Chester Thompson - Genesis - Interview

[zwartepiet412]

the question that i want to hear asked is: "were you pissed that you werent asked to be a permanent member of the group when phil left in '96 and mike and tony replaced phil with a new singer but not a new drummer?"

[mirzamarco]

@zwartepiet412 Yes he was reportedly offended by Mike and Tony complete lack of tact for that matter. He wasn't even sure he wanted to be part of the last tour with Phil, but eventually joined in.

Mike and Tony hadn't even informed singer Ray Wilson that he wasn't in the band anymore, he learned that from the press. Talk about British manners...

[jaggass]

i liked the way how payed the drums on serious hits live berlin 1990.

[sobasia]

He is a drummer ;-) I caught it thanks to him I became a drummer!

[hubiex]

I certainly respect Chester's good backbone drumming, but he lacks the english flair and correct fills that Genesis songs demand. Over all, he was a good choice, Simon Phillips would have been a better one.

[andreghouse]

Don't muck around, this guy is an amazing drummer. He has played with Weather Report. You need to be pretty good to play with these guys.

[fastforward400ex]

Doesn't matter who is better than who.. Chester Thompson is better than anyone who will ever post a comment here.

[norwayfinland]

@fastforward400ex he was once the drummer of frank zappa he,s a awesome drummer;-)

[WELLBRAN]

Jacob Armen is better than both of them

[chrisnope1]

@WELLBRAN No He isnt!!! And as far as this "who is better" crap, Phil and Chester are equally amazing drummers who fill different roles you idiots!

[novola1972]

no fucking way

[surfocaster]

Who?

[BaDeeRich]

I always love the comments , "so and so is better than him." They are both talented drummers, you may like one style better than the other, but they are both awesome.

[WELLBRAN]

I agree if you put musicians in one room are they talking about I am beter than you etc etc...no they aqre talking about music and the equipment...they have music in common.

[lastonetake]

We know in the drum battles that Chester is a better drummer. The drummer who has to keep up with the lead drummer has to have a sixth sense about him. Chester is in sync at all times. It may have to do with the fact that they played together for so long, but it still demonstrates his tremendous skill. Phil Collins is a realist and he chose Chester for his talents. He wouldn't let his ego get in the way of bowing to a superior talent. This in no way deminishes Phil Collins.

[aihoschema]

Agreed! Check the bootleg of the very first night Chester played with genesis. (Rainbow January 1st 1977). I still can't believe how flawless Chester was already on his first gig with Genesis, especially at a time where their repertoire still contained complex song structures and odd time sigs. Phil is (was) extremely at ease on the drums and has wonderful and wacky ideas. Chester is the ideal partner; he is 100% reliable and a master of his craft. And he brings a great groove into the music.

[ChurchTown94]

chester uses sabian cymbals but meinlpercussion.

hes way better than phil collins...

hes got a perfect style

[radiobyebye89]

Yeah amazing drummer. Seems really chill too. They should have made him an official member.

[klwewf]

If they made him an official member, Phil's main & original job would no longer be there. He IS the actual Genesis drummer, you know. The way they have it is perfect.

[radiobyebye89]

I meant after phil left. That's kind of why he left too. they wouldn't make him an official member and he wanted to.

[emiel4sma]

I agree, but wouldn't it be really cool to have double drums on the albums, just like the live shows... ?

[esotericeric93]

Didn't know Chester uses meinl, hope he does they're miles better than sabian

[colrick1234]

Wonderful drummer a great guy found the Lord U haters need God yourselves !!!

[imrussman]

Who is the faggot that keeps giving the thumbs down. I have been to one of his clinics and I can say without a doubt that he is a drum god.

[Boyswiththecats]

Not a great drummer by any stretch

[arvydas0069]

You wouldn't know a good drummer if there was one talking right above your comment....oh yeah, there is! Dumbshit. C.T. is bomb....always has been....especially with Zappa

[mikeanaro]

are you joking right?

[klwewf]

Post your drumming video at any time.

[Boyswiththecats]

No talent Thompson doesn't hold a candle to Phil Collins.

[Boyswiththecats]

He's not good

[klwewf]

I tried to be civil. But, I see you're one of those people. Sorry I bothered you. Take care.

[emiel4sma]

why do you think Collins asked Chester? Because he was and still is great. I think nowadays it's phil looking up to chester because Phil was out of shape the last tour( which he admitted in several interviews and the book Chapter&Verse), whereas Chester just went in their and did it... Both fantastic drummers, together and apart.. just keep it to that !!

[felsner1]

Not the world's most extrovert person... But what a drummer.

[kirkwanglers32]

Awsome drummer

[Insectamongus]

Why would Meinl Cymbals want to interview Chester, when Chester plays Sabian?

[themilksnatcher]

cos he uses their percussion

[andykelly]

Had the pleasure of meeting him once in Glasgow , a seroiusly nice man .

[Mongman99]

LEGEND!!!!!!

[54spiritedwill54]

Seems like a lovely guy

[mgzt190plus]

On the first day god created the earth. On the second day he said we needed a drummer and created Chester.

I think Phil Colins was learning keyboards at the time :-)

God bless ya Chester, the gentle giant drummer.

[Randy4Ranman]

Great Drummer and such a gently soul, you can't but Love the guy.

[scotty00001]

he looks really old but he is still the best drummer

[t3hpez]

Oh my god, I love Chester Thompson. So much! Amazing drummer, lovely guy! :)

[valliseasons1]

where on that website do you find the whole interview!

thanks

[MEINLpercussion]

on meinlpercussion com -> Community -> Category: Other

you can also search

[aihoschema]

Looks as if Chester is rather tired here. Anyhow, in the DVD: "Genesis Songbook" it is obvious that he is a nice and low key person. He doesn't sell himself. Chester doesn't need to. His drumming is still fantastic. Been there on July 5th in Frankfurt. Awesome.

[indyandsam]

Seems like a lovely guy but obviously not the best interviewee the good lord created