The Unsung Heroes: Top 10 Session Drummers You Need To Know
Posted by Mike Schumacher
Session drummers are instrumentalists that provide the rhythm section for a song. They play the bass and kick drums along with the rest of the band in a song, to give it depth and texture.
Many famous pop songs rely heavily on the background music provided by session drummers. Since they are part of the recording process, they are not seen or heard until the final product is released.
Some of the best session drummers have never gotten recognition for their work due to anonymity. This is a great way to keep busy and earn money, but it also takes away from personal fame.
This article will talk about some of the most famous pop songs that use session drummers and mention some less-known ones that deserve recognition.
Joe Letz
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Drummers are one of the most important elements in creating good music. Many songs are named after the song’s main drum line or feature the drums as a prominent sound.
Many famous singers name check their favorite drummers and how they love to work with them. Singers like Rihanna have mentioned how much they appreciate Steve Jordan’s work and how he brings something new to the table every time.
While we all know iconic musicians like Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake named check Steve Jordan, there are many other session drummers that deserve recognition.
Joe Letz is a up and coming drummer that has worked with many big names in the music industry like Fifth Harmony, Bebe Rexha, and Martin Garrix. Letz has received praise for his talent and versatility as a drummer by his peers.
Aaron “AK” Klein
Pop music is probably the largest influence on our everyday music listening. Pop music is characterized by catchy melodies, simple strum patterns, and repetitive lyrics.
Many pop songs are made by less experienced musicians who specialize in other areas, like marketing or production. For this reason, pop songs tend to have less intricate drum parts.
Since the drums serve more of a supporting role, you will find many pop drummers who do not have extensive lists of artists they have played for. This can make it hard to gain exposure as a drummer!
We love introducing you to hidden gems of the drum world, so we made a list of ten session drummers you need to know if you’re into pop music.
Matt McGinley
If there is one member of the band that gets overlooked too often, it’s the drummer. We already discussed how the bassist gets overlooked, but here’s another case where that is true.
Many songs are built around a catchy drum beat or pattern. Lyrics are sometimes even written to fit the rhythm of the drums. This makes them an essential part of the song!
Some of the best drummers in modern day music include Josh Dun, Danny! Wareham, Daniel Jones, and Matt McGinley. All of these men have incredible talent and skill when it comes to beating the drums.
Danny! Wareham is a British drummer who has played with some big names such as Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
Joe Letz
Joe Letz is a session drummer who has worked with big names like Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendez, and Avril Lavigne. He has also played with famous bands like Fall Out Boy andPanic! At The Disco.
Letz began his career playing in local bands around his home state of California. One of his early bands was a pop-rock group called Augustana where he played drums and guitar. He then moved to Nashville where he continued to play in local bands and landed some gigs with American country music artists.
His success as a session drummer came from his talent and ability to adapt to different music genres. Letz states: “I think the key is being able to adapt your style based on what the song needs. If the song needs a heavy groove, then you need to be able to provide that without losing the finesse in your playing.”
He has worked with many popular artists but says that “being able to play on stage with Fall Out Boy was definitely a highlight for me”.
Aaron “AK” Klein
With so many talented drummers out there, it’s easy to overlook some great ones. With so many songs featuring heavy bass and rhythm tracks, your listening experience would not be the same without them.
Many music critics praise studio drummers for their ability to produce quality sounds and beats. Many of them have fan bases that recognize their talent, but they are never fully exposed.
Among the top studio drummers is Aaron “AK” Klein. He has worked with some of the top music artists including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Eminem. His work has been recognized by Billboard Music Awards and MTV VMA Awards.
John Simmons
John Simmons is a top session drummer who has worked with some of the biggest names in music. He has played with artists like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, and Nas.
Simmons started his career playing in bands and then moved onto playing gigs at clubs and bars. As his reputation grew, so did the types of events he was asked to play at, including movie soundtracks.
He gained more exposure when he was asked to join The Beastie Boys for a tour which is where he met some of his other famous fellow musicians he has worked with. His talent and hard work have definitely paid off!
Simmons is not only a talented drummer but he also writes songs himself. He has written several songs for himself as well as other artists. He is definitely an inspirational figure for young musicians looking to get into the industry.
Benny Repperger
Benny Repperger is a drum artist from Austria. He has played with a number of famous pop artists like Lana Del Rey, Kesha, and Lady Gaga.
Repperger uses his skills to help other artists as well. He has taught other session musicians how to play drums through his online lessons.
He also has a YouTube channel where he teaches other people how to play drums. He covers everything from simple beats to more complex songs. Anyone can learn something from his lessons!
Aside from being a great teacher, Repperger is known for his unique style. He experiments with different sounds and genres, making every song he plays his own.
Scott Devoid
Next on our list is Scott Devoid. Originally from New York, Devoid now calls Los Angeles home. Like many drummers on this list, Devoid works with a wide variety of artists, and is in several bands himself.
He has recorded and/or performed with artists such as Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Fergie, Leona Lewis, The Veronicas, Ciara, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo and Jennifer Hudson.
Devoid also tours and/or performs live with some of these artists as well. He has also played at several awards shows such as the American Music Awards and the Grammy Awards.
Devoid has been playing drums since he was twelve years old and has mentioned that his biggest musical influences are Vinnie Colaiuta and Stewart Copeland.

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