorilla advert. My dad wasn’t a big Genesis fan but he did have Duke which was one of their later albums. When Abacab came out I went straight out and bought it.

John Bonham Led Zeppelin

Many drummers have told me how good my dad was. In the end I had to go back and listen to him objectively. Dad was technically amazing but he had no training. It was all instinct: he just had a feel for what was needed and a sense of groove. For him it was like a heartbeat. People don’t get his sense of groove, they assume it’s all power. When you think of a track like When The Levee Breaks it’s quite a simple pattern, but so many drummers play it really badly because it’s about the feel.

Joe Morello Dave Brubeck Quartet

Dad was a huge jazz fan. He held his sticks up high – like his hero Buddy Rich. You can hear it in his snare drum work: he played a jazz kit in a rock band. When you listen to songs like Moby Dick you can hear the influence. Joe Morello was equally as important as Buddy. If you listen to the solo on Take Five you can hear where Dad picked up his skills.

Stewart Copeland The Police

American-born Copeland drummed for British prog-rock act Curved Air before he joined the Police. When I was a kid I was a huge Police fan. We went to see them at the Birmingham Odeon. Dad trod on Sting’s foot by mistake and Sting said, ‘Don’t step on my blue suede shoes man.’ Dad said, ‘I’ll step on your head!’ Stewart was subtle and tasteful, always on top of everything, ahead of the beat almost.

Keith Moon The Who

Keith was such a free player – he wasn’t technically flash but the pushing and pulling he did with the sound was amazing. He was more with the guitar than the bass, melodic and creative. Strangely, my mate Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr’s son) ended up in his seat. My dad was good mates with Ringo. Zak’s a phenomenal player, a real influence and inspiration on me. I was envious when he got to play with the Who. When I finally got to play the Zep reunion he was the first person to text me congratulations.

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