Lars Ulrich – $300 million
As the drummer of Metallica – arguably the most influential heavy metal band of all time – Lars Ulrich has racked up a number of impressive accolades and bragging rights.
These include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, nine Grammy Awards and a massive net worth of over $300 million.
Don Henley – $200 million
As well as drumming for The Eagles, Don Henley also serves as the band’s lead vocalist. He’s also achieved considerable success as a solo artist, releasing four well-received albums under his own name.
As a result, Henley is one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with a net worth of over $200 million.
Travis Barker – $45 million
Drummers are often the least prominent members of the bands they’re in, but Travis Barker is arguably the most famous name in Blink-182’s lineup.
As well as his lucrative music career, Barker has also hosted reality TV shows and started his own clothing line, and his net worth is estimated at around $45 million.
Tre Cool – $50 million
While Tre Cool – real-name Frank Edin Wright III – attained fame and fortune as the drummer of Green Day, he wasn’t actually in the band’s original lineup.
The first Green Day drummer was John Kiffmeyer, but after he dropped out to focus on his studies, Wright replaced him, a decision which directly led to his current net worth of $50 million.
John Fishman – $65 million
Jon Fishman co-founded Phish with Mike Gordon while the pair were studying at the University of Vermont.
While not quite as well-known as some of the other bands on this list, Phish has released an impressive total of 16 studio albums, all of which have sold well. As a result, Fishman is worth around $65 million.
Carter Beauford – $65 million
While his career has seen him work with a number of artists and groups, Carter Beauford is best known as the drummer of the Dave Matthews Band.
With credits on a number of hit albums – six of which hit the top spot on the Billboard 200 – Beauford is reportedly worth at least $65 million.
Tommy Lee – $70 million
Thanks to his high-profile, tumultuous marriage to Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee is easily the most famous of Motley Crue’s notorious members.
As well as drumming for one of the most successful bands of all time, Lee also hosted his own reality show for a while, which helped contribute to his sizable net worth of $70 million.
Stewart Copeland – $80 million
While not as well-known as his bandmate Sting, Stewart Copeland has amassed a not-so-small fortune over the course of his music career.
Outside of his drumming duties for The Police, Copeland has released a number of solo projects and scored several movies, and his net worth is estimated at $80 million.
Rick Allen – $50 million
Rick Allen was just 16 years old when he dropped out of school to go on tour with Def Leppard.
Across a long, illustrious run, Def Leppard has become one of the best-selling bands of all time, enriching all their members, including Allen, who is estimated to be worth at least $50 million.
Charlie Watts – $200 million
While not as eccentric as his bandmates, Charlie Watts was every bit as successful. Prior to his death in 2021, Watts had been drumming for the Rolling Stones for more than five decades, racking up a net worth of over $200 million in the process.
Keith Richards has also stated on multiple occasions that the band’s success is largely due to Watts.
Chad Smith – $90 million
In 1988, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Jack Iron decided to quit and focus on his solo career, and – after a successful audition – Chad Smith was brought in to replace him.
The following year, the band released Mother’s Milk, an album which turned them into global superstars. Over two decades later, the Chilis are still going strong, and Smith is worth around $90 million.
Phil Collins – $260 million
While most of Phil Collins’ considerable wealth comes from his career as a singer, he actually got his start drumming for the bands Genesis and Brand X.
After a number of years with these bands, Collins went solo, achieving stratospheric success and a net worth of $260 million.
Joey Kramer – $100 million
One of the founding members of Aerosmith, Joey Kramer has enjoyed a long, lucrative career. As well as manning the drums, Kramer also wrote many of the band’s best-selling records, and he’s been handsomely rewarded for his contributions.
Kramer is also the founder of Rockin’ & Roastin’ Coffee, and his business ventures have helped him attain a net worth of $100 million.
Larry Mullen Jr – $300 million
Despite not being quite as recognizable as his bandmates Bono and The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr. has been with U2 since the very beginning.
Unsurprisingly, being a founding member of one of the most successful bands on the planet comes with some financial perks, and Mullen Jr. is worth around $300 million.
Mick Fleetwood – $30 million
Despite the fact that they all reportedly hate each other, the members of Fleetwood Mac managed to keep their grievances from interfering with an incredibly successful run of albums and tours.
All the band’s members are multimillionaires – including drummer Mick Fleetwood – although his net worth was knocked down to $30 million in 2023 after a messy divorce.
