12 Best Hard Rock Drum Solos
11. We're An American Band - Grand Funk Railroad
When coming across the greatest drum solos in the hard rock world, most of the bands tend to cut right to the chase when letting the drummer shine. Instead of just waiting for a little breakdown in the track or a little drum fill here and there, songs like "We're An American Band" hit you with the mammoth drum part from the very beginning.
The beat seems simple enough at the beginning, but the actual flash comes in after the first few beats, when Don Brewer goes into these triplets that get the listener's heart racing. It doesn't seem like the most complex thing in the world, but the actual precision that you need when going to play it is sure to leave your ankle in shambles. In addition to providing a perfect intro to the song, things get even more complicated when you realize Brewer is the one who has to sing the tune after his solo.
Sure, there's nothing too flashy behind this beat, but the power lies in just how much of a musical hook it is rather than being a hard rock grandstand. Complete with a leading cowbell, the drum part of "We're An American Band" is one of the true hallmarks of the 70's rock sound.