When the beat took the lead: 7 classic rock drummers who went vocal

In many bands, drummers often become the targets of humor, sometimes even mocking their musical abilities. However, there are numerous instances that challenge this stereotype, some of which reinforce it as well. To sidestep these jokes, some drummers elevate their skills beyond the basics. This article focuses on seven drummers from iconic rock bands who have done just that.

In most bands, it’s typically not the common practice for everyone to be the main performer. Instead, roles such as the front person, lead singer, or lead guitarist usually garner the limelight and recognition. Occasionally, the drummer might get a moment in the spotlight during a performance, but that’s relatively rare.

Occasionally, the drummer gets the chance to move into the limelight. And now, let’s bring some renowned drummers from popular classic rock bands forward to sing.

It’s quite common to observe drummers contributing backing vocals. However, you don’t usually see them taking the main vocal role in a song. Many find it challenging to do so live. For instance, Dave Grohl is renowned as a drummer with Nirvana and as the lead singer and guitarist with Foo Fighters. Yet, he transitioned from playing the drums to singing and playing the guitar.

Seven top classic rock drummers who sang lead vocals

To compile this list, certain standards must be adhered to, ensuring it spotlights exceptional lead vocal performances by drummers. My shortcut guideline is that the selected seven standouts should hail from renowned classic rock groups, delivered lead vocals on multiple tracks, and at least one of these songs should have achieved hit single status. This way, the list of seven outstanding singing drummers remains somewhat selective.

Phil Collins

Phil Collins significantly advanced his personal renown when he transitioned from being the drummer to becoming the lead vocalist of Genesis, a role previously held by the captivating Peter Gabriel. Despite the large shoes to fill, Collins proved himself to be an ideal replacement. It is worth noting that even after stepping into the spotlight, he continued to serve as the band’s drummer for quite some time.

In live performances, there would often be a change with Chester Thompson assuming the role of the drummer. Notably, Thompson was also responsible for drumming during Collins’ individual concerts. On some occasions, Collins himself would participate in playing drums during the second part of the show.

As a gamer, I’ve got to hand it to Phil Collins: he was way more than just a guy who banged on drums and crooned a little. His epic solo career as a vocalist was a bonus to his work with Genesis and the fusion band Brand X. There are so many instances where he took the lead, but one that stands out for me is “In The Air Tonight.” It wasn’t just a great song for singing along, it also revolutionized air drumming for us listeners.

Don Henley

It might come as a surprise to some Eagles fans that Don Henley, who is well-known as one of the band members, was actually the vocalist on many of their popular hits. While they may recognize his name, they might not realize he was also the drummer for the group. His voice, with its distinctive bluesy tone, fit perfectly for several of the band’s songs.

Henley was often the lead or shared the lead role on numerous successful band tracks, and here are some of his most noteworthy contributions: “Witchy Woman”, “Desperado”, “Best of My Love”, “One of These Nights”, “Hotel California” and “Life in the Fast Lane”. Each of these songs showcases his exceptional vocal talent.

Levon Helm

As a gamer, I’d say: On stage with The Band, I felt most at home behind the drum kit. It was my platform to dictate the rhythm and tempo of our songs, all while lending my unique vocal style as one of the co-lead singers. Levon Helm, the multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, that was him.

Helm’s voice had a distinct Southern drawl, easily identifiable in many of their most popular tracks such as “The Weight”, “Up on Cripple Creek”, and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”.

Peter Criss

Peter Criss is a slight deviation from the list; all those mentioned earlier were lead vocalists, but Criss with Kiss took on more occasional roles. Legends say that during his drumming audition for Kiss, in front of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, he showcased a Wilson Pickett-style vocal prowess when he sang.

As a diehard fan, I couldn’t help but be swept off my feet by his powerful voice and captivating drumming. It was only natural that the duo would bring Criss aboard as one of the founding members. While he’s graced numerous tracks with his presence, it’s their timeless rock ballad “Beth,” with his soulful vocals, that truly stands out for me.

Ringo Starr

Instead of the primary singer for a renowned classic rock group, let’s consider another occasional performer like Ringo Starr, who didn’t take the lead vocals often in his original band but still contributed significantly. He showcased this talent more prominently when he formed his own All-Starr band.

Among the Fab Four, it was often Ringo who had the perfect voice for their quirkier songs. Songs like “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus’s Garden” usually spring to mind in this context. Besides these, he took the lead vocally on quite a few other tracks as well. However, I believe that “With a Little Help from My Friends” is the Beatles song most famously sung by Ringo Starr.

Don Brewer

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to emphasize that Brewer, being the drummer in Grand Funk Railroad, frequently stepped up to handle the vocals. His voice was distinctly different from Mark Farmer’s, our primary singer. Interestingly, Brewer took charge for our massive number-one hit, “We’re An American Band.

Apart from being notable, he often traded verses on the song “Some Kind Of Wonderful” with Farmer. While Brewer contributed to many of the band’s tunes, those two performances were among the most recognized and memorable.

Roger Taylor

The Queen band often relinquished the main vocal duties to Freddie Mercury, and it’s easy to see why. However, the band also contributed significantly to the backing vocals and occasionally took the lead, with Roger Taylor being one of them. His high-pitched voice was a distinctive addition to Mercury’s powerful performances.

On numerous albums, Taylor occasionally assumed the main vocal duties for certain songs, many of which were his own compositions. Notable instances include “I’m in Love With My Car,” “Modern Times Rock And Roll,” and “Drowse.

On none of Queen’s hit singles did Taylor lend his voice as the lead singer. However, his individual career deserves attention. It’s frequently underestimated that he put out six solo albums and compiled a variety of singles from those. Remarkably, three of these singles climbed into the UK’s top 40 charts.

2025-05-07 13:00