William C. Cobham
(1944 - )
Panamanian-American Drummer
oil on canvas
(18" X 24")
When I was 13 I got this Dennis Chambers instructional video. For those of you who don't know, DC joined Mk III of Parliament Funkadelc at the ripe age of 18 (taking over for the late great Tiki Fulwood, eventually...after some other dudes). If you ever watched DC play you will realize how stupid silly it was for me to even fathom following anything this guy was doing on his "instructional" video. In fact, it wasn't so much an instructional video as it was a "you will never be able to play like this so don't bother, asshole...duuuuuuur" video. I was mad about how good this guy was playing and at the time believed that he had achieved some sort of next level drumming nirvana shit. Also, at the time I think I was busy learning how to play along to Camper Van Beethoven so...it was a bummer.
And then, much later in life, I watched a clip of Billy Cobham playing with John Mclauglin in '72 and I realized that DC had worshipped at this guy's alter. I guess what I'm saying is that BC was a true originator and people like DC and every other GOSPEL CHOPS drummer that comes along owe him a tip of the 'ol kangol.
Don't believe me?
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