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
  • Black Friday
  • Artist news
  • 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
Don't miss these
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Drummers When British rock drumming ruled the world
Drum Machine collection
Electronic Drums How the drum machine grew into a viable alternative to real drummers
Clem Burke, Ancienne Belgique (AB), Brussels, Belgium, November 1998
Drummers Clem Burke's 10 essential drum albums
Amen Break
Drums When sampling ruled the world - and drummers didn’t get paid!
Danny Carey
Drummers 6 of the most inspirational drummers of all time
Drummers Listen to 11 isolated drum tracks from rock's drumming legends
Drum Kits Where to start with a drum kit
Jeff Porcaro
Artists Exploring the genius of Jeff Porcaro's Rosanna Shuffle
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Stone Roses single and cover
Singles And Albums “Sounds like four lads trying to get out of Manchester”: The Stone Roses’ debut single to be reissued for charity
Drummer
Drummers 10 tips to help drummers to develop better timing
Hal Blaine
Drummers Read our classic interview with Wrecking Crew legend Hal Blaine
More
  • Pete Townshend on smashing - and fixing - his guitars
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • AI slop hits #1
  • The pain that birthed Don't Speak
  • Europe vs AI
  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
When British rock drumming ruled the world
 
 
Drum Machine collection
How the drum machine grew into a viable alternative to real drummers
 
 
Clem Burke, Ancienne Belgique (AB), Brussels, Belgium, November 1998
Clem Burke's 10 essential drum albums
 
 
Amen Break
When sampling ruled the world - and drummers didn’t get paid!
 
 
Danny Carey
6 of the most inspirational drummers of all time
 
 
Listen to 11 isolated drum tracks from rock's drumming legends
 
 
Latest in Drums
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 19 -- Pictured: Young FIne Cannibals during the musical performance on May 13, 1989 (Photo by Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Fine Young Cannibals confirm that She Drives Me Crazy was recorded at Paisley Park using Prince’s gear
 
 
Roland VAD316
“Roland has always been extremely good at marrying the playability of its samples with the physical feel of its hardware - this kit is no exception”: Roland VAD316 review
 
 
Walrus Audio DFX-1 Percussion Processing Unit next to a cymbal
“For percussionists who want to take matters into their own hands”: Walrus launch the DFX-1, an effects unit built for drummers
 
 
Zultan Alaris cymbals
“Deliver a light, open sound with exceptional stick definition and a gentle, airy wash: Zultan unveil new ALARIS cymbal range
 
 
Roland V-Drums VAD 5 series
Roland's big V-Drum 3 and 5 series drop adds 6 kits to its e-drum range, including V71-lite modules and on-trend acoustic-look options
 
 
Alesis Nitro Ultimater
Alesis's new 9-piece Nitro Ultimate electronic drum kit is its new flagship, and the hi-hat is the star
 
 
Latest in News
Rick Rubin and Anthony Kiedis during Lost in Translation DVD Launch Party - Inside at Koi Restaurant in Los Angeles, California, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
"Anthony sounds old": Rick Rubin's unusual mix feedback on 2006's Stadium Arcadium
 
 
Disclosure
“One of the greatest electronic music songs of all time”: Disclosure officially release their edit of a ‘90s club classic
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Black Friday has officially kicked off, with the likes of Sweetwater and Guitar Center dropping massive sales
 
 
Artificial intelligence music and sound concept. Represented with digital circuits and advanced algorithms in a high-tech setting, showcasing modern technological advancements and innovation
It’s now nearly impossible to detect whether a track is human or AI-made, new survey reveals
 
 
Pete Townshend of The Who Performs At Acrisure Arena at Acrisure Arena on October 01, 2025 in Palm Springs, California
“There might be hits”: Why Pete Townshend is interested in using AI
 
 
Alex Skolnick of Testament shows off his signature ESP singlecut as he performs at Belgium's Alcatraz Festival in 2024. On the right, Kiko Loureiro and Dave Mustaine of Megadeth photographed in the corridors backstage at Wembley Arena in 2015.
Alex Skolnick on the time he was on standby for Megadeth – and what to do when you can’t match a player lick for lick
 
 

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...