Chester Thompson

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 was a musician in 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.

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), DW Drums (2000-2024), Craviotto Drums (2024-2026}, and Paiste cymbals (1970–1990); he has endorsed Sonor Drums since 2026, endorsing them as well from 1990 to 1999. He has also endorsed Sabian Cymbals since 1990. He uses Remo drumheads, Meinl Percussion, Gibraltar racks and Innovative Percussion Drumsticks. He previously had 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.

Selected discography Solo A Joyful Noise (1991) Steppin (2019) Wake-Up Call (2023)

Chester Thompson Trio Approved (2013) Simpler Times (2015)

As a member Air Pocket Fly On (1975) Hunter (1985) Breakfast for Dinosaurs (1988)

Caldera Sky Islands (Capitol, 1977)

Fire Merchants Fire Merchants (Medusa, 1989)

Genesis Seconds Out (Charisma/Atlantic, 1977) Three Sides Live (Charisma/Atlantic, 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 (Gordy, 1981)

Santana Beyond Appearances (Columbia, 1985) – rec. 1984

Sentient (Blues for Salvador, keyboards) (Candid rec., 2025)

Weather Report Black Market (Columbia, 1976)

As sideman

With Phil Collins Serious Hits... Live! (Atlantic, 1990) – live Finally, The First Farewell Tour (Warner Music Vision, 2004)[2DVD-Video]

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

With O'Donel Levy Black Velvet (1971) Breeding of Mind (1972) Dawn of a New Day (1973) Hands of Fire (1974)[2LP] – compilation

With Frank Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers of Invention Roxy & Elsewhere (1974) One Size Fits All (1975) Bongo Fury (1975) Studio Tan (1978) – rec. 1969, 1974–76 Sleep Dirt (1979) – rec. 1974 & 76 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988) – rec. 1974

With others Tony Banks, A Curious Feeling (1979) Chris Catena, Freak Out (2004) Linda Clifford, Let Me Be Your Woman (1979) Michel Colombier, Old Fool Back on Earth (1983) Cosmos & Their L.A. Friends, Session V (1985) Brenda Holloway, Brand New! (1980) Freddie Hubbard, The Love Connection (1979) Leroy Hutson, Unforgettable (1979) Ahmad Jamal, Night Song (1980) Johnny Lytle/Albert Dailey/Chester Thompson, I Giganti Del Jazz Vol. 93 (1982) Alphonso Johnson, Yesterday's Dreams (1976) Hidehiko Matsumoto, Prediction (1980) Bingo Miki & His Inner Galaxy Orchestra of America, Mystic Solar Dance (1981) Flora Purim, Everyday, Everynight (1978) David Pritchard, City Dreams (1979) Stefano Sabatini, Sabatini (1982)