This needs putting into context.

Keith Moon
Art Blakey
Buddy Rich
Cozy Powell
Paul Cook
Stephen Morris
Chad 'Gaylord' Smith
Dave Grohl
or even Travis Barker
I'm sure of at least one person who frequents this board who may say Joey from Slipknot is the best drummer

All could claim to have defined and brought something good to drumming. Plus there are many more.

I think Phil Collins may have been a better drummer than John Bonham. Bonham was a good drummer, no doubt, but he has attained this mythical status. Maybe due to his drinking or his early death or maybe it is just an easy answer for many people. There have been more talented and more influential drummers (many I haven't mentioned).

Cozy Powell, definite. But to put Phil Collins and Cozy Powell in the same sphere is madness.

Legend.

Dave Grohl? Not even the best drummer in Foo Fighters

I agree with you there, Yed. I was only thinking his contribution to another band may make him the best drummer to someone.

How so?

Do you rate Collins that low a drummer?

I can never get comparing drummers. How can you say one is better than another. Nearly all drummers of established bands are tight on timing, so what makes one stand out over another? more complex drumming patterns?

My favourite drummers are Keith Moon, Reni & Matt Helders. Mainly due to their effortless style and that they are in three of my favourite bands.

I propose people check out some Carter Beauford drum solos on a popular video sharing website. Very good drummer.

He's a great drummer. Especially when you consider he only took them up cause they were the only instrument left for the band.

The rest of the band, of late, is mehh

Done Lefty. Wonder if he's still got that doubleneck?

Geordie is better...

from a slightly different genre i'd put forward igor cavalera.

on a slightly guilty pleasure, youtube for a bloke called steve moore, or 'drummer at wrong gig'

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where, uh, Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums.

Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock.

Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

Growing up in the 70's the prog rock bands were massively popular but times change and by 78/79 prog was on the way out. The bands that didn't change their style slowly disappered but Genesis changed into an extremely successful pop/rock band and while still churning out hits could still hark back to some of their previous style.
To me their finest work was during the Gabriel/Hackett years but they gained a much bigger audience after they had gone.
Little to choose between drummers, all the ones mentioned are/were fine musicians but Collins' relaxed style did suit Genesis' music perfectly. He was very popular with other artist playing on albums for many others including tours with Clapton and the late great John Martyn.

It is very subjective. You highlight one of my other favourite drummers, I do judge them onhow dominant they are which tends to dismiss the likes of Collins due to his more percussive, background style.

The likes of Bonham was so pivotal to the sound of Led Zep, it could be argued that his was the dominant instrument. To be able to play at that speed, so loudly, yet so sweetly, puts him at the top of the tree. Reni is very similiar, but not so much at the forefront, his is certianly the dominant instrument at maintaining tempo, though.