Billy Cobham Interview

Nick D'Virgilio sits down with jazz drummer Billy Cobham to learn what inspired his love of drumming, insights on playing with Miles Davis, and much more.

[@patrickreda3280]

Mr. Cobham is the coolest guy in the world. I the 1970's he played at the University of Florida and after the show he sat down with the Univ. drummers in marching, symphonic jazz, etc. The get together backstage lasted all evening with us peppering him with queations. We used to incorporate his licks in the marching band charts. I will never forget his kindness.

[@radio22king]

I had to laugh at the part of your comment about incorporating Billy Cobham Licks in Marching band. Myself and one of the other drummers did the same thing and one time I went from snare to Cymbals just to hit the and of 4 accents that Billy would do. Also all the 5 over 4 riffs. One time one of the girls who played glockenspiel, got so mad at us she said we should be kicked out of the marching band. But my friend and I laughed so hard and to this day, when we mention it, we laugh so hard. Thanks for reminding me. I thought it was only us doing it.

[@miguelm9961]

mann this almost brought me to tears. bless you billy cobham!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jesuslebron9421]

Billy Cobham Always been a influence to me for many years. And still i play a 12 piece kit after 54 years of playing Thank you Billy!

[@vpsoundlabs1956]

Billy Cobham is a treasure and a point in favor for humankind

[@sspbrazil]

Billy is one of my favorite drummers, I just love his playing, one of the first albums I ever bought on vinyl was “Spectrum”, still one of my all time favorite albums.

[@larrymarcus3176]

I still have the vinyl. The brilliance of this guys playing is grounded in his ability to use marching band drumming with their open rudiments precision and articulation into all music genres. First time I heard him play fusion I smiled because I too combined these rudiments to my playing. They were always separate drumming styles not any longer due to Boomer. Iconic drummer fantastic person.

[@karlkilcrease51]

Every time he's come to Pittsburgh, I've had the pleasure of talking with this legend, a walking musical history book. He's an open person as real as they get, I think it's because he's not intimidated, he's not afraid of losing his musical position by sharing his knowledge with an individual. I've met Carlos Santana, McCoy Tyner, Sun Ra, John Gilmore, Louis Hayes, Albert Collins, Jack McDuff to name a few who have an open heart, willing to share their knowledge of music and business. I'm truly blessed to have had these musicians share a bit of themselves with me.

[@ingridayarza]

I'm a musician from Colón, Panamá and he makes me so proud!!!

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

Brilliant, insightful, authentic interview. Thank you…

[@btRU_funQsta]

Mr. Cobham is consummate musician of the highest caliber, unparalleled in the pantheon of drummers. Got to see him at close range in Oakland, mid-‘80s, and walked away with appreciation for ultimate discipline and resilience. When he teamed with my sensei, George Duke, mid-late ‘70s, they carved out a sensibility that infuses my musical vision to this minute. Kydos, Bilham Cobly!

[@joeragu7056]

Great man and amazing drummer , composer ECT. Thanks for the video.

[@kurtpatterson1296]

Best Cobham moment for me,watching him transition from mainstream jazz on a 4 piece kit to Mahavishnu Orchestra. To me,his transition style was and still is totally unique.

[@antonytroughton2611]

I came to this post because I had never bothered to think that the marvels of modern time would allow me the luxury to hear Billy talk, man what a man!

[@sweetwater]

😁🤘

[@whendrknssfalls5480]

Billy Cobham is truly one of the greats with drumming, no matter what walk of life you come from musically. My father showed me his work when I was born and grew up in the 80s. Spectrum and The Billy Cobham George Duke live album in Europe solidified my love of drumming. And I play guitar but dabble in drumming. God bless you Billy and your contribution to music and your influence on me!

[@andiecayne]

Great interview. An amazing drummer, composer and an even more amazing human being. WHO put a thumbs down??? Can you please leave.

[@warshipsatin8764]

theyre allowed to be wrong

[@mjulio71]

For all the interviews I've encountered with Billy, this has to be one of the best and most insightful. You know it when it's about to end and you don't want it to. Another great job by Nick D'Virgilio.