Ginger Baker – $2 million
Regarded as one of the most influential drummers of all time, Ginger Baker spent years drumming for Cream, before forming the supergroup Ginger Baker’s Air Force.
While Baker died in 2019 with a net worth of $2 million, it is believed that his personal fortune was once considerably larger, with his wild, often self-destructive lifestyle burning through much of his cash.
Questlove – $16 million
Best-known as the drummer for The Roots, Questlove has also provided beats for a number of other artists, and he’s recognized as one of the most influential musicians in hip hop.
In recent years, Questlove has also been the drummer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a well-paying gig which has boosted his net worth to $16 million.
Nick Mason – $150 million
Nick Mason is the only member of Pink Floyd to appear on every single one of the band’s records, and he also wrote many of their songs.
In addition to being the drummer in one of the most iconic bands of all time, Mason is also a keen investor, which has helped him build a net worth of around $150 million.
Taylor Hawkins – $40 million
In 2022, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins was found having passed away in a hotel room in Bogotá, Colombia, with an autopsy subsequently revealing that he died of a substance-induced cardiac arrest.
Prior to his tragic and untimely demise, Hawkins was one of the highest-paid drummers in the world, with a net worth of $40 million.
Alex Van Halen – $95 million
As you can probably guess from his name, Alex Van Halen is one of the founding members of Van Halen. While not quite as famous as his brother Eddie, Alex has still profited enormously from the band’s success.
In 2008, Van Halen became the highest-paid live act in the world, and he’s currently worth $95 million.
Steven Adler – $10 million
One of the founding members of Guns N’ Roses, Steven Adler enjoyed a successful run as the drummer of the band before he was kicked out in the 90s due to his substance abuse problems.
Although he never achieved the same level of success, Adler continues to drum for a number of bands, and his net worth currently sits at around $10 million.
Neil Peart – $22 million
Prior to his death in 2020, Rush drummer and lead singer Neil Peart’s net worth stood at around $22 million.
Peart – who tragically succumbed to an aggressive form of brain cancer – was nicknamed “The Professor” due to his intricate, technical style of drumming, with the musician listing Ginger Baker and John Bonham as his influences.
Roger Taylor – $200 million
Although he’s best known as the drummer for Queen – one of the most iconic bands in the history of music – Taylor has also performed with a number of other artists and bands, including Eric Clapton, Boni Jovi, and Foo Fighters.
An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Taylor’s name can be found in the credits of many albums, and he’s worth about $200 million as a result.
Bill Ward – $65 million
After achieving modest success as the drummer of Mythology in the early 60s, Bill Ward quit the band to join the newly formed Black Sabbath.
The move definitely paid off, with Black Sabbath becoming one of the most influential metal bands of all time. Ward, who also hosts the Rock 50 radio show, is currently worth $65 million.
Dave Grohl – $280 million
Like Phil Collins, Dave Grohl isn’t particularly known for his drumming these days. However, before becoming the Foo Fighters frontman, Grohl was the drummer for Nirvana.
With his name in the credits of some the most iconic albums in music history, Grohl’s net worth is unsurprisingly high, with most estimates putting it around $280 million.
Bill Kreutzmann – $25 million
Widely celebrated for their eclectic, psychedelic take on rock ‘n’ roll, the Grateful Dead had the unusual distinction of having two drummers, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart.
Kreutzmann was one of the founding members of the group, and he amassed a net worth of around $25 million during his years performing and recording with them.
Max Weinberg – $30 million
While he’s best known as the drummer for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Max Weinberg is also the bandleader on Late Night With Conan O’Brien.
Weinberg – who is the father of Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg – is currently estimated to be worth around $30 million.
Phil Rudd – $50 million
Phil Rudd has been drumming for AC/DC since the 70s, amassing a personal fortune of $50 million in the process.
Rudd was temporarily replaced as the group’s drummer in 2015, when legal troubles in New Zealand, where he is a resident, prevented him from going on tour. In 2020, the band announced that Rudd was back behind the drum kit.
Tico Torres – $40 million
In 2018, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As well as drumming for Bon Jovi and a couple of other bands, Torres is also a talented painter, and his artworks regularly sell for considerable sums.
As of 2023, Torres’ net worth is believed to be $40 million.
Danny Carey – $40 million
In their list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, Rolling Stone listed Danny Carey as number 26.
