Billy Cobham - Drum Solo - France 1972 (Mahavishnu)

A great drum solo by the master Cobham during a concert of Mahavishnu Orchestra live in France, recorded at Festival de Chateauvallon 1972.
Full Concert:
• Video (Part 1)
• Video (Part 2)

[@Deagledrumzz]

Billy influenced every drummer because when he came around he changed the game, and brought it to another level. One of the most important drummers of all time. Still fabulous today.

[@peterpalffy9302]

the fastest

[@irvingviruet7039]

I worked at Tower Records San Diego, when Fusión was happening. When I first listened to Billy Cobham’s Spectrum, I was hooked!!! I’m 68 years old and I’m still hooked big time!!

[@user-mf9uv9my2p]

Tommy Bolin nailed it

[@magn8195]

How can he play so fast yet so softly and delicately at the SAME time? That requires a tremendous amount of control and agility. I am stunned.

[@MrPercussionPete]

70's fusion pioneer. Cobham raised the standard to a higher level and inspired a whole new generation. It's always amazing how some people are able to change the game. Cobham was certainly one of them. I mean... We're talking 1972 here, that's almost half a century ago.

[@jblackz69]

The first time I heard Billy Cobham, I was 6 years old. I'm pushing 50 and still think this guy is the bomb.

[@onazram1]

Nobody up until this time, had ever heard anything like this, .. Every drummer's reaction including mine upon hearing him for the first time was one of jaw dropping disbelief... "Who the hell is this and what are those time signature's" Billy was an enigma!

[@snavs420]

The perfect balance of dynamics, chops, and pure power.

[@tlester19]

i love how john just sits there and watches. he gets to play with the guy non stop for years straight and he's still amazed at what he sees

[@6855mike]

Saw this group MANY times and they often had to help Billy off the stage. He just gave everything until he was spent. I have friends who play drums for a living and they say that Billy is the best.

[@whateverman666]

Keep in mind this drum solo is 40+ years old. I wont fauly people who don't like Cobham stylistically, but NO ONE was doing what he was doing back then, and to this day, he remains an influence to some of the top drummers in the world. The dude, when he was at his best, was SCARY good. This clip is a pretty good example of his technique and energy (but the mics don't pick up stuff very well beyond the snare drum). Seriously, he was amazing live and in the studio...

[@roadrocket7]

Saw Billy w/the Mahavishnu Orchestra in Memphis during this period. My outlook on drumming was changed forever. There was NOBODY playing like this. Nobody. He was using the same Fibes drums, except they were the Smoke Tint version. Simply stunning. The warm-up act at this concert was the Marshall Tucker Band. Talk about a weird bill and a mix of music fans. John McLaughlin blew the roof off too. And it was LOUD. Billy is still a monster!

[@SD7268]

Mr. Cobham are one of the father's of the modern drumming in the 70's, thanks to him many young musicians play today with extreme evolute tecnique on drums. Mr. Cobham had open a road many years ago for the future generations is an alive legend.

[@swaggs]

Two of the best drummers I ever saw live was Billy Cobham and Carl Palmer. Absolutely the best.

[@jonro09]

Brilliant, and I had the pleasure of seeing this line up live here in the UK, back in the day.Awesome!

[@dominiqueg6859]

We loves you from France you are such a great drummer indeed !!!!!

[@U2WB]

Such great chops, so musical, and he made it look effortless. Billy is one of my favorite drummers. Fantastic.

[@marceibel1131]

Worldclass...Cobham

[@ibleebinU]

A monster of a player on a monster of a kit!

[@tiboreceiling]

THIS WHAT YOU CALL THE BEST CHOPS ..

[@johnggillespie]

billy that was a good drum solo i like it thanks billy john g.

[@gcymous9160]

One of the best drummers i ever heard . Interesting here is goes back n forth from subtle to intensity , and sounding like a whole marching band of drummers

[@guyharrison4644]

sounds like a marching/rockin` corps of drums.....just unbelievable.

