Billy Cobham Performs at Guitar Center's 21st Annual Drum-Off Finals (2009)

[@tommybrown5866]

A musician has to be really special for a person to follow their music for 45 years and he is and I have and it's been kickass all the way.

[@dacajo1]

Keep in mind Billy is 65 years old here. Still musical, still amazing. Love ya B.C.!

[@666Tagada]

Keep in mind Billy is 65 years old here!!?? What kind of horse shit is this?!

[@jsalljr]

Billy in his mid to late 60s can still start an inferno with his monumental technique and his mastery of dynamics is 2nd to none

[@philburpalooza8]

I was just about to say I can swear I hear about 8 maybe 12 different levels of loudness to his playing very subtle.

[@urbguru]

Played With Master Billy for awhile! Was real great time! Loved it!

[@nicocilli2657]

Mr urbaniak...great performance in Live at Riazzino 1981 whit Billy

[@shjobsearch2195]

I wish I had the privilege and the honor of performing on the same stage as Billy Cobham. He is a drumming great!

[@magn8195]

Mr Urbaniak I loved your work with Billy when you played for Glass Menagerie!

[@connorfees6034]

Wow, it's so cool seeing jazz legends casually on KZbin. Hope you're doing well, loved you in The Menagerie with Mr. Cobham

[@sorgi9]

Like your work with Randy Bernsen as well as everything else you've done Sir!Best wishes

[@woodstockpaul6066]

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!

[@bubblehead78]

The drums sound amazing.

[@t3hgir]

Because a really good drummer is playing them.

[@jpjm44]

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!

[@johnrogers9481]

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.!

[@lestrum]

And a new ebook biography out on Amazon Prime: Six Evenings at Ronnie Scott's by Brian Gruber. If you haven't already, check it out.

[@marcoss6212]

How is it that this doesn't have millions of views, since 2010?

[@stone9.098]

To all those out there that don't know; you are witnessing a performance by one of the, if not THE, greatest jazz fusion drummers of ALL time!

[@martindellavalle6370]

The legend still doing his thing 🙌

[@BranMuzsick]

Man! I love how he tuned his snare and basses! so beautiful!

[@ohrid59mk76]

............ and TOMS ! great Billy , great sounding kit !

[@drumandball]

That snare is so incredible!

[@rudya4970]

Hands down Billy is the greatest drummer in the world! No ifs ands or butts

[@wilsonmillerjr9817]

The Baddest Jazz Fusion Drummer To Walk God's Green Earth !!!! Period....

[@gordoncc1]

Legend, hero. I've been a fan since the 70's.

[@drex48239]

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

[@mikegass2272]

A true monster in the best sense. Untouchable.

[@jdjbarnat]

saw billy live a few years ago...powerful and incredibly gifted drummer and yet somehow very humble and down to earth to talk to.

[@strings191]

He dosent need to prove anything to any one hes always been better than peart bonzo lee or any rock drummer hes beyond todays music he simply the best.

[@SecretAgent068]

One of the great masters of all time...period.

[@carrietomson1]

Billy was my tutor as a pro session drummer for over 15 years. Not only a genious but a smashing chap xxxxx

[@Flaytt744]

true..i have met him very humble guy

[@antoinepaine8097]

carrie tomson wow 😍😍😍😍

[@heftyalan1152]

carrie tomson How can you argue with an endorsement like that? Great to hear he is a top guy.

[@guimbaz1986]

You just said exactly what i think of him. He's boundless! He's a true inspiration for me as a drummer.

[@331paradiddle]

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

[@footfunk1]

What? then please post some stuff of you on drums up....til then Billy Cobham is the best drummer that i have ever heard....

[@borgullet3376]

I FU#KING LOVE THE INTRODUCTION THAT THE M.C. GIVES... IT TOTALLY MATCHES THE GREATNESS OF THE LEGEND.

[@johnharding5610]

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.

[@kitano0]

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.

[@thiagosousa2217]

Yes, in 1973.

[@magn8195]

Who were the drummers who beat Buddy Rich after Billy?

[@breakfastplan4518]

@@magn8195 But Buddy rich had Tony Williams back like no other drummer.

