Singing Drummers

[JohnnyVibesAZ]

How many of you do this? Are any of you the lead singer AND drummer of the band? Drummers like Pete Rivera can do this and are amazing! Right now, I prefer to be the lead singer/front man, because I feel that I can't concentrate 100% on doing both at the same time. I'm also a ham and don't have to carry all that equipment! With me, singing lead while drumming will suffer, but I can handle backup-singing a little, while playing.

 

[Mcjnic]

I sing … and they put me behind the kit so no one has to hear me.
I’m good with it ... I don‘t sing well.
But I have done some bgv on a tune or two ... more for effect.
I do quite a bit of VO, but none that requires singing.
Did I mention I don’t sing well?

 

[Cannons]

I sing leads and harmonies in all of the bands I’m in. Way back when I was exhorted to sing back up harmonies, and I got pretty good at it. Lead vocals were the next logical step. I love that I’m a singing drummer.

 

[JimmyM]

Not that I get many drumming gigs but I can sing and play at the same time. I can do an occasional lead but BGs are my strong suit.

 

[Houndog]

I’ve sang and played in the past , I have pretty much gave it up though . I have a very limited range …..

 

[Squirrel Man]

Mongo no sing, Mongo only bang drums.

I never tried it playing. I sang a few of our bands songs with someone else on the kit and I can carry a tune.

 

[Downbeat]

I've been doing lead and harmony practically since I started playing. It came naturally to me, never really had to think about it.

 

[Fat Drummer]

Singing drummer.... two words never uttered in reference to my skill set. I got paid onec to NOT sing if that counts!

 

[Stephen.DeBoard]

Yes I love singing. Singing and playing drums feels natural to me after doing it for so long. Singing and playing bass is the hardest challenge.

 

[TheBeachBoy]

I mostly do background and harmonies. I'll do a lead occasionally but I don't like to do that often. I like the drums because I can kind of be in the spotlight but I'm not the center of attention. If I sing a lead now I'm in the center.

 

[John DeChristopher]

Count me in. Actually, I do the counting in. I’ve been a singing drummer since 1974… whether they like it or not.

 

[hsosdrum]

Rule #1 about hsosdrum: No one wants to hear me sing.

 

[robthetimekeeper]

I can do it, but I eventually learned not to tell anyone as it usually pays the same.

 

[Jay-Dee]

I used to do lead on a couple of songs many years ago (below is one of them, the original, not me) and murder a few attempted harmonies. The lead vocal was kind of taking the p!#s a bit, the drummer is going to sing a song now but I could manage to play drums and sing them at the same time ok, never taking it too seriously of course.

Sometimes for a laugh if a mate of mine (who was a better drummer than me) was at the gig I'd get him to play drums for this one while I jumped around like a clown up front.

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

My name says it all... I'm originally a lead singer who converted to drums. I now play in a band where every member takes a bit of lead and vocal harmonies are a big part of the sound.

 

[Pat A Flafla]

I think maybe it was Deen Castronovo (or maybe someone else) who said a singing drummer is worth his weight in gold. I think at today's spot price I would weigh in at well over $6 million. I'll take it, Deen! Oh wait, I'm a bass. A bass voice drummer is probably worth his weight in tin.

 

[dcrigger]

Yeah - not at all in my wheelhouse....

 

[bigbonzo]

CAN I sing, yes. WILL I sing, no.

 

[Treviso1]

I've been a singing drummer for nearly 40 years. I sing lead on about 25% of the songs throughout the night with my band.

 

[bjornk]

Count me in. Been lead singer and backing singer for 45 years.