One of my favorite stories regarding this amazing band is that when they opened for Frank Zappa back in the early 70's, Zappa was so blown away and was determined to form a new group that included Chester Thompson, Ruth, and George Duke as a response to the power of Mahavishnu Orchestra. Imagine being a band that blew Frank Zappa's mind!

When I was a senior in high school, our art teacher allowed us to bring in records to play during class. My classmates brought in Bob Dylan, Three Dog Night, Don McLean, etc. I brought in Birds of Fire. Many of my classmates thought I was nuts, but a few really liked it; most of them had no idea music like this existed. I still enjoy this band today.

It was a turning point for me at 71-72. Beatles had quit, Hendrix died. New exciting music emerged, Mahavishnu, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd made Meddle, Yes made Close to the Edge. Amazing musicm We were so spoiled a few years with all the good albums from these groups.

Billy Cobham blows away all competition. I've seen him at this energy level non stop for two friggin hours. He's a monster.

Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, and Weather Report were the giants of fusion

I didn't realize Jan Hammer was part of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Awesome! Jan Hammer and Jeff Beck produced some beautiful sounds together, as well.

It is amazing to think this is over 50 years old. I am glad I was alive during this period of music.

The Drummer is amazing - He reacts to the improvisations amazingly quickly. Top job him. Luv and Peace.

One of the greatest bands ever formed.

MacLaughlin's playing under the violin solo may be one of the coolest solo accompaniments I've ever heard.

Billy Cobham: the greatest.

I first heard Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1975. I haven't recovered. These guys took music to another level.

When I was a kid in the 70's this band blew me away, it is definitely a jazz/raga fusion band. McLaughlin took Indian raga rhythms and structure and applied it to his jazz. The repeating phrase throughout the piece is typical of Indian ragas where each member took a turn playing variations, until in the end it reaches a crescendo where they all play the phrase together. I love this stuff.

That is one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. I'm in shock.

I have been listening to Mahavishnu since 1971

Goodman is a master. Jean Luc Ponty, okay. This is transcendent. Cobham...I'm speechless.

I remember when I was 18 a friend of mine brought me inner mounting flame and birds of fire. He said “ I bet you’ll like this” . He was wrong… not only did I like it… it essentially changed my whole life.

Ok .. mahavishnu orchestra.. name adopt from lord vishnu.. Love from 🇮🇳

Johnny Mac is 80 years young today! Happy Birthday to one of the greatest guitar players to ever walk this planet!

McLaughlin - one of the rare breed of musicians who actually used the 12-string neck on his doubleneck. It wasn't for looks. What a terrific band and a great performance.

This is what's called fusion. It's jazz and rock beautifully blended together by extraordinary jazz artist.

Fall of 1983, UMASS Amherst, one of my dorm floormates turned me onto Mahavishnu and the Dregs in the same wonderful night. Always been thankful for that.

I was sixteen when introduced to this, now 65 and still facinated by this, ok , sti...

Along with Return to Forever the dual sound track to my teenage years in Lagos, Nigeria. Yeap.. you heard me Lagos, Nigeria! Billy Cobham is well, BILLY COBHAM! Incredible music... nothing quite like it these days.

Jerry Goodman...Ah, One my my favorite Violin Gods as a fiddler... :)

Damn, first time in my life the drummer gives me goosebumps. So relaxed yet so powerful. What a great band.

Saw Mahavishnu Orchestra in Madison WI, in the Stock Pavilion, with a friend in spring of '73 or so. Tripping. (Which was rather besides the point, with these guys, actually.) Walking back home we looked at each other and said, 'Now they're going to ask us how it was.' We smiled, and knew in that instant the meaning of 'beyond words.'

Billy Cobham is unreal in this performance!

One of the few players for whom the double neck guitar is more than a gimmick.

This great band inspired me to carve wood. I sucked as a guitarist. Love the Mahavishnu.

I grew up with this music. My late uncle (may his soul rest in grace) used to make me listen to it. As a nine‐year‐old, I had no clue what was going on. But now I've been well‐schooled and attuned... I'm now in the know! Thanks to you, uncle!

I stan for Rick Laird as Most Patient Bass Player of All Time.

Billy Cobham shows What it means to play drums.Beautifully 👍

I went to an Emerson Lake & Palmer concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco in March of 1972, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra opened for them. I had never heard of John McLaughlin or any of the other musicians. Their set was unreal, unlike anything I had ever experienced. They blew ELP off the stage.