Primarily known as the drummer for Tool, Carey frequently collaborates with other artists, with credits on albums by Skinny Puppy, Pigface, Adrian Belew, and many, many more. Carey is currently worth $40 million.
Ola Brunkert – $49 million
While he was never an official part of the group’s lineup, Ola Brunkert was one of only two session musicians to appear on every single ABBA album, excluding 2021’s Voyage.
Unsurprisingly, Brunkert was paid handsomely for his services, and – prior to his death in 2008 – the drummer’s net worth stood at $49 million.
Ringo Starr – $350 million
In response to being asked if Ringo Starr was one of the best drummers in the world, John Lennon allegedly quipped that he wasn’t even “the best drummer in The Beatles.”
Regardless of whether that story is true, one thing is for certain: with a net worth of over $350 million, Starr is easily the wealthiest drummer in the world.
John Bonham – $10 million
Prior to his tragic death in 1980, John Bonham was the drummer for Led Zeppelin, one of the most celebrated bands of all time.
Bonham’s net worth at the time of his death was $10 million, which – adjusted for inflation – is equivalent to about $43 million in today’s money.
Mickey Hart – $30 million
The second drummer of the Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart has also enjoyed a successful career as an author, primarily writing about drumming and music in general.
This has allowed him to amass a slightly greater fortune than Bill Kreutzmann, and he’s currently worth about $30 million.
Keith Moon – $70 million
Before his untimely passing at the age of 32, Keith Moon was one of the most respected drummers in the world.
During his time with The Who, Moon developed a reputation for his unique playing style, which made heavy use of intricate drum fills. At the time of his death in 1978, Moon’s net worth was estimated to be between $70 million and $100 million.
Hal Blaine – $6 million
Hal Blaine is believed to have been the most prolific session musician ever, having played in over 35,000 sessions.
The drummer worked with a number of acclaimed groups and artists including The Beach Boys, The Supremes, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley, and his net worth at the time of his death was around $6 million.
Bill Bruford – $10 million
Throughout his long, distinguished career, Bill Bruford has demonstrated a capability to master any genre he tries his hand at.
Best-known as the drummer on the first five studio albums of Yes, Bruford – who has now retired from performing live – currently has a net worth of $10 million.
John Dolmayan – $16 million
The second drummer of the thrash metal band System of a Down, John Dolmayan is known for his signature drum kit, which is comprised of almost 20 individual drums and cymbals.
Regularly included on lists of the greatest drummers of all time, Dolmayan’s net worth is around $16 million.
Mike Portnoy – $10 million
In 2010, after 25 years as the drummer and backing vocalist of Dream Theatre, Mike Portnoy announced he was leaving the band.
For the next 13 years, Portnoy drummed with a number of bands, including Avenged Sevenfold, Sons of Apollo, and Flying Colors. In 2023, Portnoy – who is worth a reported $10 million – rejoined Dream Theatre.
Karriem Riggins – $10 million
Lauded as one of the most technically gifted drummers working today, Karriem Riggins’ rhythmic talents are often sought by some of the most innovative musicians in the business.
As well as regularly collaborating with artists like Kaytronada and Kayne West, Riggins has also released a number of successful solo projects, building a net worth of around $10 million.
Ralph Molina - $8 million
Neil Young has played with more drummers than most of us have had hot dinners and the one he can't seem to quit is Ralph Molina. Young once even remarked, "I can start playing the guitar, and Ralph can pick up on the wrong beat and play it backward."
If you're new to the world of Molina, check out any and all Crazy Horse albums. Whether it's Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere or Psychedelic Pill, you'll come away from it inspired to do your best Ralph Molina impression, if only so you too can have a net worth of $8 million.
Brian Chippendale - $6 million
Brian Chippendale went to the Rhode Island School of Design to study printmaking but it wasn't the right fit. Brian knew his destiny was to become the drummer and vocalist for the experimental noise rock group Lightning Bolt, and he did it!
"All our stuff is a way to get us to something that's maybe a new part of something musical," he said. "Or just this feeling of, 'I'm not gonna stop. I'm gonna keep drumming for as long as I can.'" Wise words.
Bill Stevenson - $6 million
In the late 70s, Bill Stevenson founded the Descendents, often writing and producing the songs in addition to taking on sole drumming responsibilities. Listen to any song and you can hear the blueprints for bands like Blink 182 and Green Day.
He later joined a Black Flag tribute project called Flag. Following in their straight-edge footsteps, Stevenson relied on natural stimulants to energise him. "In our band, we would drink a bunch of coffee, or I'd eat 50 Snickers bars, before we played," he said in 2014.
