1985 - More Behind the Scenes Footage of Power Station in the Studio

Robert Palmer, John Taylor, Tony Thompson and Andy Taylor discuss the Bernard Edwards produced album. Try Amazon Prime for free - amzn.to/2Sa1gnn

[@firstmusic00]

The drum world is less without Tony's presence.

[@tednorton5150]

Tony and Jeff Porcaro were drum gods.

[@IslandDigital]

Yes , such a big sound ... Masterful , Solid . Greatly missed.

[@jamesfranklin3265]

firstmusic00 you are so right because nobody really today's young music play with a technicall rudement skilled pocket and you can really tell those ones that read and those that don't and those that are naturally blessed with the gift of playing rudiment without reading

[@vladimiralvarez1162]

Mark Winchester what did he ( tony ) died of ? I miss the power station

[@andrewkarp5067]

Damn straight. Tony was the either the funkiest rock drummer or the most rocking groove drummer of his era. Just a straight up killer on the drums.

[@KATNYC_718]

Robert Palmer exuded swag, 😍

[@ZeroChannelZero]

To this day, 33 years later, this is the tightest, most explosive, in-yer-face album ever recorded. Hats off & RIP to the kings who set this gold standard.

[@Twobarpsi]

Yes!

[@mhitson7483]

Agreed

[@burnsiet]

While this is a great album, and it never got the recognition it deserved, I have to disagree and forward Dirt by Alice in Chains for explosive and in-yer-face.

[@artheriford]

Tony was a powerhouse. I sure miss that cat

[@vincegedeon6583]

😂

[@peakAV]

Tony was the greatest rock and pop drummer since Bonham. Tremendous feel and power. All you have to do is listen to the recordings. It will make you want to play drums.

[@nickknight5543]

I started playing drums in 1984 and was a huge Van Halen fan since 1979. When I heard this album my fav drummer switched from Alex Van Halen to Tony Thompson...I proceeded to learn every thing Tony had recorded. His playing made me into the rock solid drummer I am today.

[@adrianlyord5300]

Awesome 👏🏾 bro thanks 🙏 for sharing your story with us bro!!!! Rest in peace Tony Thompson and Bernard Edwards.❤

[@coycampbell1709]

You will never see this collection of actual musical talent again!!

[@coolcat6303]

Robert Palmer, John & Andy Taylor from Duran Duran & Bernard Edwards & Tony Thompson from Chic. What a Fantastic group of musicians. They were definitely worthy of the title "Supergroup".

[@davidcombs3617]

It's like putting Bird, Magic and Jordan on the floor together. And let Kobe get out there too. Filth.

[@Lance37a]

An interesting mix of musicians that on the surface you wouldn't think would work but it does.

[@JoeyLevenson]

Yeah this video is a beautiful record. Look at all that talent!

[@markharc7615]

Absolutely- ALL phenomenal players and musicians.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

I remember as a child, the first video I saw of them my head blew up. It was like love at first sight. Any reasons why they didn't stay together?

[@HollywoodCharityAuctioncom]

Tony killed it with Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out!" Rest in power, great one.

[@audiomez]

The DMX didn hurt either

[@doctorhoffman4550]

Honestly this was the most BOMBASS band that ever was. Tight and technically precise. Still gives me goosebumps. ❤️🌹

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

Excellence, style and badassery all rolled into one

[@justinroark88]

You have experienced musical frisson

[@rhythmista7707]

I'm so embarrassed not knowing this legend had passed away in 2003. The drumming world, in one form or another, has been influenced by Tony's drumming, whether they knew it or not..His pocket was so tight and deep, that you can live in there. An absolute beast of rhythm.. R.I.P Mr. Thompson

[@lewistasso8866]

Tony Thompson. What a legend. Today, he is still one of my all-time favorite drummers. He was so distinctive. You could tell when he was on drums. We miss you, Tony! RIP brother.

[@theWZZA]

It was probably the 100th time I heard Madonna's "Like a Virgin." At the end, the song faces out, and there is a final drum flourish. I knew it was Tony; don't know why it took so long to notice.

[@williamperri3437]

@@theWZZAYeah, they killed that track! His signature snare drum sound and feel.

[@realjimmyd]

Tony Thompson man a name that doesn't come up enough in the conversation I never seen or heard a tighter drummer.. his tight high hat work and deep Bonham explosive sound get the blood flowing and I love trying to drum along with this record

[@stephenbrown7545]

Always thought Tony's playing on Bowie's Serious Moonlight Tour (1983) was pretty damned awesome.

