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Hi, my first post after joining AC, so thank you for such a great site for all things audio (and more!). As Mike Nomad listed in his post, Michael Shrieve was my first influence and has always been at the top of my list. Not so much because of his solo at Woodstock or the first 3 Santana albums, as his drumming and its compliment to the percussion sections are a style unlike I've heard both then and now, but the synergy and maturity which evolved in the Caravanserai and Welcome albums. Michael weaves in and out of the percussion section so masterfully that he's never wearing any one hat as the drummer. Much in the way that Keith Moon played with a seemingly abandoned genious, Michael's style and compliment to the music is not one that can really be emulated or copied no matter how well it's studied. It goes beyond technical ability and is on a level of musicianship that served and a key ingredient that defined the style of music Santana was making. Caravanserai and Welcome are masterworks in my opinion, for both the band and Michael. I only use Keith Moon as a metaphor because it would be like substituting another drummer to play on Tommy or Who's next, and even though such substitutions can be said about any band or musician to some degree, those albums would not have the same musically iconic relevence that will always make them timeless works of art. No technical ability can substitute for artistic soul, and though there are many musicians beside Michael that may exceed him in some areas, if I was able to have a mind and ability like any other drummer, Michael's at that time period will always be what I think of as my most memorable and inspirational drummer.There are many great drummers in this category, but my favorite locking down the groove masters would have to be Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner and Andy Newmark. Again, technical abilities are fun and watching various pyrotechni-drummers like Mike Portnoy or Vinnie Calaiuta are enough to make you want to throw your sticks in the garbage can, there's an element of importance that must speak on an emotional level. Of course Mike and Vinnie are very capable that way, but it's what's left to the music after the home-run hitters have left the field that defines what I feel is the quality of an artist at the end of my day. I guess I'm trying to say I value musicality and artistsry over high-impact spectacle (which I love too!), but I'm thinking I still failed to avoid casting unintended insults due to my inability to articulate my thoughts well enough.
Tub thumpers and general noisemakers, well, I like the Blue man group for this category
Just ran across Cindy Blackwell.She's the drummer for Lenny Kravitz (and possibly the wife of Carlos Santana??)
