Few genres of music nail the drum solo quite like classic rock. Plenty of modern-day rock bands have put out a killer drum track or two, but you just can’t beat the old-school drum solos that would often go on and on without losing any momentum. Let’s take a look at just a few classic rock drum solos that still blow my mind, decades after they first hit the airwaves. You might just agree with me on a few of these.
“Won’t Get Fooled Again” (Keith Moon)
This wouldn’t be a list of the greatest classic rock drum solos without mentioning The Who’s powerhouse (and, sadly, troubled) drummer, Keith Moon. The late great Moon was a beast on the drumset, and probably the greatest example of what he was capable of was the 1971 song “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. Few drummers in today’s world can match the sheer energy and chaos of Moon. We need to bring back showmanship!
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“YYZ” (Neil Peart)
Neil Peart is another essential drummer who always makes it to lists like this, and for good reason. He was an absolute legend and an essential member of Rush. “YYZ” is a personal favorite of mine that really showcases the incredible skill that Peart had. The drum solo on “YYZ”, as well as the whole of the song’s drum track, seems effortless on Peart’s part. But if you task even the best drummers with taking on this song, many of them struggle. Nobody was doing it like Peart.
“Moby Dick” (John Bonham)
John Bonham was one of the most legendary drummers of the 20th century. Plenty of Led Zeppelin songs could have made it to this list. I went with “Moby Dick” because that drum solo is really unlike anything I’ve heard before or after. Bonham’s energy was boundless, his skill was impressive, and he mastered rhythm in a way that just seemed to come naturally to him.
“Aja” (Steve Gadd)
Most wouldn’t say that Steve Gadd is underrated, but I think his contribution to “Aja” is one of the most underrated classic rock drum solos ever. It’s the highlight of the song, in my opinion. And you really can’t miss how much incredible chemistry Gadd had with the rest of the band. Good songs really are the sum of their parts, but Gadd stole the show with his drum solo (and outro) on “Aja”.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images
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