[@chrisnnooirhjightytbrown9689]

Tony was a monster! Exsplosive and totally unpredictable! His timing on the high hat kinda punched you in the gut really. I don't know why he didn't get the credit that he really deserved as a powerhouse drummer. RIP Tony 🌹

[@LilliLamour]

Omg, can we please go back to this era

[@andrerodman5506]

I had forgotten how much I loved Tony Thompsons drumming, my god he was BRILLIANT!!!

[@jamiesinclair9841]

RIP Bernard, Tony and Robert...

[@IMurderdTheDevil]

Andy Taylor might not make it.

[@AlePaoletti]

I can't believe so many good artists passed away. R.i.p. Bernard, Tony and Robert.

[@voiceofwade]

Jason Corsarro, the genius engineer passed in 2018. If it came out of Power Station (the studio) in the early to mid 80s, Jason was somehow involved. Sweetheart of a guy as well.

[@markevans1968]

And Andy isn’t a well man 😢

[@williamwesterbandjr.7760]

Holy shit thats a lot of talent in one room

[@drumsforlife9474]

So sad we will never see this line up ever again ....

[@lewistasso8866]

It was so great to see Andy Taylor finally unleashed from his light work with Duran Duran to causing blazing, musical havoc with The Power Station, and his partner in crime, John. Huge shoutout to musical genius Bernie Edwards. Those were the days...

[@alisterfolson]

I know death is natural but RIP to the 3 stellar musicians here

[@kaveman1021]

Death may be natural but in the cases of Bernard, Robert and Tony all three were extremely premature.

[@bobm515]

I was the video editor of this segment back in 1985 when I was a staff editor at a company called Teletronics. Liz Nealon with MTV was the producer. The album was recorded at Power Station recording studio in NYC. I actually visited LIz at the studio on one of the nights this footage was shot.

[@escaton74]

I'm an editor myself, woukd've given anything to be a fly on the wall on that day and put the pieces together. lucky guy !

[@HollywoodCharityAuctioncom]

Pretty cool!

[@Twobarpsi]

Wow, so cool!

[@keithsmith8331]

You are a lucky man Bob.

[@MsHazza73]

You would never have known back then what truly magnificent talent stand before you. And would pass way too soon. 😔💔 Such gentlemen in Tony and Robert. All of them together with Bernard, music genius. 🙌🏼⭐️ Is there any more footage from this segment Bob, any raw footage that was kept? The true fans would love it and truly appreciate it. 🙏🏼

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

Holy F!! Outstanding musicians, i believe Andy is just tad under rated as a guitarist. He's Excellent!

[@paultwiss199]

An amazing drummer with a power and style that no one else had.

[@james12erby43]

Correct. Why do people get confused when I say this?

[@ledyardpritchard4681]

CHIC was an incredible group of musicians. Backing other artists besides their own records. Bernard Edwards is one of my bass influences.

[@sylviamaua745]

Yes and Luther Vandross doing all the background vocal arrangements before he became a solo artist.

[@derekcavin7665]

Teen-ager when this came out. Loved that big drum sound.

[@RageTVHTX]

I loved listening to this album (cassette) with headphones. You could hear everything, it was sharp and you felt surrounded by it. It was awesome. I took notice to the cassette where it had Dolby HX Pro printed on it and used to wonder if that's why the sound was so big and loud. None of my other tapes sounded that good.

[@hwd7]

Before I knew who Tony Thompson was , as a budding drummer I loved his playing in Chic, on David Bowie, Madonna, and then Power Station, just awesome.

[@synthogd808]

Tony beat those drums like they owed him money

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Nice copy-pasted comment.

[@auz17]

😁😁

[@hasanx4637]

he was completely different with Chic. just blended in and kept it tight.

[@skierpage]

@@hasanx4637 Tony Thompson was still really heavy with Chic, far from disco hi-hat. Listen to the drums on "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross! Or the start of "I Want Your Love", 6 notes that launch the song. Power Station (produced by Chic's Bernard Edwards) definitely turned the knobs to 11.

[@hasanx4637]

@@skierpage def disagree. first, when did diana ross join Chic?, and the start of i want your love is a very weak example. sounds nothing like the furious beating with power station. this is not an attack on thompson, but rather an example of his diversity.

[@IslandDigital]

When this album came out , I remember being floored by the engineering , how it all was so crystal clear and smacked you right in the face. Done in the days LONG before digital anything. It speaks to the abilities of the Producer / engineer etc. Love being able to now see these sessions. Amazing.

