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Chester Thompson

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Template:Short description Template:For multi Template:Infobox musical artist

Chester Thompson (born December 11, 1948) is an American drummer best known for his tenures with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Weather Report, Santana, Genesis and Phil Collins.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Thompson has performed with his jazz group, the Chester Thompson Trio, since 2011.

Early lifeEdit

Thompson was born on December 11, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland. He has an older brother, who played in the drum corps.<ref name=world2002/><ref name=cashbox/> At elementary school, he learned to play the flute and read music.<ref name=rhythm/><ref name=cashbox/> At eleven, Thompson took up the drums, receiving lessons from James Harrison, a professional jazz drummer from whom he learned his rudiments.<ref name=modern1983>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=rhythm/> Thompson practiced by playing along with albums by jazz musicians Miles Davis, Max Roach and Art Blakey. From there, he moved on to studying records by drummer Elvin Jones, whom Thompson cites as a major musical influence along with Tony Williams.<ref name=cashbox/><ref name=world2002/> While attending high school, he studied privately with drummer and percussionist Tony Ames of the National Symphony Orchestra for one semester.<ref name=modern1983/> Thompson's practice focused on mastering drumming rudiments using a book published by the National Association of Rudimental Drummers.<ref name=cashbox/> He started to play his first live gigs two years later in local venues. Still underage, Thompson went as far as to draw a moustache on his upper lip using an eyebrow pencil "because the club owners were worried about me playing there".<ref name=rhythm/> He played as many as three jam sessions a week.<ref name=cashbox/>

CareerEdit

1970–1976: Early bands, Frank Zappa, and Weather ReportEdit

Among his first major jobs was a short tour, mainly across Canada, with singer Ben E. King.<ref name=rhythm/><ref name=world2002/> In 1970, he played with organist Jack McDuff,<ref name=world2002/><ref name=cashbox/> followed by gigs with other local groups, including time in Boston with keyboardist Webster Lewis.<ref name=RS21/> In 1971, Thompson returned to Baltimore and studied music at the Community College of Baltimore County for two years, where he learned the flute and coached a basketball team at the Rec Center.<ref name=modern1983/> He played as part of the house band in a club that supported visiting soul artists.<ref name=world2002/> Thompson built a reputation as a session drummer. One of his first bands was Doc "Soul Stirrer" Young and the We Four Trio. Since the early 1970s, Thompson has played with the jazz rock band Air Pocket, a band with the Fowler Brothers at its core.<ref name=rhythm/>

In 1973, shortly before Thompson was to start a four-year course at another music school, he had auditioned to join Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention and won the position.<ref name=RS21/><ref name=cashbox/> He was a friend of their tour manager, Marty Perellis, also of Baltimore, and landed an audition in Los Angeles after learning of Zappa's wish to use two drummers in his group.<ref name=rhythm/> Thompson recalled the audition involved him jamming with the band for a solid hour without a break. "We just drifted in and out of so many different kinds of feels and grooves."<ref name=drumhead/> His time in Zappa's band was challenging because of the leader's "incredibly difficult music" which involved as much as 40 hours of weekly practice for four to six weeks before a tour.<ref name=world2002/> Thompson played on several Zappa albums, including Roxy & Elsewhere (1974), One Size Fits All (1975), Studio Tan (1978), Sleep Dirt (1979), and You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988).

In 1975, Thompson left Zappa after he had cancelled an upcoming Australian tour. Upon returning to Los Angeles Thompson met Weather Report bassist Alphonso Johnson, who suggested he jam with the band as they sought a new drummer, following the departure of Leon "Ndugu" Chancler.<ref name=world2002/> Despite Thompson not wanting to audition, the group had considered Woody Theus but they chose Thompson for the spot.<ref name=RS21/> Thompson recalled his time in the band as a "major knock out" because he was a big fan.<ref name=world2002/> After playing on Black Market (1976), he left.<ref name=world2002/>

