Another exciting year of drumming has passed, and it’s time for the 2024 Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Congratulations to all of the winners! Thank you for your drumming and contributions towards the history and evolution of modern drumming. Your recordings, concerts, clinics, shows, books, videos, and articles, are a true inspiration to us all. Congratulations to all of the runners-up as well. As many have said, it’s truly an honor just to be nominated. Thanks to all of Modern Drummer’s readers and fans of talented drummers and notable music who voted in this year’s poll.

Bill Ward

In 1968, Black Sabbath invented heavy metal, and Bill Ward invented heavy metal drumming. Their first three recordings Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Masters of Reality are a holy trinity of metal. The band continued mightily with Vol 4., Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and Sabotage. Never Say Die! and Technical Ecstasy brought out the bands more progressive and experimental sides, and Past Lives documents several of their renowned live performances.

Through all the classic records and anthemic songs, Bill Ward’s drumming is the unshakable foundation of everything: Painstakingly and grindingly slow tempos, unbelievably fast tempos, pounding double bass drums, monster drum sets, titanic grooves, and classic drum parts. Ward cemented them all into the history of rock music. Ward’s ebb and flow with bassist Geezer Butler, and the way Ward’s drumming and Tony Iommi’s guitar playing intertwined, allowed Ozzy Osbourne to do his thing. Advertisement

Ward took the swing of early big band and swing music, combined it with the audacity of early rock and roll, the improvisation of jazz, and added his own crucial ingredients to Sabbath’s musical stew. The results are all time classic drum parts such as “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” “Children of the Grave,” “War Pigs,” “The Wizard,” “Dirty Women,” “Johnny Blade,” and “Never Say Die.”

Ward has left and reunited with Black Sabbath many times. But more importantly, he has led his own bands since the 80s, and has developed into a talented composer while releasing the records Ward One: Along the Way, When the Bough Breaks, and Accountable Beasts. Bill Ward is one of the most influential drummers of all time and is the 2024 inductee into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame.

The Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame, 1979-2023

2023 Alex Van Halen	2011 Jim Chapin
2022 Taylor Hawkins	2010 Hal Blaine
2021 Sheila E.	2009 Mitch Mitchell
2020 Nicko McBrain	2008 Ginger Baker
2019 Dave Grohl	2007 Jack DeJohnette
2018 Clyde Stubblefield	2006 Charlie Watts
2017 Peter Erskine	2005 Stewart Copeland
2016 Vic Firth	2004 Mike Portnoy
2015 Ian Paice	2003 Simon Phillips
2014 Carmine Appice	2002 Steve Smith
2013 Bernard Purdie	2001 Dennis Chambers
2012 Phil Collins	2000 Dave Weckl

1999 Roy Haynes	1989 Carl Palmer
1998 Ringo Starr	1988 Joe Morello
1997 Terry Bozzio	1987 Billy Cobham
1996 Vinnie Colaiuta	1986 Tony Williams
1995 Elvin Jones	1985 Louie Belson
1994 Larrie Londin	1984 Steve Gadd
1993 Jeff Porcaro	1983 Neil Peart
1992 Max Roach	1982 Keith Moon
1991 Art Blakey	1981 John Bonham
1990 Bill Bruford	1980 Buddy Rich
	1979 Gene Krupa

Danny Carey

“I want to give my sincerest thanks to everybody who voted for me for the Best All-Around drummer category in Modern Drummer magazine it means a lot thank you so much I want to thank David and Felipe at Modern Drummer for all their support, Monica who does lots of publicity stuff for me, Joe Paul of course my drum tech, Tim Dawson who’s helping me right now on this tour, and all you Modern Drummer readers from around the world thank you so much I appreciate” Advertisement

Runners Up:

Cindy Blackman-Santana

Justin Brown

Teddy Campbell

Mark Guiliana

Chad Smith

“Hey Chad this came in the mail for you.” “Modern Drummer Magazine Reader’s Poll Rock Drummer Chad Smith, that’s me! Oh, my God, look at this! Another one. Wow, wow. This is very humbling. Thank you so much Modern Drummer magazine, everyone that reads it and all you drummers and everyone that voted – my peers. That means so much coming from fellow drummers. Thank you so much! Amazing! You know, I just want to get better, and I want to keep spanking those skins and keep doing it as long as I can. I love you. Thank you guys. Thank you!”