[@muhammadfirman4464]

and now i know why many Metalhead drummers cited Cobham and Bellson as their idol

[@lisanders11]

Hugely dynamic and swinging solo!! Love it big time!!

[@BrianRussick]

incredibly dynamic and inspirational...what a master of drumming

[@dreadtodred]

un beliveable@!@!

[@zenbooter]

SD7268 very nice load man,a tribute to the level of taste you've aspired

[@Taikomaniac]

There are a handful of Drummers who changed the Art and Cobham was one of them. Historically in sequence Chick Webb the start of a kit, Pappa Jo jones brushes and hi-hat ,Gene Krupa showmanship, Buddy Rich hand technique unchallenged for decades and an anomaly even past 70, Billy Cobham open handed playing, blazing rolls, brute power, dynamics,Double bass grooves,dominant presents and the Father of true Jazz Rock or fusion drumming the benchmark 40 yrs ago.Steve Gadd recording timekeeping.

[@marcrogers1051]

One thing to keep in mind is that Tony Williams had the concept of jazz rock realized & materialized earlier in Lifetime, which is where McLaughlin was before putting the Orchestra together. I'm not saying I necessarily like Tony better, I just feel that he is a little bit more responsible for jazz rock.

[@andrewbintang4591]

@@marcrogers1051 but cobham already played jazzrock fusion together with the group dreams (featuring the brecker brothers) and miles davis (a.o. bitches brew sessions), etc. tony williams and billy cobham were basically doing the same thing at the same time.

[@Tranmere59]

Ginger??

[@hagnuj1070]

@@Tranmere59 🤣

[@samoljubesic6275]

​@@marcrogers1051Absolutely. My last researches thru early fussion indicates the same observations.

[@HelgaWeitmann-pe6fw]

Habe seen you live us gotva pleasure

[@sennalotus12]

A Monster.

[@iamwombat1st]

great Cobham chops! Love the vintage amps too!

[@mviking52]

COBHAM STILL REMAINS, #1 ON THE DRUMMING LIST , OF ALL TIME DRUMMERS

[@itsJohnnyDill]

Nope. Buddy Rich is, was, and always WILL BE #1.............

[@mviking52]

not a chance COBHAM RULES THE DRUMS......MAYBE RICH IS 4TH OR 5TH AT BEST ON THE ALL TIME GREATEST DRUMMER LIST!!! SO SORRY JOHNNY COMING FROM FELLOW DRUMMERS, SEE THE DRUMOFFS OF THE 80'S!!*****

[@robs639]

mviking52 what about Ringo and Mickey Dolenz?

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Buddy was the best big band drummer, but he was not very flexible. Cobham did Things that Buddy never could, and yet Billy could do what buddy did 90% as good. Buddy Rich hated Cobham, because he was Jealous and terrified of this monstrosity of a drummer that Billy was.

[@thatsgottahurt666]

No work for Lars.

[@72vetteroadster]

greatest drummers of all time Billy Cobham-Kieth Moon-John Bonham -Buddy Rich.

[@adityatyagi4009]

After watching this, I can definitely now see and hear the influence this had on Dennis Chambers's solos!

[@ArtSamsun]

Like no. 1000 🥳

[@Buutch37]

The sound he got from an acrylic kit....maaan

[@dagostinoification]