[@Tigerex966]

same

[@rji5]

Great point IslandDigital! It was a great era for music and engineering.

[@gregthegreek6969]

You nailed it! I just was listening to "Some Like It Hot", it blew me away!

[@krisscanlon4051]

Jason Corsaro engineer

[@CusterFlux]

Bernard cut most of his Chic stuff in the Power Station studio ( Chic, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, etc ) … as far back as the 1970s and early 1980s - so by the time The Power Station the band came along, Bernard had become VERY familiar with the facility, what it had to offer, and who were the best staff.

[@kevinokane1978]

You can always pick a Tony Thompson song, my favourite drummer. Such an incredible body of work.

[@markharc7615]

Andy Taylor is SO underrated- his playing really is next level, as is John Taylor and all in this group.

[@dme1016]

Tony got more camera time on this clip than from all of his Chic videos, combined.

[@auz17]

😁😁

[@richardvancleaf469]

Damn! The way he hits and is ahead of the beat. The dude just drives the song! One of my all time biggest inspirations.

[@shadimuhammad6585]

A BLACKNIFICENT DRUMMER, WE MISS U MY BROTHA

[@ddrums001]

I wish The Power Station stayed together as a band and made more than just two albums. They had such great chemistry as musicians and could’ve dominated the 80’s music scene! They were the ultimate super group!

[@ddrums001]

R.I.P. Power house Drummer, Tony Thompson R.I.P. The James Bond of Rock, Robert Palmer

[@countzero1972]

RIP Tony and Robert. Your talent and art is missed.

[@raserx63]

I wore this cassette out. Every song was great. I was lucky to see Robert Palmer here in NY back in the 80’s. Dude killed it , amazing voice and performer. He was very diverse musically. Going from rock to soul to new wave. Even had the balls to cover “I didn’t mean to turn you on”. The James Bond of rock.

[@rrth556]

His drums get me psyched!

[@chelsabailey1018]

SO GLAD that this exists!!! NEVER SAW it before today!!!! AWESOME!!!! 1 of my favorite bands from the 80s!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brianshaffneraclc]

RIP Tony Thompson, Bernard Edwards, and Robert Palmer -- I was 19 when the album came out -- these guys all looked like adults -- now they all look like kids. Even Palmer and Edwards, who couldn't have been that young. Time is a funny, tragic thing...

[@rhythmista7707]

Brian Schaffner - They were in their late 20s and early 30s..I loved this album. Its counterpart, Arcadia, was great but just too contemporary and artsy. This was definitely a super group, while Arcadia, was a group of great musicians. Big difference between the two..

[@witchflowers6942]

@@rhythmista7707 John & Andy were only like 24~25.

[@TheNebojsa1970]

Tony simple the KING of drums!!!

[@victorygah]

Epic drummer. His work in Out of order (Rod Stewart) is wonderful. Little dose of love, WOW!

[@darrylstone6217]

Each musician is killin' it on this song ! I Wore This Out. Loud

[@matthewpaluch777]

Hope your resting easy Tony...we all miss ya. Thanks for the drumsticks!

[@gtamediaproductions1]

It was so bad ass when these guys formed together! I so wish for a time machine to go back to this time again.

[@luizinhosalles1]

Fantastic Tony Thompson

[@claudiobirnbaum3943]

Great álbum, great musicans, the sound of drums is fantastic !

[@TheSpookyDuke]

One of my favorite bands, one of my favorite albums ever. Bows to my idol the gentleman of rock, Mr. Palmer.

[@Ocelot2000]

Love this guy. His drumming is unbelievable!

[@emckinney8816]

The Reflex of the Good Times have been Addicted to Love this group of the 80s RIPower Bernard, Tony and Robert

[@piamller3776]

I looooooved it and still do.

[@StevenPWood-zu5uq]

Tony Thompson = drums Bernard Edwards = bass Robert Palmer = vocals... Each a master of their craft. Sorely missed. No one else like them... and never again. Much love, boys. You done good. ♡

[@greatwhite61967]

