The Iconic Drumming Behind "The Thrill Is Gone" | B.B. King Song Breakdown

"The Thrill Is Gone" is one of the most famous songs recorded by blues legend B.B. King. In this video, Tony “TC” Coleman is here to break down the key drum parts from this song that he perfected over the course of 30 years performing with B.B. King.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:41 Opening Fill
01:47 Main Groove
02:21 Blues Style
03:02 Full Performance
08:17 Outro
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#Drumeo #BBKing #TonyColeman

[@josevelasquez2838]

The sound of that snare is incredible.

[@hasush]

My thoughts exactly

[@jessecerasus9621]

And there's no tip on his stick.

[@jakekatzsound]

@@jessecerasus9621 He's holding it upside down to have the larger end hit the drum

[@jessecerasus9621]

@@jakekatzsound I know.

[@tywoodruff2218]

Nice head, tuned up, miked & mixed well, & played with the butt end of the stick.

[@bertcot64]

He sounds even better with those sunglasses on!

[@elikebudi]

In his last Drumeo Live he said “Screw up BPM! It must be FPM, feel per minute. In the place I played the only click you could’ve heard is BANG! from a pistol” Something like that. He is so cool 😎

[@timforsgren5275]

Love how he talks about all the nuances of the drumming on the original recording.

[@mrcoatsworth429]

Saw BB King live around 2010. It was incredible. Before BB came on stage, the band just jammed for like 20 minutes. Insane musicians.

[@zackedge2456]

Love this guy. He has an amazing aura on the drums and as a person. Cool dude, amazing drummer and teacher!

[@jimcox9093]

I love his comment "you play in the pocket and you get something in your pocket"

[@chaisaray]

My grandfather used to play this song/album when taking me to school. I didn't know how good that I had it until I grew up, following my grandfather's and BB King's passing. Such an iconic song!

[@stephentyler4352]

If you ask Tony Coleman how long he’s played with BB King, he’ll tell you “since I was a size 18 waist”. I heard him say that to someone interviewing him while walking through Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario several years ago. Funny guy! Phenomenal drummer to boot.

[@MrTc5001]

When I was in a blues band a few years ago. I studied this track forever to get every accent correct and I will never play this song any different. I love the sound of the pause on the snare. Was always my favorite song to play live.

[@shawnmcmahon3042]

When you hear or read about jazz players saying “know when not to play” this is what they are talking about. I know it’s more blues and rock, but he’s leaving out a natural snare hit on the beat to emphasize it when it’s there and let the song breath. Just beautiful

[@peterszeligiewicz7239]

Thanks Tony and Drumeo , I am playing this in four days time and now I finally got the start sorted . A lot better then our guitarist telling me "it's just rat a tat tat tat ".

[@jeanfoley1096]

I’ve been struggling with a solid opening for over a year. Can’t wait to dive into this deeper and feel more confident!

[@FranciscoPalacios.CFH.]

ur guitarrist know rat shit about drums

[@alfalso434]

That was so smooth! The great Bruce Lee said .... " be like water" And it applies to everything !

[@marcp.1752]

Love B.B. King, Charlie Musselwhite, Gary Moore, John Lee Hooker, etc! Blues man! And i am 90% into metal, but love blues, since i was a kid.

[@KinseiSensei]

People underestimate how hard it is to play a strong consistent groove like this. Just as hard as nailing all the fills on a Rush tune.

[@mboykin6047]

The kick is crucial

[@paulrodberg]

Evolving

[@Muppio]

This is a boss level song.

[@tobaidi]

Yes the legend is back, move away everyone!

[@Lift805]

My dad loves this song. I am going to show him this today!

[@disliked1390]

Legendary song. Makes me happy everytime I hear it.

[@07Mdrum]

Incrível. Em 2023 tive o prazer de assistir ao vivo essa lenda da bateria. Um show inesquecível.

[@johnn58]

My first band covered this tune. I lived in Detroit and my neighbor was a chick who was 14 at the time who could JAM on guitar.

[@matcoffidis1135]

Love this guy. He's chilling and vibing and got that groove down. Thanks....❤

[@davidbalan6571]

1. Bm7 ( 4 Bars ) 2. Em7 ( 2 Bars ) 3. Bm7( 2 Bars) 4. Gmaj7 ( 1 bars ) 5. F#7 ( 1bars ) 6.Bm7( 2 Bars )

[@killerkite333]

His kit and playing is sooo 👌 RIP BB King.

