The Art Of The Rhythm Section | Billy Cobham 

Introduces Billy Cobham WITHOUT mentioning the Mahavishnu Orchestra??? Unforgivable!!! It's some of his greatest work!

Watching him drop his stick at 2:29 made me feel so good because I drop my sticks all the time... Even after decades of being a professional, you're gonna drop sticks. The key is learning how to not let it make you skip a beat. Billy Cobham is a master.

In his prime, there was almost nobody who could stand up to his athleticism mixed with musicality. He's 72 years old and still doing THIS? He's a legend. Thanks for having him on, Drumeo.

I'm proud of the fact that a long time ago (must have been the 70s or 80s) I was once allowed to carry his drums from the truck onto the stage and help set them up. At that time I worked as a local roady for a concert agency in Frankfurt. I even still have an original stick from that time, played by him, with traces of the hits on the crash cymbals.

I first came across Billy Cobham with the Mahavisnu Orchestra and Birds of Fire and he was simply the best drummer i'd ever heard, he plays to the music and is an integral part of the music, not someone just playing a background beat. He is awsome!

The legend. The sage on the mountain. The man who fought Godzilla in Tokyo and won: Billy Cobham.

I still remember the first time I heard Mahavishnu Orchestra. I was hypnotised with the sound of those majestic drums. Billy Cobham is such an inspiration! Man… look how young he looks! Legend.

Simply wonderful, it was 1978 and I walked into a record store. Remember those? I heard Billy Cobham playing, and I had to have the album. It was a game changer for me, and he has influenced my drumming ever since! An American treasure!

Guy is 72 and looks like he's 40. Music keeps you young!

Like good aged cognac. Powerful and smooth. People forget he's 70! My good friend,Billy...

Billy is one of the drummers that really elevate the instrument to another level.

Dennis Chambers' hero, right here. Please stand at attention. :)

Thanks for presenting Billy on your show. One of the most important and influential bands in the 70s and in the area of the fusion genre that Billy played with was not mentioned, The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Check out the albums: Inner Mounting Flame and Bird Of Fire. The side angle camera shots worked really well. What Billy did with the 4 sticks was quite musical, generating ostinato patterns,, brilliant!

Billy Cobham is the youngest looking 72 year old I’ve ever seen!! Grooves like a youngster and still hasn’t lost that hellacious, powerful single stroke roll! That’s why Billy’s my ultimate drum hero!

Billy Cobham has always been a class act, on and off stage. I would love to get to see him live again...

I'm here because I've just started playing and my natural desire was to sit high and play open... then I started to second guess myself. Every RU-vid lesson is cross hand. Now here is a living example of what's possible playing open.

I love his philosophy that in playing with unknown musicians, you have to set the tone as the drummer but in a way that is simple and allows other members to relax, listen and most importantly have fun. So true!

one of my favorite drummers of all time

👌PRECISIONE ,MUSICALITÀ PAZZESCA CORDINAMENTO PERFETTO IN TUTTE LE SUE VARIABILI ,IL GROOVE ECCELLENTE ,IL MAESTRO È LA BATTERIA CON IL SUO CURRICULUM DI UN CENTINAIO DI ALBUM COLLABORAZIONI CON GRANDI MUSICISTI UN INNOVATORE ,NON C'È BISOGNO DI PORTARE IL TIME "A 500/700 "BPM.SE POI IL RITMO SI RIDUCE IN UNA PENOSA DICOTOMIA DI UN RUMORE ....Billy Cobham é un colosso della ritmica ed un compositore , i suoi 50 personali dischi dimostrano la sua grandezza ed la sua umiltà artistica lo eleva nell'olimpo della musica.Grazie Billy.

That is some of the tastiest most fabulous style of drumming I've heard in a long long time. What a legend.

A national treasure! When I heard him shredding with The Mahavishnu Orchestra in those odd times, I flipped!

A left-handed mixing with right-handed . Sensational Mr. Billy. Congrats DRUMEO. Great video as always

This man's dynamics are out of this world!

His movement looks so natural and relax.

I saw Mahavishnu Orchestra three times with Billy Cobham. All three were mind-blowing experiences, especially the guitar-drum jams. Billy Cobham seemed to have a telepathic link with John McLaughlin.

1st 27 minutes in and the conversation is solid. Cobham not only knows how to play, but he can also illustrate and teach on many levels. This is not easy to do. Some of the greats are not teachers in this manner, so it's nice to hear this. Good job drumeo.

Carter Beauford brought me here. Apparently Billy Cobham brought Carter to where he is. I love music. I don't drum, but listening/watching these guys do their thing is absolutely astonishing!

