He was brilliant. His name was Birdlegs [James Youman]. Pat Mastelotto: I don`t know about his status with King Crimson. Man, what an education to see all those people in their prime. Peter Criss (Even lead vocals), Keith Moon, Carmine Appice, Roger Taylor (Much better backing vocalist than anybody else and even lead a couple of times). I never really toured with an R&B band, but Id played it all my life. I was leaving straight from San Francisco. most great drummers won't ever do that, because they live for their drums. Not all his music is that way.With the exception of his Disney music albums and his "Testify" album, I have listened to most of his albums.I found some good songs there. But he deserves more respect. . George shared with me that [violinist] Jean-Luc [Ponty] didnt enjoy it so much because he couldnt stand being silly. They were in town and Alphonso said, The guys are in town. It turned out he was Ben E. Kings musical director. After that, I went back to Baltimore to a community college for a couple of years. Unfortunately, they gave him the credit and didnt put my name on there. Well, yeah. I was never going to be a full partner, but theres no denying it was a band. and (apart fromthe bluesalbum)he hasstayed on the same ground, progrelated and close to classical guitarmusic. He basically played us these tunes hed come up with. Chester Thompson sheds some light on relationship with Phil Collins. But there was always a second kit near him, and. Well, he was a little different from me. 2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Exactly. He jokingly referred to it as a "selection of shows". Reading the book I get the feeling that he only felt really involved in Selling EnglandFirst he says he had a slight inferior complex as a composer, his ideas were not well recieved, his marriage ended etc. They felt that was pretty interesting, but it was the only way we got through it. This is the same time that Chicago and Elton John are recording there. He played beautifully on that ballad Cannon Ball. I had already tracked most of Black Market. How about if I come in and play some percussion along with Alex [Acua]? But it was uncomfortable. In my mind, these guys were almost hippies compared to what I was used to. Genesis' The Last Domino? First of all, I arrived in California straight out of the hood in Baltimore. After 20 years, it was enough. He figured it out pretty quickly. I have mixed feelings about Phil Collins. Yeah. In the meantime, the few months before, they went with different management, the same people that managed Earth, Wind, and Fire. Come the day of the show, Peter was wherever he was at the moment, which wasnt where he said hed be the day before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7_vNpVXubA, What happened from there? His work ethic was just phenomenal. That blew me away. We went back and forth. Not at all. Hes passed away now, but we were in about 10 or 12 bands together growing up. It was this whole haunting thing that was really cool. But he still had that American stuff; it was a big part of his background, and we just hit it off immediately. Even though he played with Brand X, he was not comfortable with soloing. But Phil being Phil, he detailed every single fill, every single detail of every single song. yet (see the forest thru the trees) don't miss the interesting and insightful drum life Chester has led. I watched it a couple of times, but Bob hung out with us the whole time. Were just dealing with Covid. Did you work remotely? He made the comment at his press conference to announce his Not Dead Yet European comeback tour, which kicks off with a five-night residency at London's Royal Albert Hall in June 2017. Was that a challenge for you? If hedidn't have considerable good qualities the band would not have stayed together for sixteen years which is like an epic length.As for him selling out I think what everyone underestimates is that the taste of the public had changed by the 80s. No. I cant be gone the whole time. What are your goals over the next few years? They had promised him membership in the band. I felt like I needed to work on my playing. So I am a huge fan of the bearded Collins in the 70's, especially that dance he did with the tamborine when they performed I Know What I Like live. I found out I wasnt going to Chicago and then Phil [Collins] called me himself, basically offering the Genesis gig. I always thought he was a pretty good friend to me. If you want the gig, its yours.. It was an incredibly difficult piece of music that we actually nailed in the studio. They were really nice, cool people to work with. What I don't like is MUZAK (Elevator music), and that's Phil's field. [Laughs] There was no way I could learn it by the next day. Show more 8:40. And Maurice too, actually. We had this other guy jump in. (I am totally serious, the tamborine dance is amazing), Phil Colinskilled my friends younger brother, I saw him do it i swear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And even though Im not doing it anymore, Im glad that he decided to go back to work. An adult who lived in the projects where I grew up was named ODonel Levy. Breaks Down His Killer White House Correspondents Dinner Set, Bernie Sanders: Many GOP Leaders 'Don't Even Believe in Democracy'. Say It Right, Aug 16, 2018 #152 The_Windmill likes this. You could hear that it was something special. I saw James Brown, an early Motown revue, Sam Cooke, Chuck Jackson, Jerry Butler, the