The Disappearance of the Unicorns -- Drummers Who Sing Lead Vocals

[Vistalite Black]

The retirement of Phil Collins -- on of history's greatest singing drummers -- forces the drum community to take stock of the fact that drummers who sing lead vocals are endangered.

It's a bit of a puzzle because it seems that technology has made it increasingly easier to sing and drum at once using headsets and the type of microphones that allow Billy Eilish's whisper-mumbling to be heard in a giant arena.

When I think of the youngest lead vocalist drummers, the only people who come to mind are Brann Dailor of Mastodon (49) and Jimmy Marinos -- who left The Romantics in 1997.

Back in 2017, Paste Magazine listed the 10 Best Singing Drummers in Rock History. Let's take a look at their current status and/or age.

10. Mickey Dolenz, 77

9. Karen Carpenter, deceased

8. Peter Criss, 76 retired

7. Roger Taylor, 72

6. Sheila E., 64.

5. Buddy Miles, deceased

4. Grant Hart (Husker Du), deceased

3. Don "No Contest" Henley, 74.

2. Phil Collins, retired

1. Levon Helm, deceased

Yes, the list should have included 81-year-old Ringo Starr.

Why has support for singing drummers eroded to the point that there are so few up-and-coming lead-vocalist drummers. It's clear, singing drummers have always been a rarity, but now they're near unicorns.

Did I miss anyone other than Meg White (47)? She seems determined to remain retired.

The 10 Best Singing Drummers in Rock History

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[Matched Gripper]

Correction!
#1 Duffy Jackson

 

[bpaluzzi]

the fact that Andy Sturmer isn’t on that list is a travesty.

 

[TheMattJones88]

I'm just happy that Grant Hart made it on the list.

I'm not sure if Death From Above 1979 is still a thing, but Sebastien Grainger was a good example.

 

[Tornado]

Brann Dailor of Mastodon sings.*

*Edit, didn't see you mentioned him.

 

[Bandit]

The best singing drummer in the world at the moment isn't even on that list. Deen Castronovo. Just wanted to add that he is playing to sold out huge shows all across the USA at the moment.

 

[Bandit]

 

[Tornado]

The best singing drummer in the world at the moment isn't even on that list. Deen Castronovo.

Yeah, that's a huge omission.

 

[Bandit]

 

[Tornado]

Anderson .Paak

 

[DrummerJustLikeDad]

What? No Dick Van Dyke?

 

[tnsquint1]

The reason you don’t see it anymore is that video killed the radio star. When “The Weight”, “Hotel California” or any number of other songs with drummers that played and sang, were released, no one was overly concerned with the imaging. By the mid eighties record companies were saying that they couldn’t promote a band with a lead singer sitting behind the drums.

One of that last forays was Kelly singing with Night Ranger which was in the video era. Note they set him downstage left facing onstage to try and assist his visibility.

 

[Christopher]

This dude is still kicking around I think....

 

[repete]

Now that he's Peter Criss, Eric Singer
Don Brewer

 

[Treviso1]

the fact that Andy Sturmer isn’t on that list is a travesty.

Andy Sturmer is, perhaps, the GOAT! I love Jellyfish.

 

[JDA]

see if the drummer singer from Rare Earth is still around

 

[bubo]

Dan Beehler

 

[Steech]

Nick D’Virgilio!!

 

[Houndog]

 

[Tama CW]

see if the drummer singer from Rare Earth is still around

I think Peter Rivera is still with us.