Gawd i hate Rush, and Pert. I admit he's a good "technical" drummer, but the man has NO swing whatsoever! Its painfull!
Here's my list:
Bonham - for rock, absolutely unparallelled power & feel
Mitch Mitchell - probably the most SENSITIVE drummer in rock. Brought his Jazz skills to the Experience and was a large part of their unique sound. Listen to how he compliments Jimi's playing!
Ziggy Modeliste - drummer for The Meters, by far the funkiest man who ever touched a drumstick. NO ONE plays like he did
Ritchie Hayward, of Little Feat - probably Ziggy Modeliste's best student. He's got that New Orleans Funk feel in a Rock context.
Clyde Stubblefield - James Brown's drummer 1967-1975. The absolute MASTER of groove.
Chester Thompson - havent heard him with Phil Collins, as i detest Collins, but he was utterly amazing with Zappa
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Jazz, R&B, Rock, Motown, you name it, he was on it. Probably the longest resume of any drummer ever. From Aretha Franklin to Steely Dan, he's added SOUL to innumerable recordings
Sly Dunbar - the King of Reggae
Stewart Copeland - unique sound, unique approach to drumming. He brought the "reggae feel" to rock, but he made it his own
Pierre Morlin - of "Gong". The chops & agility of Pert, but with a groove.
Narada Michael Walden - of "Mahavishnu Orchestra" And Jeff Beck fame. Another technical monster with feel.
And lets not foget the great drummers of Jazz - Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Idris Mohammad, Buddy Rich etc...
