When you think of the world’s best drummers, men like John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Neil Peart (The Rush), and Keith Moon (The Who) come to mind. However, many female drummers are just as deserving of praise. \u2014 some of them having played since at least the 1920s. So, who are the best female drummers of all time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifteen of the best female drummers include Viola Smith and Karen Carpenter. They paved the way for women who have chosen to go behind the kits like Anika Nilles and Nikki Glaspie. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Female drummers may not be as common as their male counterparts, but they are no less inspiring and talented. Read on to learn more about the fifteen best female drummers. Who knows: You might be inspired to follow in their footsteps (whether you’re a woman, a man, or somewhere in between).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Viola Smith was \u2014 and arguably still is \u2014 the epitome of girl power in the percussion world. Born in 1912, her family introduced her to the music scene, and she very quickly developed a keen ear for music, particularly the drums. Her decades-long career included stints on Broadway, playing as one of the few professional female drummers of her time until 1975. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dubbed the fastest girl drummer in the world, Smith began her musical journey with her sisters in the Schmitz Sisters Family Orchestra. Afterward, she moved into swing music, starting another band with her siblings called The Coquettes. In the 1970s, Smith retired from music and lived until the ripe old age of 107. <\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Viola Smith<\/h2>\n\n\n\n