Runners Up:

Colin Brittain

John Otto

Jon Theodore

Paulina Villarreal

Zac Farro

“Being on the cover of Modern Drummer in October was a milestone career moment for me, after playing drums for well over twenty years. To then hear that I’ve been voted the best Pop drummer from the Readers Poll is really such an honor! To all the voters and readers of Modern Drummer out there, thank you so much and I’m so grateful for this award.”

Runners Up:

Brian Fraiser-Moore

Hayley Brownell

J Rod Sullivan

Mike Reid

Mike Portnoy

“Hey everybody. It’s Mike Portnoy here coming to you from Oslo, Norway, and I wanted to thank each and every one of you that voted in Modern Drummer’s Readers Poll Awards this year and thank you for voting me Progressive Rock Drummer of the year once again. Woo! Thank you so much. I always say this, but it’s the truth: drumming and music is not a contest that could be measured. So, there is no best, there is no greatest, there’s only favorites. But I want to thank you for voting me your favorite this year. The acknowledgement is always appreciated. Thank you very much and see you on the road.” Advertisement

Runners Up:

Aric Improta

Gavin Harrison

II

Matt Garstka

Eloy Casagrande

“Hello, it’s Eloy Casagrande and I’m glad that I was nominated as the best metal drummer of 2024 by Modern Drummer magazine. Thank you, Modern Drummer. Thank everyone who voted for me. I’d like you to know that I’m not the best one. There is no good or bad in music or in arts. But I’m lucky enough that I have fans that support me and who like what I do. So thank you. Thank you, Modern Drummer, for the service you do for the drumming community. And see you on the road.” 

Runners Up:

Charlie Benante

Greyson Nekrutman

Mario Duplantier

Ray Luzier

Joey Castillo

“Hey, what’s up everybody? Joey Castillo here. I just wanted to say thank you to Modern Drummer and to all the readers who voted me Punk Alternative Drummer of 2024. You all rule.”

Runners Up:

Brandon Pertzborn

Erik Sandin

Kaho Kiss

Tre Cool

Matt Chamberlain

“Just the other day, I got an email from Modern Drummer telling me that I had won the Reader’s Poll in the studio category, which was completely unexpected. I had no idea. I just wanted to say thank you for reading liner notes and paying attention to what I do. And also, I think it’s a great honor to be included in this reader’s poll with all these incredible drummers, icons, heroes, and also to be in this magazine, which I grew up reading. And yeah, I’m in the studio right now and I should probably get back to recording before somebody comes in here and asks me why I am talking to my phone.” Advertisement

Runners Up:

Aaron Sterling

Ash Soan

Brody Simpson

Sean Hutchinson

Nate Smith

“What’s up everybody! Big thank you to Modern Drummer for this amazing award. I’m very humbled to receive it! Thank you to everyone who voted in the Readers Poll and thank you to all the other nominees. Shout out to all the musicians who are a part of this drumming community. I’m very honored to be included in that once again thank you Modern Drummer. I’m very grateful for this award and hope to see you guys out there thank you so much.”

Runners Up:

Chris Dave

CJ Thompson

Devon “Stixx”Taylor

Nikki Glaspie

Avante Clark

“What’s going on guys, it’s yours truly Avante Clark also known as “Sonic The Drummer,” I just want to take a quick moment and shout out to you guys man I love you all so much thank you for everyone who has voted for me as the winner in the Modern Drummer 2024 Readers Poll under the hip hop section, that’s amazing and I appreciate you guys, shout out to Modern Drummer man, thank you guys for even considering me. Thank you to everybody that voted for me, I truly, honestly, genuinely appreciate you guys, it’s the kindest love and support, God bless you all, so much more to come, peace.”