During the Vietnam war the band played on the Boston common, it was a tumultuous time in the city. For a few hours they brought their magic and the city was at peace.

They're all such amazing musicians but that drummer is Crazy Good!!!!

Another 1970s band with Billy Cobham that still blows me away is Dreams. Their first, self-titled album is amazing.

Kids cannot comprehend music like this today it’s sad

RIP Rick Laird legendary bass player.

I saw The Mahavishnu Orchestra live at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, ca. 1974. John asked for a bit of silence before beginning the set. In which the sensation that the seats and everything in the house were rising up and moving through space. We all came down fifteen seconds later and the music began.

Billy's open hand technique flows so effortlessly

why is this band not in the r&r hall of fame is beyond belief. They are all virturos. They cook. And Cobham caught his drumstick.

Rip Rick mahavishnu orchestra forever

I saw Jeff Beck’s live version of this (You know, you know) in 2019, with Jeff, Rhonda and Vinnie all taking a solo. Fantastic performance. As for this vid, Billy was an unbelievable drummer. The SPEED he displays at times is jaw dropping.

there was never another fusion band like these guys.

Thank you, Universe. Thank you, Infinity. Thank You All.

I've always been struck by how ludicrous Billy Cobham's economy of movement is. No matter how frenetic his playing, his hips and abdomen barely ever move, and his head is generally floating calmly in space, while his arms are swinging around in a blur that is both manic and extremely precise. The thoroughness of control and the constant rapid interplay of force and finesse... this music isn't really my jam, but it's a marvel to behold, and it's incredibly inspiring to witness this level of playing.

Best drummer in history

I just got turned on to this band today. Oh my! So much! Billy Cobham blows my mind!

The best power group EVER assembled!

Saw Mahavisnu open for Frank Zappa right after campus shootings. The Orchestra blew all the naysayers away. Folks left when Zappa came on. KENT STATE was never the same

Drum Solo: Hypnotic!

It was a mind fuck in 1972, believe me.

I spooge on my screen every time I hear Jan Hammers Moog solo, like hearing Holdsworth! Hits a spot deep in my spine....

I saw mahavishnu orchestra open for frank zappa at cobo hall arena in Detroit when i was a teen. I’ll never forget it. Best concert in my life.

I remember when I first heard them in the 70s. I didn't think it was possible that mere mortals could do this. Then I realized they were not mere mortals, they are legends.

This band changed my musical life back in the early 70s. Still sounds amazing today.

They don’t make bands like this any more Billy Cobham on drums a genius

I saw them about 10 times when I was in high school and shortly thereafter. The latter part of ‘72 was their best period. By mid ‘73 the thrill was gone.

DiMeola, McLaughlin, Lifeson, Santana, May. The greatest guitarists still alive right now. I swear I saw John on the subway once but was in such awe of him I didn't want to bother him. Never knowing if he probably was coming up with something in his head!🤪

Billy Cobham. BEST. DRUMMER. EVER!

Saw this band in June of 72. They opened for Led Zepplin with Emerson, Lake & Palmer being the third act. What a concert!

Brilliant team of musicians, every single one of them.

Went to a concert in Central Park in 1973 to see this group. An outer body experience then and now. The best!!

William Emanuel Cobham Jnr. - my favourite drummer ever!!!

Jerry Goodman was a former member of the Flock. Awesome.

I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH JERRY GOODMAN. HE IS A VIRTUOSO OF THE VIOLIN!

During that violin solo my tears came out...

I bought my Fibes kit 40 years ago and still playing them...They sound great

ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS OF MUSICAL GENUIS. PURE GENUIS.😎🎸🔊🎶🎼☮️ BOB.

Dejo mi testimonio : mas de mil veces habre oido este tema y siempre con el mismo sentimiento de estar oyendo algo nuevo . es increible !!! Todo el grupo es de otra galaxia con John McLaughlin a la cabeza ( TREMENDO GUITARRRRRRISTA ).Dentro de muchos años , se hablara de ellos como ahora hablamos de la transicion entre el Barroco y el Clasicismo .Ellos fueron el inicio de otra grandiosa epoca de la musica , Jazz progresivo .... etc SIento que son como mis hermanos ...

