The Most Influential Drummers of All Time

Mick Avory (The Kinks)

60s teen-pop bands were known for cool outfits, trendy haircuts, and soft drummers. That is until the Beatles started contending with Led Zeppelin, and The Kinks had to play catchup. Avory was replaced by a studio drummer on “You Really Got Me,” although he did get to play tambourine. Avory innovated in his own way, creating a style that was one part swing, one part soul, one part rock, and one part his own. He was courted by the Rolling Stones later on in his career and was later kicked out in 1984 presumably because he and Dave Davies fought so frequently. However, he left behind a legacy, and many musicians consider him to be the grandfather of punk drumming. 

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The More You Know

  • Jimi Hendrix was kicked out of Little Richard’s band for stealing the spotlight and not wearing the uniform.
  • When Prince was a kid, his father put him on stage at a James Brown concert where he danced with the singer until security took him off the stage.
  • Travis Barker told CBS Local that his first ever hero was Animal from The Muppets, crediting the character as his inspiration to pursue drumming.
  • Ringo Starr was the original narrator for the UK version of Thomas the Tank Engine.
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