Billy Cobham

On May 16, 1944, in Panama, one of the world’s most influential drummers, best known for his jazz fusion in the 1970s, Mahavishnu Orchestra, where he pioneered a powerful style of drumming with jazz, rock and funk influences, was born, named Billy Cobham. He is the first drummer to unseat Buddy Rich in the Down Beat music polls. Cobham has played and recorded with hundreds of top musicians, including Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Larry Coryell, and Horace Silver; and is famous for his explosive, fast, spectacular playing.