After leaving Weather Report, Thompson played recording sessions in Los Angeles as well as part of the San Francisco Broadway theatre production of The Wiz.<ref name=modern1983/><ref name=rhythm>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He was recommended for the gig by his friend Roy McCurdy, and it was there where he met his future wife who had parts in the musical.<ref name=cashbox/> He also toured as a member of the live band for The Pointer Sisters, and rehearsed with Santana after they expressed an interest in having Thompson join the band.<ref name=cashbox>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Phil Collins and Chester Thompson.jpg
Thompson and Collins in 1981

1976–1992, 2007: GenesisEdit

Shortly after rehearsals with Santana began, Genesis drummer and singer Phil Collins invited Thompson to join the band as their touring drummer, replacing Bill Bruford who wished to move on after one tour.<ref name=rhythm/> Collins wanted an American drummer for the spot, and heard Thompson's playing on Roxy & Elsewhere which featured Thompson playing in tandem with drummer Ralph Humphrey.<ref name=drumhead>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Thompson had heard of Genesis's music from Johnson, and agreed to join the band for rehearsals in late 1976 for their upcoming tour supporting Wind & Wuthering (1976).<ref name=rhythm/> He recalled: "The first day of rehearsal, we just started jamming as everybody was setting up gear, we were just going for it".<ref name=drumhead/> Thompson looked back on his time joining Genesis as "the biggest adjustment I've ever had to make, musically and culturally."<ref name=RS21/>

File:2327 - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center - Genesis - Drum Duet.JPG
Thompson and Collins during a drum duet in 2007

Thompson performed with Genesis on every tour between 1977 and 1992, and once more for their Turn It On Again: The Tour in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He is featured on the live albums Seconds Out (1977), Three Sides Live (1982), The Way We Walk, Volume One: The Shorts (1992), The Way We Walk, Volume Two: The Longs (1993), and Live over Europe 2007 (2007). After the 1992 tour, Thompson stepped down in order to spend more time with his family.<ref name=world2002/> He talked with bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford about the possibility of playing the drums on their final studio album, Calling All Stations (1997). However, since Collins had left the band, Thompson wanted to become a full-time member and not continue as a side man. Genesis continued without Thompson (and without an official permanent drummer) for the album and tour.<ref name=world2002/>

Other endeavoursEdit

1980sEdit

In addition to Genesis, Thompson was also the touring drummer for Collins's solo tours between 1982 and 2005. He is featured on the live release Serious Hits... Live! (1990).<ref name="Not Dead Yet">Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1986, Thompson played the drums on "The Next Time I Fall". The soft rock duet between Peter Cetera and Amy Grant hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1988, Thompson was invited to play for what turned out to be Zappa's final concert tour before his death. Thompson declined the offer as by this time, he had become a devout Christian and Zappa's anti-religious sentiments and lyrics conflicted with his beliefs.<ref name=drumhead/>

In 1989, Thompson worked as the drummer for Bee Gees for their One for All World Tour in support for One (1989). He was replaced by Michael Murphy.

He was also a founding member of the band Fire Merchants with Brand X guitarist John Goodsall and bassist Doug Lunn and appeared on their first eponymous recording in 1989. Thompson played drums with Santana in 1984 and is credited in the Beyond Appearances album along with Chester D. Thompson on keyboards.

1990sEdit

Thompson continued to work with other members of Genesis on their solo projects. Thompson also plays on the Steve Hackett albums, Please Don't Touch (1978) and Watcher of the Skies: Genesis Revisited (1996). Later on, he played on Tony Banks' solo album A Curious Feeling (1979). He also appears on Steve Hackett's live album The Tokyo Tapes released in 1998 which also features John Wetton, Ian McDonald and Julian Colbeck.

In 1992, Thompson and his family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, after liking the area when they visited to attend noted drummer Larrie Londin's funeral.<ref name=drum2009>Template:Cite news</ref> He has since played on sessions for various artists in the area, mainly in jazz, pop, and Christian music.<ref name=world2002/>

In 1995, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett invited Thompson to play on his Genesis project album Genesis Revisited. Thompson was unsure of playing on all of the tracks as initially discussed, and said "we both thought it would be too weird to do the whole album with both of us being sort of ex-Genesis people".<ref name=world2002/> Instead, Hackett brought on additional musicians and Thompson played on just three tracks.