Impressions, Sam and Dave, all the Stax artists. There were all these conversations going back and forth that Id try to track. I was there just a week and I actually ran across them in Sydney. Chester's performance and recording experiences have influenced over three decades of music and musicians. How was Frank as a bandleader? He had seen what turned out to be my last Weather Report concert, but he was very familiar with the Zappa stuff. He said, I double-track everything anyway, so it would be great if we could just do it together. But they all live very close together and they always had a set writing period where theyd be like, Okay, from blank to blank, were writing. They would each do that, come back with what they had and basically it was just too easy to go, OK, lets put this down. And thats what they did. This edition features drummer Chester Thompson. It was perfect timing and what a fun tour. Id love to do my own tours. Before one tour, we sat there and listened to all the previous tours and everything we did. That was Ralph Humphrey on drums. Thats because it was getting close to time to go back out with Phil. I am reminded of this Amazon review of "Dance Into the Light" (which, incidently, has the funniest Phil Collins album cover). We didnt do a lot of shows, but at the very last show [at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 1st, 2010], he wasnt the happiest hed ever been. No. Except the horrible version of Your Own Special Way (Already horrible) because Paul Carrack sounds as Elmer Fudd , the mediocre Bossa Nova version of I Know What I like and the hard to swallow Waiting Room Only, the rest of the album (8 more tracks) is outstanding. Chester Thompson: Schlagzeug; Leland Sklar: Bass; Brad Cole: Keyboards; Produktion. It became my second instrument, but its still for my pleasure. There were all these conversations going back and forth that Id try to track. IvanI think we have reached the end of our discussion wether Phil is nasty or not. Yeah. Again, as humans, we adapt. the Amazon Associates Program via amazon.com. I was seriously intimidated. I enjoyed it though. In the meantime, they had brought in [drummer] Narada Michael Walden. The new managers were like, Absolutely not. They did some concerts and demos and then the real story started with Tony Banks and Peter Gabriel joining Ant and Mike 1967. Phil and I locked way easier than Ralph Humphrey and I did. In San Francisco, they have a minimum on these shows. Thompson believed he had landed a short-term job when Collins asked him to join Genesis without an audition in 1977, but he went on to take part in every road trip until 2007 and was also a. It was another situation of me not getting any sleep since I was up all night writing charts. Just like Dean Martin or Perry Como were passe by the 70s prog was out of fashion in the late 80s and I don't think anyone could really change that. Would have to be an idiot not to agree with this, my problem is not with his drumming, I recently had a discussion with a member who said he was only an average drummer not able to play with Yes. Shed been on the road for three years straight and she got it. His marriage was falling apart. [Laughs] He figured it out pretty quickly. It lets me read for about 90 seconds before it yanks the article. After I left, Robin got really ticked at me. A Godly man a class act. He was pretty disappointed. And Ill never forget. I believe I saw him on that same clinic tour 84-85 in NJ. This means nothing at all, it's almost a tradition. Unfortunately, it really took off, so I dont think it worked as a tax write-off. Most of the drummers have musical studies, to make arrangements you need to read and write music, even if you don't make the arrangements, you need to read music in order to understand the new arrangements that bands do after every tour in old songs. Lee Kerslake: he sings backing vocals but again not the main composer in Uriah Heep. Several times we were on Phils tour in 2005 and they had meetings about how to put this tour together. He actually double-tracked all that stuff. note: Collins did a four-city tour in June and July 2010 to promote his Motown covers record Going Back.]. And so when he quit again at the end of that, I think there was a shock. Whats it like to walk onto that stage and see just an ocean of people going insane? How has your Covid year gone? Always wondered what happened to Chester. It wasnt the same kind of luxury and stuff, which is fine., He added that Genesis was very balanced, instead of having a leader, and everybody had their say. But his first experience with Collins as boss was kind of a drag. He only truly related to drums," Thompson explained. According to what Chester said in an interview, he had offered his services as a drummer, but Mike and Tony were looking to make a fresh start and looked for different musicians to play with the band. IvanI think we have reached the end of our discussion wether Phil is nasty or not. Rolling Stone interview series Unknown Legends features long-form conversations between senior writer Andy Greene and veteran musicians who have toured and recorded alongside icons for years, if not decades. Man, what a phenomenal singer and piano player. Weird. I want to go back here and talk about your life. You were still able to pack stadiums. In my opinion, everyone has to sell out a little bit to survive. Phil Collins was always skittish about leaving the drum stool. