Ringo Starr vs. Ian Paice: March Drum Madness

Ringo Starr and Deep Purple's Ian Paice made it through the opening round of March Drum Madness, but for one of them, the competition is about to end in defeat.

We started out with 32 of the most famous drummers in classic rock history in our March Drum Madness bracket. In each of five 100 percent reader-voted rounds, their ranks are thinning until we arrive at your choice for the greatest rock drummer of all time — and now it's time for Starr and Paice to face off.

Starr is fresh off his triumph over Levon Helm of the Band, and although there's no denying Helm's legendary status, it's easy to understand how the former Beatle prevailed — we are talking, after all, about the guy who kept time for arguably the greatest band in rock 'n' roll history.

Paice, meanwhile, took the opening round from Nick Mason of Pink Floyd — and although the Deep Purple drummer didn't claim victory as decisively as Starr, a win is a win, and now it's up to you to decide which of these world-renowned musicians moves on.

So who gets your support – Ringo Starr or Ian Paice? You can vote once per hour until this round closes on March 26 at 11:59PM ET. The ultimate winner will be revealed on April 7.