Bill Cosby talks drums

[BFrank]

Bill Cosby drumming experience

Funny, but cool because he drops ALL the right names, too.

Edited November 14, 2009 by BFrank

[Christiern]

I didn't check it out, but when did Cosby become funny?

[.:.impossible]

We all grew up watching The Cosby show and loved it.

[paul secor]

Leave me out of "We all" - never found Cosby funny.

[JSngry]

I know he's, uh..."difficult", but I think he's had quite a lot of very funny moments over the years, as well as some insufferably pretentious ones.

This drumming bit told 20 years later would probably be the latter. As it is, it's the former.

Then again, the only thing that can rise tempers faster than a political discussion is telling somebody that they're wrong about their taste in humor.

[BFrank]

Cosby was funny pre-"Cosby". Remember (those of you old enough), there were very few mainstream "comedians of color" in the 60s-70s. He brought a fresh approach.

This video is interesting for for all the great jazz artists of the time that he names in his bit (particularly Max Roach and Sonny Stitt). "Funny" is secondary - although he had Jack Benny falling off of his chair.

[7/4]

Then again, the only thing that can rise tempers faster than a political discussion is telling somebody that they're wrong about their taste in humor.

Freebird, I said. Freebird.

I hear crickets.

[ValerieB]

I didn't check it out, but when did Cosby become funny?

believe it or not, Chris, i think you just might find this one funny and interesting!

[AllenLowe]

it's a great routine - I just have problems with Mr. Cosby due to his.....amyl nitrate problem.

[GregK]

We all grew up watching The Cosby show and loved it.

Leave me out of "we all". Definitely did not like that show.

[Dave James]

When I was in college, Cosby's albums were a right of passage. Why Is There Air?, Wonderfulness, A Very Funny Fellow, Right? are full of fall down funny, and now, classic routines. While I respect the fact that different people have different tastes when it come to comedy, I can't imagine how a person with a sense of humor would not find these early recordings highly entertaining. I think over the years, Cosby kind of wore out his welcome. Plus, to his credit, he steadfastly refused to play the scatological card. In terms of continuing to be "hip", he clearly wasn't.

Up over and out.

Edited November 15, 2009 by Dave James

[mjzee]

Great clip.

Yeah, Cosby's definitely a historical figure. Great man. And consistent in his outspoken love for jazz.

[Christiern]

Outspoken love for jazz—that's a good one!

My failure to appreciate Cosby's humor may have its roots in my personal experience with his fraudulent self (50 years ago!)—not to mention the way he exploited the death of his son and how he has treated jazz musicians.

[JSngry]

Well, I've never met the man, much less known him, so the only way I can judge his comedy is to listen to it.

[Noj]

I love Cosby's routine in Himself, quotes of which are regular parts of the household vernacular ("I don't know/That's brain damage!"), and this clip is good re-enactment and self-deprecating humor.

It's a bummer when personal interaction with a celebrity doesn't line up with the on stage persona. I hear Chevy Chase is a major asshole, but I still laugh myself silly watching his SNL routines/Caddy Shack/Fletch/etc.

Edited November 15, 2009 by Noj

[BFrank]

Who else (in the early 70s when this was probably aired) would mention Max Roach, Sonny Stitt, Mickey Roker, Archie Shepp, Arthur Taylor, Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey and others, in a comedy routine?

[BruceH]

When I was in college, Cosby's albums were a right of passage. Why Is There Air?, Wonderfulness, A Very Funny Fellow, Right? are full of fall down funny, and now, classic routines.

Yes indeed. Actually, I remember most kids being into the Cosby comedy albums in elementary school and junior high (late 60's and early-to-mid 70's for me.)

I also liked him on the "I Spy" show, and even remember his short-lived "Bill Cosby Show" in which he played a gym teacher. Now that family sit-com he had in 80's I didn't really care for. For me that's when he started sucking. That and the pudding-pop commercials.

[ValerieB]

Outspoken love for jazz—that's a good one!

My failure to appreciate Cosby's humor may have its roots in my personal experience with his fraudulent self (50 years ago!)—not to mention the way he exploited the death of his son and how he has treated jazz musicians.

since i first met and worked with Bill in 1961 (Cafe Wha?!), i think i've been privy to the good, the bad and the ugly. don't know anything about the "exploitation" of something that was a family tragedy. i do, however, know a lot of good stuff he has done for jazz musicians going back to the early '70s. there's always more than three sides. regardless, this drum sequence is quite wonderful.

Edited November 15, 2009 by ValerieB

[JSngry]

...his short-lived "Bill Cosby Show" in which he played a gym teacher.

Chet Kincaid -great show, greater character name, and one of the greatest theme songs ever:

Theme song revisited by Brandford Marsalis:

Chet Kincaid!