I was given a toy drum in 1975, that lasted for about a day and the drum suddenly disappeared, but ever since I had a fascination with all things drums.
I was 5 years old back then. Fast forward to 1988 where I was able to buy myself a used Ludwig kit with no cymbals (hey I was really poor back then), got a set of HH and a crash and a ride a month later. many years and many drumsets later I am still here and still love drums like that time in 1975..
I think Tommy Lee (and not because of his drumming) but because he was the first drummer that I saw that looked like it was playing the hell out the drums. the first songs would be I was made for loving you (kiss), Hot for teacher, from VH, any of the songs from Keeper of the 7 keys from Helloween, or any of the songs from Beneath the Remains from Sepultura, Slayer Seasons in the Abyss and South of Heaven albums I memorized all of them, I can still play them pretty accurately to this day. or a couple of the songs from the band Death I forgot the name of the album but the double bass work is just phenomenal. another one was King diamond, Mickey Dee the drummer for the albums Them and Abigail (who later went to work for Mothorhead.. a waste of talent if you ask me) has some of the the tastiest fills and sections on both of those albums. What can I say I grew up listening to rock and transition to metal... Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche) on the Operation Mindcrime album, Never really been a fan of Portnoy (sorry if I offend anyone) I do like the collaboration he did when he played Stand Up and Shout from DIO with a bunch of other label artists, that song showcases what he can actually do better than the DT songs IMO. Lately any of the extreme metal drummers but I can't really play that fast anymore ( guess I could if I practice more) but for examples look at David Diepold in YT playing Fleshgod Apocalypse, man, some insane skill even if extreme metal is not your bag.