Runners Up:

Carlin White

Jacopo Volpe

Rico Nichols

Toussaint Lipton

Ulysses Owens Jr

“Thank you, Modern Drummer, as a person that’s been reading your magazine since I was 11-12 years old, it was the way that I knew what drum products were out there. It was the way that I was informed about the incredible drummers, and it also was a place for me to dream. Looking at that magazine is very much responsible for the life that I have now, the products I play, the way that I show up in the drumming community. It is because of the narrative that Modern Drummer magazine began for me in my life, and really the seed that they planted within me to be a drummer and to want to be a drummer on the highest level. So thank you. Thank you to all those that voted. And just thank you to all the companies that support me. Thank you to the art form of jazz. Behind me is Warren Baby Dodds. He’s the beginning, one of the beginning masters of this art form, going all the way back to New Orleans. So continue to support drummers making music in real time with real people. Thank you all. God bless you.” Advertisement

Runners Up:

Brian Blade

Jaylen Petinaud

Jeremy Dutton

Marcus Gilmore

Dave Weckl

“I just wanted to thank you all, sincerely, for voting for me in the Jazz Fusion category Reader’s Poll 2024 Modern Drummer. There are so many great players out there bringing it, and at this stage of the game for me, it’s such an honor, and can’t thank you enough. Thank you for listening and supporting. Thanks, Modern Drummer, everybody there for continuing the great magazine tradition. And to all the players, keep on playing, make it positive, and be healthy. All right? Have a good one. Thanks again.”

Runners Up:

Alexander Sowinski

Jay Kalo

JD Beck

Yussef Dayes

Hans Zimmer Percussion

Aicha Djidjelli
“Thank you so much to Modern Drummer for including us in this year’s Readers Poll, and to all the wonderful people who took the time and voted for us. It’s such a huge compliment to have won these awards and to be sharing it with my fellow Hans Zimmer Live & Dune 2 comrades Holly, Aleks, Steven & Buzz makes for an extra special moment. Thanks to Modern Drummer for being an incredible platform that celebrates and acknowledges drumming achievements, I couldn’t wish for a better community to be a part of. It feels really nice to be seen by you guys, Thank you.”
Aleksandra Suklar
“Hello everyone, I am so happy and so thrilled to be a winner together with my wonderful colleagues Holly Madge, Aicha Djidjelli, Steven Doar, and Buzz Allan as part of Hans Zimmer’s Percussion Section in this year’s Modern Drummer Readers Poll for Best Recording and Best Percussionist. I couldn’t be more honored, so thank you Modern Drummer Magazine and thank you to everyone who has voted for us. Thank you so much. Wish you all a wonderful time.”
Holly Madge
“Wow, that’s a privilege! Thank you so much Modern Drummer, it means the world to know we won. Thank you so much for creating such an incredible legacy and community around drums, and thank you to all the readers who voted for us it really means the world and of course so much love to my bandmates Aicha Djidjelli, Steven Doar, Aleksandra Suklar, and Buzz Allan you guys the best, what a ride it’s been and of course so much love to Hans for giving us these incredible parts and then giving us the freedom on top of that means the world and Modern Drummer you’ve made my year thank you.”
Steven Doar
“Hi, everyone, I play with Holly, Aicha and Aleksandra on Hans and Her Live. And we just want to say thank you to Modern Drummer Magazine. We want to say thank you to everybody that voted for not only us, but for everybody in all the categories. We’re very grateful to you and to Hans himself for letting us play along with him. I grew up reading Modern Drummer Magazine, I think it’s absolutely insane that I’m even a part of this, and it’s been a real pleasure.”

