44 people have thumbs downed this video... 44 people with no idea about quality music and musicians. This is superb on all levels.

What a drummer. What a drummer. Man what a drummer. I am 71 have been playing since i was 12 and this guy is dead on.

As a drum teacher and music educator Simon has always been at the top of my list of recommended drummers to watch. Feel, dynamics, rudiments, groove and most importantly timing. It’s a shame so many people are caught up in their favourite music and scoff at such amazing musicians. You don’t have to be a fan of the genre appreciate someone who is an elite performer.

Thought #1: That 7/4 groove it so sick it should get free health care. Thought #2: No drummer uses space as musically as Simon Phillips. I wish I could hear what he's hearing in his head when he isn't playing that inspires and informs what he plays in response to it. Pure genius, and pure artistry. Thought #3: The Simon Smile is never *_not_* infectious. Thought #4: Almost a decade later, this still sounds as fresh as the day it was recorded.

Despite of a big kit he has one gift: he does not overplay. He's quite consummate with his ideas, actually. And he really listens to what the other guys do on stage. Not all super drummers can handle these two important things.

BRILLIANT!! A natural genius! Simon..you are blessed man.

How is anyone talking about the fact that he has a totally ambidextrous way of playing , leading with both hands !!! It is incredible

To me Philips is the most exciting, creative and musical drummer of our generation. I know, big statement but he's killer!!

Phillips' technique is so clean and precise with such great feel.

The guy kills me. Every time I watch one of his vids Im amazed again by his independence. More versatile with his arms and legs than any other drummer. Shifting from left hand dominance to right to left. Leading with either hand deftly. Ill never be even close to him. An inspiration and frustration at the same time.

When I saw The Who in their return tour in '89, Phillips was clearly the star of the show. One of the truly under-appreciated greats for generations.

Yet another example of what is meant when Simon is called a 'musical drummer'. His ability to simultaneously create a groove and interact with the other players is extraordinary.

Absolutely incredible.

Simon is - (maybe) - the best player ever! It's not only how he plays - it is how he is into music! His dynamic and the way he is feeling the music is simply out of thinking! There is no way to "think" what he is doing just in the moment. He is making more out of the music that is "normally" in it! He is adding a new dimension. This is what his real quality is all about! In every recording he plays he is making the difference.

One of the greatest drummers of all time. Truly amazing

I WAS GOING TO START PLAYING AGAIN SOON AFTER A STROKE AT 50 AND NOW I'M REHABBED AT 61 BUT I REALIZE NOW I'M JUST WASTING MY TIME. LUV YA. SIMON. GOOD STUFF BROTHER.

I came by this video entirely by accident, and so glad I did, it absolutely made my day!

I’ve always been a Simon fan since hearing with Jeff Beck. But that Lee Ritenhour solo was off the hook! And Simon’s drumming during the solo added to the intensity! Awesome!

Admittedly, I know nothing of fusion music. But it sure is a always pleasure watching Simon play..DAMN!

Simon is unreal...what a groove and crazy ambidextrous! And chops but always with great dynamics.....

It is difficult to fathom the degree of losses that Ritenour and Phillips had in the separate fires in California...Simon lived in Ventura and Lee in Malibu. The fires were in different locations and happened in different years yet these two world class musicians here on the same stage suffered identical losses of their entire homes, music collections, instruments, memories and everything else dear to them. Here they are giving their everything from the bottom of their highly evolved musical souls showing how precious and deep this music performance that they love & business goes. It is definitely "of the heart"....and they are all the ultimate pros at what they do.

The tempo he built over the entire track is phenomenal! Absolute gracious from Simon

Simon is one of the reasons why I'm a huge fan of TOTO. At the Olympics he would win the gold medal.

I love Simon's dynamic awareness

Simon is such a musical drummer. One of the best and my personal favorite.

Simon is THE best. Look how he plays from his heart. the set he has is brilliant but when he plays with smaller set he´s talent really shows. amazing amazing guy. i hope i meet him some day

Best independence I've ever seen! Awesome fusion 7 groove. Simon rules!

A lot of technically brilliant drummers out there who can do amazing things but having musicality on this level at the same time is a very rare thing. Maybe he's the best ?

