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
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  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
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Drummers “It’s one of the first classic rock ’n’ roll videos”: Carl Palmer on ELP’s greatest hit
 
 
Pete Townshend
Bands How Pete Townshend’s drunken night with two Sex Pistols inspired The Who’s last classic song with Keith Moon
 
 
Dave Grohl recording in Hilversum Studios, posed at drums
Artists How Dave Grohl delivered his Smells Like Teen Spirit drum track
 
 
Rick Allen, Meg White and Taylor Hawkins all sat behind their drum kits
Drummers Travis Barker’s new doc is out today - here's 8 other drummers whose incredible stories deserve to be told on screen
 
 
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
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Drummers
Drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2023 Stagecoach Festival
Drummers Frank Beard, ZZ Top drummer, dies aged 77
 
 
Rick Allen, Meg White and Taylor Hawkins all sat behind their drum kits
Drummers Travis Barker’s new doc is out today - here's 8 other drummers whose incredible stories deserve to be told on screen
 
 
Anika Nilles (L) and Geddy Lee of Rush perform in concert during the Rush: Fifty Something
Drummers “I haven't really listened to Rush music”: Anika Nilles on her preparation for the 50 Something tour
 
 
Travis Barker
Drummers "My goal was, get it out before I die!!": Travis Barker on his memoir, sobriety and why he's never really changed his kit
 
 
Travis Barker
Drummers “I’ve never left a show thinking ‘I wish I didn’t play the way I did’”: Travis Barker on his raucous drumming style
 
 
Drummer Neil Peart from Canadian band Rush performs live on stage at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois during their All The World's a Stage tour on 20th May 1977
Drummers “It matters for me to play better all the time”: New documentary in the pipeline about Rush’s Neil Peart
 
 
Latest in News
Donna Lewis Bei "Rsh Gold Verleihung" In Kiel 010297 . (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images)
Artists How going back to her Korg M1 demo helped Donna Lewis to create one of the biggest US hits of 1996
 
 
Aston Origin deal
Microphones I've recorded everything from vocals to guitars with this unbelievably versatile mic – and it just plummeted to only $79. That's so cheap I had to check the price twice
 
 
Human brain listens to yellow headphones isolated view on blue background 3d render image
Artists Where's your head at? It's MusicRadar's Quiz of the Week #18!
 
 
Ariana Grande live looper
Artists Ariana Grande’s live looping moment on her Eternal Sunshine tour isn't her first
 
 
wrist sequencer
Tech Someone put a chiptune synth and 16-step sequencer in a watch - and it looks as bonkers as it sounds
 
 
Jack White and Charley Crockett composite image
Singers & Songwriters “You get in the Lamborghini and put your kids in private school”: Charlie Crockett gets personal with Jack White
 
 

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...