George Hurley - $6 million
Hardcore punk was in its infancy by the time the Minutemen made their debut in 1980 - and what a debut it was. You'd be silly to discount the presence of drummer George Hurley, without whom their music wouldn't be anywhere near as inventive.
"I like R&B music," he once said. "I like the space and the relaxation of it. At the same time, I like things jerky and piecey too, so I try to put the two together. I guess it's kind of like corn nut soup!" This multi-genre approach has let him build a net worth of $6 million.
Jon Theodore - $5 million
Jon Theodore was first noticed by Rage Against the Machine's Zack de la Rocha, who saw him perform with the Latin-inspired prog rock band Mars Volta, saying that it was "clear that music in LA was never going to be the same now that he was here".
Dave Grohl later suggested Theodore to Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, who hired him in 2013. Theodore continues to dip his toe wherever he likes, though. At the 2016 Grammys, for example, he drummed for Justin Bieber.
Janet Weiss - $5 million
Before Meg White there was Janet Weiss. Teaming up with Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein in 1996, they formed Sleater-Kinney and began to light up the alt-rock scene, which was lousy with extraordinary talent. However, Weiss in particular knew what was up.
"Music, to me, is the most immediate of all art forms," she told Paper Magazine. "I bang on things. There's a physicality to our music. We're using every part of our body. Women aren't often allowed to be animals. And we are."
Tomas Haake - $5 million
Most people have heard of Meshuggah, as they are undoubtedly Sweden's finest musical export since ABBA. You may not have heard of Tomas Haake before, but you should. He's just as important to the world of drumming as any of the household names.
Haake has adapted and improvised every year since his 1991 debut with Contradictions Collapse, combining electronic beats with traditional drum patterns."The guys all write on computers, and I emulate what they have written," Haake said. "This sometimes makes for awkward drumming, but at the same time, it makes for a great challenge and an obstacle to overcome.
Meg White - $5 million
Meg White's "amateur" approach to drumming is what made her so special. Tracks like Seven Nation Army, Blue Orchid and Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground would not be the same were it not for her driving and compelling, thumping backbeat.
Jack White told Rolling Stone in 2014: "She was the antithesis of a modern drummer. So childlike and incredible and inspiring. All the not-talking didn't matter, because onstage? Nothing I do will top that." Kind of a backhanded compliment, but one that hasn't stopped Meg White from accumulating a net worth of $5 million.
Christian Vander - $5 million
The drummer, composer, singer, and founder of prog-rock band Magma, Christian Vander is probably the best drummer you've never heard of. Active since the late 1960s, it's easy to tell Vander is a keen lover and student of jazz, among other genres.
"Magma's music was born on a spring day out of my love for John Coltrane and my profound sadness about the human inability to comprehend one another," he said in a 2015 interview. This compelling combination has allowed Vander to build a net worth of $5 million.
John Stanier - $3 million
Famous for his stripped-back approach to drumming, John Stanier became known for helping Helmet record their 1992 album Meantime, which sold over a million copies. Not a bad start for Stanier, and he didn't hang up his sticks and stop there.
From there, Stanier moved on to Tomahawk and The Mark of Cain, excelling as a session musician. His greatest gift came in the form of experimental rock band Battles, who Stanier has performed with since 2002. His $3 million net worth is a pretty good gift too.
Ronald Shannon Jackson - $2 million
Ronald Shannon Jackson spent the first part of his career playing with jazz legends like Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, and Cecil Taylor. But when he formed his own group Decoding Society, he cemented his place as one of music's greatest drummers.
"He synthesized blues shuffles with African syncopations through the lens of someone who gave vent to all manner of emotions," guitarist Vernon Reid said. "I feel that the collision of values in his music really represents American culture." It also garnered him a healthy net worth of $2 million.
Michael Shrieve - $10 million
If you check out Santana's performance at Woodstock 1969, you'll notice that it's not anyone at the front of the stage who's holding the whole thing together. It's drumstick aficionado Michael Shrieve, thwacking away in the background and setting the tone.
Touring with everyone from the Pat Travers Band to the Rolling Stones, Shrieve served as an inspiration to thousands. "Michael Shrieve turned me onto Miles Davis and John Coltrane," Carlos Santana said in 2013. "He opened a whole new dimension for my heart."