That rhythmic illusion around 09'10''... After all these years it is still the smoothest one I have ever heard 👌 (despite the mind fuck it actually is!)

I wish I could give this a million thumbs up!

Totally inspirational drummer. Every time I hear him play I realize there's so much more to learn.

Always loved Simon's groove: it's that rare perfect balance of relaxed, yet articulated & deadly accurate.

Hands down Simon is the greatest drummer in the world. I understand the greats out there who are monsters at the drums but Simons ambidexterity is like no other. To switch lead hands so easily and effortlessly is beyond difficult. If you watch his KZfaq videos he mentions he started playing open handed because he was originally a right handed drummer but wanted to lower his hi hat so he could fit another Tom in (his smallest Tom) and the only way he would be able to play the hi hat was with his left hand (open hand) so he taught himself to lead with his left hand after years of leading with his right hand. That is an amazing feat in itself.

There are few drummers out there who play as seemingly effortlessly as Simon. Every time I watch one of his videos I'm simultaneously inspired and disheartened. Inspired, for obvious reasons. Disheartened because I know I'll never be a fraction as skilled as he is. Yet, i keep watching...

Simon Phillips is a monster player...I had an opportunity to meet him at Modern Drum Festival back in the 90's and he is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He is one of those Drummers that every time he performs he is under pressure to deliver and does it magnificently every time. No doubt one of the best in the world! Study his playing and learn a lot.

One of the best ever.. definitely my favorite drummer! I love his sound and his taste

I am so glad Simon has had a wider audience he deserves it!

These guys blow in a 7/4 time signature so naturally it's amazing. Of course Simon is keeping everything together with ease.

This is my favorite thing on the entire internet for going on five weeks straight now😎

OMG amazing!!! A real pleasure to watch Simon play that kit!

This is absolutely my favourite performance on video from Simon. I'm a lifelong fan (not fanboy, although I did put this up on Drummerworld :) ), & I can't think of another clip that encapsulates Simons deep groove & musicality more than this. Simon is one of the very few true multi genre monsters (just go listen to his stuff with Hiromi & Anthony jackson). Not only does his ability cross so many styles, but he brings delight to the musical palate of each performance. Truly stunning!

Always impressed with Simon P's dynamics. He knows how to build it up, simmer it down and let it marinate.

When I'm feeling frustated about being right-handed and playing left-handed I see Simon and I'm happy again! He's the man behind the drums. He never gets you dissapointed.

The control of the groove is incredible...

This guy is seriously amazing

We'll that must be one of the greatest display of showmanship I've ever witnessed on drums. I believe every imaginable technique is displayed here by Simon, all with exquisite taste and perfect execution. Simon is definitively one of the greatest drummers of the 20th and 21st century. Kudos !

It's not just his technical ability but his sense of song and what's needed. Been listening to his The Who stuff (check out Sparks from the The Who's live gig that was recorded in 1989. But also check out his stuff with 801 (sublime and he's only 18years old) or Mike Oldfield (Crisis) for example. He's an insane drummer. His drum tone is to die for and his technical ability is just sublime.

Damn Simon sounds great...love the way he and Stern are playing off each other

Not only Simon is playing so great, the sounds of drums are so beautiful!

Geez! How can this get any better. That’s amazing chops and time. 😊

Man what a GREAT recording, I'm totally blow away by this incredible drummer.

Simon is a great pleasure to watch and listen to. His ambidexterity is incredible. I could watch him play all day, but I gotta go to work.

its after midnight..... i'm eating a hot dog,,,,,,,,,,, and bopping my head relentlessly to this jam........... and lee Ritenour's solo in particular.........great stuff.......

Brilliant playing. I've seen Buddy Rich a couple of times LIVE and met Billy Cobham, and have studied "big name" drummers for years. If it were possible to "hijack" a playing style, I would want to play like Simon Phillips. He first crossed my radar while playing the ARMS concert with Clapton, Page, and Jeff Beck on stage at one time. Then played with Jeff Beck and the Who plus many many other music legends. Impressive. Simon Phillips is a true artist. Thanks for posting this.

First time i'm listening to him, got on here by random clicking - He is incredible!

THANK YOU SIMON FROM ALL OF US DRUMMERS-

Watching Simon and listening to Stern and Rit is heaven.....waiting for the DVD.....

