Billy Cobham at Guitar Center's Drum-Off 2009

[daTommmas]

anthony burns is much better!^^



[imXaXteapot2112]

I THINK THAT WAS THE BEAT TO QUADRANT 4!!!!

[dmbdispatch14]

Hahaha the guty in the background on the right at 2:39 is in absolute aww

[cota2472000]

I don't give a Rat's Ass what anyone thinks.He's the Drummer that all drummers look up to.

[wolowolowolo]

The Boss

[blac2thafuture]

cobham is still the man , total eclispe

[SuperPerfect5th]

I love his tuning. The toms have a warm "hum".

[WorldCulturalArchive]

04:00 - yeah

[WorldCulturalArchive]

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

[BlueMountainMystic]

My favourite is Billy Cobham with Mahavishnu track name = "Vital Transformation" in 9/8 time. Recorded 40 years ago. Unbelievable.

[equipsx73]

@DrDavidColmenar It's just a personal thing, I don't like the ring or echo from Tom drums. Haha

[equipsx73]

This was amazing... but get some moon gel on those toms!

[DrDavidColmenar]

@equipsx73 Absolutely not!

[MrdrummerSSU]

@equipsx73 Moon gel ruins the natural sounds of drums.. let em breath!!

[Easleytee]

Once again the musical illiterates as it pertains to the drumming arts are out in force.

[jazzfusionsoul]

Ask any famous drummers on their influences Billy's name would always be in their list.

[Akapulko91]

MASTER OF DRUM WOOOOT <3 Sweeeettt man !!

[mrprogjazzgto]

Billy C is incredible.... !! Starts out with 4 sticks....LOL

[stevethedrummer63]

Oh yeah, and you can add Mike Portnoy and his kind to the list, too.

[stevethedrummer63]

At this point Billy is best appreciated for his influence. Without Billy Cobham there would be no Neil Peart, no Dennis Chambers, no Matt Sorum, etc., etc.

[jts024]

@stevethedrummer63 or Carter

[dedrickp]

@stevethedrummer63 I agree 110%

[DenverGuy11111]

I don't think that anyone who knows anything about drumming would say anything bad about Cobham.

He's one of the best ever. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more powerful, creative, and influential drummer.

Plus, he's fun as hell to watch live.

[drummerguy73]

hes 65 here.....omg still badd

[MrHydrogoon]

love that snare sound

[generatrix999]

Cobham pulls more clams than any other drummer, he sits too high, always in a state of correcting his balance.

[handidrummed]

@generatrix999 Because he's human, not a robot. I'd rather listen to him playing with emotion rather than another drummer who is robotically perfect

[u000jeg]

Pure genious. That run around the toms at 2:05 is just plain stupid.

[Deiulio89]

Ero rimasto a 2 bacchette XD

[cbtmale]

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

[thecarboon]

first person ive seen who plays with 4 sticks and really makes it sound good!

[ultraviolence6655321]

I seriously doubt even a drum machine could pull off this..

[loppola]

he's leading with his left hand. enough said...

[tracyduarte62]

LEGEND.PERIOD



[JeffreyMulac8]

yamaha signature snare, really expensive. OH, and anyone who thinks he sucks is obviously ignorant of his 45 year contribution to music and drumming. He isn't as fast as he used to be. Listen to his solo on Stratus for speed and the fastest single stroke roll ever. Billy is a legend, and all real drumming fans honor his endless genius. One of the most important, influential drummers ever.

[Roger17drummer]

@JeffreyMulac8 amen, he is a god with his technique!

[drjoha1990]

definitly doesnt suck. but i dont find him that impressive either.. age factor?

[Psycho9263]

@drjoha1990 Obviously, you don't know anything about drummers.

[drjoha1990]

obviously you're just a fanboy. he was incredibly boring. the crowd didnt even get into it. the two stick thing was kinda cool but not that musically interesting. the whole time i waiting for him to take off and do something awesome and it just never happened.

[u000jeg]

@drjoha1990 Whatever.

