Chester Thompson

Biography

Chester Cortez Thompson is an American musician. He is primarily a drummer, percussionist, session musician, producer, and teacher. Thompson is perhaps best known for working with Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention from 1973 to 1975, and with the progressive rock band Genesis from 1977 to 1992, and again in 2007. He is a current member of his jazz group, the Chester Thompson Trio, formed in 2011.

Known For

Classic Albums

Self (archive footage)

Zappa

Self (archive footage)

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words

Self (archive footage)

Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation

Self (archive footage)

Inside Genesis: 1975-1980

Self (archive footage)

Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie

Himself

Phil Collins: Live at Montreux 2004

Self - Drums

Louder Than Rock

Self

Filmography

Year	Movie	Role
2025	Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep	Self (drums)
2023	Louder Than Rock	Self
2020	Zappa	Self (archive footage)
2016	Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words	Self (archive footage)
2015	Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie	Himself
2014	Cheepnis	Himself
2013	Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme	Himself
2010	The Drummers of Frank Zappa Roundtable Discussion and Performance	Self
2010	Phil Collins: Going Back - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC	Self - Drums
2008	Genesis: When in Rome 2007	Self
2008	Genesis \| Members Only DVD	Self
2007	Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation	Self (archive footage)
2007	Genesis \| Live in Düsseldorf	Self
2007	The Long Goodnight: A Film About Phil Collins	Self
2007	Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973
2005	Genesis: The Video Show	Self (archive footage)
2005	Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme	Himself
2005	Santana: In Concert	Self - Keyboards
2004	Phil Collins: Finally... The First Farewell Tour	Self - Drums
2004	Phil Collins: Live at Montreux 2004	Self - Drums
2004	Inside Genesis: 1975-1980	Self (archive footage)
2001	Genesis \| Songbook	Self
2001	Steve Hackett: The Tokyo Tapes - Live In Japan 1996	Himself - Drums
2000	Santana: Supernatural Live	Self
1994	God Is Able - Ron Kenoly	Drums and Percussion
1993	Genesis - The Way We Walk: Live in Concert	Self
1992	Genesis \| A Midsummer Night's Dance	Self
1992	Genesis \| Opening Night	Self
1990	Phil Collins - Serious Hits Live	Self - Drums, Percussion
1989	Genesis \| Live at Wembley Stadium	Self
1988	The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels	Self (archive footage)
1988	Genesis: Invisible Touch Tour	Self
1987	Genesis \| Live at Montreux 1987	Self
1985	Phil Collins: No Ticket Required	Self
1984	Genesis \| Live: The MAMA Tour - National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham	Self
1983	Genesis \| MAMA Tour Rehearsal	Self
1982	Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!	Self
1982	Phil Collins: Live at Perkins Palace	Self
1981	Genesis \| Three Sides Live	Self - Drums
1980	Genesis \| Live in London: The Lyceum Tapes May 6, 1980	Self
1980	Genesis in Liverpool	Self
1980	Genesis \| Live in London: The Lyceum Tapes May 7, 1980	Self
1975	Weather Report: Live in Berlin

Year	TV Show	Role
1997	Classic Albums	Self (archive footage)