I love watching Simon play. He has been my favorite drummer sense 1984 when I first heard 801 live. I learned to play the Hi-hat with my left hand because my friend Randy Staggs played that way and I saw that the arms never had to cross unless you wanted to. you have easy access to all drums and cymbals.

How can you not like this?

AGAIN...TOTALLY KICK-ASS! & TASTY @ THE SAME TIME...OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES!!!!

Simon is very consistent @ being good @ what he does.

Master class in drumming... Phillips is so ambidextrous... came from lots of practice. One of my influences. I wish I had a transcribe of his sticking on some of those grooves.... Well then playing it would be another matter. The tuning of his drums sounds amazing.

Simon is a beast with that open hand style beyond bad-ass

Simon is definitely one of the best ever and there is some stiff opposition around. He looks comfortable playing any genre. His mobility in both hands, spot on groove and timing makes you want to watch over and over again! Brilliant!

Magical performance: great drummer!

This may be one of the best drum solos I've ever heard.

Simon is that sort of Drummer whose Timing along with a feel for Tempo is REMARKABLE

I absolutely agree this clip of Simon is a gem!! It sums up beautifully what Simon has been doing all these years, amazing technique, in the pocket playing, and control all put together for the music. Thanks Simon for inspiring us. Yes stunning indeed..........

Wow, after decades of listening to these two, I never new Simon drummed for Ritenour. Bizarre !!

I totally enjoy watching and listening to Simon play drums!

I can only listen to Simon play until I die, I will consider my life hectic, surprising and magical. One of the greatest musicians in history. One of my absolute idols since its discovery on the record of the lion king when I was little! (he lives in you)- thanks for the vidéo and sorry for my english i'm french.😢

REAL GREAT STUFF!!!!!! Compact but clear as the water of a mountain creek!! Love it!!!!

As soon as the lights focused on the drums and the rest of the band dropped in volume I instantly knew magic was about to happen

BEAUTIFULLY PLAYED :)

Cosa vogliamo dire..? Grande musicista, molto particolare, sempre riconoscibile tra tutti .. insomma, un GRANDISSIMO !!

Awesome video of Simon! Love his drum sound and playing so much!

Great!!! All of them, but Simon is sooooo special !!!!

This is why Simon Phillips is the Master.

Amazing. He's also an ace engineer/producer.

Che groove Simon!!!sei speciale nel dare la parola alla musica!!!

Lee's solo is tremendous!!

Most musical drummer of our generation ! Without a doubt

How in EARTH does Simon make this all look so EASY!!!!!????

This is unbelievable. Everything Phillips does is so tasteful and musical. His timing is impeccable. If you do not appreciate this video, there is something wrong with you man.

simon as always being awesome

When people say : "Mike Mangini , Mike Portnoy ... etc " I say Simon all the time !!!!!! he is the best,

Simon Phillips is AMBIDEXTROUS and is simply one of the greats!

WOW!!!! No words....Simon is THE MAN! GREAT band too...love the bass in this song!

His technique is impeccable.

There's a great interview with Simon on YT talking about how he spent many hours making these odd meters groove and feel as natural as possible. He is an incredible drummer! Love it when he plays with AJ!

Mostruous, the drummer is a beassst!!!

Double snare double bass drum now that's signature Simon Phillips. One of the best ever

Great riffs!

Sweet.How on earth can one dislike this feel of music??

Simon Phillips has had the same drum setup for years. Maybe he’s added an additional floor tom and snare around his right leg (more recently) but his kit hasn’t changed since the late 80’s early 90’s and he musically uses it all. Even the way he sets up his cymbals are the same. A total badass!!

Yes, Simon...........completely complemented by Melvin Davis in this glorious Groove......!!! ♪♫ 😎 ♪♫

That was beyond MONSTER!! I could barely stay in my chair. What an incredible camera angle. You really get a fantastic perspective on the workload Phillips carries.

Such a great drummer great Simon👍

Love it. Thanks Simon. You are the king.

Výbornej bubeník Simon Phillips si vždycky najde zajímavé spoluhráče a hudba je to potom moc pěkná.....díky ...díky Bohu za tento dar hudby...koho však oslavujeme...tot otázka????...Amenus L