Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week '26
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Footloose!
  • Di Meola on Pastorius and more
  • Frank Ocean
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Drums

Rhythm through the years

News
By Rhythm magazine
Published 29 July 2013

Here are some of Rhythm's favourite covers since our launch in 1985

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

Mel Gaynor

Mel Gaynor

Rhythm first hit the shelves in July 1985. Back then, one of the most popular drummers was Mel Gaynor, and he has the distinction of being on Rhythm's first ever cover.

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
Stewart Copeland

Stewart Copeland

Stewart Copeland has made the Rhythm cover many times over the years, showing his enduring popularity among drummers of all genres. This one is from Rhythm's first year, 1985.

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
Cozy Powell

Cozy Powell

Legendary rock drummer Cozy Powell spoke to Rhythm back in 1987. Cozy's track 'Dance With The Devil' has always been a favourite of rock drummers and Rhythm readers.

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl

Back in 1993, Nirvana were on top of the world and Dave Grohl was the man behind their hard-hitting drum sound. He spoke to Rhythm on the eve of a US tour, about new album In Utero and "that f**king Teen Spirit song".

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Keith Moon

Keith Moon

One of many posthumous cover appearances for the tragic and brilliant Who drummer. Rhythm paid tribute with this cover in 1999.

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin, drummer with alt-rockers Smashing Pumpkins has always been popular with Rhythm readers for his deft, jazz-inflected rock chops. He made Rhythm's cover back in 1995.

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
Ringo

Ringo

The Beatles man was on our cover in 2008.

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
Chad Smith

Chad Smith

The ever-popular Chad Smith has appeared on several Rhythm covers, this one from 2008.

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
Joey Jordison

Joey Jordison

The controversial Slipknot star was voted Greatest Drummer of the Last 25 Years in 2011 - here is his first cover, from 2008.

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
Mitch Mitchell

Mitch Mitchell

Mitch Mitchell, the genius behind the kit for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, sadly passed away in 2008. Rhythm paid tribute with this issue.

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
Happy Birthday Rhythm

Happy Birthday Rhythm

In 2010, Rhythm celebrated 25 years as the UK's top drumming magazine with a special tribute issue that roped in the stars of the drumming world to sing our praises!

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
Make Money Playing Drums

Make Money Playing Drums

In 2011, Rhythm rounded up some drumming and music industry experts to dish out advice on how you can make money doing what you love – playing drums!

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
The Making Of Led Zeppelin IV

The Making Of Led Zeppelin IV

In 2011, Led Zep IV was 40 years old - in tribute, Rhythm spoke to many of those involved in the recording of their – and John Bonham’s – masterpiece, including engineer Andy Johns.

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
Buddy Rich Tribute

Buddy Rich Tribute

In 2012, 25 years since the great man's passing, Rhythm paid tribute to the incredible Buddy Rich, and spoke to the drummers involved in the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert in London.

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
Jeff Porcaro

Jeff Porcaro

Jeff Porcaro's was THE drum sound of the 1980s, and Rhythm paid tribute to the Toto man with the help of his Toto bandmates and brothers.

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
Greatest Ever Rhythm Sections

Greatest Ever Rhythm Sections

Following on from a poll on MusicRadar/Rhythm, we rounded up the Greatest Rhythm Sections of All Time, as voted for by Rhythm readers!

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Travis Barker

Travis Barker

Another drummer who has appeared on the cover of Rhythm several times is the irrepressible Travis Barker, of Blink-182, Transplants, +44 and Box Car Racer. Here he gave us his ultimate drum workout!

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Rhythm today

Rhythm today

So to today, and Rhythm continues to bring you the best covers - even if they're also in digital formats!

You can take advantage of our fantastic back issues offer blah blah

Page 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
Rhythm magazine
Read more
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
 
 
Travis Barker and Billy Corgan
Drummers Billy Corgan praises Travis Barker as the "most Influential" drummer of the last 30 years
 
 
Roland TR-808
Drum Machines For 808 Day, 13 iconic Roland TR-808 tracks that made a legend
 
 
Lemmy
Artists Revisiting our classic interview with the legendary Lemmy
 
 
Phil Collins - First Final Farewell Tour at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, United States on August 31, 2004 - Live performance.
Artists Phil Collins admits that there was one drum fill he just couldn’t unpick on his Motown covers album
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Drums
Gretsch Catalina Evo edrums
Electronic Drums “Less time navigating technology, more time playing drums”: Gretsch launch new electronic drum kit
 
 
Roland TD-07 updates
Electronic Drums Give The Drummer Some: Roland announce they’re updating their TD-07 series
 
 
Millenium Drums MPS-1500
Electronic Drums The new Millenium Drums MPS-1500 e-kit could be the hybrid drum set you've been looking for
 
 
Axl Rose and Slash of Guns N' Roses at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, July 19, 1988. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Artists One of Axl Rose's signature moves was almost cut from the Sweet Child O' Mine video
 
 
Anika Nilles holding her signature snare drum
Snare Drums “It works in different music styles”: Anika Nilles and TAMA collaborate on a signature snare
 
 
Millenium Drums MPS-350X
Electronic Drums “It’s hard to argue with the amount of features on offer here for such an affordable price”: Millenium Drums MPS-350 E-Drum Set review
 
 
Latest in News
kojey
Artists “I’ve spent more time with that guitar than with any human – that's one of my best friends”: Studio gurus Swindle and Ashton Sellars on the making of Kojey Radical’s Don’t Look Down
 
 
Billy Corgan and Marilyn Manson attend SiriusXM's Town Hall With Marilyn Manson And Billy Corgan on August 6, 2015
Singers & Songwriters “Basically a part of our family”: Billy Corgan defends his continued friendship with Marilyn Manson
 
 
UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 28:  SHEPHERD'S BUSH EMPIRE  Photo of Amy WINEHOUSE, Amy Winehouse performing on stage  (Photo by Chris Christoforou/Redferns)
Artists Amy Winehouse's bass player and MD recalls his final conversation with her on the night before she died
 
 
Harry Styles, Kraftwerk, Bon Jovi, Sam Fender
Gigs & Festivals Fender? Swift? Bon Jovi? Speculation rises about the identity of next year’s Glastonbury headliners…
 
 
Harry Styles performs live on stage during The BRIT Awards 2026 at Co-op Live on February 28, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Artists How a Roland TR-909 and a modular rig provided the spark of inspiration for Harry Styles' most euphoric No 1 single
 
 
Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and producer Rick Rubin pose onstage during Black Sabbath Reunion Press Conference at Whisky a Go Go on November 11, 2011
Guitarists “An awkward situation": Tony Iommi on 13 and Sabbath’s difficult relationship with Rick Rubin
 
 

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...