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BILLY COBHAM - WDC Hall of Fame


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It's great  to see Billy recognized by the activity in which he began his performance career. Through the years he has maintained strong ties with the Drum Corps community and it is quite appropriate that he be honored for "Distinguished Professional Achievement". We used to joke that he had "marched with the Queensmen, the Sunrisers and Miles Davis".

There is one little tick in the lead article: Billy did march as a flag while waiting for a drum spot, but that was in St. Catherine's. He was an exceptional drummer but, in those days of "3 & 3", a place only became available in a line like the Queensmen's when someone aged out. By the time he came to the Sunrisers, Billy was already a star player, and was instantly in the line.

Also, to my knowledge, he only played snare in I & E, as he is left handed and wore that drum "backwards", sling over the left shoulder, leg rest on the right knee. The way he played, he'd have wailed if he were upside down, swinging from a trapeze. 

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3 hours ago, ironlips said:

It's great  to see Billy recognized by the activity in which he began his performance career. Through the years he has maintained strong ties with the Drum Corps community and it is quite appropriate that he be honored for "Distinguished Professional Achievement". We used to joke that he had "marched with the Queensmen, the Sunrisers and Miles Davis".

There is one little tick in the lead article: Billy did march as a flag while waiting for a drum spot, but that was in St. Catherine's. He was an exceptional drummer but, in those days of "3 & 3", a place only became available in a line like the Queensmen's when someone aged out. By the time he came to the Sunrisers, Billy was already a star player, and was instantly in the line.

Also, to my knowledge, he only played snare in I & E, as he is left handed and wore that drum "backwards", sling over the left shoulder, leg rest on the right knee. The way he played, he'd have wailed if he were upside down, swinging from a trapeze. 

You can hear his incredible chops on the old Sunrisers  albums during the "Sing Sing Sing " concert where he played on the bass drum with his tenor sticks, holy moly!

Jay

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Another snippet of Billy is on the "Brass by Night" Fleetwood album, with the Queensmen, wherein he plays an almost impossibly fast single stroke roll on the bass drum at the coda of "Exodus", the Color Presentation. It's reprised at the conclusion of the routine as well, only more so.

 

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