[@matthewgonano636]

Buddy rich is crap

[@marc2397]

No

[@cbtmale]

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.

[@scottyg5403]

One of the greatest! Huge influence!

[@ernestlmorellsr]

...These are the real BC fans who have supported him from day one,man these are my kind of drum fans...of course you can have your Quiet Moments too!

[@AEN.]

this solo resume all the innovations, the feel, the groove, the class and the history of master drum legend Billy Cobham.

[@kennybeckett]

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.

[@partystopper3597]

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.

[@J6Studios]

Always great to watch Billy Cobham!! What a true legend!!

[@rayfabbri3759]

Saw Billy with Mahavishnu orchestra in Chicago in 1972. That show changed my approach to music. Never seen anything like it since. 52 years ago.

[@MM-zx4re]

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.

[@UnofficialSimonPhillipsArchive]

@ThePbdrum One other thing I noticed: watch his hi-hat at 4:35 . You can clearly see the hi-hat is constantly rubbing against the rack tom!

[@keithwilson9501]

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!!!!

[@josephm.2856]

SPECTRUM........BILLY AT HIS BEST.....AND YOU KNOW IT.......TOMMY BOLIN......JAN HAMMER......LEE SKLAR and the amazing Billy Cobham.

[@Earthdogbonzo3]

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?

[@sanidan2010]

Never get tired of watching Billy play, but I do get tired from watching him play.

[@kvltwalter]

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.

[@padovaniroland]

No neal peart who was just a mechanic marionnet with no soul and feelings.

[@AEN.]

Billy is the master of the universe. THE REAL GROOVE AND FEELING MIX WITH TECHNICAL POWER. HE LOVES DRUMS!

[@heftyalan1152]

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.

[@Trgamemas]

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.

[@OGTheDemon]

great drumming

[@ufafgd]

Double sticks, each hand, command central, waiting for nobody, his rythym, his lifelong way. The best.

[@Hoprgras]

Awww Heck. That's my Dude. Them Polyrythms leave me speechless .

[@TotoTom567]

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...

[@crosspollination6626]

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. :-)

[@RonCarterBassist]

🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@karlsballs]

Ron Carter!!! OMG!

[@rknisple]

The ending to that was just brilliant.

[@thewutitizband]

that kit does sound insanely insane !!!!

[@SovietBearBoxing]

This was an AWESOME performance!!!! love those ghost notes he throws in at 2:30 I met Billy Cobham's niece last week she is gorgeous!!!! :)

[@jakehill2010]

That bass drum is Life!!

[@SecretAgent068]

@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.

[@javo_roma]

Great showmanship, amazing performance, and the sound palette of the toms is incredibly appealing.

[@razadrum]

Oh B.S. It always pisses me off when I see dislikes for someone this accomplished. Especially someone tried and true proven and practised who is playing explosive and musical drums. So what are you disliking?... C'mon now

[@magn8195]

Billy is the drummer who pioneered the gospel chops that we have today.

[@ochocabra1542]

^^^this

[@breakfastplan4518]

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.

[@robertboyle5370]

That is MR.BILLY COBHAM

[@smylynyoda]

G.O.A.T. !!!!!!!!!

[@rhythmista7707]

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..

[@rhythmista7707]

***** That's awesome !

[@jasonschooler4450]

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.

[@naccibobacci]

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.

[@contraversi]

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!

[@bassistfromhell94]

okay, my mind has just officially been BLOWN

[@bcdigiart141]

amazing groove... and powerful double bass.. and fills... HE IS AWESOME......

[@johnrogers9481]

Very musical.! It took me about eight listens to hear an approximation of the music Billy was playing in his head that he was drumming with.

[@holygroove2]

1:32 - 2:35. That's called soul. Whole thing kept me glued to the screen, but even zombies can feel that.

[@johnapryorjr]

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!!!

[@winnforman278]

I met Billy at a drum clinic in Portland at the Pine St theater put on by Tama in 1984 , he was so cool and easy to talk to

[@drumz47]

MY VERY FIRST INSPIRATION...THE REASON I LOVE SITTING BEHIND A DRUM KIT TO EMIT AND EMOTE.