[@bopperda]

Thanks for this. I was Billy's tech back in the George Duke days and it's good to see him so relaxed and forthcoming after all these years. He had some health issues last year but he's back in gear and on the road again. Still got the goods.

[@tonydeaugustine588]

Thank you so much. Billy is so humble and a giant beyond definition. I am truly inspired and have been inspired my whole life by his music and now his candor. Incredible!

[@titoclass3345]

Outstanding drummer! I've seen Mr. Cobham 6 times, over the course of 40 years. All around gentleman. And a veritable phenom in percussion. His album , Crosswinds, still leaves me with awe.

[@danstephensen9032]

And Yes, A Gentleman, First, in all things.

[@EannaButler]

Great stuff from Billy Cobham! The day I heard Spectrum, I was about 15, a surprise cassette recording from my drummer-friend in the late 80s, off the record he discovered in his Dad's collection... After us blissing out on Jean-Luc Ponty LPs those heady years... And me learning bass for a mere two years at the time.... It was all a gamechanger. Billy Cobham has the tightest snare sound. And, he mentioned playing "double pianissimo"! Dynamic range of his recordings is exceptional too! A truly real legend. Thanks very much Sweetwater for uploading this! Love from Ireland...

[@bluesky6449]

Thank you Billy and Sweetwater! Wonderfully informative interview from one of the all time legends and a hero of mine

[@josemolina959]

Thank you for this great interview! Billy Cobham and the Mahavishnu Orchestra changed my life forever in the Summer of 1972 at Wesleyan College in Middletown Connecticut. What a great musician, composer, band leader, session man, humanitarian and a great human being. I want to meet him, and I will do my very best to do it. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🎼🎶🎵🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🎵🎶🎼

[@vincentquattrocchi7924]

Great interview from one of the Masters.🥁🥁🥁

[@oneanddone7992]

We all love drummers. We have heard so many over the years, from Dave Weckl to Dino Danelli and Buddy and thousands of others. But if there are going to be drummers that simply rise to the pinnacle, Billy Cobham is there with Buddy, John Guerin, Barrie Barlow, Neil Peart, and a few others. Billy's playing is so brilliant, powerful, and raw, like no one else. Go back more than 50 years....he was the first known to play open-handed, to invert the China cymbal, to play with 3 (or more) base drums (and multi-pedal setups - remember that Tama poster of him sitting behind what, at the time, looked like the large drumset ever played by anyone?)...in invented fusion drumming as we know it today.. his dynamics alone were and are astonishing. His overt French grip (remember, this was late '60s and early '70's), and his stick and finger control...for someone so brutal on a drum set, yet able to play at a whisper while playing just as complex patterns as he does when he's assaulting the kit. These are just a few of things I remember thinking and feeling 50 years ago and still do today. Please correct me for any faulty memories. Now go listen to the Spectrum album again.

[@anthonymedd8718]

Man! ... I love “uncle” billy.... as my drum teacher usta call him! And as he put it “He’s one of the best drummers ever... he’s “related” directly or indirectly to nearly every drummer ever!... you know he’s such an influence. It’s like he’s every drummers uncle”. He’s a great inspiration... Great interview!

[@TunaLoopBackingTracks]

Great interview! Thank you for making it :)

[@ivonsmith3095]

A wonderful seeking and allowing interview with the wonderful BC - my favorite of all time!

[@tonewalljaxon7062]

thank you. that was fantastic.

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

One missing piece I would have loved to hear about is Mr. Cobham’s incomparable funk… “Dreams” ensemble, “Drum n Voice’ recordings to mention a few… as I mentioned earlier a brilliant interview… thank you.

[@ericdavid199]

Very interesting insight from one of the all time masters. Thanks for making this available.

[@galovaca2715]

Amazing interview !!!

[@johndoe1765]

NOW THIS IS A GREAT INTERVIEW ,THANKS SWEETWATER IT,S BEAUTIFUL.