[drjoha1990]

@u000jeg lol

[thrashmetalkills]

@drjoha1990 I will admit this isn't my favorite Billy Cobham solo, but he is better judged by his work with Mahavishnu Orchestra, or even some of his other solos on youtube

[Pourhadi1]

Who's he up there to impress? Nobody. What's he up there doing? What he loves. He's so much the man that it makes my ears bleed.

[vanivvy]

hes got my head moving.. its a good thing :)

[bsm6776]

does he have a signature snare?

[FurlanPaolo]

@bsm6776 Of course: Yamaha Billy Cobham Signature, 14x6, 6-ply maple with 19-ply Vintage Hoops, 8 lugs.

[bsm6776]

omg that snare sound is amazing

[glisnake]

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

[fletchdrums111]

At 5:10.. Billy you lunch is ready........

[thiagodrums1]

boss.



[TeslaNick2]

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

[kotessss]

Anyone else noticed that hand at 5:08

and y would somebody dare touch him when his soloing?

[TeslaNick2]

@kotessss That was the stage manager letting him know he's got 1 minute left....

[divedeepinside]

the wester drum playing is like basic school in compare with indian tabla play 's academy with all do respect to mr Billys play

[Jabarichonicles]

is his hats still in a normal place...with this kinda kit its hard to tell

[GRETSCHandSABIAN]

@Jabarichonicles Yes, he has drums higher than the high hats

[Jabarichonicles]

@GRETSCHandSABIAN

ok thnxs

[OGTheDemon]

great drumming

[essjkid05]

fantastic!

[albundie3]

i am nothing, all hail THE MASTER!!

[DarknessDrawsCloser]

I listened to Mahavishnu Orchestra just to hear him.

[mrstorageful]

this guy sucks its like pam pam pam pure tecnique ZERO music

[cowzilla8]

@mrstorageful I would like for you to do better, if you can. If you can't, then STFU!!!!

[cowzilla8]

@mrstorageful Then you know nothing about music fool.

[dichotomism]

@mrstorageful It's a shame you feel that way.

[XxStrongDrums1996xX]

@mrstorageful Incorrect. Do more research.

[daviddmo]

time limit to billy cobham???, thats not right! hahah

[TheGP8]

the hats r so low O.õ

[yokhan1]

damn that snare is tight! literally hahaha

[armstrongbrosband]

Is he a left handed drummer?

[afheadra]

Billy Cobham is, without any dobut, the best drummer ever.

[YoonYurSicaTaegoon]

genius ending :D

[420hijack]

he looks like the the karate kid with that bandana on lol he is awesome!!!

[ksok27]

He's the Master Yoda of Drumming

[superjam18]

@ksok27 couldn't have said it better myself

[TageDrummer21]

Billy is the grandmaster!

[drummerHauk]

why on earth isn't billy's kit the permanent one on stage, cuz tommie lee has absolutely nothing on him

[mikyvselicha]

One of the best jazz drummers ever! ;-)

[AmitKanfi]

its like... too creative

[torelk]

im pretty sure he plays the marimba...

[JeffCGarrison]

rage quit!!!!

[bigfatbobby]

Who and what is that hand at 5:09?

[Salzcamino]

@bigfatbobby Somebody telling him his time is almost over.

[Nicar526]

@bigfatbobby Instructed by Bill to tap him at the 5 minute mark

[MrDrummertheo]

Wow....

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

[emobangs03]

the guy in the background with the big mic looks like a guitar hero character

[chevpowr]

The people that think that billy sucks need to check out his mahavishnu stuff.... some of the most ridiculous drumming of all time. He has influenced everyone after him.

[jbc6]

@chevpowr Huh? Who would ever say that Cobham sucks? I have never heard that. Under-appreciated, yes. I think he's the best I have ever seen.

[chevpowr]

@jbc6 I think I saw a few comments from some people saying he sucked. It was 6 months ago

[Samsgarden]

@chevpowr

Who would think Billy sucks? Would anyone subject themselves to such a indictment?

[Samsgarden]

@Samsgarden

"an"

[strings191]

no other drummer has ever played  this good.