[@johnjjenkins5069]

Tony is one cool dude! Very nice man and always willing to share his knowledge. If your a blues player, you really need to listen to Tony.

[@nathanwittock4133]

What an amazing personality. And what a groovemaster.

[@arvlog9770]

Insane snare sound 😮

[@py_a_thon]

Yeah, that kit and style of play is like the definition of Boom Bap. Sounds amazing.

[@ottomattix86]

I saw bb king about a decade ago in winnipeg. It wasn't the longest concert but he had hilarious stories. This song hit so hard.

[@lilikatebuggins374]

Just beautiful, favourite song, loved the walkthrough of the drum part. You were nicely tucked into that pocket.

[@andymelendez9757]

Oh yes,deep feel and pocket is the goal. Way back when I saw B.B. the drummer and bass player were hitting it just right!

[@FlavioGrunge]

*SIMPLES,OBJETIVO,SEM FIRULAS...SERVINDO A MÚSICA!* *TOP!!!*

[@m6hill983]

That backbeat just slaps.. Like a sample every time.. 💥🔥

[@stevewilcock4767]

Nice one Tony .Lovely groove.Ace playing .Very very tasty! Cheers Drumeo.

[@stefansegi2540]

The thing about the intro fill: as a pianist It would throw me right off every time :-)

[@docdunlop42]

I wonder was this the day I visited the studio. Tony sounded on 🔥

[@EMCproductions]

Video 50 of commenting until Drumeo makes a "Best Rudimental Drummer of the Year" award category

[@derekhartley4480]

Loved every second of this!

[@colbymasvidal2397]

100% rather have a tight and groovy drummer than a showoff👍🔥

[@sham8723]

Glued it together

[@realestbg4176]

Legendary.He inspired me as a drummer!

[@duanelawrence78]

A beautiful groove!!✌️🇺🇲

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/Magnifico.😭👑👑👑👑👑👑

[@saultpancetta366]

That kit is beautiful

[@ot5634]

That drum groove is nice . Love it.

[@terkyou]

Best Blues song ever ! ❤

[@paulrodberg]

Wonderful lesson

[@Fruitbasedyoghurt]

That groove 👌

[@nathankop6148]

That song is so cool my man had to wear shades to play🔥🔥

[@mikedirain]

Great song

[@ALLforROME]

Right on! 🎉

[@slimwagz946]

brilliant! ❤

[@backatya-bi8rx]

great player

[@roloduarte3100]

Great video.

[@ignacioperezdelcastillo3182]

Gracias

[@jcmpoy9681]

Sound great 👌

[@tishpugh1365]

❤ it!

[@Houzez.]

Please bring Chris Coleman

[@rubenojeda86]

amaziiinggg

[@BrandonToews]

🔥🔥

[@Alee_Reed_one]

Cool

[@coreylowery8118]

Between this guy and Suger foot oooweeee

[@jefferymaclean8865]

Hey TC don't forget about your friends down at UP

[@crazy8sdrums]

I always played this tune slower and didnt club out the bass drum so much. I wanted the vox and guitar to take the limelight more than the drums...and a little more slowly to make the groove heavier. That is what is cool about blues...you can play the songs the way you feel they should be played.

[@Pedro-px1yi]

Man, this is a masterclass.

[@ruggeronorge1]

That snare

[@zabaladrum]

🖤🖤🖤

[@jobinzooki]

awesome video as always! can yall at Drumeo PLEASE get Gunnar Olsen on? Literally my favourite drummer atm

[@popeyepopeye2176]

Great tight sound .. does anyone know what size cymbals Tony plays, can’t find anything online.

[@Mari000]

Where’s the Brann Dailor video?

[@NOAHCASAS]

FOR ALL YOU YOUNG CROWD THAT PLAYS AND TUNES THE SAME 👂🏼 LISTEN UP NOW THAT'S HOW YOU TUNE A SNARE 🥁 👂🏼

[@joeldrummer23]

What Snare is that ? Whoa

[@charlesspencermonteirocunh2114]

🔝

[@FranciscoPalacios.CFH.]

Thank u drumeo, u guys fill my heart❤

[@Sellevellor]

Please make freely available the broadcast from Brann Dailor (Mastodon), which was recently on the channel.

[@jamesfulmer7080]

It is impossible for me to listen to this and NOT MOVE! Bob my head and sway my body.

[@ignacioperezdelcastillo3182]

⚙️⚖️🙏

[@ronojoysen1548]

All those guys just did their thing. All the over-analysis today of simple "feel" is completely facile.

