Billy Cobhams' "Drum-Legend" induction performance at the GC Drum-Off Grand FInals - Jan 8, 2010 at the Wiltern in Los Angeles. For more information on Guitar Center or Drum-Off visit www.guitarcenter.com #drumoff
Now 2018, nearly Another decade gone.! What a treat to see Billy Cobham again. All this time and he's still pounding and tickling out his beautiful sound music. I first and last saw him at a drum clinic in N.Y. about 1978. I then moved to California and took some of Billie with me. Forty years later still. Here, he wasn't even getting started with what he can do.! Keep going Billy.!
I am not a drummer and do not pretend to know much about drumming technique, styles, etc. But everytime I see this man I get the impression that he is taking most, if not all of the other drummers to school! Just an awesome talent!
I met this cat, at Scullers jazz club in Cambridge, Mass in 1997. Talked to him briefly during the intermission. I was totally starstruck, and he was totally cool!
what i really appreciate about him is that its not the most polished you can hear sticks hitting rims but hes striving for sounds that no other drummers have made come from there drum set, legend
I would hope that any inspiring professional drummer in attendance became a Billy fan--because after all these years I'm still such a Billy Cobham fan. This solo brought the house down.
No. Bernard Purdie pioneered those gospel chops. Brotha please dont ever forget about Purdie. Add to that list Al Jackson & Willie Hall. Hell, even Stevie Wonder had an assortment of Gospel / Baptismal rhythms he would play on drums.
The Red Baron rides again! And again, and again. Mahavishnu Orchestra opened my eyes to him and Scofield and how insanely great music is, and how far it can go.
If I am not mistaken Billy was the first drummer to knock Buddy Rich off of the #1 spot as best drummer in the Downbeat Poll. Back when he was with the Orchestra.
Billy Cobham can play the most difficult drum patterns that exist! This is a groove set he played for this drum off session..Check out his early stuff with the mahavishnu orchestra and you will be amazed!...Very fast but with power and real groove!..I have had the pleasure in seeing him live many times.
The dude is 69 years old. This dude invented what the new players are using today, He has forgotten more than most of us will ever learn. I guess if he chooses to play something different he has licence to do so.
I've been playing for well over 28 years now, and i still can't believe the sound he gets out of his drum kit, no matter what brand he's using.. He's back with Tama now, and that's exciting..This yamaha kit is the tits though.. I'm searching high and low for a vintage Imperial Star like Billy used to use..Love the sound of vintage Tama drums..
Spend a few bucks more and pick up an 80's made in Japan Superstar or an Artstar, if you can find one. Superstars go for very little money on the used market. I always see super mahogany Supers for sale on Reverb and E Bay.
This man is the apex of the drumming world,he is the crispest user of the Hi-Hat i have ever heard,and also the original drummer of the greatest band ever.
Got to thank you guys for posting these amazing, intimate videos of my favorite drummers. I just finished watching Harrison and Phillips and now this. Spectacular.
Guys--if u like Billy(he's my idol)--PLEASE check out Mahavishnu Orchestra on YT----this is where he achieved god-like status---he did things back then that were absolutely jaw-dropping!!!!
I know exactly what you are saying: MIND BLOWING. But I don't see IT here in this blurb of a sound check. It's like a kid noodling in front of the choir. His sound isn't rich, and the emotional direction of the musical energy . . . .does anyone really need such an overblown kit to say so little?
For those not familiar with Billy Cobham, as few others have suggested, please search for videos of Mahavishnu Orchestra from the early 1970s. This band is one of the pioneers of jazz-rock fusion. Also, please note that this man was approx. 65 years old at the time of this performance. He along with others from the late 1960s to early 1970s laid the groundwork for the powerful drumming that you hear today.
I said it before: There are a ton of drummers- young guys and gals- 12-14 years old on youtube who are stupidly fast, and have all the technique anyone could ever want...there are many many great drummers- but so few musicians. BC is a MUSICAL drummer. He sings those drums in the same way Diz sang his bent horn. AMAZING! Thanks for sharing. :-)
For all the right handed drummers there are in the World, its nice to know that one of the places for "one of the best drummers in the World" belongs to a lefty...
What a fantastic resource for any drummers serious about drumming. After a few lessons when you covered all the rudiments and rock and blues beats is when you come to people like Billy and Elvin and Dennis and Vinnie. Seriously good stuff.
...and if you want to hear his best, check out his 'storm,' from the 1974 album, Crosswinds. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MVHdh_bBQxs.html
He looks like he's just hitting random stuff and going crazy. But the sounds coming out of that kit is some of the most fluid and beautiful drumming I've ever heard.
I thought I was the only one who played like this, open handed with my low tom-tom to high tom-toms to floor and my ride next or on top of my hi hat, He kills it though!
This solo is beyond the concept of "solo". Here there are heart & soul combined with all the technical innovations. We can perfectly say: this is history drawn by the Master. Many people and critics ignore the importance of Billy Cobham not only as a Master drummer but also as a composer and a talent scout. (A part of the audience is also paid little attention to listen but prefers whistling, what a shame)
@ThePbdrum I always thought that was cool about him as well. He actually gave me some ideas/inspiration years ago when I had an electronic kit and how I had the triggers set up.
Cobham has to be in the top 10 drummers of all time with players like Buddy Rich, Neil Peart and others. His badass use of two bass drums doesn't hurt his reputation either.
Billy est une de mes idoles de la batterie, la première fois que je l'ai entendu avec Mahavishnu orchestra, ce fut un choc ! (de Didier D'Agostino french teacher , drummer-composer ).vidéos on youtube
Billy's chops aren't what they used to be but he doesn't need to prove anything. I saw him in'72 with Mhavishnu Orchestra. They backed up ELP at Cobo Hall in Detroit. i still play professionally today because of guys like him. Give the guy a break I'm sure he doesn't practice anymore. I read where he said he stopped that many years ago. Still one the most influential drummers ever. Of course there will always be better. Todays drummers will also be surpassed in the future. Thats how it works
The truth is this. Mr Cobham is it !!. This solo is no example of his playing. Check out his first solo CD "SPECTRUM" with Tommy Bolin on guitar. There are chops on that cd that to this day i've not heard anyone do. ANYONE! And so clean with insane power. I love prog rock and fusion playing. But, Cobham is in the forfront of all of it. Hands down!!!
Who cares? It's Billy C and that's always been in his playing, you can even hear it on his recordings. I personally enjoy it because it proves he's human after all!