[ill13ill]

As a set player and a percussionist I would love to set my kit from low to high (with the exception of one floor tom). It's odd switching from mallets and timpani to set because of the pitch reversal. Unfortunately, large toms are too cumbersome for myself over the bass drum

[ill13ill]

a lot of rim clicks, but i'll take those over a boring performance any day

[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. 

[MrSuperwhiteguy]

@strings191 fool please. just cause he black dont me shit. 100 guys better.

[MisterMiracle62]

@MrSuperwhiteguy YAWN hater YAWN

[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.

[SONORSQ2guy]

WOW!!

[drklng1]

Never seen a guy hit so many rims trying to do rolls. He looked too stiff, almost as if the drums were too high. He's a great drummer but not here!

[chancedrums]

THIS GUY HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST FEEL DRUMMERS EVER, HE WAS SO WELL KNOWN IN THE 70's LIKE PEOPLE FORGOT. HERE HE IS NOW, STILL CAN FEEL YOU UP. THANKS BILLY

[spacitydrummer4JC]

He's still got it.

[azombiestool]

AH. MY PANTS!! THEY'RE FILLED WITH JIZZ and SHIAATTTTTT!!!!! Go Billy. :)

[TheMisodoctakleidist]

Fuck, Billy Cobham is one hell of a drummer! Can't say I'm a fan of the drums tuning though.

[hendrickvps]

5:08 fail

[inimicalODDITY]

@hendrickvps I saw no fail.

[Heard1g]

holy fuck

[abedrum]

well whats this about tapping him when he's in the middle of some intense creative work'. its a shame". absolute legend" inspiration personified" thats what Billy is". i don't need to say it, we all know it'.

[HARON08]

I was wondering... Do drummers still get bashed on if they use double pedals or double bass? Like, one is better than the other, or if you use one particular, than you're a cheapskate? I dunno, but I've always seen people complaining about the two.

[RhythmPupil5514]

@HARON08 Some people prefer one to the other, but personally, I think it depends on the kind of SOUND you want. Two drums will def be louder and less prone to choking, yet the double pedal has a more consistent tone when it comes to tuning and also, is easier to transport. Unfortunately, there are some people who are stuck in the mindset that there is one supreme way to do everything when it comes to drumming and that all others are inferior and have no validity. That fact troubles me.

[SimonBak90]

@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!

[Fear1The1Spear]

Insane grooves.

[bassistfromhell94]

okay, my mind has just officially been BLOWN

[Kobeownzu81]

that snapping with his hands on the drums is really sick

[patagalla]

Mahavishnu fuck THIS ONES THE REVOLUTIONARY drummers

[Pourhadi1]

What an absolutely gorgeous ending

[XxSharkBatexX]

Awesome! Especially the ending. I'm really irritated by the cameraman, though. And what's up with him tapping Billy on the shoulder at 5:05?

[Timmyinc44]

They have performance time limits i believe. They shouldn't.... they are Gods amongst men.

[Kobeownzu81]

@XxSharkBatexX i noticed that too wtf ?

[McYaballow]

@XxSharkBatexX @Kobeownzu81 Maybe it was to signal that he has 1 min left or something. They were probably running a tight schedule.

[berto1337]

dynamics children, dynamics

[J6Studios]

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

[fletcherman1]

Inspirational genius.

[bigguy92D]

one of the best endings in a drum solo I've heard

[imANDRAS]

@MarvinSheats there when you make it look like your playing but no sound come out, or when you do light of note patters on the snare, like jazz stuff.

[MarvinSheats]

@imANDRAS.... Cool; thanks imAndras

[MarvinSheats]

@jahikoz.... I am not a drummer but I love the drums. I play guitar. I'm curious...What are ghost notes? thx.

[navarrodrums]

bravo!!! lol

[navarrodrums]

brovo!!!!! jajajaja

[jahkoz]

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!!!! :)

[Timmyinc44]

Somebody was a 4 mallet player....

[bea5ToloG]

looks like his hats are going to chew through the finish on that big tom tom on his left side. oh well. he probably only played this kit once. wonderful solo too

[sgtpepper1138]

@bea5ToloG Looks like you're right.

