Billy Cobham Tribute 5 solos 1968-1976 & more

Drum solos and hot stuff performed by Billy Cobham excerpted from the following performances:
*Horace Silver Quintet*
Jazz Omkring Midnat
Denmark TV 1968
*Mahavishnu Orchestra*
Munchen, Germny,
Olympia Jazz
August 17, 1972
Chateauvallon, France
August 23, 1972
BBC
August 25, 1972
*Billy Cobham Band*
London
Rainbow Theater
July 13, 1974
*Billy Cobham / George Duke Band*
Montreux, Switzerland
July 6, 1976

[@tonydir5673]

Not even Buddy can match Billys tom tom rolls for sheer speed and power unreal

[@godbluffvdgg]

He deserves the respect and accolades he's earned for decades... We drummers who have jammed to him In Vishnu or Miles view him as a super man of drums... He's one of those drummers you start playing to and quit about a minute in when you realize you're wasting your time... : D .... Monster talent...

[@tonydir5673]

Billy one of the best of all time

[@robertpien8708]

Billy Cobham set the standards for Drummers to follow. Though his passion for his art and the rythem Dexterity of his craft..

[@heikodeutschbein6599]

I'll be so lucky to live in the this time with a Drummer like Billy Cobham . A good Friend and listen so often to the Music and the Drumsoli from Mr. B.C. that it is unbelivabel . Thank you so much for all

[@recalcitrist1]

Most drum solos make my ears and eyes glaze over, but Billy Cobham gets my attention.....frackin' amazing!

[@DionAlbers]

Never seen anyone play left handed traditional grip. Cobham is amazing and never really got the credit he absolutely deserves...

[@billytheweasel]

Normally I hate drum solos. I saw Cobham in the mid 70's and he exceeded his recorded chops. Phenomenally gifted human. I switched to matched grip after seeing him.

[@TheUprightMonkey]

Just when you think you've figured out what he does (sort of) by listening to him, you watch this and feel like you're asking your parents for your first drum set again. I don't care. No one can touch him from this period. Period.

[@boondoxatron9167]

Love Billy's Olympics 1972 t-shirt. Billy could easily have been the US representative for the drumming olympics had they existed.

[@RonaldWilliams-qh7zc]

👍💯💯💯💯🥁🥁🎶

[@lowellbrailey307]

He is by far one the most amazing, powerful drumming talents to ever grace this planet!! I see a lot of drummers doing these youtube "shorts", but not many would have had the "stamina" to keep up with Billy Cobham. A "short" for Billy would not have even been a decent "warm-up"!!

[@scotttan9211]

Beastly Power House!!!!

[@linkone11]

He is clearly one of the great drummers of all time, never fully recognized for his contributions. His speed, technique, stick work, and appreciation of earlier drummers' work are all incorporated into his playing. His sense of dynamics are what made me a better drummer.

[@DH-tn5xl]

@ 7:20 he's rocking so hard he knocked the technicolor all out of whack.

[@StrayHawkins]

He is one of my favorite drummers together with Jack deJohnette.

[@MrMrh1958]

Untouchable in his prime!

[@dwightgaston6079]

Back in the 70s and 80s when I was listening to him on records in my country the Philippines, I thought he had four arms. And now that I finally SEE him play, it's even more incredible because of his unique mix of right- and left- hand leads. It's like he learned to play the rudiments with both hands and then managed to mix them freely into one awesome, unique sound. And the speed!!! He needs those gargantuan arms!

[@63Baggies]

This has to be one of my favourite phases of Billy Cobham s development; during and directly after the "CTI" period where he was virtually one of that labels drummers in residence.

[@IanDirtySouth615]

When you're in Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the whole band sits to watch your solo... that means you're pretty good.

[@Oneness100]

Imagine this. When Billy had that double bass kit, he'd only been playing with a double bass drum since late 71 when he first got into double bass drums. This is 72, he barely had much time practicing them because he was constantly touring and traveiling. The band never rehearsed other than maybe a sound check. That's how they learned all of the material not on the first album.

[@atomicworld2744]

@@Oneness100 jnv a ? Tbu

[@frannckenfrey]

Ce's La Vie!

[@oregonbobv]

Nothing touched Billy Cobham when he was with the Mahavishnu Orchestra I saw the Bird ogf fire tour in New york and billy was incredible wearing a white toga and playing fibes.!! His long solo was in One word!! Billy Cobham is also an excellent composer and also ,plated piano on total eclipse!

