Happy Birthday, Billy Cobham!
Sighted as an influence by drummers across so many genres, including Kenny Aronoff, Danny Carey, Jimmy Chamberlin, Dennis Chambers, Thomas Pridgen, Matt Garstka and many, MANY more, Billy could be considered the godfather of drums. So here’s five times when he was simply the best drummer in the world…
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## Billy Cobham: Tenth Pinn – 1974
Brace yourself for 13 minutes of pure AWESOMENESS. That’s all…
https://youtu.be/YNyYzfkn4yc
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## Billy Cobham – Drum Solo – France 1972 (Mahavishnu)
Another drum solo from Billy, this one taken in 1972. France didn’t quite know, or perhaps appreciate, the spectacle they were about to endure.
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## Billy Cobham: Drum Solo: EYE OF THE HURRICANE (1983)
Billy was tearing shreds out of the drums ten years before I was born, and this solo from 1983 with Herbie Hancock simply blew my mind!
https://youtu.be/Om58HGf79Nk
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## Billy Cobham Drum Solo in the Evans Studio
…because sometimes, FOUR sticks are better than two!
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## Billy Cobham: STRATUS – 2016
“Stratus” is often the first word that comes to mind when drummers talk about Billy Cobham, so to round out our picks, here’s a performance from 2016 of the man himself playing that very piece. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/iNFqrpSgueg
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Of course, there are many, MANY great performances from Billy across a truly sensational and lengthy career. It was really difficult to narrow it down to just five moments. What a player, and an influence on drummers both new and old.
Which Billy Cobham performance is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
