The Most Influential Drummers of All Time

Mike Portnoy

Portnoy is best known for his work in the band Dream Theater. However, he is currently active in the Neal Morse Band, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, The Winery Dogs, Liquid Tension Experiment, Metal Allegiance, and Sons of Apollo. Portnoy co-founded Dream Theater and left after 25 years of being the soul behind their music.

The Metal Pioneer

Dream Theater was the first band to begin using elements of noise, power-violence, and drone in their metal songs. Portnoy was one of the fastest, most aggressive, and steadiest drummers in modern times. Seriously, he was really that good. Listen to anything by Dream Theater and you'll understand. 

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The More You Know

  • While on tour with Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page dated a 14-year-old girl. Try getting away with that today.
  • Nirvana and Soundgarden shared a member named Jason Everman who went on to became a Green Beret.
  • Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury supposedly had a falling out because Michael brought his pet llama to the recording studio.
  • Ringo Starr was the original narrator for the UK version of Thomas the Tank Engine.
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.