Earl Hudson - $8 million
Bad Brains is one of the best things to come out of not just the D.C. music scene but D.C. in general. And one of the main reasons for that is drummer Earl Hudson, who managed to balance the drive of hardcore with the technicality of jazz.
Dave Grohl would learn all of his licks verbatim, copying his moves for the intro of Smells Like Teen Spirit. When Chad Smith joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis told him to listen and learn from Earl Hudson, who has a chunky net worth of $8 million.
Mick Avory - $7 million
Mick Avory is often dwarfed in the spotlight by his 60s drumming contemporaries, namely Keith Moon, but he still deserves his flowers. Originally courted by the Rolling Stones, Avory ended up joining the Kinks in 1964, which allowed him to begin building his $7 million net worth.
He and guitarist Dave Davies became notorious for their fights, both on and offstage. When Dave trashed Avory's drum kit at the end of a Cardiff gig, he threw a drum pedal at his head. Avory toured with the Kinks until 1984, when he was kicked out.
Micky Waller - $6 million
A classically trained, safe pair of hands in the burgeoning blues scene in London, Waller gained fame in 1967 when he joined the Jeff Beck Group, one of the hottest acts of the day. It was the start of a dazzling and prolific career for Waller.
Waller also drummed on Rod Stewart's earliest and greatest records. When he turned up to record Maggie May, he forgot his cymbals. Rod decided to go through with the recording anyway, giving the song a unique touch it wouldn't have had had Waller's breakables appeared on the track.
Moe Tucker - $6 million
Moe Tucker has influenced a gazillion drummers, both male and female. The Velvet Underground wouldn't have been the same without her. "I think Maureen Tucker is a genius drummer," Lou Reed said in 2003. "Her style of drumming, that she invented, is amazing."
Tucker played with mallets instead of sticks, avoided the use of the cymbal unless absolutely necessary. She also stood instead of sitting while playing. This avant-garde, rogue approach to drumming had never been seen before, and is part of what allowed her to build a net worth of $6 million.
JR Robinson - $5 million
The self-professed 'Most Recorded Drummer in History' JR Robinson has one of the most impressive discographies of any musician - let alone drummer. Ever heard the Pointer Sisters' I'm So Excited? Or Steve Winwood's Higher Love? Both feature the prolific Robinson.
Most famously, perhaps, Robinson laid the disco-pop foundations of Michael Jackson's breakout solo album Off the Wall in 1979. "He's the only drummer I could ever in my life ask to do a bar introduction on Michael Jackson's 'Rock With You,' Quincy Jones said of him. "I said, 'I want a drum lick that the whole world can sing' … and they sang it."
Steve Jordan - $5 million
Raised on a diet of rhythm and blues, Steve Jordan was barely a teenager when he began playing along to Stevie Wonder tracks. By adulthood, Jordan was just as skilled in R&B as he was in soul and rock. He has toured with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and John Mayer.
"If you're a rigid person, I don't think you can swing or make other people swing," Jordan once said of his technique. "I would take a drummer who has no technique any day of the week over a more efficient drummer, if he swings better."
Earl Young - $4 million
On Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' smash hit The Love I Lost, Earl Young did something very simple but special: he invented the four-on-the-floor drum beat. This move requires four simple beats of a bar played on the kick drum.
It doesn't sound like all that much on paper, but in real life, it doesn't take a genius to realize just how influential this was. The technique changed disco forever, and Earl Young cannot be thanked enough for his many contributions to music.
Glenn Kotche - $3 million
If it's the perfect mix of classical sensibility and rock experimentation you're looking for in a drummer, you could do a lot worse than Glenn Kotche. With his band Wilco, Kotche has created some of the strangest yet most compelling sounds you'll ever hear.
On their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Kotche outfitted his drum kit with a vibraphone, MIDI effects, gongs, a hubcap, pellet-filled ping pong balls, and an air tube connected to his floor tom. Thankfully, he didn't have to pay for all those weird gadgets out of his own money, or he probably wouldn't have a net worth of $3 million.
Tommy Ramone - $5 million
When Tommy Ramone left us in 2014, the New York Times declared he had given punk rock its pulse. With his crazy eighth notes and floor-tom explosions, it's hard to argue with that. On Blitzkrieg Bop, Ramone and co started a revolution.
Many young drummers still cite him as one of, if not their main, influence. Everyone from the Clash to Metallica have given credit to Tommy for changing the way young musicians thought about performing. No wonder that he managed to garner a healthy $5 million net worth across his lifetime.