[@godbluffvdgg]

One word is his Magnum Opus...Miles Beyond is no slouch either...:)

[@bkwilson9376]

Yeah-1973---Princeton U---backup band was Return to Forever--A friend and myself made a gift for the band(a collage)---the roadies let us sit backstage for the concert so we could present it to them--true story!

[@stupask3834]

Legendary drummer! 1st clip he's playing traditional grip but left handed style on right handed kit! True powerhouse drummer but can do the soft too. Forever Great.

[@dagostinoification]

I love the sound of FIBES DRUMS !

[@drakewauters2109]

What a legend.

[@waynedent7646]

When I said "before this video was done" I was referring to the Horace Silver segment (the first segment). Horace Silver, Dreams, then Mahavishnu.

[@Gretschdrums75]

Reminds me of why he is one of my top 5 all time. Just beautiful.

[@TheUprightMonkey]

What an amazing collection. Now I have something to show non or new drummers when I'm trying to explain to them how this instrument can be played. HAS been played. Someone on here mentioned that Billy never dabbled in drugs of any kind, an amazing feat for any musician, but especially for one who toured in the 70's and 80's. For me, I'm not sure whether his song Puff N' Stuff is about him staying away from all that, or wanting to GET away from it. "Puff N´ Stuff, Puff N´ Stuff, got to get away from that Puff N´ Stuff. Puff N´ Stuff, that smokin' stuff, Got to be free so that my mind can breathe the weed that's all around me. All this huffin' and a puffin' and a puffin' and a huffin' and a blowin' and a snortin' and a coughin' and a snortin' Is foolin' with my mind. Can't have that. Oh no, won't have that. Uh, uh!" Either way, I'm glad he stayed healthy. I do wish he hadn't moved to Europe when he did. His playing changed drastically after that. Not for the better in my opinion. All that edginess and power just seemed to drain out of him. I always attributed it to hitting the weed too much as it coincided with his writing of these lyrics, but I'm not sure if that's it. Injury? You can't play like this and not pay a physical price over time. I don't know. I'd love to have an intimate, honest talk with him, but who am I to even presume or judge? He's definitely one of the most gifted players ever to sit down at a kit. Maybe the greatest of all time for raw, explosive, brain melting talent. He'll always be my hero, and he's earned the right a thousand times over to lay back a bit.

[@carbonc6065]

He used to smoke a tobacco pipe ...

[@dnnkj-rd2dd]

That's so great. I admire him very much

[@bkwilson7614]

Saw Billy with mahavishnu 3 or 4 times...had a chance to sit behind him while on stage(long story).....he was absolutely mind blowing

[@mviking52]

there is the best drummer EVER....JUST WATCH!!! SORRY BUDDY R.!!!!

[@BHAKTIBROPHY]

Talk about dynamics! I LOVE it!

[@RonaldWilliams-qh7zc]

The Master of Drumming!!!🥁🥁🎶🎶👍💯💯

[@StrayHawkins]

A monsterdrummer. I had the pleasure of seeing him live in my small hometown once.

[@buddabirne4661]

BLACK POWER - Billy Cobham Most innovative Drummer ever rhythmically and technically, Unsurpasssed !

[@paulhogue2299]

Power speed precision and endurance !!! simply amazing 😮

[@dagostinoification]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS BEST OF B..C.

[@bedlam6666]

If he is not the greatest drummer, he is without question the most athletic. Amazingly fast, hard hitter, and looks like a tight end. And I didn't know he played with Horace Silver---you can see the Elvin influence. Great tribute. Thanks for the post.

[@jessiewarren8694]

Billy Cob is my all-time favorite of all drummers!! Going solo brought out his unique historic greatness!! Putting him with Stanley Clarke, the likes of George Duke , Miles Davis level of musicians!!! Also and Marcus Miller and Hiram Bullock in d innovative mix plus more keyboards, horn sections, no contest!!!!

[@jessiewarren8694]

Can we get some Total Ecilpse, Crosswinds in BC's advertisements?!?!?

[@nebbykoo]

Billy Cobham was touched by the gods.

[@waynedent7646]

I first saw him with Dreams on a set this size. I am guessing that was after this video was done. Nothing short of amazing!

[@peeper63]

Note that stick drop at about 33 and calmly and collectively draws out another without a blemish and back to the bombastic bashing banging boldly . No other PERIOD !!!