This guy, John McLaughlin, BLEW ME AWAY when I first saw this band on TV!

Saw them in '73 in Iowa City at the Field House. Was a music major and these guys blew my mind. This square looking dude walked on stage in all white (short hair) with a double neck and lit it on fire! I swear he told Cobham to play the drums as fast as you can and I will keep up on the guitar! Awesome. John also played guitar on Miles "Bitches Brew" album...the best Jazz album of all time in my opinion! If Miles picked him...he had to be the best!

Look into Mr John Mcloughlin eyes with Jerry Goodman's intro and Billy's percussion WTF for me i cried still do .All of them so respectful of each other truly a rare example of true musicianship. I feel very fortunate of sharing this line up twice wow.

Violin Jesus plays like a god

Others will disagree, but for me, this band will always be the supreme fusion group, above all others.. . it's not "just" the playing, but the material, as well. . .

Nice performance by all of them. Billy Cobham is amazing at the end.

The chops on display here are "give up your chosen instrument for good." Jan Hammer never fails to amaze me with his expression on synth and he really sets the bar for any soloist on keyboard. John McLaughlin is my god tier inspiration both as a guitarist and as a person. Don't know the violin guy but he's crazy talented. As is the bassist and Drummer. Just an amazingly talented set of people playing together really really well. No egos. Just amazing music. Luv and Peace.

I saw this band in Toronto with Zappa. (71?) ... What a monster show.

OMG... Listened to this album till two am when I was a teenager...

My first experience with live music!! This tour, this band.... They prayed first... Mind blowing!!!🌌🎆💥🌠😔🤯

The interplay bw Cobham and Goodman is such a treat to hear. This music speaks too me on so many levels.

This is an epic fact in the history of the music. It's so beautiful and powerful.

"The truly happy man can connect the morning of his life with the evening."

Seeing Mahavishnu live was one of the most amazing musical experiences I ever had. Seeing Billy Cobham behind those clear Fibes drums with his speed and power was a new experience for me at the time. I also loved Return to Forever and thought they were maybe cleaner while Mahavishnu was more power. The early 70s was a GREAT time for bands made up of REAL musicians.

One of very best bands ever, absolutely unique, what a brilliant performance ... Mesmerising

Beacon theatre , early 70's ,appeared with Steve Miller acoustic tour . As you expect I was blown away. Bought Devotion a week later ! God blessed me !

Billy Cobham. Wow. That guy is awesome.

Only knew there was a band once, named "Mahavishnu Orchestra". Never heard any music from them before, and never knew who was in it. Now i see this lineup and i am astonished. Know them all, as great musicians, from other (later) work. They perfectly perform these astounding compositions live here. What a discovery!

Back (a long time a go) when music was spiritual. Love from Switzerland.

Me; age 14 years...One of my best friends brought over his oldest brothers copy of Inner Mountain Flame, and it cracked my musical head open like a beautiful egg....!🌹 That was 45 years ago....

What incredible music. Been listening to and engaged by music since I was a teenager in the early Sixties when my buddies and I smoked French cigarettes in folk cafes and my girlfriend and I snuck into jazz clubs to hear Miles Davis and Nina Simone. Music is important to me. This is as good as it gets. Crazy but all too human that the musicians making such beauty couldn't work and grow together. Ego is a powerful negative force. But what beauty they made. The first album, with the mostly acoustic solo side, can still send shivers down my spine, as in Follow Your Heart. Here that stunning feeling is again. What creativity. Listening to JM playing this song recently, at J. Beck's recent memorial concert with Ronda, pairs so well with this. Thanks to the OP.

I discovered this band from reading the Aerosmith Biography “Walk This Way”. They were a opening band for them. I don’t understand why I have never heard of this band. Love them all!!! ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

Timeless. Love this as much as I did 50 years ago.

I heard the Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1972 in Zürich / Switzerland. I was a drummer and I was impressed by Billy Cobham

What a time warp. I loved Inner Mounting Flame and so much about Mahhavishnu John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham (!) and Jan Hammer.

Billy’s drumming is on another level

Billy sure is smooth, he makes it look easy. Never broke a sweat either . Great drummer for sure .

50 years ago, I was listening to this fine ensemble. Now I’m hearing them - and am in awe.

These guys along with Jean Luc Ponty created some of the greatest music to come out of the 70's.