[@thebananastore123]

Thebananastore123 is now watching

[@svetlanaivanovasvetlanalvanova]

Класс… 😍👍🏼🥰👍🏼🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌎🌍🌏💫

[@MasKistershi]

The version I like best has a timing that styled from jazz grove. And it ls that’s echoing the places the melody moves That’s the lilt with a stretched out timing from the swing/jazz effects. Openings where 4/4 timing doesn’t have them. Without them to stretch it out in places it’s too fast feeling. Even when the actual hits are correct. Am I wrong? Could be. But.

[@AnthonySilva35]

Can y'all please do a "Genius behind Bill Ward" video soon pleaseeee??? Really feel like people over look him and his approach

[@Riverking1]

I thought I saw one up the other day... I may have dreamt that though

[@BF...]

Gotta put those sunglasses on to get serious.

[@pudder68]

Just like BB playing less is more

[@abrahamramirez3980]

The secret to his groove is the sunglasses!

[@stephenk24]

That snare is pure filth.😮

[@70centurian]

Bill Szymczyk..... The Producer. Google this Man.

[@DethPicklz]

Y’all sleeping on Carter Beauford. Where is his “genius of” series???

[@danielmolenda2073]

See when you listen to blues they don’t use any electronics maybe electronic keyboards but they don’t use electronic drum kits. They use acoustic realistic drum kits and if you listen to modern blues they still use acoustic drum kits. That’s why the blues became before all the music now old school blues is rock and bluesand babbling whatever

[@user-ps1ej4co5p]

Молим о помощи у всех неравнодушных людей. Сыну поставили страшный диагноз, острый миелодный лейкоз костного мозга. На операцию требуется более 4 миллионов. Вся информация на канале 😥😥

[@bobbynewton4158]

Please do not down play the King BB King.

[@webstercat]

I like to see others interpretation not cover note per note.. make it your own..

[@jorgefiguerola1239]

Have no idea what this guy is talking about. In the pocket? Opening fill?

[@dickbrett9827]

Ask Fifty Cent - he might know as well.

[@Mari000]

Interesting

[@amateur-madman3047]

If you’re a drummer: Being in the pocket means being exactly on beat. Your timing is basically perfect. You sound like a click track that can’t mess up. The opening fill is just that, the fill that’s played as the song begins before the natural beat takes over.

[@amateur-madman3047]

If you’re not a drummer: Timing is the most important thing in music. Everyone from your band members to the crowd will have to follow the drummer no matter what. The pocket means perfect timing. Or as close to perfect as the human ear can hear. So you play the basic groove/beat as close to perfect timing as possible. A fill, is literally “fillling” up your pocket with more beats. Throw in something special that departs from the basic beat but still stays on time. If you’ve never tried it before, look up “the basic drum beat” here on youtube. Learn that basic “1, 2, 3, 4” and then after 4, try something special and make sure you return to the basic beat on 1.

[@Ungamermas88]

Que aburrido

[@Airhead4321]

feel like I'm taking crazy pills here -- the dropping of those snare hits every now and then just loses the groove for me. Better when they're all the way through.

[@BigCarso]

Couldn't disagree more

[@davidp5262]

This is a terrible groove. He’s in and out of the pocket the whole time. He’s behind the beat sometimes and ahead of it other times. And the timing/placing of the dropped snare hits feels so off. This guy might have been a good drummer at some point but he isn’t anymore. Just facts 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@mcfly3510]

Just your facts.

[@davidp5262]

@@mcfly3510nah. Just because someone was a great drummer at one time doesn’t mean they always will be. If this was anyone else playing this groove, they would not be getting praised for it.

[@jimreed5131]

Tony is a phenomenal drummer. I have recently done full gigs with him, both of us playing complete kits in sync, "James Brown Style," and I can personally attest to his excellent and reliable sense of timing and groove. However, it should be noted that the original studio recording he's playing along to in this video was not cut to a click in the first place, so it is inherently drifting a bit. He is literally doing his best to groove along with a moving target, rather than simply drumming with a live group and setting their pace, or locking into a metronome that the rest of the recorded instruments are locked into as well. Keep that in mind when noticing any slight timing variations in this performance of his. Just facts.

[@bobdylan6051]

👍👍👍👌👌👌❤️

[@dickbrett9827]

Love to see him drumming for Body Count 🔥💪🏿🤡

[@reptar33]

Wow, this is great!