[@SEOTeamBerlin]

WOW - what an awesome Interview with this outstanding person and musician Billy Cobham O,O - thank U so much for sharing it, I'll share it as well with my friends in the book of faces and elsewhere :-) - so many new insights into the life of BC, whom I've appreciated so much for my own drummer development ^^

[@SEOTeamBerlin]

oh - and I love that VW T1 model on the table :-D

[@ProgSnob14]

I have had the pleasure of seeing NDV play many times, and finally and unexpectedly I'll be seeing Billy this fall. Excellent interview, having a master drummer as the interviewer definitely helps. Explorer's Percussion in KC is my home store, very cool story!

[@DrumandPianoDude]

The first time I heard Mr. Cobham play was on a VHS of Zildjian Day 1984 when I was in high school back in '88. That changed my approach to the kit from then on! Then later, I got hooked on his work with Mahavishnu. He's one of the greatest drummers ever! Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Papa Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Joe Morello, Louie Belson, Buddy Rich, etc....all greats!

[@rolandpotter479]

Max Roach!!

[@johnswof]

@@rolandpotter479 Harvey Mason and Lenny White!

[@ML-rz2hb]

It's great that you let him talk. Excellent interview!

[@takuan650]

Fascinating listening.

[@kyloken]

Billy is my favorite of all time! The greatest discovery was that my drumming hero was also a man to be looked up to as a person.

[@tommylarsson2025]

Yeah! Love people without prestige and that doesn't have to fool around in interviews. Great drummer and person.

[@dumpygoodness4086]

@@tommylarsson2025 but the interviewer is like a lifeless ANIMATRONIC ROBOT.

[@tommylarsson2025]

@@dumpygoodness4086 Something like that yes ;)

[@fitzgitler9052]

I had the chance to meet Billy in Moscow about 17 years ago, where he was playing as a guest artist with a Russian big band. He was just as sweet, engaged, and enthusiastic as you see him here. From being a Mahavishnu fan as a teen I was a little starstruck, but he was so friendly and humble that we had a great conversation.

[@EleanorPeterson]

Hi, Fitz! It's always a thrill to discover that an idol doesn't have feet of clay. Sir Bilham's talented, original, musical, inspirational, modest, humble, and hasn't got a mean bone in his body. I love him!

[@ttrack9089]

BC is truly amazing, the first time I heard Billy C was on his album " Funky thide of sings" blew my mind~ been listening ever since. Thank you so much Sweetwater~this is super!

[@pholzer5]

Thank you Mr. Cobham for this interview, for your drumming artistry, and for your kindness. Thank you Nick D'Virgilio for sharing this interview.

[@steved8563]

One of the best ! Legend 💪

[@davidmichaelsen9805]

My All time fav. fusion player. He has made so many great albums. Just love this man, amazing human being, musician and of course drummer.

[@andrewmassanet8289]

My father was from Panama. His heroes: Roberto Duran and, after I introduced him to BC, Billy Cobham.

[@michaelg3074]

Thank you for posting this.

[@jackdorkcyisapedo4451]

There is only 1 Billy Cobham and I thank my Father Rip Dad, for turning me on to him!

[@KyleDavisMusic]

Another great one Nick. These interviews are priceless.

[@bobdudy7177]

Saw the Professor in San Diego in 1974. The opening act was the Average White Band. The El Cortez Ballroom, my first Concert in San Diego.

[@craigchapman8220]

Just saw him in DC. He is an absolute monster on the drums! 78 and only getting better.

[@stevenlewis4385]

Mr.Cobham is , without a doubt, the G.O.A.T.

[@danstephensen9032]

Hi Billy!! I hope to see you next time you come to the M.I.M. in PHX. I would love you to autograph my DREAMS album, yes the Original. Thanks for the INSPIRATION in all things. This is John Bowen's drummer from back in High School days. He is: John Bowen Synth Design. (Dan here.)

[@irvingbrown9300]

Billy is the best drummer of all time.

[@jlizoka]

ON POINT!

[@dwaynehendricks7842]

Absolute legend!!