Billy Cobham m'impressionnera toujours ,il fait parti de mes sources FONDAMENTALES , 1ere phase : le funk de base ,le rock progressif ,la musique électronique, et la pop music vers l'âge de 13 ans et LA DANSE sur Joe Tex, James Brown Otis Redding, Wilson Pickets , Sam and Dave , pendant des heures avec mon professeur "j.Riviere " danseur du club le MEMPHIS CLUB .phase 2 >>>le jazz-rock ... phase 3 >>>le jazz avec Guy Hayat au CIM formidable école ou l'on pouvait rencontrer et apprendre des meilleurs musiciens de jazz de Paris et de quelques Américins de passage... , et avec beaucoup moins d'argent qu'à Berclee ! (l'école existe toujours ! je la conseille ! et Charles Saudrais +les conseils et rencontres avec David Garibaldi , Daniel Humair, Christian Vander, Charles (Lolo ) Bellonzi (batteur de Claude Nougaro ) et beaucoup d'autres grands batteurs ... ) Je ne parle pas de mes études musicales qui m'ont évidemment beaucoup appris ! ( en batterie : écoles Boursault, Agostini et Daniel Pichon (ordre chronologique ) et en percussions classiques avec : Francis Brana, Raymond Chazal ) tous les relevé de batteurs que j'avais fait... , , PHASE 4 >>> La synthèse ....et un peu la "World Music + jungle dans les années 1999 .Aujourd'hui je m'inspire des "nouveaux batteurs " et peaufine mes spécialités...+la fluidité, l'aisance..ma propre façon de jouer, .au gré de mes envies ,je me consacre beaucoup à la composition dans différents styles de musiques , je suis ouvert à toute rencontre musicale , chanteurs , chanteuses, afin de toujours progresser, on est jamais au bout, c'est INFINI ...Et j'enseigne mais moins qu'avant... un projet peut être à la rentrée 2019 sur PARIS 17 eme mais ce sera réservé aux élèves avancés , un de mes élèves enseignera aux débutants.COURS DANS LE département 91 et sur PARIS l'an prochain pour élèves avancés , contact sur FACEBOOK ou tel : [phone] (laissez un messages avec vos coordonnées si intéressés, plaisantins s'abstenir !

[@IAmInfinitus208]

I can see why Phil Collins cited him as inspiration circa the time he was recording early Genesis like Selling England by the Pound! Love this guy!

[@atomaalatonal]

cant believe someone on yt knows trilok. damn, i feel like meeting a human after being lost for decades in a desert 😀

[@R3ptilian]

Forever a monster drummer. The weird thing is he cant hold a back beat like Phil Rudd or a fatback beat like Dennis Chambers. But HE is one of the best Fusion drummers, like ( Tony Williams, Lenny White and that dude that played with Larry Coryell.) Spectrum is probably one of the best fusion albums ever. I fucking love it. Red Baron and Stratus. That shit is complex.

[@VR-dq3ew]

Alphonse Mouzon is who you're thinking of. He was a part of Larry Coryell and the Eleventh House

[@Oneness100]

***** Who? Alphonse? yeah, right. Alphonse copied a lot of Billy's licks. Billy was at least twice as fast, could handle playing Mahavishnu material which only one other drummer could do.

[@Oneness100]

***** He was definitely inhuman AND inhumane to his drum set back in the 70's. He was without a doubt the most enjoyable drummer to watch and listen to. :-)

[@mrmikespence1964]

INFORMATION FOR YOU! JAZZFUSION! DRUMMERS! LIKE (BC)! OF JAZZMUSIC! ARE THE "BEST" DRUMMERS! SIMPLE! THERE ARE CERTAINLY "NO" BETTER (C)ROCK DRUMMERS! OR "ANYBODY" THAT IS "NOT" JAZZMUSIC! THAT IS A "BETTER" DRUMMER THAN HE IS!

[@TheGenreman]

+R3ptilian The dude who played with Larry Coryell, do you mean Alphonse Mouzon?

[@georgeferguson6236]

everybody has there own best of. they should say who they like only and not put down others. when fusion music started he was right there with it.there are so many great drummers how do pick one over the other it should not be done.. give credit to every one of them. some people need to calm down and chill out. the love you have for the music should also be for each other!!!!!

[@nickcolantonio2880]

Can't hate on this guy. Fusion wouldn't be what it is today with this band, and this drummer. Everyone who hates on the drummers of the past and who claim they can play anything Cobham or drummers alike can play, I had something for your enlightened minds to ponder. Do you think you could play like this 40 years ago? When there were no archetypes for you to build your style on the backs of? The answer is no. All modern drummers ought to humble themselves on that fact alone. The grandfathers of funk, fusion, and progressive rock were geniuses, who learned from jazz drummers and developed styles all their own. You who think you're better than drummers like Cobham because you can play his parts could never WRITE their parts. Mature as a musician and come back to videos like this. You'll see.

