Tommy Lee Vs Alex Van Halen

[EyeDocOfRock]

Who is the better drummer during his career ?

Tommy Lee vs Alex Van Halen ?

[Brainy Lane]

Tommy

[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.....

[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.

[ALMOSTsaved]

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?

[eddie lee roth]

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.”

[eddie lee roth]

Or “Lightning Up the Sky.”

[dmbrocker]

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.

[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.

[Lobo]

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

[veritas]

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

I think he is indeed better.

But I really thing they are both excellent.

[Ryan81]

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.

[Bono Nettencourt]

Alex is better, but neither are great. Very good/good.

[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.

[El Vampiro Blanco]

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!

[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.

[TravisBicklesMohawk]

Different styles different music.

Tie for me . . .

[Bono Nettencourt]

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.

[drumkey]

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.

[drumkey]

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.

[drumkey]

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

[Neil Diamond Dave]

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.

[skinni]

AVH

[Brad Welp]

Did Tommy ever play with a neck brace?

[aznsquirt]

Love me some Tommy but this isn't close, peeps.

[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.

[FreddyFender]

Alex is great and all but hes not Peart.

This is true.

Alex didn’t play music that was exclusively for virgins.

[BernieTaupson]

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.

[joey78]

Tommy’s drumming on the Corabi record was exceptional.

The other motley records didn’t really showcase his skills

[drumkey]

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.

Yes!