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>>>
 These were drummers whose sound defined a band; drummers who were
just as important as the singer or guitarist.  Not just some guy slapping   

along with the beat.
 Moon and Bonham were just as distinctive a part of the sound of
The Who and Led Zeppelin as Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page.  So was Ringo
Starr and his work on Beatles tracks such as Rain, A Day in the Life and
Ticket to Ride.
 Name a drummer past 1980 who was that influential in his band's
sound as a drummer.
<<<

While I generally agree with the point of the article (that drummers are   
less and less part of the definition and character of modern band's   
sound), I would make the following response to the challenge issued   
above:

1) Charley Watts.  The distinction of keeping time without succumbing to   
the vacuous nature of the beast.  Fairly influential in the sound of the   
Stones (at least as long as they were good, anyway...)
2) Bill Bruford. Pure anti-matter to timekeepers.  Defined the sound of   
every band he's come in contact with, especially King Crimson and UK
3) Steve Gadd.  Great session drummer for Steely Dan and others.

OK,
KLW