Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers

Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers

A Rolling Stone Best Music Book of 2025

Rock and roll runs on rhythm—but the musicians who create that pulse have too often been left in the background.

In Backbeats, acclaimed music historian John Lingan tells the sweeping story of rock and roll from behind the drum kit, spotlighting fifteen iconic drummers who shaped the sound, feel, and evolution of popular music. From Ringo Starr and Charlie Watts to John Bonham, Questlove, and Dave Grohl, Lingan brings these timekeepers out of the shadows and into the center of rock history.

Spanning six decades, Backbeats explores how drummers transformed blues into rock, rock into funk, punk, metal, and beyond. Lingan blends deep research with vivid storytelling, revealing how artists like Bernard Purdie, Maureen “Moe” Tucker, and Sam Lay redefined rhythm itself—often rewriting the rules of popular music without ever stepping into the spotlight.

Rich with insider stories and exclusive interviews, the book captures unforgettable moments in music history: Bob Dylan going electric at Newport, James Brown inventing funk, the rise of LA thrash metal, and legendary studio sessions with figures like Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, and The Roots. Contributions from artists, producers, and engineers—including reflections from Robert Plant and Steve Albini—offer rare, behind-the-scenes insight into how these beats were made.

More than a history book, Backbeats is a tribute to the art of drumming itself—showing how groove, restraint, power, and innovation from the back of the stage drove rock and roll forward. It’s a fresh, exhilarating perspective on a story we thought we already knew.

Why You’ll Love This Book

• A Rolling Stone Best Music Book of 2025
• Tells rock history from the drummer’s point of view
• Profiles 15 influential drummers, both iconic and underrecognized
• Accessible to musicians and non-musicians alike
• Packed with anecdotes, interviews, and cultural context
• Written by a drummer-scholar with deep industry credibility

Perfect For

• Rock and roll fans
• Drummers and musicians of all levels
• Music historians and students
• Readers who love behind-the-scenes stories
• Anyone ready to finally “give the drummer some”

About the Author

John Lingan is a music journalist and historian whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Nation, and The Oxford American. He is also the author of A Song for Everyone: The Story of Creedence Clearwater Revival, named one of Variety’s Best Music Books of 2022. Lingan lives in Maryland.