In the late 1990s, Thompson began touring with jazz guitarist Denny Jiosa.<ref name=world2002/> In 1999, he released his first solo album, A Joyful Noise. In 2001, Thompson toured Korea with singer and worship leader Ron Kenoly.<ref name=world2002/> In January 2002, Thompson performed at the debut charity gig by Collins's Little Dreams Foundation.<ref name=world2002/>

Thompson has taught drums at Belmont University in Nashville since 1998,<ref name=world2002>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and has also taken classes at the university in composition and arranging. In 2008, he was "two classes away" from earning a degree.<ref name=drumhead/> He is an adjunct instructor at its school of music.

2000s–presentEdit

In 2008, Thompson was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 32nd Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Thompson's professional association with Collins ended in 2010, where tensions grew over Collins' dissatisfaction with Thompson's drumming during the Going Back tour. Thompson said that he had not spoken to Collins since: "I was pretty upset. But I'm over it now. I wish him nothing but the best."<ref name=RS21>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He also had praise for Nic Collins, Phil's son and Thompson's successor as drummer for both Collins' comeback solo tour in 2017-2019 and Genesis' 2021 reunion tour. As a child, Nic had travelled with Genesis during their 2007 tour, with Thompson later remarking, "We knew at five or six years old that this kid was going to be a monster. I think it’s fantastic that he got to play with his dad.”<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2011, Thompson formed his jazz group, the Chester Thompson Trio, with pianist Joe Davidian and bassist Mike Rinne. They had initially played together as part of the rhythm section of the Nashville Trombone Festival which was followed by a weekly residency at the Commodore Lounge for over a year. They have released two albums: Approved (2013) and Simpler Times (2015).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2021, Thompson said that he no longer teaches drumming at a university, but continues giving private lessons to pupils at a school.<ref name=RS21/>

File:Chesters Drums (2924387456).jpg
Thompsons drums in 2008

In 2025 it was announced Chester Thompson would be teaming up with prog legends Neal Morse, Phil Keaggy, and Byron House in a new band called Cosmic Cathedral. Their first song was released February 21st 2025 with the album to release April 25th 2025. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

GearEdit

Thompson has endorsed Ludwig Drums (1970–March, 1977), Pearl Drums (April, 1977 – July, 1987), Sonor Drums (1990–1999) and Paiste cymbals (1970–1990); he has endorsed DW Drums since 2000 and Sabian Cymbals since 1990. He uses Remo drumheads, Meinl Percussion, Gibraltar racks and has his own Regal Tip Chester Thompson signature drumstick.

Personal lifeEdit

Thompson met his wife during his time playing in The Wiz in 1976.<ref name=cashbox/> They have a son, Akil.<ref name= noise>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1980, Thompson became a Christian. He later became an Elder in the Nashville Church on the Way.<ref name= noise />

Selected discographyEdit

SoloEdit

  • A Joyful Noise (1991)
  • Steppin (2019)
  • Wake-Up Call (2023)

Chester Thompson TrioEdit

  • Approved (2013)
  • Simpler Times (2015)

As a memberEdit

Air Pocket

  • Fly On (1975)
  • Hunter (1985)
  • Breakfast for Dinosaurs (1988)

Caldera

Fire Merchants

  • Fire Merchants (1989)

Genesis

High Inergy

  • High Inergy (Gordy, 1981)

Santana

Weather Report

As sidemanEdit

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2 With Phil Collins

  • Serious Hits... Live! (Atlantic, 1990) – live
  • Finally, The First Farewell Tour (Warner Music Vision, 2004)[2DVD-Video]

With Steve Hackett

With O'Donel Levy

With Frank Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers of Invention

Template:Col-2 With others

Template:Col-end

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project

Template:Genesis Template:Weather ReportTemplate:Era (musical project) Template:Grammy Award for Record of the Year 2000s Template:Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2000s

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