It's no mistake that Tony Thompson such a powerful sound on his drum kit as he loved John Bonham's playing sound but while working with the band " Chic " Bernard would rein Tony back in & ask him to just serve the song & not clutter it up , so I'm sure when this opportunity came along Tony was in his element putting his own stamp on that album... Though it'll probably never get the recognition it deserves just like the other half of Duran Duran's solo album at the time , as John & Co were working on The Power Station albums , while Simon/Nick & Rodger did an equally great album titled " So Red The Rose " & when you listen to " The Power Station " & the " So Red The Rose " albums you can clearly hear the contrast between both just as you can hear the full sound Duran Duran when the 5 are back together & how they formed their own sound & Duran Duran have been trying to shake things up with every album they have released & because of this coronavirus I didn't know until over a week ago that Duran Duran had released another studio album called " Future Past " which is the follow up from the " Paper Gods " Album that found Duran Duran went on to draw huge praise from the original fan's & still building up new fan's along with music critics alike... If , as they usually do , have taken risks & they keep working with different Producer's & are working with other solo singer's to sing on their last album like " Paper Gods " then I'm sure I'll enjoy " Future Past " That's Duran Duran's 15th studio album that they released with " Future Past " & they sure have shut their detractors up as there's not many who release their 15th studio album & it isn't lost on the members of Duran Duran that's its not just about quantity but quality... I miss Bernard & Tony & I definitely highly rate them as one of thee best rhythm sections within a band environment & though many will not agree I never pegged " Chic " as a disco band as they were working on Chic singles & albums long before disco came on the scene & allowing their songs to be played in Studio 54 along with other's just as disco became mainstream Chic , the band , unfortunately became a fallout from when disco became a casualty & soon it was gone just as quick as it cropped up & its almost unusual that you have 2 music genres roughly come out at the same time & only had a few short years of success as you had Disco in America & the other being Punk in the UK with the latter also having a short flash of stardom but then gone... But that didn't stop all the individual members of Chic from getting with it & collaborating/writing & producing with so many solo acts & bands who went on to become huge worldwide & some were the biggest solo acts or bands at one time or another... It was so sad & tragically unnecessary to lose Bernard & Tony at such a young age & in ways that it shouldn't have happened but thankfully Nile Roger's has fought & beat his drink & drug abuse addiction along with cancer & has been touring all those song's he wrote for other huge stars that had huge hits with his song's & it's great to see if he's not working with Duran Duran who he loves (as did the other members of Chic) & classing working & playing with them as akin to working with his kid brothers band Nile & Duran Duran have still been making hits & treat Nile as another member of Duran Duran... I'll leave it at that & Wish You All A Very Merry Christmas & in light of this still ongoing coronavirus & it's variants stay safe & healthy wherever you are in this world... RIP Bernard Edward RIP Tony Thompson .....

[@jracerichards]

David Bowie Madonna Rod Stewart Diana Ross Deborah Harry List of songs he plays on is crazy

[@chrislestermusic]

Junior Richards He was such a power house groove master.

[@kirwan1414]

Enjoyable footage but I got to say I was looking forward to a Section on John Taylor's Bass playing. I love his style of playing

[@JOHNNYSGIRL1960]

He is and always has been underrated that's for sure!

[@brianjames2192]

THANKS 🙏 BERNARD TONY and ROBERT For THE TIMELESS MUSIC AND THE LOOK THANKS 🙏 RIP

[@HazeGrayQM2]

This collaboration was so surprising to me because of who the participants were. I grew up with Chic during the disco era and Duran Duran during the new wave era. So for this band to be formed with Bernard Edwards as producer and Tony Thompson playing drums in a manner in which I was unaccustomed too was mind blowing. Add Robert Palmer, John Taylor, and Andy Taylor was otherworldly. I had shipmates in the Navy that were staunch Country, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, New Wave, R&B, Funk, and Jazz listeners that loved this collaboration. I wish they were able to have created more amazing music.

[@yougotgroove]

Tony! Yes, he had the new vocabulary on the drums! I am revisiting his drumming as I type!

[@chrisdewitt3068]

2021 and still jamming anyone else

[@tarheelredbone43]

As powerful a drummer as I’ve heard. RIP Mr Thompson

[@brod7501]

CHIC for Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 2021!!!!!

[@krisscanlon4051]

The Taylor's got big time blessed with two amazing talents like Thompson and Palmer! Dream team players in tough spots key positions.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Still love it especially those drums...honestly Zep needed this in '86...the tension and modern take on " loud music". Big props to Edward's who was essentially a 5th member.

[@abrahamjackson6019]

Bernard Edwards Robert Palmer Tommy Thompson RIP. People forget how great Bernard Edwards was on Base. Freaking Monster!

[@gclark8228]

Loooved this project...👍

[@nathanwalsh3028]

As a drummer I cut my teeth on David Bowie's Let's Dance which featured Tony and Omar Hakim and also the Power Station album. Tony's groove was tighter than 2 Coats of paint without all the gospel chop nonsense...Yes nonsense...

