10 Most Underrated Drummers In Rock

Steely Dan are one of the most wacky case studies ever to be seen in the world of rock and roll. Whereas most acts of their day relied on the foundation of blues and R&B to get their rocks off, the music of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker pulled from pretty much everything except rock and roll and made some of the most experimental pieces the rock world had ever seen. Even though these musical twins were known as the beating heart of the group, there was no real groove until Bernard Purdie stepped behind the kit.

Coming from more of a funk background, Bernard's timing is just off enough to make it feel human. Even though there's a ton of drummers who frown upon being behind the beat, Purdie really understood the art of laying back in the mix and letting the entire song breathe on its own, whether it's the off-kilter swagger of Kid Charlemagne or the equally bizarre accentuations on Deacon Blues.

Also, it doesn't hurt when you have a characteristic groove to your name, with the "Purdie shuffle" being incorporated on later hits for groups like Toto. Whereas most artists might be concerned about the timing of the drummer, it's almost as if you don't have to worry about the drums once you get Bernard in the back.