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. 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. 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.
thumb|Thompson and Collins in 1981
1976–1992, 2007: Genesis
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. 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). 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.
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. He has since played on sessions for various artists in the area, mainly in jazz, pop, and Christian music. and has also taken classes at the university in composition and arranging. In 2008, he was "two classes away" from earning a degree.
Thompson's professional association with Collins ended in 2010, when tensions grew over Collins's 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." He also had praise for Collins's son, Nic Collins, Thompson's successor as drummer for both Collins's comeback solo tour in 2017-2019 and Genesis's 2021 farewell tour. As a child, Collins 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.”
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).
In 2021, Thompson said he no longer teaches drumming at a university, but continues giving private lessons to pupils at a school.
Gear
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 life
Thompson met his wife during his time playing in The Wiz in 1976.
In 1980, Thompson became a Christian. He later became an Elder in the Nashville Church on the Way.