[@james12erby43]

RIGHT and Correct

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

These guys were like an all-star band from voice to percution to guitars, etc....

[@SniffyPoo]

fascinating to see music ive heard thousands of times being created

[@chrishouston3566]

I love the way he set up his crash and ride cymbals so he could just hit them in this nonchalant way. Little stuff like that is the mark of a great musician

[@lakefield2112]

thanks for the memories - can't believe it's been 33 years since I bought that record and fell in love with the massive sound.

[@jfayiii]

All that talent in Chic.

[@jamesfranklin3265]

Another one of us apredectres drummer the late great Mr Tony tompson

[@caribman10]

As his Dad once said, "Tony, why do you hit the drums so HARD?"

[@juanxxxo6856]

😂

[@robertyoung7221]

Robert Palmer belongs in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

[@bigmaxy07]

They made a great record. I still have it. They didn't stay together long but they had the good stuff.

[@PrinceAsmodeus]

Dudes one of my favorite drummers.

[@melonsoda334]

After playing together in Live Aid,Page and Plant were seriously considering to restart Zeppelin with Thompson and asked Thompson to come over to have session with 3 members of Zeppelin. Due to Thompson's traffic accident injury, it didn't happen but it shows how talented Thompson was.

[@harrietkaplan3166]

One of my favorite bands! Love this documentary 😎 🔥

[@JOHNNYSGIRL1960]

John Taylor is the brains behind DD and Power Station.

[@fender.tone.63]

Tony Thompson…what an absolute beast of a machine drummer!

[@bcancun123]

What awesome footage

[@richardvancleaf469]

Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers the best producers of their time.

[@SSGTStryker]

Tony was incredible, total influence on my own drumming. I owe a ton to him and Bun E Carlos. Pure power…no pun intended.

[@user-yn6yv9mm9c]

I like this documentary style presentation of the band. I remember seeing the premier of this song on "Friday Night Videos" back in the day. I was so excited to hear it and see the video. I wanted to hear so much more from them.

[@beefsoda1]

They made the 80s feel awesome

[@extremeconcepts1]

Legend producer

[@charlievieyra]

Thank's for this clip, one of my top favorite albums of the 80's still

[@mathuwhycough6591]

Tony is one of the best musicians of all time.

[@weaselsuit]

I was waaay into this record and saw the tour. It was really loud and pretty great.

[@JerseyGirlForLife609]

Lucky you. One tour I regret not seeing.

[@SCottLARock19]

I loved every song on that album.

[@JerseyGirlForLife609]

Me too....

[@richie6884]

Tony is badass

[@Carolina_Panthers145]

Rest in peace tony thomson

[@joyporcella81]

I love nile rodgers

[@FriendlyHenry]

Tony Thompson - one of the very best.

[@josephmichaeldicarlo2041]

Great drummer Tony Rest in peace

[@vinniekay0967]

Am i the only one here, to see the obviously 'Jacked up on C... ' state, of Robert Palmer & John Taylor in this video?

[@SarahB1863]

Nope. I don't know about Robert but John is definitely high. Andy likely is too, they both had very bad cocaine habits in the 1980s.

[@paolozak3014]

Fantastic Tony Thompson, and Bernard, and John, and the guyz...

[@davejohnson7583]

Man what this group would have become if Robert Palmer ( RIP. Robert and Tony) hadn’t use this to restart his solo career

[@skierpage]

The Power Station reformed in 1996 and the follow-up album Living in Fear is little-known and underrated. Some of the songs are excellent. John Taylor bowed out due to "personal problems," so producer Bernard Edwards took over on bass, and then he died on tour with Chic in Japan 😢. Now only the Taylor's are still alive.

[@drlock978]

Tony t,one of the greats.Chic,the P Station,Bowie and you may not like the bubble gum of the virgin album,but is drumming on it is absolutely fabulous,especially on love don’t live here anymore,and Material Girl.Oh how he works that Hi Hat.

[@eagleeyeproductions2317]

Truly a "Supergroup". It's just too bad we only got one album from them......

[@davejohnson7583]

I miss tony get it on bang a gong my favorite rock track of all time and that is because of tony and Andy Taylor end of story

[@chrishouston3566]

Dave Johnson then you should love the original by t rex

[@thuey65]

My all-time cubical desk pencils banging song! R.I.P. Tony.

[@BrendanPramjee]

Supergroup sums it up !!!! Masterpiece! You can feel this album’s power! Brilliant