I've said it many times ... the number one priority for most acts SHOULD be:

Voice (or instrumental melody)
Bass
Drums
Everything else.

In THAT order. The drums are no where near as important to the pocket or the groove as the bass is, and the interaction of the bass and lead.
Sure, a tight groove between a bass player and a drummer is a wonderful thing, but it's the bass that makes people dance, not the drums. The bass give the chords their identity and enhance the melody, which is always the most important element when pleasing most crowds.
Simple, solid drum beats go a LONG way to enhance any style ... give me Ringo on every job. (assuming he only wants to get paid ONCE!)
LOL

Diki, if you only want to play with live drummers ... who's stopping you?