[@EleanorPeterson]

Always a delight. There's some wonderful footage of Billy playing with George Duke elsewhere on KZbin. Highly recommended. :-)

[@MobileFreedomEnterprise]

A true Legend that still holds his own. I wish Neil Peart still played like he did in the 70's. : (

[@MrDrummertheo]

Wow.... Billy you are one of my favorit drummers....I love your drumming....

[@cbtmale]

One of the best drummers ever. Fortunate enough to Billy play live many times.

[@littledebs58]

Here's a drummer with total independence. Amazing performance.

[@KinDubsteP]

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!

[@Triton_Secure]

Still the greatest drummer, ever!!

[@Triton_Secure]

...and if you want to hear his best, check out his 'storm,' from the 1974 album, Crosswinds. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4erlZuVl6eErtU

[@gregchick21]

I was there, I am so glad I found this video, now I can share what I saw, but the drum corps is what I was blown away by... are they in a video?

[@DaDudeManHeyDude]

I'm so glad I watched this.

[@Martinincanada]

The king of jazz-rock drumming!

[@hamiltuckian]

I first saw Billy nearly 40 years ago. He is still fantastic!

[@dagostinoification]

I LOVE BILLY !! ! (didier D'Agostno /french drummer /teacher on youtube and Dailymotion)

[@helgar791]

By the way, Billy was 65 at the time. Lets hear your favorite drummer (Neil Peart anyone?) at that age. And yes, he's near 70 now.

[@ragerelap106]

Ginger Brown was pretty good at that age

[@lestrum]

And I believe Peart said he was heavily influenced by Cobham. Nothing against Peart but without Cobham breaking ground, there is no Peart.

[@josephm.2856]

NEIL PEART.........??? ROTFLMAO.......BILLY, GENE KRUPIA AND BUDDY RICH....THE 3... KINGS OF DRUMS.....

[@diegoholguin8019]

My favorite drummer is 58 Can yall guess?

[@emiliobiggs3656]

Diego Holguin Danny Carey

[@ProDrummer]

yes yes yes... thank you mr. cobham for so much inspiration :-)

[@glisnake]

Finally someone that can actually play drums!! Have at it Billy!!!

[@ytwhite5930]

The man performing his craft as no one else can...

[@don4476]

Billy was a bebop drummer back in the day.

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Power Play is still one of my favs

[@royayersrules]

*Hears toms sound, break out Mahavishnu Lps and blows the dust off..*

[@Mono_8080]

To my ears, Billy has a horrendous drum sound. BUT, I like the music he did so much that I learned to like it and recognize it as a signature drum sound. I could never tune my drums like this, tho!!

[@skittl3z2311]

@Wadsmitter i was thinking the same thing

[@SONORSQ2guy]

WOW!!

[@vijayjesudasan4501]

Never seen a drummer like this.... With two sticks.... OMG.... What a solo... Wow

[@UnofficialSimonPhillipsArchive]

@ThePbdrum Yeah, it looks kinda cool. But I never understood why he aligned the rack toms like this. I just can't see the advantage of having the biggest tom on the left while the two other big drums (floor toms) are on the right side. Imagine doing a big fill using all toms from high to low.

[@JonP1961]

To make music into a contest isn't at all what it's about for me. I still think Billy is quite good and have been a Cobham fan since the 70's. Considering he's knocking on age 70's door, it's just amazing the amount of energy he still has. There are plenty of drummers I enjoy listening to just as much, all for completely different reasons. A few examples: watch?v=w68YKFx99pY - DiCenso watch?v=re5qojXxZEQ - Kennedy watch?v=SX6asGR351w - Morgenstein watch?v=_yEDXd6UwZ8 - Walker Peace.

[@KONAMAN100]

The section from 1.32 till 2 1/2 mins wow ... Thats exciting stuff terrific.

[@StarZendonna1687]

OMG! This is Epic His Drumming Kicks Total ASS!

[@bonesharper7264]

So good! And he didn’t feel the need to stop and say “what’s up everybody?!” And then try to get people to clap along like so many of the Guitar Center Drum Off solos. lol

[@kerryrobinson9947]

One of the "crispest" snares in music. Damn straight. 👍

[@sharrythedave4758]

I love this !

[@dagostinoification]

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

[@jsowden54]

The Master at work 🙌 👌