[@godbluffvdgg]

Great drummer...Saw him with his band in 86 at the Chestnut Cabaret in philly ...Small venue, great show...I had loved his work with Mahavishnu for many years...It was cool seeing him on his own...Saw Vushnu with Danny Gotlieb and Jonas hellborg with Weather report at the Troc in philly...Those days are so long gone...These groups were on the way out back then...I think tickets were like 15 bucks...smh...

[@georgeferguson6236]

billy is the best drummer ever. i saw him in 2014 at the blue note in n y c. he still has it. i think he has to be about 70 years old now. god is blessing him. i first saw him live in 1975. he had with him the brecker brothers. the 11th house opened the show first. i took 9 of my best friends with me that night. it stays on my mind to this day. i am now 60 years old and i am still listing to fusion music.

[@mviking52]

+George Ferguson thats right george he is the best ever...i saw him in 1978 at roxy in l.a. wow unbelievable........ #1 cobham # 2 might be lenny white do you agree????

[@georgeferguson6236]

well if you are talking about power drummers alphonse mouzon is number 2.

[@mviking52]

on the power drummer note...i might take dennis chambers over mouzon......? or maybe tony williams....***

[@roughdraught153]

I love fusion music too - and I'm 41.

[@greasedog]

George Ferguson Great comments! I got to see Mahavishnu and him with my big brother back in the early 70s at the Washington Universe campus in St. Louis. I was an infant to many things including fusion. I didn’t fully appreciate what I’d experienced until some years later. Sister Andrea became my life’s theme song some years after that. Years later I got to see him along with Jack Bruce and David Sancious at a little performance club called Stages just across the river from St. Louis. It was somewhat disappointing because Bruce didn’t seem to want to let Billy “stretch his legs” although 70% of the audience was there to see Billy. There are many great drummers. None better than Billy. Not even Tony Williams.

[@evelyneverettgreen]

deep deep deep joy

[@enricofelicegranero2574]

Unico ineguagliabile semplicemente fantastico

[@godbluffvdgg]

Proud to have seen Billy C at the Chestnut Cabaret in philly back in the day...Miles and Chick like him so you know He's the best...:)

[@sticktrik]

The drums in the first clip are Hollywood drums made in Italy!!! If you notice Billy is playing a floor tom that has a mechanism just like a tympani which has a pedal to change the pitch of the drum!! Quite unique for 1968!!!!!

[@kennybeckett]

The GREATEST !!!

[@andrewyka]

Great!!!Very Modern!!!

[@zenkyjugo7888]

Billy cobham inspires....

[@CogumeloBlues]

LONG LIVE A BILLY COBHAM. TOP OF TOPS

[@kennethkunie4978]

any drummer who thinks rudiments are unnecessary think again, this playing is based on rudiments, rudiments are the language of drumming. unless of you want to play like Travis Barker or Justine bieber.

[@linkone11]

+kenneth kunie Clearly you know what you are talking about; drumming 40 years now, teaching disabled kids math and music now, and basics are what it is all about.

[@harvvey9753]

It´s not possible to play the drums on a high-end level without rudiments. They the cornerstones of drumming. And BC is one of the masters.

[@garyagin5762]

As an amazing A Sax player that looked like Lou Reed and was a Marine told me in my travels back Arcata/ Eureka California in 95 or 96 , The reason you think Billy Cobham is the most incredible drummer you ve ever heard is because he was a Marine. P S I gave Mr Cobham a Toad I caught on the lawn of the Music Inn back in the time when Mahavishnu Orchestra played the Music Inn / Lenox arts centers Mass.

[@steves2176]

I've been playing drums for over 40 years and Billy was one of my original major inspirations. I first saw him in Detroit in around 1976 with Mahavishnu Orchestra/John McGlaughlin. He played very much like in this video and I remember thinking "how the F is he doing this for so long"? It was one of the most incredible displays of drumming I have ever seen and I've seen a lot!!! Thank you Billy and John! Incredible stuff!

[@shelton200gs]

I was there in Detroit with Miles,/George Duke,/Manavishun Orchestra, /Spectrum w Dave Holland on bass. He is the Greatest no doubt about it🌎

[@67beppedoc]

Billy is E.T. !! 😎😎💙💙

[@dragpackdale]

with those hands and moves Billy would be a great boxer..

[@FunkMan53]

04:08 I was there, great Mahavishnu Orchestra concert!

