The 5: Singing Drummers

This Week on the 5:  Double Threats. Drummers Who Sing

Drummers are often a punchline to a joke, but Without them, there’s no rhythm, no beat and no drive behind a song. Some drummers are so good that they can pound the skins and carry a tune at the same time.

• Levon Helm.  As the lone American in the group, Levon Helm authenticated The Band’s version and vision of American roots music. Others have sung ‘Up On Cripple Creek’, ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down’ and ‘The Weight’, but Helm owns it. He also was a funky ass drummer playing intricate drum patterns while making it look easy. All while singing his ass off. Helm’s passing in 2012 left a void that will be very hard to fill. Listen to ‘Up On Cripple Creek’ here.
• Ringo Starr.  He wasn’t the first Beatle drummer, but Ringo Starr was clearly the right choice. In addition to being ‘the best backbeat in the business’ (George Harrison’s quote not ours), he also could also hold his own as a singer. He was the featured vocalist on Beatle classics such as ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’. He also wrote this gem from The White Album, ‘Don’t Pass Me By‘.
• Don Henley. A key member of The Eagles, Henley co-wrote and sang on some of the band’s biggest hits (‘Desperado’, ‘Witchy Woman’, ‘One Of These Nights’, ‘Hotel California’, ‘The Long Run’, and ‘Life In The Fast Lane’) while holding it down on the drums. One of the more distinctive vocalists in rock history. ‘Life in the Fast Lane’
• Buddy Miles.  Though he was closely associated with Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles was a successful bandleader, drummer, and composer throughout the 60s, 70’s and 80s. He co-founded the short-lived, but highly influential group Electric Flag with guitarist Mike Bloomfield, then, of course, was a member of Band Of Gypsies along with Jimi Hendrix and Billy Cox. His song, ‘Them Changes’ was the highlight of the group’s only official release. After the band’s breakup, Miles had a steady run of hit albums both as a solo artist and as a de facto member of Santana. Miles also found a new audience in the mid-80s when he was the featured vocalist in the California Raisins commercials. Miles’ drumming style had a direct influence on such notable drummers as Will Calhoun of Living Colour and Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson of The Roots. Miles passed away in 2008 of heart failure. Since then, Eric Clapton has featured ‘Them Changes’ in his live set as a tribute to Miles.
• Phil Collins. Phil Collins spent the early portion of his days in Genesis playing drums and singing backup, with the occasion lead vocal on an album. But once lead singer Peter Gabriel left the group in 1975, Collins – after a lengthy search – took over all lead vocal duties and took the band to unforeseen commercial success. He continued to play drums in studio and live, shared drumming duties with Chester Thompson. Collins also had a solo career that far eclipsed his work in Genesis. Listen to ‘Abacab’ here.

…

.

.

.

.