BEAT IT – THE ULTIMATE PROG DRUMMERS
From legends to latter-day stars, these are the drummers you need to know.
NEIL PEART
Recently voted No.1 prog musician of all time by the readers of our sister title Prog, Rush’s drummer was a poster boy for prog – a disciplined, metronomic and powerful player. Part of that ultimate power trio from 1975 until his untimely death in 2019, Peart continued pushing himself and boundaries, inspiring generations of drummers. His secret? “You have to practise… and trust yourself,” he told MusicRadar in 2011.
MICHAEL GILES
King Crimson have come to be associated with some impressive drummers during their 50-plus years, but it all started with the quietly brilliant, arguably overlooked Michael Giles. Often cited by Neil Peart as an influence, Giles had previously played in the short-lived trio Giles Giles And Fripp, with his brother Peter and Robert Fripp, before joining Crimson. He co-wrote and played on the band’s groundbreaking debut In The Court Of The Crimson King – on which his exhilarating polyrhythmic style is a feature – and In The Wake Of Poseidon before leaving.