15 Influential Female Drummers Who Changed Music

Throughout music history, remarkable women have challenged expectations, broken barriers and achieved lasting success in the often male-dominated world of drumming. Their work has shaped punk, rock, pop, jazz, funk, grunge and alternative music, proving that skill, power and creativity behind the kit have nothing to do with gender.

From the electrifying percussion of Sheila E. to the lightning-fast swing rhythms of Viola Smith, these pioneering female drummers earned respect through talent, originality and influence. Their impact is measured not only by fame or record sales, but also by the generations of musicians they inspired.

15. Kate Schellenbach

Year born: Jan. 5, 1966

From: New York, New York

Bands: Beastie Boys, Luscious Jackson

Bottom Line: Kate Schellenbach

Kate Schellenbach was a founding member of the Beastie Boys when the group began as a punk band. She played on their debut EP, “Polly Wog Stew,” before leaving the band. After her departure, the remaining members moved toward rap and hip-hop and went on to achieve major commercial success.

Schellenbach later co-founded Luscious Jackson in 1991. The band released several albums, many of which received strong critical praise and achieved moderate commercial success. Her drumming helped define the group’s groove-heavy alternative sound.

She eventually moved into television, becoming an Emmy Award-winning segment producer on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” She has also worked as a producer on “Chelsea Lately” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” Even with her success in television, Schellenbach has continued to play music, including a 2023 appearance with Fred Armisen in Los Angeles.

14. Viola Smith

Year born: Nov. 29, 1912

From: Mount Calvary, Wisconsin

Bands: The Coquettes, The Ada Leonard Orchestra, The Frances Carroll Orchestra

Bottom Line: Viola Smith

Viola Smith became famous in the 1930s and 1940s as the “fastest girl drummer in the world,” a title earned through her remarkable speed, precision and showmanship. She was highly respected by swing and big band musicians for her energetic performances and impressive technical ability.

Smith also advocated for women in music long before the modern feminist movement gained momentum. She believed female musicians deserved the same recognition, opportunities and respect as their male peers.

Beyond performing, Smith contributed to music education. She taught drums and wrote instructional books on drumming technique, helping pass her knowledge to younger players. She died in 2020 at the age of 107, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy.

13. Demetra Plakas

Year born: Nov. 9, 1960

From: Chicago, Illinois

Bands: L7

Bottom Line: Demetra Plakas

L7 rose to prominence in the 1990s with a raw, aggressive sound that blended punk and grunge. The band released several albums, including “Bricks Are Heavy,” “Hungry for Stink” and “Slap-Happy.” Their 1990s anthem “Pretend We’re Dead” became one of their most recognizable songs.

Demetra “Dee” Plakas gave L7 much of its force. Her hard-hitting, energetic drumming style helped power the band’s sound and stage presence. She played on six of the seven albums L7 released before the group’s 2001 breakup.

The band later reunited and continued to perform, including dates in fall 2023. Plakas remains an important figure among female drummers in punk, grunge and alternative rock.

12. Sandy West

Year born: July 10, 1959

From: Los Angeles, California

Bands: The Runaways

Bottom Line: Sandy West

Sandy West was the teenage drummer for The Runaways, one of the most important all-female rock bands of the 1970s. She was known for her raw energy, fierce playing style and fearless attitude.

Her powerful drumming formed the backbone of the band’s rebellious rock songs, including “Cherry Bomb” and “Queens of Noise.” Her influence can be heard in later female drummers, particularly Demetra Plakas of L7.

After The Runaways disbanded in 1979, West attempted to launch a solo career, but it did not bring the success she hoped for. She worked various jobs, including construction, bartending and veterinary assistance. In later years, she struggled with drug-related issues and faced repeated arrests. West died of lung cancer in 2006 at the age of 47.

11. Sue Hadjopoulos

Year born: June 26, 1953

From: Flushing, New York

Bands: Joe Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Simple Minds, Enrique Iglesias, The B-52’s, Ricky Martin and many more

Bottom Line: Sue Hadjopoulos

Sue Hadjopoulos is best known for her work with Joe Jackson. She helped shape his 1982 album “Night and Day,” which featured the hit single “Steppin’ Out.” Her percussion added texture, rhythm and sophistication to Jackson’s sound.

