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10 Singing Rock Drummers and The Tunes They Sing On!

By Terrie Carr
Dave Grohl performs during the "Music For Relief Concert" at the Wiltern Theatre on January 17, 2005 in Los Angeles, California.

Hey Rockers! BOOM- BOOM!
The WDHA Coffee Break theme this week (with me, TC) features “Singing Rock Drummers and The Tunes They Sing On”!

Sometimes the drummer is relegated to the back of the band, keeping the back beat, filling and pounding the skins, but some of rock’s biggest tunes are sung by the back beat masters who also hold the responsibility of pounding not only the skins but the hits too!
It’s so physical to be the backbone of the band as the drummer and to also carry a lead vocal is really masterful and quite challenging. These guys make it easy.

This list is “basically” drummers who give us some fantastic lead vocals and who have sung on some amazing rock hits or cool tunes from their bands. We hit many eras, genres and sonic variety with this list that ranges from Phil Collins, to Levon Helm to Taylor Hawkins. It’s so cool to see artists that were behind a kit make their way to the front of their band too and step out for front person status and the firing up of the live crowd. Whether it’s behind the kit or in front of the crowd, the incredible talent of our listed “singing drummers” is off the charts.

Some of these videos included are from live performance, others from the videos that made our “singing drummers” famous and the voices on drummers like Phil Collins, Dave Grohl and Don Henley are undeniable. THEY are the guys you want singing in your band. How could you not? Take a look at the list and watch some of the videos and forge a new respect for the bangers that due double duty to make the music we love mean so. much to us.

Some on this list are gone from us and others are still actively touring and making music, so don’t waste time and when you can, check out live music and the talented people behind the kit AND the tunes!

Do you have a favorite singing drummer? Hit me up, I love hearing from you-
[email protected] or give a call to 973-292-1055.

Rock On!

  • Phil Collins

    The KING of drummers that sing fantastic lead, Phil Collins is a drumming, singing HIT machine with Genesis or solo and this tune is one of the EPIC “Screw Off” songs of all time!

  • Peter Criss - Kiss

    The “Cat-Man” singing two of Kiss’s biggest hits “Hard Luck Woman” and “Beth” has such a soulful, beautiful voice he should have purred his way into more lead vocals!

  • Kelly Keagy- Night Ranger

    Drummer Kelly Keagy sings on Night Ranger’s biggest hit and is still killing it live with the band.

  • Don Henley

    The GOAT of singing drummers, King Don is a force of nature- that voice – with The Eagles or solo and his drumming are both perfection.

  • Roger Taylor- Queen

    When you’re in a band with Freddie Mercury, it’s hard to imagine singing, but Roger Taylor holds his own on many band fan favorites including “I’m In Love With My Car” and one of my personal favorites “Tenement Funster”.

  • Levon Helm- The Band

    Levon’s sweet sounds were a staple of The Band and every musical project he was involved with. A master at singing and holding the bands rhythm section down.

  • Dave Grohl

    There is no way to do this list without including “GROHL”! He put together the Foo Fighters debut alone, for fun and after the loss of Kurt Cobain and this amazing drummer became a singer and one of the biggest rock stars in the planet.

  • Taylor Hawkins

    Taylor had not only the Foo’s but solo bands including The Coattail Riders. And this performance is so epic because it shows the love between both of these incredible drummers.

  • Brann Dailor - Mastadon

    Brann from Mastadon is one of three vocalists in the band and this guy BRINGS IT! One of the best metal drummers around, his powerful vocals are amazing when he takes the lead.

  • Ringo Starr

    Come on! It’s Ringo!

  • BONUS TUNE! Jimmy Marinos- The Romantics

    Some of the greatest 3 minutes of the 1980’s right here! The ultimate power party song is sung by The Romantics incredible energetic drummer Jimmy Marinos. And the rhythm, on this tune is INSANE!

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