Today I saw Billy Cobham and as is usual at a master-class, he asked for questions.
I asked him, “At the time of recording birds of fire, who were your influences as a drummer?”
He looked thoughtful and, in short answered, “The band, John and the band. There wasn’t really anyone around at that time who I could look to.”
I then asked him if he felt he was a pioneer of that style of drumming.
To which he replied, “No. I just did what I needed to.”
This struck me as a very honest and humble statement. I feel Billy’s influence in his field is massive, and certainly a huge inspiration on my path to understand the art of drumming.
Legend.
