Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

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Who is the better drummer ?

Tommy Lee
21
27%
Alex Van Halen
56
73%
 
Total votes: 77
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Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by EyeDocOfRock »

Who is the better drummer during his career ?

Tommy Lee vs Alex Van Halen ?
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Brainy Lane »

Tommy
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by El Vampiro Blanco »

Even if Alex was inferior to Tommy, which he is not, I would still have to vote for Alex since he played on timeless records on not on mostly shit like Tommy.....
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Busch1724 »

Alex could do what Tommy did, Tommy can't do what Alex did. The swing Alex has is something most drummer can't do, at least with that kind of feel.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by ALMOSTsaved »

Busch1724 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 1:27 pm Alex could do what Tommy did, Tommy can't do what Alex did. The swing Alex has is something most drummer can't do, at least with that kind of feel.
As someone who knows very little about drumming techniques, I've always been intrigued by the definition of "swing." Is there a non-technical way of defining it or just some great examples of it?
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by eddie lee roth »

ALMOSTsaved wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 2:44 pm
Busch1724 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 1:27 pm Alex could do what Tommy did, Tommy can't do what Alex did. The swing Alex has is something most drummer can't do, at least with that kind of feel.
As someone who knows very little about drumming techniques, I've always been intrigued by the definition of "swing." Is there a non-technical way of defining it or just some great examples of it?
Think of the rap song “Wild Thing.”
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by eddie lee roth »

Or “Lightning Up the Sky.”
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by dmbrocker »

Busch1724 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 1:27 pm Alex could do what Tommy did, Tommy can't do what Alex did. The swing Alex has is something most drummer can't do, at least with that kind of feel.
Pretty much why I voted for Alex. Tommy may have had the attitude, but Alex had the groove.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by JamesHetfieldsAcneScars »

Alex and it ain't even close, he's got way more skills than tommy. Tommy's good for the type of band he's in, but people (mostly non drummers) over rate him because he looks cool spinning sticks, playing upside down and on roller coasters and shit.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Lobo »

Tommy Lee hits too hard to play the type of style Alex had. It's not about quality. They are both great drummers.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by veritas »

i'd like to change my vote to Alex.....

I think he is indeed better.

But I really thing they are both excellent.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Ryan81 »

JamesHetfieldsAcneScars wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 4:59 pm Alex and it ain't even close, he's got way more skills than tommy. Tommy's good for the type of band he's in, but people (mostly non drummers) over rate him because he looks cool spinning sticks, playing upside down and on roller coasters and shit.
I cannot believe this is a question. Tommy is a really good drummer and everything, but Alex Van Halen is one of the greats of the last 40 years period. Alex is to drums not a whole lot different to what Eddie was to guitar. Obviously not quite at that level, but not far off.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Bono Nettencourt »

Alex is better, but neither are great. Very good/good.
Wild Obsession wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:35 am Tony Martin Black Sabbath is on the level of Gary Cherone Van Halen.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by jorge »

I like tommy but Alex was keeping up with one of the greatest guitar players of all time Tommy was keeping up with Mick Mars. I think tommy swings fine.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by El Vampiro Blanco »

jorge wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 8:47 pm I like tommy but Alex was keeping up with one of the greatest guitar players of all time Tommy was keeping up with Mick Mars. I think tommy swings fine.
Then again, Tommy had to keep a rhythm section with NIkki Sixx going! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Kerry67 »

Apples to oranges here.

Tommy is a KILLER drummer who happens to be in a shitty band. Bad ass as they were for the first 2 albums and the Corabi album, the rest has pretty much been crap.
the first 6 VH albums were pretty much all killer.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by TravisBicklesMohawk »

Different styles different music.

Tie for me . . . 8)
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Bono Nettencourt »

Kerry67 wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 3:23 am Apples to oranges here.

Tommy is a KILLER drummer who happens to be in a shitty band. Bad ass as they were for the first 2 albums and the Corabi album, the rest has pretty much been crap.
the first 6 VH albums were pretty much all killer.
T. Lee definitely is the Crue's most talented member.

