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. These include Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, 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 Music
Chester Thompson was born on December 11, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland. 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. From Harrison, he learned the basic drumming skills, called "rudiments." Chester practiced by playing along with albums by famous jazz musicians like Miles Davis and Max Roach. He also studied drummers Elvin Jones and Tony Williams, who became big influences.
In high school, he took private lessons with Tony Ames. Ames was a drummer and percussionist from the National Symphony Orchestra. Chester focused on mastering drumming basics using a special book. Two years later, he started playing live shows in local clubs. He was still too young, so he drew a mustache on his lip to look older! 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 short tour with singer Ben E. King. In 1970, he played with organist Jack McDuff. He also played with other local groups, including one in Boston with keyboardist Webster Lewis.
In 1971, Thompson returned to Baltimore. He studied music at the Community College of Baltimore County for two years. There, he learned more about the flute. He also coached a basketball team. He played as part of the house band in a club. A house band plays regularly at a venue and supports visiting artists. Chester became known as a "session drummer," meaning he was hired to play on recordings for different artists. One of his early bands was Doc "Soul Stirrer" Young and the We Four Trio. Since the early 1970s, Thompson has also played with the jazz rock band Air Pocket.
In 1973, Chester was about to start a longer music course. But then, he auditioned for Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention. He got the job! Chester knew their tour manager, Marty Perellis, who was also from Baltimore. He learned that Zappa wanted two drummers in his band. Chester's audition involved jamming with the band for a whole hour without stopping. He said they played many different types of music.
Playing in Zappa's band was challenging. Zappa's music was very difficult. Chester often practiced 40 hours a week for four to six weeks before a tour. Thompson played on several Zappa albums. These include Roxy & Elsewhere (1974), One Size Fits All (1975), and You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988).
In 1975, Thompson left Zappa's band. Zappa had canceled a tour. When Chester returned to Los Angeles, he met Weather Report bassist Alphonso Johnson. Johnson suggested Chester jam with Weather Report, who needed a new drummer. Chester was a big fan of Weather Report, so joining them was a "major knock out." He played on their album Black Market (1976) before leaving.
After leaving Weather Report, Chester played on many recording sessions in Los Angeles. He also played in the San Francisco Broadway show The Wiz. There, he met his future wife. He also toured with The Pointer Sisters. He even rehearsed with Santana, who wanted him to join their band.
Playing with Genesis: 1976–2007
Soon after rehearsing with Santana, Genesis drummer and singer Phil Collins asked Thompson to join Genesis as their touring drummer. He would replace Bill Bruford. Collins wanted an American drummer. He had heard Chester's drumming on Zappa's Roxy & Elsewhere album.
Chester knew Genesis's music from Alphonso Johnson. He agreed to join Genesis for rehearsals in late 1976. They were preparing for a tour to support their album Wind & Wuthering (1976). Chester remembered that on the first day, they just started jamming. He said joining Genesis was "the biggest adjustment" he ever had to make in music and culture.
Thompson played with Genesis on every tour from 1977 to 1992. He 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, Thompson decided to spend more time with his family. He thought about playing on Genesis's last studio album, Calling All Stations (1997). But since Phil Collins had left, Chester wanted to be a full-time member, not just a touring musician. Genesis continued without him.
Other Music Projects
1980s
Besides Genesis, Thompson also toured as the drummer for Phil Collins's solo tours. He played with Collins between 1982 and 2005. He is on Collins's live album Serious Hits... Live! (1990).
In 1986, Thompson played drums on "The Next Time I Fall." This song was a duet between Peter Cetera and Amy Grant. It became a number one hit song.
In 1988, Frank Zappa asked Thompson to play on his last concert tour. Thompson said no. By then, he had become a strong Christian. Zappa's anti-religious ideas and song lyrics did not fit with Chester's beliefs.
In 1989, Thompson was the drummer for the Bee Gees on their One for All World Tour. He played to support their album One (1989).
He also helped start the band Fire Merchants. He played on their first album in 1989. Thompson played drums with Santana in 1984. He is listed on the Beyond Appearances album.
1990s and Beyond
Thompson continued to work 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, Thompson and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. They liked the area after visiting for a drummer's funeral. Since then, he has played on many recordings in Nashville. He mainly plays jazz, pop, and Christian music.
In 1995, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett asked Thompson to play on his Genesis Revisited album. Thompson played on three songs.
In the late 1990s, Thompson started touring with jazz guitarist Denny Jiosa. In 1999, he released his first solo album, A Joyful Noise. In 2001, Thompson toured Korea with singer Ron Kenoly. In 2002, he played at a charity event for Phil Collins's Little Dreams Foundation.
Thompson taught drums at Belmont University in Nashville from 1998. He also took classes there in music writing and arranging. In 2008, he was close to earning a degree. He is an instructor at the university's music school.
In 2008, Thompson received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This was at the 32nd Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).
Thompson's professional relationship with Phil Collins ended in 2010. Thompson said he had not spoken to Collins since. He also praised Nic Collins, Phil's son. Nic took over as drummer for his dad's tours and for Genesis's 2021 reunion tour. Chester said, "We knew at five or six years old that this kid was going to be a monster."
In 2011, Thompson 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, Thompson said he no longer teaches at a university. But he still gives private drum lessons to students at a school.
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Drum Gear
Chester Thompson has used drums and cymbals from many different companies. He used Ludwig Drums (1970-1977), Pearl Drums (1977-1987), and Sonor Drums (1990-1999). He also used Paiste cymbals (1970-1990). Since 2000, he has used DW Drums. He has used Sabian cymbals since 1990. He uses Remo drumheads and Meinl Percussion. He also uses Gibraltar racks. He even has his own special drumstick, the Regaltip Chester Thompson signature drumstick.
Personal Life
Thompson met his wife in 1976 while playing in the musical The Wiz. They have a son named Akil.
In 1980, Thompson became a Christian. He later became an Elder at the Nashville Church On The Way.
Selected Music Albums
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)
High Inergy
- High Inergy (1981)
Santana
- Beyond Appearances (1985)
Weather Report
- Black Market (1976)
As a Session Musician (Sideman)
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With Phil Collins
With Steve Hackett
With O'Donel Levy
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