Runners Up:

Joey Mullen

Luis Conte

Paulo Stagnaro

Stephan Maass

Mark “Taco” Annino

“Hey everybody, just want to say that I am truly honored to be accepting this award. I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote. Your support means everything. Big thank you to Modern Drummer for this incredible recognition. It’s such a privilege to be part of such an amazing community. I also want to recognize all my fellow nominees. You guys are incredible musicians and inspire me every day. And it’s an honor to be included in this with you all. Quick shout out to all the companies that endorsed me out on the road. I appreciate your continued support and making sure I have everything needed to put on a great show every night. Last but not least, I want to just thank the rest of the band, Morgan, and our entire road family. You all make this journey possible for me and I absolutely love to share the stage with you guys every night and travel the world. Thanks again everyone for this honor and congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Take care.” Advertisement

Runners Up:

Cody Ash

Derek Mixon

Nick Buda

Bruno Valverde

“I’m so excited because I just found out that I’ve been voted the winner in the up-and-coming category of the Modern Drummer Reader’s Poll and I’m beyond grateful. First of all a huge huge thank you to Modern Drummer for this incredible honor like being recognized for such an iconic magazine means the world to me so thanks again so much and a massive massive thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for me. Your support is like a reminder of why I love what I do which is like connecting with all of you through music so thanks again so much for every single vote and see you next time see you on the road, thank you so much again.”

Runners Up:

Jas Keyser

Lucy RItter

Shane Hawkins

Tosh the Drummer

@mauricio.extremedrums

“You know what? If I could go back in time and tell the 15 year-old Mauricio that one day he would be voted the winner in the Social Media category of the Modern Drummer 2024 Reader’s Poll, he wouldn’t believe me. He simply wouldn’t. So, I’m having a hard time trying to find words to describe the feeling, you know? It’s a big mix of surprise, happiness, pride, but most of all a huge sense of gratitude to Modern Drummer for making this happen and of course my amazing audience that voted for me. Guys, you are the best and I really appreciate you all so here’s to you!”

Runners Up:

@imsethdrums

@Rajameissner

@thatswedishdrummer

@thecowboydrummer

El Estepario Siberiano

“Hey there, guys Estepario, here, I just finished filming some videos, and I wanted to take a minute of your time to say thank you. That’s it. I wanted to express how grateful I am to each and every one of you who voted on the Reader’s Poll on Modern Drummer Magazine. I was totally not expecting this award, and I am speechless. I don’t even know what to say. I was not expecting this, but I can tell you, from the bottom of my heart, I’m going to continue working each and every single day in order to provide you the best version of me that I can so with all that being said, thank you so much, guys. I don’t take this for granted, and I will always be grateful to you. Cheers.” Advertisement

Runners Up:

Benny Greb

Chris Coleman

Dave Elitch

Dave Weckl

El Estepario Siberiano

Runners Up:

20 Modern Snare Drum Solos
Daniel Bedard

A Life in Time : Steve Gadd, Joe Bergamini

Drumming in Flow
Ray LeVier

Philly-Ism
Tim Carman

Dune 2 Hans Zimmer Percussion Section

Special Recognition for major contributions to percussion on Dune II soundtrack:
Steven Doar – composer / percussionist – Dune pt. 1 / Dune pt. 2 / twilight of the gods / Musical director for Hans Zimmer Live
Omer Benyamin – Music department / composition / sound track /
Dune pt 1 & Dune pt 2

Buzz Allan
“I am very excited and honored to be accepting the award from Modern Drummer Magazine’s Readers Poll for Best Recorded Performance alongside Aicha Djidjelli, Aleksandra Suklar and Holly Madge for our work we did on the Dune 2 soundtrack for Hans Zimmer. When we were recording this, I thought I was honored enough just to be on a Hans Zimmer soundtrack, but to have this as well is utterly unbelievable. So a huge thank you to Modern Drummer Magazine, the world’s best rhythm, drum, and percussion publication. A huge thank you to all the readers for voting for us. Thank you so much indeed. Thank you to Hans Zimmer for allowing me to play on the soundtrack. It was my first time ever working for Hans, so this has just gone from amazing to unbelievably incredible. Again, my fellow percussionists, Aicha, Aleksandra and Holly for being absolute legends. And to my mom and dad for their continued support and that of my lovely wife, Kiran. So thank you all very, very much. Truly honored and humbled. Cheers, guys.”

Alexander Sowinski
Badbadnotgood
Mid Spiral

Mark Guiliana
MARK

Matt Cameron / Pearl Jam
Dark Matter

Robert Sput Searight / Ghost Note
Mustard n’ Onions