Hadjopoulos continued to perform with Jackson until around 2012. She has also worked extensively as a percussionist on Broadway and off-Broadway productions.

Her television and film credits include performances on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” “The David Letterman Show,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” and many other productions. Her wide-ranging career has made her one of the most respected percussionists in popular music and live performance.

10. Patty Schemel

Year born: April 24, 1967

From: Marysville, Washington

Bands: Hole, Imperial Teen, Juliette and the Licks, Death Valley Girls

Bottom Line: Patty Schemel

Patty Schemel joined Hole in 1992 and became a crucial part of the band’s sound. She contributed to “Live Through This,” the group’s critically acclaimed and most commercially successful album, released in 1994.

Her drumming can be heard on songs such as “Violet,” “Doll Parts” and “Miss World.” Schemel’s playing brought urgency, grit and emotional weight to Hole’s music during the height of the alternative rock era.

Despite her important role in the band, Schemel struggled with addiction, which contributed to her departure in 1998. She is now sober, lives in Los Angeles and has written a memoir titled “Hits So Hard.”

9. Janet Weiss

Year born: Sept. 24, 1965

From: Los Angeles, California

Bands: Sleater-Kinney, Quasi

Bottom Line: Janet Weiss

Janet Weiss joined Sleater-Kinney in 1996, replacing the band’s previous drummer. Her arrival helped shape the group’s distinctive sound, and her energetic, precise playing quickly became one of the band’s signature elements.

Weiss has also been involved with several notable bands, including Wild Flag, Helium and The Minders. She has collaborated with Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, Bright Eyes and Quasi, where she played alongside her former husband, Sam Coomes.

Known for power, control and musical sensitivity, Weiss is widely respected as one of the most important drummers in indie rock and alternative music.

8. Bobbye Hall

Year born: 1950

From: Detroit, Michigan

Bands: Numerous studio and live collaborations

Bottom Line: Bobbye Hall

Bobbye Hall may not be a household name, but her percussion work has been heard by millions. She contributed to iconic albums such as Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” and Carole King’s “Tapestry.”

Her credits also include work with Janis Joplin, Marvin Gaye, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Neil Diamond and many others. As a session musician, Hall built a career on versatility, taste and reliability.

Hall is more than a drummer. She is a multi-talented percussionist who has mastered congas, bongos, tambourines, shakers and other instruments. Although she has kept a relatively low public profile, her musicianship has earned deep respect throughout the industry.

7. Cindy Blackman

Year born: Nov. 18, 1959

From: Yellow Springs, Ohio

Bands: Lenny Kravitz, Santana

Bottom Line: Cindy Blackman

Cindy Blackman comes from a jazz background and is admired for her technical skill, improvisational ability and commanding presence behind the drum kit. She has performed and recorded with jazz greats including Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson, Pharoah Sanders and Ron Carter.

Blackman gained broader public recognition when she joined Lenny Kravitz’s band in the 1990s. She toured with Kravitz for 18 years, bringing power and precision to his live performances.

She later became the touring drummer for Carlos Santana. In 2010, Santana proposed to her onstage during a concert in Tinley Park, Illinois. The couple currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

6. Moe Tucker

Year born: Aug. 26, 1944

From: New York, New York

Bands: The Velvet Underground

Bottom Line: Moe Tucker

The Velvet Underground were not a major commercial success during their original 1960s run, but they became one of the most influential bands in music history. Their sound affected countless artists and helped shape entire genres.

Moe Tucker’s drumming was central to the band’s identity. Her style was stripped-down, primal and unconventional. Some listeners loved it, while others found it unusual, but it remains inseparable from The Velvet Underground’s sound.

Frontman Lou Reed strongly admired Tucker’s playing, saying, “Her style of drumming that she invented is amazing. I’ve tried to get a drummer to do what she did, and it’s impossible.”

