When the Beat Changed: Classic Rock Bands That Swapped Iconic Drummers

There’s just something about drummers—bands go through them like guitar picks. The classic Spinal Tap gag about constantly rotating drummers? That didn’t come from nowhere. But even with all the shake-ups behind the kit, many legendary bands have kept rocking on. Turns out, with the right groove-keeper, you can survive just about anything.

The Who
Few bands have ever had a lineup as iconic as The Who: Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon. Moon’s wild style powered the band’s sound—and eventually burned him out. After his passing, The Who cycled through drummers, starting with Kenney Jones from Faces, then Simon Phillips, before settling on Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr. Starkey seemed like the perfect fit—he had the family ties and the chops.

So when fans learned he was suddenly out, confusion spread fast. His replacement? Scott Devours, who previously played with Daltrey on solo tours. Still, no matter who’s holding the sticks now, they’re all playing in Moon’s chaotic shadow.

Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam has outlasted most of their grunge-era peers, but their drum seat might as well have had a revolving door. Dave Krusen played on Ten, then was gone. Matt Chamberlin lasted just a few weeks before Dave Abbruzzese stepped in—only to be fired before Vitalogy dropped. Jack Irons took over for a while, then came Matt Cameron from Soundgarden, who stuck around the longest.

Cameron actually jammed with Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament before Pearl Jam even formed. He helped steady the ship for nearly three decades. But in 2024, Cameron announced his departure, leaving fans wondering who’s up next.

Oasis
Oasis took off like a rocket with Tony McCarroll on drums for their record-breaking debut. But behind the scenes, things were far from smooth. McCarroll’s drumming came under fire, and Alan White soon stepped in. White brought a tighter, more polished feel to the band and shone on Wonderwall. His exit came after tendinitis and some unclear internal drama.

Zak Starkey filled in before leaving in 2008, and Chris Sharrock took over just before Oasis split. Fast-forward to 2024, and Joey Waronker is drumming for the Live ’25 stadium tour, backing Liam Gallagher and John Squire. Judging by recent shows, they haven’t skipped a beat.

Even with lineup changes, the rhythm never dies. A great drummer may leave—but the music, somehow, always plays on.