Chester Thompson

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For the Illinois politician, see Chester C. Thompson. For the keyboardist Chester D. Thompson, see Beyond Appearances.
Chester Thompson
Thompson playing with Genesis in 2007
Thompson playing with Genesis in 2007
Background information
Birth nameChester Cortez Thompson
Born (1948-12-11) December 11, 1948 (age 72)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
Years active1970–present
Associated acts
O'Donel Levy (1971–1973)

Frank Zappa / The Mothers of Invention (1973–1975)
Weather Report (1975–1976)
Genesis (1976–1992, 2007 as tour drummer)
Steve Hackett (1978, 1995)
Phil Collins (1982/83, 1985, 1990, 1999, 2004/05 as tour drummer)
Santana (1984) Bee Gees (1989 as tour drummer)
Ron Kenoly (1992–1995)
Era (1996)
Chester Thompson Trio (2011–)

Websitewww.ChesterThompson.com

Chester Cortez Thompson (born December 11, 1948) is an American drummer best known for his tenures with Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention and the progressive rock band Genesis.[1] Thompson has performed with his jazz group, the Chester Thompson Trio, since 2011.

Early life[]

Thompson was born on December 11, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland. He has an older brother, who played in the drum corps.[2][3] At elementary school, he learned to play the flute and read music.[4][3] At eleven, Thompson took up the drums, receiving lessons from James Harrison, a professional jazz drummer from whom he learned his rudiments.[5][4] 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.[3][2] While attending high school, he studied privately with drummer and percussionist Tony Ames of the National Symphony Orchestra for one semester.[5] Thompson's practice focused on mastering drumming rudiments using a book published by the National Association of Rudimental Drummers.[3] He started to play his first live gigs two years later in local venues. Still underage, Thompson went as far as to draw a mustache on his upper lip using an eyebrow pencil "because the club owners were worried about me playing there".[4] He played as many as three jam sessions a week.[3]

Career[]

1970–1976: Early bands, Frank Zappa, and Weather Report[]

Among his first major jobs was a short tour, mainly across Canada, with singer Ben E. King.[4][2] In 1970, he played with organist Jack McDuff,[2][3] followed by gigs with other local groups, including time in Boston with keyboardist Webster Lewis.[6] 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.[5] He played as part of the house band in a club that supported visiting soul artists.[2] 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 at its core.[4]

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.[6][3] 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.[4] 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."[7] 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.[2] Thompson played on several Zappa albums, including Roxy & Elsewhere (1974), One Size Fits All (1975), Studio Tan (1978), Sleep Dirt (1978), 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.[2] Despite Thompson not wanting to audition, the group had considered Woody Theus but they chose Thompson for the spot.[6] Thompson recalled his time in the band as a "major knock out" because he was a big fan.[2] After playing on Black Market (1976), he left.[2]

After leaving Weather Report, Thompson played recording sessions in Los Angeles and well as part of the San Francisco Broadway theatre production of The Wiz.[5][4] 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.[3] 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.[3]

1976–1992, 2007: Genesis[]

Thompson performing with Genesis in 1981

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.[4] 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.[7] 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).[4] He recalled: "The first day of rehearsal, we just started jamming as everybody was setting up gear, we were just going for it".[7] Thompson looked back on his time joining Genesis as "the biggest adjustment I've ever had to make, musically and culturally.[6]

Thompson performed with Genesis on every tour between 1977 and 1992, and once more for their Turn It On Again: The Tour in 2007.[8] 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.[2] 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. However, Genesis continued without Thompson for the album and tour.[2]

Other endeavours[]

1980s[]

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).[9]

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.[7]

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.

1990s[]

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.[10] He has since played on sessions for various artists in the area, mainly in jazz, pop, and Christian music.[2]

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".[2] Instead, Hackett brought on additional musicians and Thompson plays on just three tracks.

In the late 1990s, Thompson began touring with jazz guitarist .[2] In 1999, he released his first solo album, A Joyful Noise. In 2001, Thompson toured Korea with singer and worship leader Ron Kenoly.[2] In January 2002, Thompson performed at the debut charity gig by Collins's Little Dreams Foundation.[2]

Thompson has taught drums at Belmont University in Nashville since 1998,[2] and has also taken classes at the university in composition and arranging. In 2008, he was "two classes away" from earning a degree.[7] He is an adjunct instructor at its school of music.