Dale Crover - $4 million
Despite featuring on nine Nirvana Bleach tracks and B-sides, Dale Crover is mostly known for his three-decade-long stint with the Melvins. Inspired by Kiss and Led Zeppelin, Crover's unique sound comes from his usage of tom-toms that clang and bash wildly.
"A drummer like Dale Crover, you can tell when Dale is playing in Nirvana because he's the best drummer in the world," said one Dave Grohl. "I've always thought if things didn't work out [with me], they could always get Dale." High praise, indeed!
Kenny Aronoff - $10 million
Most known for being John Mellencamp's drummer from 1980 to 1996, Kenny Aronoff is just as at home keeping a steady, reassuring beat as he is giving the drums a good battering. He has worked with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen, to name just a few.
"As the drummer, I'm the employee," Aronoff said in an interview with Esquire. "My job is to listen, learn, lead. And I understand I'm not the boss." Aronoff is certainly not the boss when Bruce Springsteen's around, nor is anyone, but he's still cultivated a brilliant net worth of $10 million.
Dennis Chambers - $6 million
Ask any modern gospel and hip hop drummer who their inspirations are and it won't be long until Dennis Chambers' name comes up. This Baltimore native was personally inspired by the likes of Buddy Rich, and one of his most famous contributions was Rapper's Delight.
From the 1990s onwards, Chambers has toured with Carlos Santana, Steely Dan, and John McLaughlin. His solo albums Big City, Getting Even, and Outbreak are heavily overlooked by the biz as a whole, but his touring work has still allowed him to build a healthy net worth of $6 million.
Tony Thompson - $4 million
There was a lot more to Chic than its prodigal son Nile Rodgers. Drummer Tony Thompson played just as pivotal a role in the funky New York band. He ended up playing on Robert Palmer's Addicted to Love and Madonna's Like a Virgin.
"All these years, people wanted to sample me. Everyone always assumed that there was some kind of special knobs turned," Thompson once said. "All it basically was, was a brand-new Yamaha kit in a very live, brick recording studio. I hit the drums very hard. That's it!"
Clem Burke - $3 million
Clem Burke brought an interesting rhythm and flair to the pretty talentless punk drumming scene with Blondie in the 70s and 80s. With his help, the group managed to combine disco, reggae, and early hip hop with rock, captivating both alternative and mainstream listeners.
"He was into jumping over his drum kit fairly regularly," lead singer Deborah Harry reminisced. "Clem showed up, and he was a real star. He could play, and you could tell that it was his life." No wonder he built a net worth of $3 million.
Topper Headon - $2 million
Punk musicians were mostly art college kids with little to no training or experience. It made for a lot of good music and even more bad music, which in both cases was accomplished without much of an eye towards technique or theory.
Topper Headon was one of the movement's exceptions. He held the Clash together through three albums before being kicked out for substance use in 1982. Luckily, he managed to sober up and continues to drum today, with a net worth of $2 million.
Matt Helders - $16 million
Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders thought he was doing a great job on the sticks until he went to see Queens of the Stone Age live. Only then did he realize just how soft he played. The concert changed him, and his trademark drumming style, forever.
Since then, Helders has been one of rock's most famous and influential musicians. Heavily inspired by hip hop, Helders is one of the most creative members of the band, and such innovation has allowed him to build a very healthy net worth of $16 million.
Fabrizio Moretti - $10 million
Brazilian-American drummer Fabrizio Moretti has been the drummer for The Strokes since their formation, and has also recorded six studio albums with them. A straightforward indie rock drummer, Moretti has also released an album with the more underground Little Joy.
Since 2018, Moretti has led an experimental pop group called Machinegum, proving that drummers can also be frontmen. When he's not playing music, Moretti also dabbles in art via the mediums of drawing, sculpture, installation, and performance art. No wonder he has $10 million in the bank!
Jimmy Chamberlin - $40 million
When Jimmy Chamberlin turned up to his first Smashing Pumpkins rehearsal he was wearing a pink shirt, stonewashed jeans, and had a mullet hanging off the back of his head. The rest of the band were understandably doubtful, but that doubt didn't last long.
"You can't just grab somebody and say, 'Play drums on this Smashing Pumpkins song,'" Corgan said of Chamberlin. "Jimmy's drum parts are so incredibly technical and nuanced that it's a very rare class of people that can step in and play."