Billy Cobham - say no more! Feel, groooooove, heart, soul, you name it, watching him makes me cry - ha! David Curtis Drumming

I've never seen anyone play the drums like that before. This guy just flows

Billy's so down to earth and he's an absolutely amazing drummer.. One love man

I have listened to this great drummer since 1970. Saw him play with Mahavishnu Orchestra . Amazing

The most expressive and explicit concept of drumming that Billy Cobham have just laid down is incredible

This legend is amazing

Thank you drumeo! Cobham is fantastic...i see him with Mahavishnu in 1972 in Italy and i was deeply shocked by his powerful and dynamic drumming!!! Thank you very much for this work and for the channel.

Fairly recently, I discovered a RU-vid of Horace Silver with Billy Cobham drumming beautifully, which predates Maha Vishnu orchestra, which means Billy Cobham has always been great! The first time I heard Vital Transformation, I actually was a little transformed. Never heard anything like it before or after! Thank you Mr. Cobham for enlightening us...

I live in a pretty remote northeastern Indian state sandwiched by Myanmar and Bangladesh. I feel so blessed and fortunate because when I started drumming as a wee boy in 1993, Billy Cobham was one of the first drummers I came across. Someone I knew had Billy’s tutorial VHS tape and that of Dave Weckl. We had no tv, no internet and I was able to watch it at the neighbours every now and then. Imagine the odds of me finding those tapes in the time and place I was!!! Blessed!!!

Perfect player. and he is 70 yrs old! He blows doors... Amazing.

I LIKE THE "OLDER" BILLY MORE THAN THE YOUNGER. HE PLAYS WHAT "HE" WANTS TO PLAY, NOT WHAT PEOPLE EXPECTS FROM HIM :)

he has been my hero for 50 years. we're both still drumming. just the greatest drummer.

Yeaaahhh!!! Billy Cobham, one of my all time favourite drummers!! Love his playing and his open handed style.

Dynamic control is something that most modern drummers could learn. I swear to God everybody wants to play as loud and fast as possible all the time. If I hear one more song that has blast beats all the way through it I’m going to throw up. Great job Billy!

Thanks for this. I've seen him twice at Ronnie Scott's and he's always excellent and very humble.

Mate o mine in SPECTRAM TIME said listen to this drummer..it was MR C..what comes across every stick is audible..YOUR JOY OF PLAYING COMES ACROSS..THANKYOU....BLESSINGS I...❤

So awesome ,is Billy Cobham .I've been listening to him since 74', What An awesome Cat ,😎thanks Drumeo

I love the drum sound. Especially the snare is fantastic!

Billy un des plus grand ! Merci Drumeo.

Il più grande di tutti !!! negli anni 90 ho assistito ad un suo concerto al teatro castello a Roma SPETTACOLARE

42 years listening to, learning from and loving this awesome drummer’s chops and groove. The original fusion drummer for me.

Excelente, ☕️ Obrigado, Billy é Mestre uma lenda

2:28 even to the greatest :D Reassuring for all of us!

There are incredible drummers, and then there's Billy Cobham!!! This man brings a whole new level! I've followed Billy for the past 40 years, from the first moment I picked up a pair of sticks, and he never ceases to amaze me!!! Superb video!!!!!!

A God is still The Man... The Man is still A God!!! You ROCK, Billy!

OMG, this is the man playing drums on my favorite Grover Washington, Jr. track “Knucklehead”!💪🏾

I hadn't listened to Billy Cobham before.Wow!

One of my absolute favorite-drummers. Always modern and innovative- more than 50 years ago. hg ( We Will Rock You, Percussion)

Billy Cobham is a living legend. Thank you, Drumeo for this lesson and thank you, Billy all the insight!

Personally...I think he is my favorite drummer to this day.

Then one day Mike Mangini does a lesson as well...And finally explains his stick technique properly. A man can only dream.

Billy and Tony.......the gladiators of drumming!!!

Mr. Cobham is true, an international musical Treasure mellow guy and is aging well, God Bless my musical Hero & Favorite Drummer on the Planet he still has the refined chops the speed timing rudimentary elegance the Godfather of Fusion drumming I could go on and on

Awesome drummer/musician!

Just can't believe, he is 72, this shows his dedication his love for drums

RESPECT!!! One of the greatest at Drumeo... One of my few idols... Greetings to Billy and Drumeo from Germany

Billy is the greatest drummer of all times, I enjoyed his awesomeness twice in New York back in the late 80s and Spectrum was the first album I owned from his repertoire. I was introduced to a whole new art in drumming and music that will continue to amaze me to the date. You are the man Billy!!!! Keep going please!!!

Quando ti ho conosciuto ho conosciuto il più grande batterista

My HERO.. Awesome! Thank You.

yo conocí a billy cobham el año 2009 en Chile, luego de terminado el concierto Billy firmó muchos autógrafos sentado en una mesa con la cara muy seria y no decía nada, cuando me toco mi turno de autógrafo le di la mano muy fuerte y le pregunte "que se siente ser el mejor de todos ?", Billy no me soltó mi mano por un largo tiempo hasta dejarla purpura (hahahah), luego grite muy fuerte "grande Billy" y él se comenzo a reir... fue uno de los mejores momentos de mi vida disfrute mucho el concierto

Very simple, easy to follow, no technical show, no self-satisfaction effort. I am sure he can stroke 10 times a sec, but he doesn't. Pure and perfect groove! Perfect like a drum machine.