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and It was a vocal version. He had done all the R&B and soul stuff, but at that point in his life he just really dove into jazz. It was non-stop laughing every day. It scared the pants off me. It didnt surprise me. We laughed a lot. He turned around and stared at me. We arent, like, chums, but we stay in touch. I dont think hes holding a grudge. He was into a lot of the American jazz drummers. Captain Beefheart plays harmonica on the album. You didnt finish the tour, though. Drummers are not really "musicians", because they don`t play "musical notes", so let`s keep them in the background. It took me a while to get over it, but I really wish him well. Don't judge you, by the contrary, I'm happy to have an intelligent debate woith people well informed and not with some blind fans from other site that say everything Genesis did is perfect becausee it's Genesis. Ive heard lots of audiences tapes, but its pouring rain and none of them sound great. In fact, I had called. But if youre a music-ed student, you need to learn a different instrument group every semester. Phil jokingly said, Well, were all together. As far as teaching, I only took that gig because my son was going to that school. Billy Cobham: a very good drummer who shimnes mostly as soloist. Exactly. [Weather Report bassist] Alphonso [Johnson] had been a friend for years. He would be onstage. Other than that, Id go back to the hotel. Maybe once in a lifetime. When Daryl Stuermer joined in 1978, did you have a compatriot that was a little more like you? A great experience to see. That's pretty much the zest of it. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. I did not write this, but it always makes me laugh. Mick Fleetwood: owner of the band`s name, thier main founder, but not a composer in the band. But I believe Steve won more, because he didn't took part in the POP Genesis (Something with what he clearly disagrees) and made a solid career. Playing in bars must have really sharpened your skills. I like Genesis lps up until the release of Abacab (grabascab) after that they really went down hill for me. I don't subscribe and I sat and read it for a good 20-25 minutes. How about pop music? [Laughs] Again, Im loving what Im doing with my band. Do you recall first hearing In the Air Tonight? It was great. But after reading the (excellent) interview, I have to say I'm quite surprised at how Chester was treated by the guys through the years. By the time they reached out to me, they allowed 10 days for rehearsal and it was a two-and-a-halfhour show. Hed then go off to a studio and work on whatever he had in the can. It was a lot. Hes just turned into this monster musician. According to my mother, even before I can remember, she mentioned getting a toy drum and me standing on the front steps and playing as people listened. It's really weird how people attack Phil Collins. It was sort of weird, though. Its not something he did. Chester has a great attitude. During that same conversation, I said to him, As a matter of fact, I need to take a break from doing both. Really cold of Phil to not reach out after 10yrs. And the best artists do it without you even realising it. I cant be gone that much at this point. Thats when Ricky [Lawson] wound up doing [the Phil solo tours of the mid-Nineties]. How much did you know about prog-rock bands like Yes, King Crimson I absolutely loved this round table discussion of Zappa's drummers. He knows what he likes Well Steve was recording a couple of other albums and he was wealthy by that moment, his dream was always to make Genesis sound as he wanted to listen them. We played songs and that was that. Whens the tour? And Tony Smiths eye lighted up like Id rarely seen. It was a weird, lonely feeling to be in the room with people that supposedly speak the same language and not be able to understand what was going on., Phil Collins and Genesis Sell Song Rights for Over $300 Million, Phil Collins Son Nic Joining Mike and the Mechanics Tour, Phil Collins Is Definitely Retired According to His Son, Jimmy Page Blasts Phil Collins Playing in Led Zep Live Aid Show, Phil Collins Sells Stunning $40 Million Miami Beach Estate, Watch Phil Collins in Lost Footage of Pre-Fame Band Flaming Youth, Phil Collins Sues Ex for Alleged Armed Occupation of Miami Home, Viral Video Sends Phil Collins In the Air Tonight Up the Chart. I actually kind of felt bad for him, he was trying to impart what it takes to be a working drummer (discussing things like getting no sleep with Zappa, his approach to odd times, prepping for touring, being versed in many styles, reading etc..) part of the audience was peppering him with Genesis questions like "what is Phil Collins like?," and the other half just wanted to hear some blazing solo.. odd crowd. He was smelling the money. We were playing touch football one day and Napoleon had the ball and was running past Tom, and Tom reached out and tagged him. Phil was very shocked and surprised and annoyed that I didnt say that his stuff was more fun. At the same time, there are artists Id love to play with as well. One day, he got pretty frustrated with me and literally cussed me out in front of everybody. What happened with the Calling All Stations period with Genesis? Look At The Sussudio LP Cover. When they did, theyd literally call each other up and go, Lets go do it. And so that never happened, basically. Its one of those What Will You Be letters. The vibe just changed. "It was quite an adjustment