Billy Corgan Says Travis Barker Is the Most Influential Drummer of the Last 30 Years

Billy Corgan has never been shy about sharing an opinion, and his latest one is going to keep music fans busy for a while. On his podcast The Magnificent Others, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman told guest Travis Barker that he’s“probably the most influential drummer of the last 30 years,”crediting him with reshaping rock and power-pop drumming across three decades. Barker, clearly caught off guard, didn’t just accept the praise. He broke down his influences, citing Buddy Rich, The Meters, Tommy Lee, Jimmy Chamberlin, Dennis Chambers, and Animal from the Muppets.“Animal from the Muppets was my biggest influence as a child,”Barker said, which might be the most relatable thing a rock star has said all year.

The interview went well beyond drumming. Barker opened up about the 2008 plane crash that killed four people and left him with severe burns, and how he returned to drumming straight out of the burns centre. He also discussed avoiding air travel for 13 years before finally flying again in 2021. It’s a reminder that behind the pop-punk icon is a story of serious resilience, and it gave Corgan’s praise an extra layer of weight.

For Blink-182 fans, there’s more to look forward to: the band are working on a new album and have announced European shows for 2027. So the big question stands: is Corgan right about Barker as the most influential drummer of the last 30 years, or does someone else deserve the title? Tell us who gets your vote in the comments.