[@Oneness100]

What's mind blowing is this was right after he added a second bass drum. I don't believe he really spent much time practicing on a double bass other than sound checks and during the actual gig. He got it while they were touring, so it's a learn on the job method. During the first gigs with MO, he used a single bass drum setup, he didn't use a double pedal. I don't know the exact date because the SkyTop Syracuse video from April 29 '72 shows him playing with his single bass kit. And this was from August, so he had potentially less than 4 months of playing a double bass drum setup. It's too bad they don't have the concert video from what I saw. Between him breaking a bass drum pedal and countless broken sticks, the guy was definitely at the top of his game. Just flat out insane. "72 was still during their "figuring out how to play together period and learning the songs period"...

[@bholaoates1542]

+Oneness100 Nice insightful post -- some great points there. According to Walter Kolosky's book on the band, 'Power, Passion and Beauty', Billy got his first double-bass kit (Fibes) on May 6, 1972 in Miami where the Mahavishnu Orchestra was scheduled to play at the University of Miami that night (page 105). The book doesn't doesn't say outright that he played them that night, but it is strongly implied. The book also says he actually first played the kit that day in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn where the drums were delivered and the band was staying. I guess he was excited to get them.... lol

[@robertpatterson3406]

Cathode Roy did you mean Neil was so much better or the other drummers were better? I do think that Neil was the best drummer with Carl Palmer a close second but you can’t take anything away from Billy or Bozzio , Vinnie Colauita , or Steve Alexander . Each of these are world class drummers in their own rite.

[@rosswilliamson1732]

@@robertpatterson3406 Billy Cobham is in the Pantheon of the greatest drummers of all time and to suggest that Neil Pearl is a better exponent is to show your ignorance in terms of the drumming hierarchy, Cobham is up there at the very top of the tree, his drumming is at a level that the likes of Peart could only have dreamt. Billy gets mentioned up there with Buddy Rich, who is considered in terms of technique and speed, the greatest of all time, though in my opinion Billy’s incredible diversity of genres and his trailblazing innovation puts him in a place of his own. There are some very good rock drummers, Bonham for his innovative style, Paice for his timing and rudimentary excellence and Peart for his frustrated orchestral percussionist style of drumming but none of them are even in the same zip code as Billy or indeed many of the great Jazz and fusion drummers.

[@robertpatterson3406]

Ross Williamson Hey dumb ass I said that you can’t take anything away from Billy I think that he is among the top 5 drummers but when you get to that level it is splitting hairs , to believe that Billy was on a different planet shows your ignorance . Carl Palmer ,Steve Alexander , and Terry Bozzio and Vinnie Colauita in their prime could give Billy a run for his money any day and it would have to be a coin toss to determine the winner .

[@user-eq1zb8sc8m]

👍👍👍

[@arii.5294]

Nevertheless - back 1972 this sure was a killer solo.... Later on Spectrum blew my mind.

[@cbmuzik3000]

Man, I want to see this whole clip!!!!!!!

[@JORDANBAUMER]

Dave is on a whole other level!

[@vitkirunemaster9239]

also remember that true stereo was just coming into its own, no digital, everything is live off the floor, no sequencing.

[@RocknJazzer]

what does any of that have to do with this? Nothing. Good playing is good playing regardless of any of that. Also stereo was well established at this point. around for long time and the standard for all albums for at least 5 years before this, nothing new or coming of age, it was a normal thing at this point. and that doesnt matter here anyways even more, as tv was still broadcast mono. Also digital doesnt matter either regarding stereo or mono...thats separate thing not relevant. Billy did play to sequencers a lot on his first solo album spectrum in 74, and he was still good, so that doesnt matter either. I dont know what you are trying to say, but Billy's and everyone elses skills were there regardless of anything...doesnt matter...great players and great bands play great live then and now. Doesnt matter that it's 1972 or 92 or 2022 as I saw billy a few times in recent years and he and his whole band were even better, there is no difference in good musicians then or now in jazz or fusion. I think you are trying to make comparison to modern pop music, but that is different thing, one should not compare modern pop with fusion then or now. Modern jazz and fusion players are just as good if not better these days, nothing will get in the way then or now, except the players themselves. Technologys dont matter. You either play live well or you cant, then or now.

