Each week The Guardian has a quiz which runs all week, set by a guest writer, and usually about some particualr interest of theirs. This week the quiz was set by Al Murray (AKA The Pub Landlord) and the questions were all about drummers. His introduction said:

“Christmas approaches and, as we know, on the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me 12 drummers drumming (and I’m sure it was much appreciated). But can you name 12 drummers? Sadly I can. Join me in the world of matched and orthodox grip, linear patterns and cocktail kits.”

I got to wondering about how many people can name 12 drummers, and I imagine a lot of people can’t. Then I got to wondering how many I could name. I was on a long train journey and had no book or newspaper and was bored so I tried listing them in my head. I started well with a half dozen straight off the top of my head (Ringo, John Bonham, The Big Figure, Buddy Rich, Alan White, Phil Collins) and then slowed down. I was sure I knew more than that, and started thinking about bands and then whether I could name their drummer. It got too much to keep in my head so I whipped out a notepad (old-fashioned paper – not a portable computer) and started listing them.

I reached 12 with no trouble, but when I reached 20 I had a bit of a mind block. Then I started remembering a load which really should have been obvious, like Cozy Powell and Nick Mason. I gave up when I reached 40, and there are still a few that I know I should know but can’t quite recall. Like the drummers with the Jam, U2 and the Blues Brothers, or not remembering which of Sly and Robbie is drums and which is bass. And I really should know the name of the one-armed drummer from Def Leppard and the extremely hairy drummer from Boston.

Anyway, I’m happy with 40. Its respectable, but not a total anorak score. Notably, most of the names are from older bands. I imagine this is because I used to read the LP sleeves and also read the music press, both of which habits I have cut back on. Or maybe drummers now are not such characters as they used to be?

The full list is:
Ringo Starr
Zak Starkey (his son)
John Bonham (Led Zep)
The Big Figure (Dr Feelgood)
Buddy Rich
Gene Krupa
Alan White (Yes)
Bill Bruford (Yes, Genesis)
Phil Collins (Genesis)
Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
Paul Cook (Sex Pistols)
Hugo Burnham (Gang of Four)
Jet Black (Stranglers)
Charlie Watts (Stones)
Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)
Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart?)
Nigel Olsson (Elton John)
Paul Hester (Crowded House)
Terry Chimes/Tory Crimes (Clash)
Rat Scabies (Damned)
Woody Woodmansy (Bowie)
Keith Moon (Who)
Simon Phillips (Who)
Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
Meg White (White Stripes)
Cozy Powell
Roger Taylor (Queen)
Carl Palmer (ELP)
Karen Carpenter
Shovell (? M People?)
Hero Shima (Spizz Energi 1979)
Ginger Baker
Mick Fleetwood
Dave Grohl (Nirvana)
Prairie Prince (Tubes)
Bev Bevan (ELO)
Gilson Lavis (Squeeze)
Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads)
Clem Burke (Blondie)
Chester Thompson (Genesis)
Bill Berry (REM)

I have just now consulted The Great Rock Discography to confirm a few of those. And see that Seb Hashian was the hairy bloke from Boston, Jerry Harrison was the guitarist with Talking Heads (doh!) and the drummer was really Chris Frantz. Oh, and Rick Allen is with Def Leppard and Larry Mullen is with U2. Should have known that.

I’m surprised that I forgot Dennis Wilson and Don Henley (two singing drummers) Tommy Ramone and Mitch Mitchell…

Another thing is how many comedians seem to be into drumming. Al Murray set that quiz, but I think Matt Lucas, Rowan Atkinson and Roland Rivron are also into drumming. Is there anything about the drums that attracts comedians or is it just coincidence?

It was a boring train journey though, because I moved on to bass players and got stuck after 20, which was disappointing.