Huh huh, I said member.
Wild Obsession wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:35 am Tony Martin Black Sabbath is on the level of Gary Cherone Van Halen.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by drumkey »

Bono Nettencourt wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 5:44 pm Alex is better, but neither are great. Very good/good.
Whaaaat!!? Alex Van Halen is one of the greatest rock drummers. ever. There isn't anything that Peart, Portnoy, or Tommy Lee can play that wouldn't be a breeze for A.VH. What listeners decipher as good or great drumming comes down to style. Anyone who doesn't recognize that Alex brings truckloads of style to the music needs to take the KY jelly out their ears.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by drumkey »

Busch1724 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 1:27 pm Alex could do what Tommy did, Tommy can't do what Alex did. The swing Alex has is something most drummer can't do, at least with that kind of feel.
Thank you! I was beginning to loose faith in the Sludgers.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by drumkey »

Ryan81 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 5:25 pm
JamesHetfieldsAcneScars wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 4:59 pm Alex and it ain't even close, he's got way more skills than tommy. Tommy's good for the type of band he's in, but people (mostly non drummers) over rate him because he looks cool spinning sticks, playing upside down and on roller coasters and shit.
I cannot believe this is a question. Tommy is a really good drummer and everything, but Alex Van Halen is one of the greats of the last 40 years period. Alex is to drums not a whole lot different to what Eddie was to guitar. Obviously not quite at that level, but not far off.
Amen
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Neil Diamond Dave »

ALMOSTsaved wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 2:44 pm
Busch1724 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 1:27 pm Alex could do what Tommy did, Tommy can't do what Alex did. The swing Alex has is something most drummer can't do, at least with that kind of feel.
As someone who knows very little about drumming techniques, I've always been intrigued by the definition of "swing." Is there a non-technical way of defining it or just some great examples of it?
Hmm, it's hard to define in simple words and mathematics, but I'll attempt by using rock drummer examples. I started to understand groove and feel by the way someone tried to break down what separated Bonham from his rock drummer peers: It was not just in straight timekeeping, which he did to a 'T'. It was about the intangible movement around that given time, but still arriving at that precise beat. In Bonham's case, he actually played what was described as a 'fraction behind' the given beat. He still ultimately arrives at the original time, but it 'swings' with a feel and groove that feels 'easy, lazy, behind', that a mechanical metronome cannot do.

To go further than the Bonham example, it's a 'swing' that separates Steven Adler from say, a metronomic Matt Sorum. It's a 'swing' that separates Phil Rudd from say, a metronomic Chris Slade.

Anyway, my attempt.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by skinni »

AVH
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Brad Welp »

Did Tommy ever play with a neck brace?
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by aznsquirt »

Love me some Tommy but this isn't close, peeps.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by Michael Hotts Ghost »

for actual swing see On Fire or Hot For Teacher.

Alex is great and all but hes not Peart... lets not get carried away.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by FreddyFender »

Michael Hotts Ghost wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 7:42 pm Alex is great and all but hes not Peart.
This is true.

Alex didn’t play music that was exclusively for virgins.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by BernieTaupson »

Ryan81 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 5:25 pm Alex Van Halen is one of the greats of the last 40 years period. Alex is to drums not a whole lot different to what Eddie was to guitar. Obviously not quite at that level, but not far off.
That’s fucking absurd. EVH single handedly revolutionised rock and metal guitar.

Alex was good at keeping the beat.

You can’t really even compare Ed’s influence with a juggernaut like John Bonham, let alone Alex.

Not in any way saying Alex wasn’t exceptional, it’s just that comparing him to Ed is silly.
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by joey78 »

Tommy’s drumming on the Corabi record was exceptional.

The other motley records didn’t really showcase his skills
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Re: Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

Post by drumkey »

Neil Diamond Dave wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 2:52 pm
ALMOSTsaved wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 2:44 pm
Busch1724 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 1:27 pm Alex could do what Tommy did, Tommy can't do what Alex did. The swing Alex has is something most drummer can't do, at least with that kind of feel.
As someone who knows very little about drumming techniques, I've always been intrigued by the definition of "swing." Is there a non-technical way of defining it or just some great examples of it?
Hmm, it's hard to define in simple words and mathematics, but I'll attempt by using rock drummer examples. I started to understand groove and feel by the way someone tried to break down what separated Bonham from his rock drummer peers: It was not just in straight timekeeping, which he did to a 'T'. It was about the intangible movement around that given time, but still arriving at that precise beat. In Bonham's case, he actually played what was described as a 'fraction behind' the given beat. He still ultimately arrives at the original time, but it 'swings' with a feel and groove that feels 'easy, lazy, behind', that a mechanical metronome cannot do.

To go further than the Bonham example, it's a 'swing' that separates Steven Adler from say, a metronomic Matt Sorum. It's a 'swing' that separates Phil Rudd from say, a metronomic Chris Slade.

Anyway, my attempt.
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