[@SOUNDCHASERX]

Cobham was asked back in 1975 if he thought he was the best n fastest...he thought for a moment and had praise for Buddy Rich but still thought he was faster than Buddy.....then Cobham stated that the only drummer he saw come close to him was Carl Palmer but that Palmer used synthesised drums......just a fun fact from an article I read years ago..

[@SOUNDCHASERX]

He also did on the crosswinds album but his drumming with Mahav orch. wasnt...as for Mangini....Cobham n Palmer r faster ...I have seen all 3 many times

[@Riddim4]

What does hand speed have to do with making an intelligent musical decision? I think what really matters is ear speed, how well one can hear and respond to the situation. Guys like Bill, Tony, Roy, Dennis and Jack , among others, have that in abundance.

[@magn8195]

I feel like Buddy Rich had more endurance when he played fast single stroke rolls.

[@JORDANBAUMER]

tony royster jr. , thomas pridgen, jonathan davis, horatio hernandez, thomas lang, dave dicensio, the list is endless.

[@Pudersepp]

Musicality of it.

[@nicocilli2657]

creativita' e dinamica senza eguali.....almeno per quei tempi!

[@luisrivas9034]

Baterista único, extraordinario y genial. Uno de los mejores de todos los tiempos.

[@JonP1961]

wow, nice to see dicenso mentioned. right on, man!

[@dommonte3507]

Billy and John Bonham are the greatest!

[@hagnuj1070]

Sorry. Bonham is a straight Bernard Purdie clone. Go Listen!!!

[@livingdollshoppe]

YOU HAVE GREAT TASTE IN DRUMMERS! THE NEW KIDS ;TONY ROYSTER,ERIC MOORE,THOMAS PRIDGEN,VIRGIL DONATI.MARCO MINNEMEN,ALL MONSTERS TOO!

[@LowellDevil]

I think he means that as a compliment.

[@sexygatita191]

i always thought cobham was the quickest and tightest ever

[@magn8195]

Absolutely!

[@anthonyhubert8922]

No rock drummer even comes close, imho

[@331paradiddle]

What's all this shit about who's better blah blah blah. All the drummers that are mentioned are pros and they all are unique in their own way. Music is art and art is subjective. Quit comparing musicians and go practice so YOU can contribute something unique. This ain't a sporting event. Learn everything you can about all styles and work hard and you will develop something unique. Believe it

[@YaqoHomo]

don't tell me what to do

[@lisanders11]

Exactly. No sporting event.

[@jonp4846]

stop telling him what to do :D

[@JarrydEliasMusic]

oh. my. god.

[@markobarrows4304]

Right George F. Different times, techniques, and Mahavishnu inflected methodologies, while others joined other tribes. You nailed it though; let the goodness be.

[@Joeskateapool]

God damn his phrasing is just amazing!!!

[@RayK47utizube]

aaaaaaaaaah chit!!!!\m/

[@joellafargue9882]

Couldn't you have recorded the song in its entirety?

[@SD7268]

@dobinmood WHY ?

[@firstmusic00]

That means good.

[@JonP1961]

I miss seeing him play back in the days when he was in Jon Finn Group. Long hair, sweat everywhere. Good times.

[@TheSpo69]

Any one know what kind of snare Billy is using here?

[@carbonc6065]

I would presume Fibes Crystallite acrylic.

[@sanidan2010]

Like to see him on Bozzios monster set.