After The Velvet Underground disbanded in 1970, Tucker devoted much of her time to her family. She later released several albums during the 1980s and 1990s, collaborated with other musicians and occasionally reunited with former bandmates for special performances.

5. Debbi Peterson

Year born: Aug. 22, 1961

From: Los Angeles, California

Bands: The Bangles

Bottom Line: Debbi Peterson

In 1981, Debbi Peterson co-founded the power pop band The Bangs, later renamed The Bangles, with her sister Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs. As the drummer, she helped give the group its bright, rhythmic pop-rock foundation.

Peterson is also a songwriter. She co-wrote several important Bangles songs, including “Going Down to Liverpool” and “Be With You.” In addition to drumming, she contributes vocals to many of the band’s songs.

After The Bangles disbanded in 1989, Peterson released a solo album, “No Souvenirs,” in 1996. The Bangles later reunited and have continued to perform intermittently.

4. Gina Schock

Year born: Aug. 31, 1957

From: Baltimore, Maryland

Bands: The Go-Go’s, House of Schock, The Delphines

Bottom Line: Gina Schock

Gina Schock played a vital role in The Go-Go’s, providing the rhythmic drive behind their danceable and catchy pop-rock songs. Her drumming helped give the band its energetic, radio-friendly sound.

Schock also contributed as a songwriter, co-writing “Head Over Heels” and “Yes or No.” Her creative role extended beyond the drum kit and helped shape the band’s identity.

After The Go-Go’s disbanded in 1985, Schock continued working on music projects, including collaborations with other artists and writing for television and film. The band reunited at different points over the years before finally calling it quits in 2022.

3. Meg White

Year born: Dec. 10, 1974

From: Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

Bands: The White Stripes

Bottom Line: Meg White

Like Moe Tucker, Meg White is known for a stripped-down drumming style that has been debated for years. Some listeners admire its simplicity and feel, while others question its technical limitations. Either way, her contribution to The White Stripes was essential.

Meg White’s playing helped create the band’s blues-infused garage-rock sound. Her direct, minimalist approach left space for Jack White’s guitar and vocals, giving the duo a sound that was instantly recognizable.

White, who has dealt with acute anxiety, never enjoyed life in the public eye. The White Stripes played their last full performance in 2007 and appeared together once more in 2009 for Conan O’Brien’s farewell episode of “Late Night.” Their breakup was officially announced two years later.

Meg White has since stepped away from the music business and lives outside the spotlight.

2. Sheila E.

Year born: Dec. 12, 1957

From: Oakland, California

Bands: Prince, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band

Bottom Line: Sheila E.

Being invited to play in Prince’s band says a great deal about a drummer and percussionist’s talent. Sheila E. brought infectious energy, technical brilliance and undeniable charisma to Prince’s performances.

The daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo, formerly of Santana, Sheila E. grew up surrounded by rhythm and performance. She has continued to perform with her father while also building a successful solo career.

Her first solo album, “The Glamorous Life,” became a top 10 hit in the 1980s. Over her career, Sheila E. has also performed with Herbie Hancock, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. Her influence extends across pop, funk, jazz and Latin music.

1. Karen Carpenter

Year born: March 2, 1950

From: Downey, California

Bands: The Carpenters

Bottom Line: Karen Carpenter

Karen Carpenter is best remembered as a gifted vocalist with one of the most recognizable voices of her era. However, she was also a highly talented drummer whose rhythmic sense, precision and musicality deserve equal recognition.

Carpenter began playing drums in high school and became proficient early. Her gentle touch and exact timing gave her playing a distinctive feel. As The Carpenters became more famous, she eventually focused more on singing and left much of the drumming on studio albums to others.

That change was not entirely her choice. Her brother and the record label pressured her to move out from behind the drum kit and become the group’s front-facing vocalist. Carpenter later said, “I didn’t start playing just to be a gimmick. I took pride knowing how to play my instrument. It hurt me that I had to be upfront.”

Whenever she had the chance to play, Carpenter showed how skilled she truly was. In 1975, Playboy magazine readers voted her the best drummer in the world, placing her ahead of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham. Her legacy as both a singer and drummer remains one of the most remarkable in popular music.