7 Stellar Classic Rock Drum Fills

Ahhh…drum fills. When it comes to classic rock, this element can be so many things. It can be simple or complex. It can be quick or lengthy. One thing, however, is certain: We all have air drummed to a drum fill more times than any of us care to admit. Of those times, there’s a good chance that was to Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight.”

In honor of Collins’ birthday today (January 30), it seems only appropriate to honor some of the great drum fills in classic rock. Here are seven stellar examples.

• Phil Collins – 'In The Air Tonight'

  The iconic drum fill is at 3:16.

• Billy Joel – 'Only The Good Die Young'

  Drum fill by Liberty DeVitto is at 0:13.

• Ram Jam – 'Black Betty'

  Drum fill by Peter Charles is at 1:32.

• David Bowie – 'Young Americans'

  Drum fill from Andy Newmark starts at the song’s beginning.

• Led Zeppelin – 'Whole Lotta Love'

  Leave it to John Bonham to have three great drum fills in one song. The first takes place at 3:02, while the second is at 4:35 and the third at 4:56.

• The Who – 'Won’t Get Fooled Again'

  This epic drum fill from Keith Moon begins at 7:31 and is punctuated with one of the greatest screams in recorded history.

• Rush – 'Tom Sawyer'

  No drumming list is complete without some Neil Peart. Drum fill starts at 2:35.