for me. After 1978, this must have felt like a long-term gig. That stood out more than anything. That was just rhythm section, [keyboardist] George Duke, [bassist] Tom Fowler. What are you talking about?. Phil Collins / Chester Thompson (Genesis) Drum Duet 1980 - 84 - YouTube 0:00 / 6:04 Phil Collins / Chester Thompson (Genesis) Drum Duet 1980 - 84 Seven Stones 2.15K subscribers Subscribe 1.5K. IMO, he is a good composer, a funny showman, a very good lead & backing singer, and one of the best drummers in Rock music. And at the end of the show, he just went off. The cool thing was my family came out on the road a lot. Hed mentioned that theyd been through a few drummers that year. Probably not. Phil Ehart: owner of the name "Kansas", who also worked as their manager sometimes, he is not one of the main composers in the band. Thompson believed hehad landed a short-term job when Collins asked him to join Genesis without an audition in 1977, but he went on to take part in every road trip until 2007 and was also a stalwart of Collinssolo group fromthe initial Hello, I Must Be Going tour in 1982. And then he added the drums and it was like, Forget about it. We were all in the car going to the first show in Japan. Ive done a couple of jazz trio albums that I really enjoyed. Phil Collins had to hire Chester Thompson and Bill Bruford. Watcher of the skies is very good and solid vocals by John Wetton, Fountain of Salmacis is great with an acoustic guitar intro and Steve singing ections with vocodsr , but my favorite is the Orchestral version of Firth of Fifth, very beautiful. [Laughs] Yeah. I mean, how many damn sings can one guywrite for Disney? He didnt know all the tunes, but obviously he was pretty familiar with the whole prog-rock thing. That was their first tour in 10 years. As of late though, I think Phil Collins has sold out, but not the with Genesis. Roger Taylor: good singer, good composer, good drummer, but he has never had the same success as Collins with his solo albums. My wife and I went down to see his big band in Birmingham. IMO, those are two of Genesis' best albums, ATOTT more so than Seconds Out because Seconds Out isn't a true Phil Collins Genesis album because most of the stuff was originally recorded with Peter Gabriel singing. Chester Thompson. Long story short: Collins turned up in a bad mood for the 2010 "Going Back" tour and griped at Thompson because Thompson hadn't prepared the Motown drum parts in enough detail. I was okay one-on-one, but they speak much, much faster than we do. And so the horns would make a mistake and hed turn around and look at me. That is the reason he left the drums to Chester and Bruford. Hed teach me how to play along with albums and where to put the fill and how to sing along with the melody and not get lost in the solos and how to make it swing. Phil wrote in his book that he had a major drinking problem in that time period. Thanks for sharing. Chester Thompson on His Years With Genesis, Frank Zappa, and Weather Report He spent 30 years in Genesis as a touring drummer, but he had a falling out with Phil Collins in 2010 and they haven't spoken since. But since I had been in his band and on the road so much, I hadnt had time to do any networking or meet many people in L.A. It was the only way to work that stuff. . When I was old enough to get my own transistor radio, that was huge. All of the above. Oh, yeah. We played together a lot in L.A. between Genesis tours and stuff. Phil releases "My favourite Genesis tracks from the 70`s" - rerecorded with old friends. I know people were caravanning from here to see it, but it was still a little too raw at that point. There was quite a bit of Louis Jordan. I met him the night before at his house. This is the live version of Inside Out, recorded in Berlin in 1990. And I grew up with that Motown stuff, so I think maybe I took it for granted. I had to use oxygen tanks after every take. There was no leader. But hed get more comfortable with it and be really involved with putting it together. I dont know if they were connected owner-wise, but there was a whole circuit of those theaters. Daryl and I came back. On the We Cant Dance tour in 1992, did you sense that Phil wasnt going to continue with Genesis after it? I might. This was so clear that inSeconfsOutduring the mixture they recorded guitar parts withan incredibly low volume. I have a big MS Word file with interviews about the "Union" album of YES. ), Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. From Jazz (Weather Report), to Rock (Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention), to Pop (Genesis/Phil Collins) to Gospel (Ron Kenoly), Chester Thompson has surpassed the boundaries of musical genres. I thought, That probably isnt a great idea. But it had gotten to the point where the front row at the L.A. Forum was all Hollywood celebrities as opposed to your fans. When Chester Thompson joined Genesis as a drummer for the Wind and Wuthering tour in 1977, he had every reason to think it would be a short-term gig. But to a lot of the fans, I guess they feel like it is. The way my life has gone down, I cant say that I planned any of it. Did you see any concerts in your younger years? Fortunately, the bass player [Bob Babbitt] stepped in and started the tune. I probably heard more Elvis than anything in the Fifties. How did you manage to bridge that gap culturally? And initially, that was so families could travel.
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