2000s–present[]

In 2008, Thompson was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 32nd Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).[11]

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."[6]

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).[12]

In 2021, Thompson said that he no longer teaches drumming at a university, but continues giving private lessons to pupils at a school.[6]

Gear[]

Thompson has endorsed Ludwig Drums (1970-March, 1977), Pearl Drums (April, 1977 - July, 1987), Sonor Drums (1990–1999) and Paiste cymbals (1970–90); he has endorsed DW Drums since 2000 and Sabian cymbals since 1990. He uses Remo drumheads, Meinl Percussion, Gibraltar racks and has his own Regaltip Chester Thompson signature drumstick.

Private life[]

In 1980, Thompson became a Christian. He married his wife whom he first met during his time playing in The Wiz in 1976.[3] They have one son.[13]

Selected discography[]

Solo[]

  • A Joyful Noise (1991)
  • Steppin' (2019)

Chester Thompson Trio[]

  • Approved (2013)
  • Simpler Times (2015)

Appears on[]

With O'Donel Levy

With Frank Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers of Invention

With Air Pocket

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

With Alphonso Johnson

  • Yesterday's Dreams (1976)

With Weather Report

  • Black Market (1976)

With Caldera

  • Sky Islands (1977)

With Genesis

  • Seconds Out (1977)
  • Three Sides Live (1982)
  • The Way We Walk, Vol I: The Shorts (1992)
  • The Way We Walk, Vol II: The Longs (1993)
  • Live over Europe 2007 (2007)

With Flora Purim

  • Everyday, Everynight (1978)

With Steve Hackett

  • Please Don't Touch! (1978)
  • Watcher of the Skies: Genesis Revisited (1996)
  • The Tokyo Tapes (1998)

With Tony Banks

  • A Curious Feeling (1979)

With Linda Clifford

  • Let Me Be Your Woman (1979)

With Freddie Hubbard

  • The Love Connection (1979)

With Leroy Hutson

  • Unforgettable (1979)

With David Pritchard

  • City Dreams (1979)

With Brenda Holloway

  • Brand New! (1980)

With Ahmad Jamal

  • Night Song (1980)

With Hidehiko Matsumoto

  • Prediction (1980)

With High Inergy

  • High Inergy (1981)

With Bingo Miki & His Inner Galaxy Orchestra of America

  • Mystic Solar Dance (1981)

With Johnny Lytle/Albert Dailey/Chester Thompson

  • I Giganti Del Jazz Vol. 93 (1982)

With Stefano Sabatini

  • Sabatini (1982)

With Michel Colombier

  • Old Fool Back on Earth (1983)

With Santana

  • Beyond Appearances (rec. 1984, rel. 1985)

With Cosmos & Their L.A. Friends

  • Session V (1985)

With Fire Merchants

  • Fire Merchants (1989)

With Phil Collins

  • Serious Hits... Live! (1990)

With Chris Catena

  • Freak Out (2004)

References[]

  1. ^ "Home". ChesterThompson.com. 2011-10-25. Archived from the original on 2018-09-16. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Negrin, Dave (10 February 2002). "Chester Thompson 2002 interview". World of Genesis. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j King, Bill (25 June 2015). "Chester Thompson - From the Zappa to Genesis". Cashbox Magazine Canada. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Alexander, Sue (December 1986). "The Chester Thompson interview". Rhythm. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Hall, Stanley (January 1983). "Up for the challenge". Modern Drummer. Vol. 7 no. 1. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Greene, Andy (February 4, 2021). "Chester Thompson on His Years With Genesis, Frank Zappa, and Weather Report". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Mover, Jonathan (January 2008). "Phil Collins & Chester Thompson turning it on again". Drum Head. pp. 26, 30, 32. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  8. ^ Kelman, John. "Genesis: The Movie Box 1981-2007". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  9. ^ Phil Collins (2016). Not Dead Yet. London, England: Century Books. pp. 151/2, 203/4, 225, & 336. ISBN 978-1-780-89513-0.
  10. ^ Malkin, Rick (21 November 2009). "Studio Tour: At Home With Chester Thompson". Drum!. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  11. ^ "Sabian honors three percussion icons at PASIC". Music Trades. 1 January 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018 – via Highbeam Research.
  12. ^ "Chester Thompson Trio bio" (PDF). ChesterThompson.com. January 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  13. ^ Rimmer, Mike (1 April 2000). "Chester Thompson: A man making a joyful noise". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 9 June 2018.

External links[]

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