[@shelton200gs]

Without a doubt one of the Greatest on earth...🌍🌎

[@birabanor104]

Fills and feels

[@17drumhead]

LOVE Billy!! THANKS!!!

[@sennalotus12]

Just a Monster

[@markbass354]

Most excellent , these drum sticks are on fire ,,,,

[@sticktrik]

Billy is playing a Hollywood drum kit here made in Italy .. The floor tom had a mechanism that had a foot pedal to be able to change the pitch of the drum.. That's what you're hearing!!

[@DionAlbers]

I was around 12 first hearing BC & GD, and later Mahavishnu, couldn,t believe what i was hearing. Nice to finally see him play on his top... thanks for uploading this clip... His Speed and Power are Unique!!

[@Mikimikey]

Billy like many others made the music moved on.That is where we are now ! Michel (France)

[@SteveHoweJeffBerlin]

Billy is touring with Jeff Berlin right now.

[@mystic1980]

I am bassist and take percussion beats from Mr Cobham...the g.o.a.t.......

[@GaribaldiInTheMaking]

Obviously a legend and of the greatest ever. I always wondered whether he keeps time in his solos though.

[@fastone56]

GaribaldiInTheMaking Yes, however, he does a bunch of meter changes which as you know a soloist can bend and stretch all they want

[@813RiC]

+fastone56 true

[@Riddim4]

He’s playing over the form, or a vamp, so if you just sing that in your head as he plays, all will become clear.

[@markowens902]

He is the best ever, I think he is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sandytrunks]

@6:32 I read somewhere that it was John McLaughlin that urged Billy Cobham to add a second kick drum to his kit when performing with The Mahavishnu Orchestra.

[@tomh4792]

awesome drummer

[@krispinkrisperson3614]

Super

[@perkolat]

Billy Cobham has always been my idol drummer!!!! Going to see him Oct. The 3rd at the Space in Evanston,IL.two shows 7:30 pm 9:30 pm Come all you drummers!!!!!!

[@mikewhite861]

BC as mind blowing and life changing as usual... Thanks so much for putting this together. Unreal.

[@dreamopeth]

Those tom rolls man!!

[@ismadvm]

Quelle maîtrise !!!!!!

[@Eveandwolf]

Finally some old cobham vids with decent audio

[@joewerner7060]

thank you

[@elorejano57]

Un capo eterno..

[@grahamkennethgarbutt9261]

the greatest!

[@fastone56]

My main man

[@vintagedrummer]

New favorite drum video. Thanks for posting. The first clip is awesome for a four piece Hollywood kit with an adjustable floor tom tone.. The rest on the huge Fibes Acrylic set are a different beast of a solo with so many more drums to choose from.

[@TonyGellaDrums]

Billy Top 1

[@sergio39046]

exceptionnel!!!

[@OneWordthebest]

Best in my book

[@505shango]

The Best Ever !

[@garytfg]

Just Incredible :-O

[@markrobinson6129]

28:50-29:15 makes me laugh with delight. He loves them drums. Love the bit where he lobs his duff stick and doesn't miss a beat. Gonna put this on a DVD if you don't mind.

[@svenkalmar]

fabulous ..thanks!

[@dommonte3507]

Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, and John Bonham are the greatest drummers ever!

[@bensonbright]

What about Dave Weckle ,Jack de johnette, Vinnie Calluata and me !

[@KingDreRule]

no 1

[@fonduemotz]

great post thanks

[@BillRayDrums]

Thank you for doing this.

[@jackhewitt112]

wow...all this beauty and that's what you come up with to say?

[@sidework1]

unreal

[@happy1thailand]

Spectacular !!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting well done!!

[@stretchmorgan]

At 4.23 my brain almost fell out of my nose.

[@DionAlbers]

I know the feelin!!

[@williamweir1547]

Some brain was coming out my ears as well :-)

[@keithwilson9501]

5:45--------unfuckin real!!!

[@speedoflite1]

that's wha 'm talkin' bout. crazy rudiments, dynamism

[@BlackMaidenTallica]

Billy's arms are like vipers.

[@GledsonGomesAulasdeBateria]

Dormia com os 40 rudimentos e treinava dormindo!... se tá doido!!...animal!

[@adaminverted]

what a monster

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

15:50 WHAT?!

[@titanium9000]

Thank you for this amazing post..:)

[@snaidin]

thxs for posting excellent compilation obrigado gracias