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
  • Recording Week 25
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Seven Nation Army
  • Avril Lavigne
  • Prince and The Beatles
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Drummer sat at an e-kit places a pair of headphones over his head
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2025: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
Man in orange shirt playing drums with a guitar player
Drum Gear Best drum thrones 2025: my pick of budget-spanning stools for comfort behind the kit
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
Electric Guitars “Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
Drummers When British rock drumming ruled the world
Drummers Listen to 11 isolated drum tracks from rock's drumming legends
There's a joke here somewhere
Drummers 21 of the best drummer jokes ever
Danny Carey
Drummers 6 of the most inspirational drummers of all time
Drum Kits Where to start with a drum kit
Side profile of a person playing a drum kit
Drum Lessons & Tutorials 13 easy drum songs every beginner should learn
Amen Break
Drums When sampling ruled the world - and drummers didn’t get paid!
Jeff Porcaro
Artists Exploring the genius of Jeff Porcaro's Rosanna Shuffle
The Beatles Get Back
Drummers 11 great movies, documentaries and shows that drummers should check out
10 people drummers will encounter at gigs
Drummers The 10 people drummers will inevitably encounter when playing a gig
Overhead shot of electronic drum set plugged into a laptop running a VST
Drum Lessons & Tutorials “At certain points in music history it became fashionable to place accents on certain beats”: How to score a drum part
Hal Blaine
Drummers Read our classic interview with Wrecking Crew legend Hal Blaine
  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
When British rock drumming ruled the world
 
 
Listen to 11 isolated drum tracks from rock's drumming legends
 
 
There's a joke here somewhere
21 of the best drummer jokes ever
 
 
Danny Carey
6 of the most inspirational drummers of all time
 
 
Where to start with a drum kit
 
 
Side profile of a person playing a drum kit
13 easy drum songs every beginner should learn
 
 
Latest in Drummers
Carmine Appice in Vanilla Fudge
“People say I hate John Bonham because he stole my stuff”: The legendary drummer who influenced Bonzo and many more
 
 
Lars Ulrich of Metallica performs at Levi's Stadium on June 20, 2025 in Santa Clara, California.
"Stick with it. Focus…You've gotta put the time in”: Lars Ulrich’s advice to young artists
 
 
Simon Phillips performing with Toto in 2007
“Everybody knew Jeff was a great drummer”: How Simon Phillips succeeded in replacing Jeff Porcaro in Toto
 
 
Blue Carpet held at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2025 in Queens
The one where Courteney Cox plays Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit on the drums and goes viral
 
 
Simon Phillips
“I didn't recognise him. I found out later it was Dave Gilmour!”: Simon Phillips' chaotic session with Pete Townshend
 
 
DarWin
“Most pop music is rubbish now”: Legendary drummer Simon Phillips on producing supergroup DarWin
 
 
Latest in News
The prehistoric monument of Stonehenge in England
“An iconic band performing at one of the world’s most legendary landmarks”: Spinal Tap’s final act is coming to cinemas in 2026
 
 
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Wembley Stadium on August 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management )
Taylor Swift finally nominated for the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame
 
 
Liam Gallagher (L) and Noel Gallagher (R) of Oasis perform during the opening night of their Live 25' Tour at Principality Stadium on July 04, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales
Oasis Knebworth gigs for 2026 appeared to be leaked... in the House of Lords
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $170 off a PRS SE Silver Sky, $200 off a Casio piano, and big savings on a host of studio gear
 
 
Photo of Neil PEART and RUSH and Alex LIFESON and Geddy LEE; L-R: Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, Geddy Lee - posed, studio, group shot,
Think you know your... Rush?
 
 
Nicholas Petricca (WALK THE MOON) and Bryce Vine at Anti Social Camp NYC 2025
PinkPantheress, Billy Bragg, Jamie Cullum and more to spill hitmaking secrets at Anti Social Camp
 
 

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
  • 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...