[@cymbya]

best interviewer ever!

[@sammy2840]

First heard him in Mahavishnu! Awesome speed and technique!

[@ghart56]

Funny thing about Billy's playing: he is unique in the sense that his playing you can't pigeon hole. The way he plays matched grip. Plays lefty being righty. I saw him with McLaughlin I guess 5 times. By the end of the set, Billy played so hard the indentations in the heads from left tom, to floor, got deeper, and deeper. Bass drums history. He left a big influence on me. Bill Cobham--anomaly.

[@Kellykleinman1]

Saw him in Cincy, had is drumstick for years. He told me to set up a set as if you have to play blind, You should know where everything is by feel. He's the drum world's version of Reggie Jackson - I think they wore the same glasses, same build.

[@Ckay00]

Excellent as always. Mr Cobham is such a nice guy and talent to match. Interview wish: Ralph humphrey & Alex van halen, Please..

[@Qbot2113]

Chris K I'd LOVE a Ralph Humphrey interview

[@davidmichaelsen9805]

That could be AMAZING

[@gunwantiramchandani5431]

WHERE THE MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA FANDOM AT? Does he talk about Mahavishnu orchestra or John mclaughlin? Please tell me if he does.

[@PoliceBoy465]

Gunwanti Ramchandani i forwarded so I could have missed it, but I didn't hear any Mahavishnu questions. That's messed up man.

[@danstephensen9032]

I saw them several times. Hampton VA, Denver, CO and San Francisco. Billy is amazing and a Great Person as well.

[@gunwantiramchandani5431]

@@danstephensen9032 Thanks. Great to hear.

[@marcelojimenez9518]

Billy Cobham Mi Mayor Maestro el Mejor Baterista de la historia! !!!!!!

[@borgullet3376]

Bill is The G.O.A.T.

[@dagostinoification]

MY GURU !

[@lesterrobinson7401]

The GOAT

[@Vaisin]

A drumming great being interviewed by a drumming great

[@raybassman7536]

It would have been great to have a video of Neil Peart and Billy Cobham together, talking about drum placement. But the video would be 9 hours long. LOL

[@-Finlander-]

My Top3 1. Kenny Clarke 2. Billy Cobham 3. Vinnie Colaiuta 4. Steve Gadd

[@johngiuliano8750]

Interesting that Cobham’s motivation for being the best drummer in the world was simply putting food on the table. I would have guessed fame, respect, admiration, enjoyment of music, but it was money!

[@charleswinokoor6023]

I never knew he subbed once or twice for Mel Lewis. Now that’s interesting. And for all you young, uninformed drum heads, google Lalo Schifrin to see what he was all about. The fact that Cobham did a date or dates with him is evidence of the variety of jobs Billy was doing as he was coming up in the music business.

[@maxrockwell7613]

That makes sense to me that his style- technique has alot of drum and drill corp aspects to it. I could hear it in his playing and now I know why.

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

@22:00 I always thought Billy had just stuck a bebop (12" & 14") on the left side to use if he wanted to play a bebop fill. But it sounds like he had a more musical rather then stylistic purpose... IMHO

[@michaelsage74]

Do you know what I like about you Nick? You shut the heck up and let people talk. Too many interviewers out there don’t know how to do that.

[@QuantumLeapResearch]

Whats good family!

[@dallasstiles118]

Explorer's in kcmo, haha. My home away from home😁

[@rickeyricardomatthews2147]

Spectrum is a classic I like this album too😂

[@seukfuhi]

Two words: "One Word". Nuff said.

[@hubbsllc]

That switchover from crush roll to perfect double-stroke as if someone had gone up to him and flipped a switch. That part toward the end of the solo where it's 16ths in the feet and triplets in the hands.

[@Djlefty206]

Some skunk funk

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Why can’t more musicians be this articulate? The interviewer was adequate, but he should have reserved three or four minutes for some talk about Mahavishnu Orchestra. And it doesn’t help to say things like, “That’s some really cool stuff,” after Cobham has just spoken nonstop for close to 10 minutes.

