7 Drummers Who Are Also Singers 

It’s one thing to be able to play an instrument and another to sing, but when you can do both, you certainly can wow an audience. Even though it’s not uncommon for singers to also play instruments, most of the time they play guitar or bass, and to be quite frank, it’s almost expected. So much so that it’s sort of weird when we see a singer who does nothing else other than sing. Maybe the singers themselves know this too, which is why some are happy to play any old instrument available. Jim Morrison, for example, held onto a tambourine. Beats trying to figure out what to do with your hands, right?

 

So while playing a guitar (or bass) and singing is pretty standard, there are musicians out there who can even drum while they sing, which compared to playing a string instrument, requires a little bit more effort. Why? Because drumming is a very physical activity that demands a lot of control – not only to keep from getting winded but also to maintain a steady voice while simultaneously banging on something. Imagine singing while shadow boxing, with every punch you throw your voice could falter.

 

Drummers have more weight on their shoulders.

 

Drummers have to maintain controlled beats and steady tempos throughout the song, which the other members of the band depend on for their cues for what they have to do. Without the drummer there would be no foundation and any mistake made (by a drummer) has the potential to derail the entire band’s playing. This is why multitasking as a drummer is such a feat.

 

Below are 7 drummers talented with the ability to play and sing at the same time:

 

Peter Criss, Kiss

 

 

Famous for being The Catman drummer in the band Kiss, Peter Criss is not only an excellent percussionist, he’s also a very capable singer. Among the songs he’s sung, his most famous are “Hard Luck Woman,” “Black Diamond,” and “Beth,” which is one of the most beloved Kiss songs which feature Criss’s soft vocals.

 

Don Henley, The Eagles

 

 

It may come as a surprise to you, but The Eagles’ most famous song, “Hotel California,” was sung by Don Henley while also playing drums. Henley was a founding member of The Eagles in 1971 and played with them until their break-up in 1980. Together they sold more than 200 million records, won 6 Grammys, and made 5 #1 singles. The Eagles are one of the most successful bands in the world and their lead singer is also their drummer.

 

Phil Collins, Genesis 

 

 

You may know him as the man behind the Tarzan (1999) soundtrack and singer/drummer for the band Genesis after the departure of Peter Gabriel. Capable of singing in the ranges of tenor, baritone and bass, as well as having a distinct voice, Collins is by no means a weak singer. As a drummer, he is known for his versatility, attitude and feel. Not many can do what Phil Collins does at the level that he does it.

 

Karen Carpenter, The Carpenters 

 

 

Considering that The Carpenters sang ‘easy listening’ music, Karen Carpenter could definitely play the drums with explosive passion. If you’ve ever seen her drum solos on YouTube you’d know just how talented she was at drumming in the styles of rock and jazz. Combined with her beautiful voice, both talents seemed to contradict each other and I think that adds to her legacy.

 

Levon Helm, The Band

 

 

People say that Levon Helm was born with the DNA to groove, that his style of drumming is not capable of being replicated. And that may be true. As a member of the The Band, Helm sang many classic songs such as “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”

 

Micky Dolenz, The Monkees 

 

 

Although Micky Dolenz started as an actor without really knowing how to play the drums on the show The Monkees, after a while he learned enough to get by. Dolenz’s most famous songs include “I’m a Believer,” “It’s Not Enough,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

 

Ringo Starr, The Beatles 

 

 

Ringo Starr doesn’t need much of an introduction. As one of the members of The Beatles, he played drums all through their history, sang backing vocals, and occasionally was the lead singer of some of their hits. Those songs include “Yellow Submarine,” “Octopus’s Garden,” and “I Wanna Be Your Man.”

 

Final Thoughts

 

I don’t know whether it’s a burden or a preferred opportunity to play drums and sing. Maybe these musicians above have their playing down so naturally that singing to them is like holding a conversation while playing. I know for certain though that drumming is an exercise that requires the use of all your limbs, so to add another responsibility like being the literal voice of the band, to me seems like a potentially stressful job. Which only makes pointing these drummers/singers out more worthy, as they do something that perhaps not many other people can.