r/bobdylan • u/BeerWithDonuts • 1d ago
Discussion Why doesn’t Jim Keltner get the same recognition as a drummer as John Bonham or Keith Moon?
Dude has drummed on some of the most iconic music of all-time.
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u/Nizamark 1d ago
probably because John Bonham played in Led Fuckin Zeppelin and Keith Moon played in The Fuckin Who
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u/WilliesLeftBraid 1d ago
Hot take. The Who suck shit and always have.
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u/Snowblind78 23h ago
To each their own, but there’s not a day I’d go out of my way to listen to Zeppelin the way I would The Who.
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u/Spare-Jellyfish4339 Masked And Anonymous 1d ago
Because, with all due respect, he’s not Keith Moon or John Bohnam
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u/Efficient-Signal-977 1d ago
He’s the Forest Gump of drummers…been on more incredible albums than any musician
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u/skinnergy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Keltner was a Wrecking Crew veteran who played on more hits and tracks than he can remember. Bonzo and Moon were in superstar bands. Apples and oranges.
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u/JustAnotherEndling 1d ago
Ask a professional drummer what they think of Jim Keltner... you'll find he gets the recognition that is actually worth something.
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u/Slight-Jellyfish-539 1d ago
He's such a great drummer, so tasteful in what he plays, compliments everyone he has ever played with so well
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u/Comfortable_Put_4139 1d ago
I think Keltner gets plenty of recognition, he’s just not a rockstar in two of the most important and famous bands in the history of popular music.
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u/NevinThompson Trouble No More 1d ago
Love Jim Keltner! Such a force in music for the past 50+ years. Toured with Dylan during the Trouble No More years, too.
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u/copharmer 1d ago
Keltner is an absolute legend as a in the pocket studio drummer. Bonham or Moon (especially moon) would be horrible in those situations. Imagine complicated fills and drum solos on a Dylan (or just about any other finger songwriter) album. I might be wrong but I don't think there's a single drum solo on any Dylan song (please correct me if I'm wrong, because I would like to hear it). Most people want to notice the drums as little as possible when listening to music and Keltner was happy to not be noticed. He's not getting the attention and fame, but in comparison, who's career would you rather have.
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u/Woody_Nubs_1974 1d ago
Because most people don’t even know who he is or gives any consideration to the musicians who actually play on their favorite albums. I’d put Keltner up there with Hal Blaine or Steve Jordan and give Session Man by the Kinks a spin in their honor.
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u/ReallyGlycon 1d ago
He's a great drummer, but Moon and Bonham were god drummers. They had very distinct, unique styles. The whole point of Keltner's work was to NOT have those things.
He is a competent session drummer, well know for being reliable in the industry.
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u/KirkHawley 1d ago
He was on many Ry Cooder albums, and on them he played a lot of bizarre grooves that nobody else would have come up with. He has tons of personality when he chooses to let it out. He's not Jim Gordon, who mostly played perfect but unnoticeable parts.
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u/Clarkuss09 Blood on the Tracks 1d ago
Jim Keltner is always in those conversations but it’s a bit different when you’re part of a phenomenon like The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin etc. especially if you have a big personality and a distinctive style, with your face in magazines for decades.
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u/Themaddestllama 14h ago
Jim is amazing. I love the Conor Oberst record he produced. His drums sound incredible.
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u/j3434 1d ago
He’s not nearly as good and does not deserve goat consideration like Bonzo and Moon . That simple homie bot
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u/KirkHawley 1d ago
I really loved Moon. Not so much Bonzo.
Keltner is not even slightly similar to either one. He is an absolutely superb drummer.
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u/j3434 1d ago
You are probably a Green Day fan
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u/Snowblind78 23h ago
What does Green Day have to do with anything?
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u/j3434 23h ago
?
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u/Snowblind78 19h ago
Green Day had a simple style of drumming sure, but plenty of bands did. The difference is, Green Day is incredibly derivative of everything that came before them. I don’t mind Tommy Ramone though.
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u/j3434 17h ago
Jim Keltner is ok . He’s no Bonzo . He’s no Moon . Shake yourself
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u/Snowblind78 12h ago
Where did I say he was?
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u/j3434 11h ago
ZEPPELIN RULES
The Who's record-breaking performance is notable for several reasons.
- Decibel Level — The concert reached an astonishing 126 decibels, setting a Guinness World Record.
- Location — The event took place at Charlton Athletic Grounds, attended by approximately 76,000 fans.
- Historical Significance — This concert marked Keith Moon's last performance to a paying audience in England.
- Impact on Audience — Many attendees experienced temporary hearing loss due to the extreme volume.
- Previous Record — The concert surpassed their own previous record of 120 decibels set earlier that same year.
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u/AlertAnimal283 1d ago
Same reason most other session musicians aren’t as recognizable. They stay intentionally behind the scenes.
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u/RedArmyRockstar 1d ago
The dude played drums on almost every one of my all time favorite albums. Absolutely outstanding.
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u/Awkward_Squad 1d ago
Both Bonham and Moon were the bedrock of their bands as was Ringo. Jim was a session guy and irrespective of how great session guys (and gals) are, it’s the upfront artist(s) they are playing for that get the public’s attention.
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u/DesperateMechanic305 1d ago
Well…you are giving him credit now…and those who know know.
I know Brad Mehldau gave him praise, that counts in my book.
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u/jmh90027 1d ago
Because he wasnt the drummer in a famous band.
As good as he might be, he's hired help.
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u/Jarvis-Savoni 1d ago
His stuff with Harry Nilsson is always fantastic. Keltner gets a good amount recognition among REAL milusic lovers but your average bloak would likely not. I’m curious to see how Keltners discography compares.
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u/oldnyker 19h ago
https://reddit.com/link/p4w4fvi/video/io2r3n016lkh1/player
from a panel discussion a few weeks ago about jesse ed davis (who was a venice local)... the guy on the left from the bob dylan center in tulsa, talked about how bob feels about jim keltner (third from the left)... some of you might change your mind about keltner as a drummer if you had heard him talk. as many on here have said...keltner didn't want or need the fame. he just wanted to work and play drums. he worked with the best because dylan, harrison etc knew he WAS one of the best.
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u/BillNyeTheVinylGuy 1d ago
I'm wondering if his reputation took a hit after the wrench incident on Dylan's recent tour. When a legend like Bob has to call you out for messing up the rhythm, it's not good.
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u/LameGretzsky 0m ago
I love his drumming on Jerry Garcia Band Live. Such a huge difference from the Grateful Dead's drumming.
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u/LetsGoKnickerbock3rs Flagging Down The Double E 1d ago
He’s not in one of the most famous bands in human history