[@scottlowell493]

How hard is mesquite wood? The wood of the mesquite tree has some of the most attractive wood properties desirable in fine wood. It is an extremely stable and hard wood compared with red oak, hickory, hard maple, and walnut. Its wood density of 45 lbs/ft and surface hardness of 2,336 pounds are both high.

[@grtappan]

Sunrisers Sing,sing,sing...baby

[@deepindercheema7420]

Does he mention Mahavishnu?

[@billyshane3804]

Tommy Bolin !!! Billy Cobham - Spectrum!!!

[@sinsagoodmansbrother]

Man... You have to ask him about Spaces with Coryell and Mahavishnu stuff...

[@PoliceBoy465]

46 minutes with Billy Cobham and you don't ask him anything about Mahavishnu??? And only 1 question about Miles?

[@kajem575]

Or Tommy Bolin. 🙂✌❤

[@PoliceBoy465]

@@kajem575 Just picked up two Tommy Bolin albums on vinyl. Love them both esp Teaser.

[@kajem575]

@@PoliceBoy465 Cool. That album is packed w/ a lot of great musicians. One uncredited is AIRTO MORIERA as per a radio interview w/BOLIN ,can be found on his official website. Myself and others have been trying to pick out his parts but just can't be sure. The vocals (to me) are a bit hard to discern but today of course can be found online. I also like the remixed/mastered TEASER DELUXE.Everything is much cleaner on that. Also the remixed DEEP PURPLE COME TASTE THE BAND that GLENN HUGHES stated was the way it should have been done in the first place. TEASER is one of those LP's I played nearly every day in my youth and later get bands I did FOH sound mixing for to learn and play songs off of. 🙂✌❤

[@PoliceBoy465]

@@kajem575 cool info man, thanks. Never really knew much about Tommy, but was first introduced through Spectrum. What are your thoughts on Zephyr? Worth picking up?

[@kajem575]

@@PoliceBoy465 Yes. It's all relevant as a collection. The singer,CANDY GIVENS sound and style emulates that of JANIS JOPLIN so there's that. You get to hear from the earlier stuff pieces of licks and runs he continues to use and develop later on. There are early demos on his website also very cool. JAMES GANG,BANG is also a fan favorite as well as ALPHONSE MOUSON,MIND TRANSPLANT which is a bit similar to COBHAM'S SPECTRUM. Then there is MOXY for which he was hired to lay down leads over already completed tracks,they also gave special thanks to BOLIN in liner notes on following album I believe. It's all good stuff. I have almost all of it on original vinyl,but it took me a lifetime. If you're serious gotta keep at it. 🙂✌❤

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

Mr. Cobham’s pedigree is unreproachable …

[@brianhammer5107]

Great musician - one of the top five drummers ever to walk the Earth. But age is creeping up - a little worried that he's getting so out-of-shape.

[@andiecayne]

Having seen him only a few months ago - he is not out of shape at all. There are drummers half his age that cannot do a show like he does.

[@andiecayne]

Exactly. But you’d never know it from the way he plays.

[@chriscurtis8344]

It never fails, a troll shows up. Billy Cobham is not and never will be “ out of shape “.

[@skillet6870]

The fastest drummer ever.

[@juliopereira8632]

gustav fring

[@davidperez5089]

Or his good twin.

[@djizzah]

steve gadd was a marching band drummer also i think

[@onazram1]

So he isn't ambidextrous... I always assumed he was

[@jeffdawson2786]

‘Force of Nature’ gets bandied about KZbin music video commentary, but in this case it is not hyperbole. Billy is a hurricane.

[@rickdavenport9538]

No drummer likes electronic drums.

[@marc2397]

Billy has no f king ego..you can’t, and expect to get as far as he has. I try to talk to some of these drummers here on utube…they won’t even talk to you…damn.There’s a lot of things that help you make it..luck has something to do with it. I didn’t make it..I’m actually an introvert, not a chance taker. The people that make it, are the ones that get out there, and take chances.