Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  1. Artists
  2. Drummers

Drummer's World Cup: Classic Rock results

News
By Chris Burke
Published 27 November 2012

The Rhythm Drummer's World Cup First Round results in full

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

John Bonham

John Bonham

An easy win in the end for John 'Bonzo' Bonham, who coasted through to the last 16 on more than 51% of the votes. Such was the force of Bonham's steamrollering performance that many of his Classic Rock contemporaries as well as those influenced by the great man were left choking in the dust. Even Ringo Starr didn't, as they say, turn up.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Keith Moon

Keith Moon

A strong but not convincing showing for The Who legend sees Keith Moon scrape through to the next round. But where were his legion of fans? Yes, we're talking about his generation! And every generation since! Still, it's job done and onto the last 16, where he's likely to find the going tough against some of the young and not so young guns in the genres of Metal, Rock, Jazz, Funk and Pop.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Ian Paice

Ian Paice

Thanks to his fantastic contribution to the Classic Rock pantheon having drummed on timeless rock anthems such as 'Smoke On The Water' and 'Black Night', the Deep Purple man almost beat Keith Moon to automatic qualification for the next round of the Drummer's World Cup. Mr Paice will be hoping that he can still get through on a 'next most votes' wildcard.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Phil Collins

Phil Collins

Mama, this one was close. The Genesis man, in the end, lacked his famous 'Invisible Touch' to just fall short of qualification. Unless 'Against All Odds' he's still managed enough votes in the wider competition to get through on a wild card. Otherwise it's looking like he's on his way 'Home (By The Sea)'.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Bill Bruford

Bill Bruford

The thinking prog rock man's prog drummer, Yes's Bill Bruford managed a respectable fifth place position in a group dominated by big beats and big hair. His intelligent jazz beats were just no match in the end for sheer power and brutal attacking play.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Mitch Mitchell

Mitch Mitchell

A relatively poor showing for the brilliant Jimi Hendrix sticksman saw him floundering in sixth place in the end. Gaining just over 4 percent of the votes, Mitchell fell victim to what they're now calling the 'Group Of Death', with Bonham calling the shots at every turn.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor

Tied at seventh in the qualifying group, Queen's Roger Taylor will be looking closely at his performance, the result of what can only be described as not having had enough votes from Rhythm readers. Some Taylor fans are already complaining about waterlogged pitches and "Not knowing anything about a poll."

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Alex Van Halen

Alex Van Halen

Look at Alex, he's looking so happy, arms aloft like he's won! But nobody's told him yet that he's tied in seventh with Queen's Roger Taylor. The genius drumming powerhouse deserved more than a paltry 3.03% of the votes. Come on Van Halen fans! Where were you?! Where were you!? Let's be havin’ you, as Delia Smith once said.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Cozy Powell

Cozy Powell

The 'Dance With The Devil' and Rainbow drumming behemoth was sunk in the first round thanks to a lacklustre performance and only 2.5% of the votes. Really, you have to wonder who votes on these things. John Bonham fans, that's who.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Ginger Baker

Ginger Baker

The Cream man went into the competition as at least an outside favourite, but only just managed to scrape into the top half of the group with a poor 2.02% of the votes. He won't be happy with that. We would suggest a change of manager and a complete restructuring of himself in time for the Euros in two years time. Although we might have taken the football tournament analogy too far with this one.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
Drums
Chris Burke
Read more
Vanilla Fudge
Artists “We could have been as big as Led Zeppelin”: The heavy rock innovators whose drummer was a star before John Bonham
 
 
Dave Grohl recording in Hilversum Studios, posed at drums
Artists How Dave Grohl delivered his Smells Like Teen Spirit drum track
 
 
British rock band Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree poses during a photo session in Paris on June 19, 2025
Music Industry Blur drummer loses legal action against PRS over distribution of royalties
 
 
Genesis in 1975
Artists “Some of the public found Genesis with Peter Gabriel a bit too strange”: How Phil Collins became the singing drummer and led Genesis to superstardom
 
 
Anika Nilles of band Rush plays the drums at the KIA Forum on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA
Drummers “The perfect choice for this!”: Mike Portnoy praises Anika Nilles’ performance at Rush comeback gig
 
 
Noel Gallagher of Oasis performs on stage during the opening night of their Live 25' Tour
Guitarists “They’re not really football people are they?” Noel Gallagher watch the World Cup final half-time show
 
 
Latest in Drummers
British rock band Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree poses during a photo session in Paris on June 19, 2025
Music Industry Blur drummer loses legal action against PRS over distribution of royalties
 
 
Sting and Stewart Copeland of The Police backstage at The Police: Concert to Benefit Thirteen/WNET & WLIW21 at Madison Square Garden on August 7, 2008 in New York City.
Drummers “I’m happy that we get along just fine”: Stewart Copeland says he and Sting are still talking
 
 
Anika Nilles of Rush performs during the opening night of their first American tour in 11 years at The Kia Forum on June 07, 2026 in Inglewood, California
Drummers “I thought, 'I have no idea how I'm learning that'”: How Anika Nilles prepared for the Rush tour
 
 
Anika Nilles of band Rush plays the drums at the KIA Forum on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Inglewood, CA
Drummers “The perfect choice for this!”: Mike Portnoy praises Anika Nilles’ performance at Rush comeback gig
 
 
Dave Grohl performing with a blue guitar
Artists "Kurt kissed me and said, 'now I don't have to be the only songwriter!'”: Dave Grohl's evolution as a songwriter
 
 
Dave Grohl visits SiriusXM Studios on April 29, 2026
Drummers “I was like ‘That’s not my one’”: Dave Grohl recalls the time Nine Inch Nails laughed at him
 
 
Latest in News
james blake
Artists Did James Blake really sample the Titanic's SOS signal on Death of Love?
 
 
George Harrison of The Beatles pop group pictured at the Apple Headquarters in London, 2nd January 1969
Guitarists Did George Harrison contribute to more Beatles songs than he is given credit for?
 
 
Dave Grohl recording in Hilversum Studios, posed at drums
Artists How Dave Grohl delivered his Smells Like Teen Spirit drum track
 
 
reloop
Tech DAWs for DJs, rotary mixers and the world's first standalone motorized controller: 5 of the coolest pieces of gear we saw at Thomann's DJ Days
 
 
Kirk Hammett plays his Mummy ESP signature guitar [left]; Neal Schon plays a Les Paul on a stage lit up in purple.
Artists Kirk Hammett felt so guilty after buying Neal Schon's Les Paul on the cheap he offered to return it
 
 
AlphaTheta CDJ-1500X
Dj Gear AlphaTheta’s CDJ-1500X is a WiFi equipped DJ player that lets your audience vote on track requests
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...