[Yolandizza]

Although I see it and hear it....I still can't quite figure out exactly what's going on when he does those signiture tom rolls. Someone please explain :) (roll at 2:05) Thanks!

[overtime2005]

@tuga you either play by the DO rules or dont play at all :D this is the best ive ever seen billy perfprm.

[kickinitonthetube]

i wish i could do with 2 hands what he does with one.

[SecretAgent068]

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

[eqsmooth]

Who agrees that Simon Phillips was influenced heavily by Billy. The ambidexterity, the super low hi hat, the kit set up, the amount of drums. I've seen 'em both in clinic & was blown away by their power. I was standing directly behind Billy once 25-30 odd years ago & he started to demolish his kit. Black Remo pinstripes were ripping out of the hoops while Louis Bellson and Steve Smith looked on in amazement trying to finish dueling and trading 8's and 16's. I had just bought Spectrum on vinyl.

[tugaJP112]

You don't tell a legend that he has less than a minute to play ! Shame on them !

[futhman]

today i have seen god's face.

[GonzoDrummer27]

That camera man in the back has no idea how lucky he is...

[ThePbdrum]

i like how he uses a reverse diatonic kit, its cool. its like if hendrix played drums

[sticksbass]

@ThePbdrum yeah, maybe bc was the 1st but ive a couple people who do that: marco minnemen and vadrum [i think] on utube. bc seems a lefty but he can play trad l and r. these others seem rightys.

[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.

[AristophanesNow]

@ThePbdrum Huh?

[SimonBak90]

@ThePbdrum Yeah, it looks kinda cool. But I never understood why he aligned the rack toms like this. I just can't see the advantage of having the biggest tom on the left while the two other big drums (floor toms) are on the right side. Imagine doing a big fill using all toms from high to low.

[RhythmPupil5514]

@SimonBak90 It forces him to change the way he thinks when using the toms either melodically or in fills. Also, after playing drums for about 50 years, I'm sure he's over the idea of going from high to low.

[EliteSlime]

@ThePbdrum Princes drummer does that too. Its got some technical advantages because it forces you to have a stronger technique.

[Zildjian232]

@EliteSlime does what?

[pootershnitzel]

overrrr..... Rated

[beagleman123456789]

not smooth

[trippyhippy74]

its just a custom wood rim yamaha tards and these are all made up solos on the spot so think before criticizing

[CaptCinnabon]

he looks abit like Al Rocer

[ewokbreeder]

Can anyone tell me what kind of snare that is? Thanks :)

[Poulet39]

@ewokbreeder yamaha billy cobham signature snare

[darthjoey13]

What did he do at about 1:50?

[NikeDrums]

@darthjoey13

everything

[MYNAMETAYLA]

@darthjoey13 Those were just single strokes on the double bass drums.

[teargas30]

the guy holding the camera on the monopod is sssssoooooooooo bored :)

[DrivenBlack]

keep in mind none of this solo was planned out, all off the top of the dome

[ProDrummer30]

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

[stond125]

SICK!!! I love this video and when people can learn to play this way then they can talk till then shut up and enjoy!

[DrumVu]

I like how he uses Evans drumheads on his tom, and a Remo drumhead on his snare.

[Rockdrummerfunk]

ligh speed single strokes...

[DavidSantamariaDRUMS]

who's that asshole that sits behind Billy and taps him at 5:09? He not only looks like he's bored at certain points, but he dares to tap him Billy while he's in the middle of something this douchebag wishes he could comprehend one day. Get him the hell outta there, what a dumbass.

[irondog433lv]

@DavidSantamariaDRUMS I couldn't said it any better.

[pac401]

@DavidSantamariaDRUMS He's trying to tell Billy to do something besides barely touch his drums, he's better than that.

[ceiroh]

@DavidSantamariaDRUMS He's letting him know that he has a minute less would be my guess.

[ssimonj]

us normal drummers have a hard time playing great with two sticks. in walks billy cobham, feeling that two sticks are inadequate for what he wants to play. so he picks up an additional pair, no problem. and makes it sound good. the guy is awesome.

[MYNAMETAYLA]

That was amazing