So many tasty grooves here!

When i was a kid my music teacher always said "the drummer is the conductor"

World class percussionist’s and drummers like Ruth Underwood, and Chester Thompson, were in awe of this man 50 years ago…

Not too shabby for 70 years old. Being ambidexious has its advantages. One of the best drummers ever......

This is gonna be gooood

Heeeeyyyy there, guys. I think I've already left a comment like this before. Drumeo, you guys are doing great work. The list of drummers you've had on the channel now is absolutely world-class. You've achieved a lot. Serious props. Now I really think the next step is improving how you host your segments and how you interact with the artists/clinicians while they present their stuff. Like, I'm sorry, call me old school, but, if during one of these presentations Billy Cobham is looking at you and talking to you directly about a drumming idea and you're looking at a laptop, pressing keys n' stuff, we have a problem. I know no disrespect is ever intended, but it looks pretty bad to me. I know it's probably the nature of the interactive service you're providing to your audience and how Drumeo got started, but maybe have someone else manning computers n stuff while these music veterans are taking to you. I'm not saying you guys should turn into cheesy, super-slick tv host-type guys or anything, just maybe sharpen some of that stuff up a little. Use a little more etiquette, just like you would in everyday life, and maybe prepare for how you're going to present each artist to your audience a little more. Anway, just some thoughts. I'm actually leaving this comment because I LIKE what you do.

I've always admired drummers who can lead the beat with either hand without even flinching. Billy is one of them definitely. Virgil Donati and Simon Phillips are but a few of them. Billy was doing this kind of ambidextrous stuff first off that i can remember back in the late seventies with a song called "Joe Frazer". Billy was blast beating before it was called Blast beating with double bass. He took it to all new level of skill. What a true master he is!

You and NASTY on the drums, your rhythms and timing is impeccable. The way you feel out the music and you play with your heart and soul, that is what I try to tell young musicians when I talk to them.

OH MY FUCKING GOD...

When he started playing with four sticks my suspicion of him being a ninja was confirmed

Unbelievable, valuable and so down to earth

I saw him with the Mahavishnu Orchestra at Philamonic hall. He blew me away with his intensity and precision. No one quite like him.

wheres the carter beauford lesson?? hes got impeccable style and a unique perspective on drumming, im sure others along with myself would love to see it!

Gotta listen to Mahavishnu Orchestra!!

Misses a cymbal strike ,drops a stick without missing a beat and grooves.....Pros are human too...Legend!!!

Hello Mr. Billy, I've been listening to you since cassette era, the first album I bought was POWER PLAY, I still have it, I was kid at that time 😁,, you are one of my great inspirator 😁 So happy to see you here 😁

Great lesson. Would be amazing if You could get Nate Smith to do one these lessons. Cheers

Seriously that he's on the 70's now a day !? Drummers should be studied for undertanding about stamina

Back in the 70's Billy Cobham was my God. Now I'm delighted to say: "My God is very much alive and going strong!" Billy, Jered, thank you so much for this lesson. Billy again proved to be the drummers' king of dynamics and musicality. Just check the dynamic range of the kick drum - from the heel-down piano to the heel-up fortissimo. Chapeau Monsieur Cobham!

I've been playing for 55 years but I'm not quite there yet and never will. You are a bar for guys like me to reach for.

Hey druneo! Can you get John Bonham to do a lesson? That would be sweet because he is great!

I can imagine chef from South Park singing over this xD

Master Billy Cobham - You guys blew up the roof this time. Thank you!

I Just love Billy. He's a legend. Infinite admiration and respect.

No way he is 72... That intro song is SICKK

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? BILLY COBHAM??? O.O

The man that changed the entire thought of the drumzz. Like Rich and Baker, he took the drumzz to a whole new level. Everyone owes Cobham for the knowledge he gave to us all. And I might add he has not lost a step and his technique and power and class is always present. Viva Billy Cobham.

Absolutely "SPECTRUM", Anywhere, Anytime with Billy. Thank you. Thank you Drumeo.

I hope to see Dave Weckl soon. 😁😁😁😁

Great seeing Billy. The opening questions/comments are really awkward. You need to plan that out more. Otherwise great job.

Great conversation with Billy Cobham. He is one of the giants of the instrument who shaped the way we play today. Also a brilliant example of how we get more conscious of music and playing for the situation as we get older. I had the fortune of meeting Billy many years ago when he unexpectedly walked in to a club in Oslo, Norway where I was playing to check out our bass player who later played and recorded with him. He sat down at the closest table to the stage right below my hi hat smoking a big, fat cigar. Legend!

Billy, amazing job with fostering cooperative listening skills in the ensemble.