Billy Cobham Throwback Thursday from the MI Vault

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#ThrowbackThursday

[@DrumandPianoDude]

I was in high school when Billy Cobham was playing Tempus drums and Meinl cymbals. It was weird not seeing him behind a set of Tamas. His drumming absolutely amazing and unique! Plus, the man can groove and go super deep-pocket like no other!

[@noel_neuenkirk]

I was there at the Catalina Bar and Grill gig. 1989. Inspirational! Talked to Billy for 20 min about finger technique. 🥁

[@magn8195]

Nice!! He is a master at finger technique! Did he give you any tips?

[@89Fredbear]

Billy's one of a kind period! Nobody captures the energy he produced on stage! He's very intense but he can also groove with the best of them!

[@nemesisinvidia5792]

The great COBHAM, human and musician !

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Very articulate, pleasant and informative delivery - and I’m not even a drummer. But I was a huge Mahavishnu Orchestra fan in high school and saw the band in concert eight or nine times.

[@godbluffvdgg]

An amazing drummer! Saw him in 1986, Chestnut Cabaret, here in philly. Great show!

[@gitpickergeorge9]

I met Billy in 1978, at the Chicago NAMM Show. Had the opportunity to chat for a while. Then, I asked him who was his all-time favorite drummer...........are you ready for this? He replied, "Ringo Starr, hands down!" Of course, I think Ringo is great , but I was not expecting that from Billy Cobham. He said that Ringo had such a presence on stage, and his fills were out of this world. and among other compliments, he stated that Ringo was "....the man!:

[@godbluffvdgg]

Great story! Must be great to meet him up close...I saw him live here in philly at a small venue...Monster drummer! Ringo has a peculiar style I could imagine someone like Billy C. appreciating...

[@gitpickergeorge9]

Yes, Even for me (a guitarist) Billy keeps the action going, and the tension, high. Very interesting. I think that since Ringo was left-handed, playing on a right-handed kit, he had to approach things with a different method. With that said, his fills would end up being his own unique expression. It sort of reminds me of the famous gypsy-jazz guitarist, Django Reinhardt. Because of his injuries in a fire, he basically used his first two fingers for fretting. So his approach to fingering solutions resulted in him being so unique! Peace and music!

[@godbluffvdgg]

Gitpicker George :)...Same to you...LOVE and music...Namaskar!

[@JDSoos]

Interesting. I met Carl Palmer, at a clinic, in New York, in 1988. When asked who his favorite drummer was, he replied, "The guy from ZZ Top." I was never quite sure what he meant. At the time, all of the ZZ Top records used a drum machine. English humor, maybe? It seemed to confuse and/or go over everybody's head.

[@gitpickergeorge9]

Very intriguing! I would think that he may have been tongue-in-cheek at the moment; unless there was something that Frank Beard may done that was very essential to the interpretation of the song. I would have guessed that Carl would have named someone like Buddy Rich, or (a little more modern) Tony Williams. Thanks for your comment!

[@MichaelVLang]

I love hearing Billy speak about music and drumming. Thank you for uploading this!

[@alecl9430]

Wow, his solo near the beginning is flawless. He built that up so perfectly and left me wanting more at the end of it. I don't know how old Billy is here but that might have been the most complete solo I've ever heard from him for the style that is famously his. Possibly the height of his playing creatively. This video needs more views.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Maybe 35 years old . So the flower of age as strenght and experience

[@Riddim4]

There is a lot of truth in this.

[@juanvallejo8826]

Those Meinl Billy Cobham signature Tritone cymbals sure sounded beautiful!

[@gitpickergeorge9]

Isn't that Jeff Berlin on bass? One thing for sure, it is as if Billy doesn't have a "standard" percussion instrument, and has then out there like a lead guitar! What depth and color!

[@ericwilhelm2941]

WISDOM

[@matthewpaluch777]

TEMPUS! A hugh red kit of fibreglass!

[@sticktrik]

Matthew Paluch I have the same kit & they sound MONSTROUS!!!

[@Andrew-nj6uw]

Dang!! With Jeff and T!! A supergroup!

[@salinasbeat]

who is T? There's no info about this

[@Buutch37]

That was So What at around 56:00! How awesome!

[@RonCarterBassist]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@gitpickergeorge9]

I think, that one of the biggest challenges for drummers is when they have a solo It is so easy for it to go stale after a while. Billy is not like that though, as is Barriemore Barlow (in my humble opinion). Peace.

[@andrewyka]

Billy Cobham is Long time Star!!! He play his stye .Sands Tama Bubinga!!!+lot liks. Styl today play Great!!! Hi play Around the Glob.

[@milesemil1800]

Weird Al on Keys and Borat on Bass

[@robertnobody]

This is from 1990, during Billy's brief period of using Tempus drums

[@DonaldSturgeAnthonyMcKenzieII]

Are those Meinls he’s playing?

[@jeffo-3]

I was at this gig / seminar back in '89 when I was attending B.I.T. I don't think they recorded an album. Could be wrong. Correct me if I am. Thx

[@saftmaja]

I was there too. Went to M.I. 1989-1990 GIT :)

[@salinasbeat]

who's on keys?

[@borgullet3376]

FU#K YEAAAAAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jeanounou]

The maestro's friends; who are they?

[@ManosRK]

What year is this ? Pretty old I bet :P

[@sticktrik]

This is from the mid 1980's...not sure what year. He is playing Tempus fibreglass drums. I think he played these drums just before he started playing Mapex drums!

[@ManosRK]

+truthbtold Cool! Thanks!!

[@Jeff-o-Lee]

+Μάνος Καραμάνος 1989. Sorry couldn't give you a month. I was at this show/clinic being a student at B.I.T. from '88-'89.

[@ManosRK]

+Bluesquidd1 Sweet!! Lucky you!!!! :)

[@jds9405]

I saw him in 1991 and he was playing Mapex, at that point.

[@user-ok4gq4od3s]

T Lavitz on keys.

[@chrisdeckard4261]

om~F~g🤤!¿? Less than 300Likes👍🏼 `°•~☆It's BILLY COBHAM ☆~•°` And bandmates,,, sorry,,, drummer here (don't tell Billy I said that 🙃). 🎵🎶🥁😎🥁🎶🎵

[@MrDaveaccord]

Weird Al Yankovic on Keys?

[@markbra]

This guy is so full of himself ?

[@borgullet3376]

For a man of his accomplishments he's actually extremely humble..

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Well not at all i think In what he is full of himself