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

[@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?!

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@BranMuzsick]

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

[@ohrid59mk76]

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

[@bubblehead78]

The drums sound amazing.

[@t3hgir]

Because a really good drummer is playing them.

[@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.

[@AEN.]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@drumandball]

That snare is so incredible!

[@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

[@wilsonmillerjr9817]

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

[@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

[@gordoncc1]

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

[@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.

[@guimbaz1986]

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

[@rudya4970]

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

[@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.

[@martindellavalle6370]

The legend still doing his thing 🙌

[@SecretAgent068]

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

[@marcoss6212]

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

[@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.]

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

[@borgullet3376]

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

[@J6Studios]

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

[@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.

[@scottyg5403]

One of the greatest! Huge influence!

[@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

[@mtndewman1022]

there's a special place in hell for people who whistle and cheer whenever a performer plays quietly

[@andym28]

it appears members from this crowd are wrapping on the door momentarily.

[@skittl3z2311]

Forreal man you literally cant hear shit because the yelling and whistling

[@tanderson8213]

They were all christened during the Peter Frampton goes apeshit live concerts.. and Kiss playing Beth..

[@Triton_Secure]

ah yes... the ME generation. As in, "it's all about me."

[@ukspizzaman]

It is also a sure sign that they dont feel the magic, they just pretend to.

[@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.

[@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...

[@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.

[@richardmiller8322]

The man never ceases to amaze me.

[@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.

[@jakehill2010]

That bass drum is Life!!

[@OGTheDemon]

great drumming

[@thewutitizband]

that kit does sound insanely insane !!!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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. :-)

[@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.

[@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.

[@javo_roma]

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

[@bassistfromhell94]

okay, my mind has just officially been BLOWN

[@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.

[@RonCarterBassist]

🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@karlsballs]

Ron Carter!!! OMG!

[@bcdigiart141]

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

[@rknisple]

The ending to that was just brilliant.

[@Hoprgras]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@WestCascades]

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

[@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!!!! :)

[@smylynyoda]

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

[@ProDrummer]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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....

[@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!

[@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.

[@MrDrummertheo]

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

[@holygroove2]

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

[@paulberlucchi9878]

The reverb of the snare at 01:34 is forever in my mind

[@cbtmale]

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

[@MobileFreedomEnterprise]

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

[@hamiltuckian]

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

[@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

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Power Play is still one of my favs

[@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!

[@EleanorPeterson]

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

[@littledebs58]

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

[@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

[@drumz47]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@dagostinoification]

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

[@glisnake]

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

[@antonio36055]

Leggendario! Billy...

[@Martinincanada]

The king of jazz-rock drumming!

[@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

[@ytwhite5930]

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

[@SONORSQ2guy]

WOW!!

[@sharrythedave4758]

I love this !

[@Mightyhumungus]

Wow what a great beat, I love the feel.. i do the "over the top thing" on the fills n off beats at times.. it just takes u away

[@marshall221000]

Notice at around 1.50 the shimmering of the crash fits in well with the groove.... Hes a master..

[@b.p.879]

Billy is the best drummer on earth.

[@TeslaNick2]

Yeeaaah man, Billy's a dude and a wonderful drummer...

[@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!!!

[@MrHydrogoon]

love that snare sound

[@KONAMAN100]

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