[@4to88strings]

Thanks for compliment. There are others like Krupa Tony Williams Michael Walden Laboreal to name a few. Are u familiar with The Dreggs? Rod Morgenstein is another monster skinner I've not heard of a few you mentioned but will check out I've seen V Donati with Vai and he's solid. Vinnie Coiluta is PDG too. I would like to think my taste in musicians/music as eclectic. From Atkins to Zappa :) I play bass and several instruments in rock bluegrass blues jazz fuzion etc.and have many influences.

[@livingdollshoppe]

DON'T FORGET LENNY WHITE!

[@SD7268]

@Asymmatrix WHY ?

[@clinke2007]

Who got here from the Reverb article about China cymbals? You know, the thing he almost never hits in the video?

[@virgilrw]

Haters Questioning Cobham???

[@blakes.9712]

They were asking bad questions

[@4to88strings]

Incredible! I've seen Billy with/without MO Both times an awesome experience. I agree with your comment on Lenny. Their styles are similar. Lenny's work with RTF is some of the finest drumming ever especially Romantic Warrior. BUT there were other greats in those days like Palmer Dejohnette Bruford Alan White Mouzon Willaims and early Peart and Bozzio. Billy looks like a linebacker and can definitely powerplay but his his soft touch and speed on the snare can only be matched by Buddy Rich.

[@PeacelandMusic]

4:37

[@bryantoconnor691]

The price one pays to be a BAR SETTER IS sometimes painful , I bet his entire body cramps up on him from time to time ! In reality his nervous system was not designed for this super feat of pushing yourself to the limits to ( ENTERTAIN ANYBODY 👏 ) 🤔

[@SD7268]

Sounds crap? this clip come from 1972 the sound quality from the old drums is different by the new drum set of today, also the record in this clip captured by the old microphones have low quality sounds, which kind of sounds you want listen? in a historic video recording? ... :D

[@kennethkunie4978]

the drums sound great right, just think this is 40 years before drum dials and tune bots.

[@FURDOG1961]

0:05 5:00

[@danielpatera2974]

Es Billy humano? No lo creo... .

[@ronaldothomejunior3702]

1:05 my chin fell down...\0/

[@scottharrison4453]

I'm not the biggest Cobham fan, but the first word that comes to mind when I think of his playing is certainly not "sloppy." The original MO crushes it

[@JORDANBAUMER]

Lol there's too many good drummers to name, but he should be on that list too!

[@TheKilodead4]

BONHAM WHO??

[@StuJo2]

No love for Dennis Chambers?

[@Joeskateapool]

Dennis Chambers.

[@mrskinszszs]

your comprehension level?

[@fuzzylogiceire]

Polyrhythms aren't rudiments though.

[@markobarrows4304]

Just listen to the sync lines six minutes in...are you NOT a believer?

[@thetrickisirarelyrespond5945]

HIIT training before it was a thing lol

[@halpinray5398]

As good as he is, he's not a patch on Pierre Moerlen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp23kpWtj8eeors

[@BlackMaidenTallica]

Neil Peart, Carl Palmer, Phil Collins, Bill Bruford, Danny Carey, Martin Lopez

[@romaneberle]

Simon Phillips, Dom Fomularo, Vinnie Colaiuta, Peter Erskine. Billy Cobham! :-)

[@micaponkomori8687]

このころはまだ感情をぶつける域に基礎が達していないので、小細工ドラムにしか聞こえない。何を伝えたい？

[@SD7268]

Micapon Komori 私はあなたが意味することを理解していないのですか？このソロを見たり聞いたりするのに感情を感じなかったのですか？あなたはそれが気に入らなかったのですか？

[@Taikomaniac]

Trilok Gurtu Percussion incorporation and Dave Weckl the best in the biz for recording and a benchmark for many many players today

[@itsJohnnyDill]

Especially Weckl with his poodle hairstyle, LOL. XD

[@j0nsanders]

if you can play less sloppily than this why arent there videos of you with 33k views?

[@mrskinszszs]

why is he a bigot? granted, it's a dumb statement, but where is the bigotry?

[@JORDANBAUMER]

Dave is on a whole other level!