“He said, ‘So, what about playing for me?’ I said, ‘Play what?’ He said, ‘Drums.’ I said, ‘Really? That would be so dope'”: The many drummers of Prince

From Bobby Z to Hannah F.

DRUM WEEK 2025: Prince Rogers Nelson, aka Prince, was, himself an awesome drummer, and played or programmed the beats on much of his considerable recorded output. But live, he always picked the very finest sticksmen and women to back him and play those incredibly funky tunes with pocket, feel and chops.

His loss was incredibly sad for the music world, but his legacy remains. Here's a look back at some of the great drummers who backed his Royal Badness over the years.