Chester Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chester Thompson
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Thompson drumming in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chester Thompson |
| Born | December 11, 1948 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Associated acts |
O'Donel Levy (1971–1973)
Frank Zappa / The Mothers of Invention (1973–1975) |
Chester Thompson (born December 11, 1948) is an American drummer. He is famous for playing with many well-known bands and musicians. These include Frank Zappa, Weather Report, Santana, Genesis, and Phil Collins. Since 2011, Thompson has also played with his own jazz group, the Chester Thompson Trio.
Contents
Early Life and Learning to Drum
Chester Thompson was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 11, 1948. His older brother played drums, which might have inspired him. In elementary school, Chester learned to play the flute and read music.
When he was eleven, Chester started playing the drums. He took lessons from James Harrison, a professional jazz drummer. Chester practiced a lot by playing along with albums by famous jazz drummers like Miles Davis and Max Roach. He also learned from Elvin Jones and Tony Williams, who were big influences on him.
In high school, he continued his drum studies. He focused on mastering drumming basics. Two years later, he started playing live shows in local places. He even drew a mustache on his lip to look older for club owners! He played in many jam sessions each week.
Chester's Music Career
Starting Out: 1970–1976
One of Chester's first big jobs was a tour with singer Ben E. King. In 1970, he played with organist Jack McDuff. He also played with other local groups. In 1971, Chester went back to Baltimore. He studied music at the Community College of Baltimore County for two years. He also played in a house band that supported visiting soul artists. Chester became known as a great session drummer. He played with the jazz rock band Air Pocket in the early 1970s.
In 1973, Chester auditioned for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. He got the job! He knew their tour manager, who told him Zappa wanted two drummers. Chester remembered jamming with the band for an hour during his audition. Playing Zappa's music was very hard. It needed about 40 hours of practice each week before a tour. Chester played on several Zappa albums. These include Roxy & Elsewhere (1974) and One Size Fits All (1975).
Chester left Zappa's band in 1975. He then met Weather Report bassist Alphonso Johnson. Johnson suggested Chester jam with Weather Report, who needed a new drummer. Chester was a big fan of the band. He played on their album Black Market (1976) before leaving.
After Weather Report, Chester played on recording sessions in Los Angeles. He also played in the musical The Wiz in San Francisco. There, he met his future wife. He also toured with The Pointer Sisters. He even rehearsed with Santana.
Playing with Genesis: 1976–2007
Soon after rehearsing with Santana, Genesis drummer and singer Phil Collins asked Chester to join their band. Chester would be their touring drummer. Collins wanted an American drummer. He had heard Chester play on Zappa's Roxy & Elsewhere. Chester had heard of Genesis from Alphonso Johnson. He agreed to join them for rehearsals in late 1976. They were getting ready for their tour to support Wind & Wuthering (1976). Chester said joining Genesis was the biggest change he ever had to make in music and culture.
Chester played with Genesis on every tour from 1977 to 1992. He also joined them again for their Turn It On Again: The Tour in 2007. He is on their live albums like Seconds Out (1977) and Live over Europe 2007 (2007). After the 1992 tour, Chester decided to spend more time with his family. He wanted to become a full-time member of Genesis, but they continued without him.
Other Music Projects
1980s and 1990s
Besides Genesis, Chester also toured with Phil Collins for his solo shows from 1982 to 2005. He is on Collins' live album Serious Hits... Live! (1990).
In 1986, Chester played drums on "The Next Time I Fall". This song by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant became a number one hit.
In 1988, Frank Zappa asked Chester to play on his last concert tour. Chester said no because he had become a Christian. Zappa's songs sometimes had anti-religious ideas that Chester did not agree with.
In 1989, Chester was the drummer for the Bee Gees on their One for All World Tour. He also helped start the band Fire Merchants. He played drums with Santana in 1984.
Chester also worked with other members of Genesis on their solo projects. He played on Steve Hackett's albums Please Don't Touch (1978) and Watcher of the Skies: Genesis Revisited (1996). He also played on Tony Banks' solo album A Curious Feeling (1979).
In 1992, Chester and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He has played on many recordings there, especially jazz, pop, and Christian music. In 1995, Steve Hackett asked Chester to play on his Genesis Revisited album. Chester played on three songs.
In the late 1990s, Chester started touring with jazz guitarist Denny Jiosa. In 1999, he released his first solo album, A Joyful Noise. In 2001, Chester toured Korea with singer Ron Kenoly.
Chester has taught drums at Belmont University in Nashville since 1998. He also took classes there to learn about writing and arranging music.
2000s to Today
In 2008, Chester Thompson received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This was at the 32nd Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
Chester's work with Phil Collins ended in 2010. Chester has not spoken to Collins since then, but he wishes him well. He also praised Nic Collins, Phil's son, who became the drummer for his dad's tours and for Genesis. Chester said, "We knew at five or six years old that this kid was going to be a monster."
In 2011, Chester started his jazz group, the Chester Thompson Trio. The group includes pianist Joe Davidian and bassist Mike Rinne. They have released two albums: Approved (2013) and Simpler Times (2015).
In 2021, Chester shared that he no longer teaches at a university. However, he still gives private drum lessons to students.
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In 2025, it was announced that Chester Thompson would join a new band called Cosmic Cathedral. He teamed up with Neal Morse, Phil Keaggy, and Byron House. Their first song was released in February 2025. Their album was released in April 2025.
Chester's Drum Gear
Chester Thompson has used drums from different companies over the years. These include Ludwig Drums, Pearl Drums, and Sonor Drums. Since 2000, he has used DW Drums. He has also used cymbals from Paiste and Sabian Cymbals. He uses Remo drumheads and Meinl Percussion. He also has his own special drumstick called the Regal Tip Chester Thompson signature drumstick.
Personal Life
Chester Thompson met his wife in 1976 while playing in the musical The Wiz. They have a son named Akil.
In 1980, Chester became a Christian. He later became an Elder at the Nashville Church on the Way.
Music Chester Thompson Has Played On
Solo Albums
- A Joyful Noise (1991)
- Steppin (2019)
- Wake-Up Call (2023)
With Chester Thompson Trio
- Approved (2013)
- Simpler Times (2015)
As a Band Member
Air Pocket
- Fly On (1975)
- Hunter (1985)
- Breakfast for Dinosaurs (1988)
Caldera
- Sky Islands (1977)
Fire Merchants
- Fire Merchants (1989)
- 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)
- BBC Broadcasts (2023)
Santana
- Beyond Appearances (1985)
Weather Report
- Black Market (1976)
As a Session Drummer (Sideman)
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With Phil Collins
With Steve Hackett
With Frank Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers of Invention
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With Other Artists
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See also
In Spanish: Chester Thompson para niños
