Billy Cobham is second only to Buddy Rich IMO. This guy is one of the best drummers ever to sit behind a kit. He is an absolute monster technically and in terms of power.
Cmon guys be real. Billy was one of the original working members of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. That alone should tell you something about real skill combined with amazing talent. I will never understand comments that say things like his solos were just showing off speed skills. I am sorry but that's absurd.
Today's younger players don't understand the fundamental role that dynamics play into a player's overall feel and sound. So many drummers just whip out these patterns and chops without any intensity or groove. Ostinato patterns, free hand technique, blast beats -- so what! They sound terrible without any musical sense or attention to the sound of the drumkit. When Billy Cobham plays around his kit YOU KNOW where that kind of power and passion is coming from -- HIM!
At first I thought Billy's solos are just a show off of speed, which left me puzzled, because he plays so musically in songs. I guess it really just took me some time to understand the musicality in his solos, but now they are some of my favorites. Especially this is one is great, thanks for uploading!
One of my greatest drumming influences! Too bad he's not a role model for most of these new drummers into the double-pedal-metal stuff. Cobham had great feet too, and did some amazing double bass work. But his was TASTY and not just machine-gun repetitive singles. 5 stars.
@sticksbass I can't see how anybody could really do much, with more than 2. It seems like all show, to me. And now, with the advent of the double pedal, there isn't even much use for two bass drums. I have two different-sized bass drums on my Fibes set, (22", 26"), that I'll use for the two-tone effect. But other than that, the double pedal on one bass drum gives a better matched sound, than two pedals on equal-sized bass drums--no matter how closely tuned they are, imo.
@17drums yeah bc had a 24 22 and 20 and he was describing how they were linked so he could play them at the same time [if i remember right] i always thought itd be interesting to hear that but i havent seen bc do much w his feet anyway although his hands are somthing else.
@sticksbass I didn't even consider that--playing them all at the same time. Might sound kind of neat, live. Probably couldn't tell the difference in a video, though. Still, sounds a bit gimicky to me. You're right about his incredible hands. He's the guy that taught me power singles around the kit. (Through observation, not in person, unfortunately).
he's teaching online now at the academy of drums!
ADASilentWonder 2 months ago
Billy Cobham is second only to Buddy Rich IMO. This guy is one of the best drummers ever to sit behind a kit. He is an absolute monster technically and in terms of power.
jetfreak4 2 months ago
If this is from the video from Shabazz Recording, you gotta upload more vids. this is when Billy was in his peak prime..RARE STUFF!
noelevan 3 months ago
Cmon guys be real. Billy was one of the original working members of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. That alone should tell you something about real skill combined with amazing talent. I will never understand comments that say things like his solos were just showing off speed skills. I am sorry but that's absurd.
DoctorEeam 3 months ago
2:22 billy cobham busted a nut lol jk
ezeroh1 6 months ago
Comment removed
ezeroh1 6 months ago
Taste, class, dynamics! Billy is a drummers drummer, I do not know of a highr complement!
MrDarrel11 8 months ago
Kongsberg Jazz Festival ´74. Thanks for the upload.
Greenaresy 8 months ago
Today's younger players don't understand the fundamental role that dynamics play into a player's overall feel and sound. So many drummers just whip out these patterns and chops without any intensity or groove. Ostinato patterns, free hand technique, blast beats -- so what! They sound terrible without any musical sense or attention to the sound of the drumkit. When Billy Cobham plays around his kit YOU KNOW where that kind of power and passion is coming from -- HIM!
Great MUSICIAN!
harleymannix 9 months ago 3
the guy in the tie at 2:30 is like am i really seeing this? haha
mattc752 10 months ago
Goodness Gracious Billy!
triofdoom 10 months ago
I hope Billy is feeling better these days. One of the greats!
drummer78 1 year ago
That middle part, where he hits that super high intensity, is utterly amazing!
MajesticSuperiorHen 1 year ago
Wow, those rolls sound like a thunderstorm! X D
At first I thought Billy's solos are just a show off of speed, which left me puzzled, because he plays so musically in songs. I guess it really just took me some time to understand the musicality in his solos, but now they are some of my favorites. Especially this is one is great, thanks for uploading!
erazordrums 1 year ago
i remember having a purple shirt w and owl like that when i was about 15.
sticksbass 1 year ago
Holy Crap!lol
jpb318 1 year ago
Love that shirt Billy...oh the drum solo's not bad either :)
IronChef3 2 years ago
This solo shows why I love the drums so much. Physicality, inventiveness, sound, pushing the limits...oh man.
HollywoodWags 2 years ago
One of my greatest drumming influences! Too bad he's not a role model for most of these new drummers into the double-pedal-metal stuff. Cobham had great feet too, and did some amazing double bass work. But his was TASTY and not just machine-gun repetitive singles. 5 stars.
17drums 2 years ago 7
10************stars for this comment!
!you-are-so-right!
harvvey 2 years ago
@17drums i had a modern drummer mag. w BC on a triple bass set. seen any vids of him playing it?
sticksbass 1 year ago
@sticksbass Not yet. Of course Bozzio's probably got a few with his triple, quadruple, or even quintuple bass drums (or however many he's up to now!)
17drums 1 year ago
@17drums ive heard 1 or 2 of TBs but he doesnt seem to do much w them.
sticksbass 1 year ago
@sticksbass I can't see how anybody could really do much, with more than 2. It seems like all show, to me. And now, with the advent of the double pedal, there isn't even much use for two bass drums. I have two different-sized bass drums on my Fibes set, (22", 26"), that I'll use for the two-tone effect. But other than that, the double pedal on one bass drum gives a better matched sound, than two pedals on equal-sized bass drums--no matter how closely tuned they are, imo.
17drums 1 year ago
@17drums yeah bc had a 24 22 and 20 and he was describing how they were linked so he could play them at the same time [if i remember right] i always thought itd be interesting to hear that but i havent seen bc do much w his feet anyway although his hands are somthing else.
sticksbass 1 year ago
@sticksbass I didn't even consider that--playing them all at the same time. Might sound kind of neat, live. Probably couldn't tell the difference in a video, though. Still, sounds a bit gimicky to me. You're right about his incredible hands. He's the guy that taught me power singles around the kit. (Through observation, not in person, unfortunately).
17drums 1 year ago
@17drums tell it like it is 17 drums
DoctorEeam 3 months ago