
Chester Thompson
Known for Acting · 48 credits
- Born
- 1948-12-11 (age 77)
- Place of birth
- Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Also known as
- Genesis · Chester Cortez Thompson · Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention · The Chester Thompson Trio
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
1997
as Self (archive footage)

Zappa
2020
as Self (archive footage)

Phil Collins: Live at Perkins Palace
1982
as Self

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
2016
as Self (archive footage)

Santana: In Concert
2005
as Self - Keyboards

Phil Collins: Finally... The First Farewell Tour
2004
as Self - Drums
TV Shows (1)
Movies (47)

Zappa
2020
as Self (archive footage)

Phil Collins: Live at Perkins Palace
1982
as Self

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
2016
as Self (archive footage)

Santana: In Concert
2005
as Self - Keyboards

Phil Collins: Finally... The First Farewell Tour
2004
as Self - Drums

Phil Collins: Live at Montreux 2004
2004
as Self - Drums

Genesis: When in Rome 2007
2008
as Self

Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep
2025
as Self (drums)

Genesis - Live at Wembley Stadium
1989
as Self

Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation
2007
as Self (archive footage)

Phil Collins: Going Back - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC
2010
as Self - Drums

Genesis | Live in Düsseldorf
2007
as Self

Genesis - Three Sides Live
1981
as Self - Drums

Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
2015
as Himself

Santana: Supernatural Live
2000
as Self

Genesis: Invisible Touch Tour
1988
as Self

Genesis | Songbook
2001
as Self

Phil Collins: No Ticket Required
1985
as Self

Genesis Raindrops Over Hamburg
2007

Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special!
1982
as Self

Louder Than Rock
2023
as Self

Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme
2013
as Himself

Phil Collins - Serious Hits Live
1990
as Self - Drums, Percussion

The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels
1988
as Self (archive footage)

Genesis: The Video Show
2005
as Self (archive footage)

Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973
2007

Genesis | Members Only DVD
2008
as Self

The Long Goodnight: A Film About Phil Collins
2007
as Self

Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme
2005
as Himself

Genesis - Live in London: The Lyceum Tapes May 6, 1980
1980
as Self
Genesis | A Midsummer Night's Dance
1992
as Self

Cheepnis
2014
as Himself

God Is Able - Ron Kenoly
1994
as Drums and Percussion

Genesis | Live: The MAMA Tour - National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
1984
as Self

Genesis | Opening Night
1992
as Self

Genesis - Live from Knebworth
1992
as Self

Inside Genesis: 1975-1980
2004
as Self (archive footage)

Genesis | MAMA Tour Rehearsal
1983
as Self

Genesis | Live at Montreux 1987
1987
as Self

Genesis in Liverpool
1980
as Self

Phil Collins - No Jacket Required 2025 Mix
2025
as Self

Genesis - The Way We Walk: Live in Concert
1993
as Self
The Drummers of Frank Zappa Roundtable Discussion and Performance
2010
as Self

Genesis - Live in London: The Lyceum Tapes May 7, 1980
1980
as Self

Explosão de Adoração: Aline Barros In Korea Ao Vivo
2002

Weather Report: Live in Berlin
1975

Steve Hackett: The Tokyo Tapes - Live In Japan 1996
2001
as Himself - Drums
About Chester Thompson
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. With 48 credits spanning from 1975 to 2025, Chester Thompson has appeared in 47 films and 1 TV show.
Fans searching for Chester Thompson movies, Chester Thompson filmography, or the latest projects starring Chester Thompson can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Chester Thompson Movies
- Zappa (2020) — as Self (archive footage)
- Phil Collins: Live at Perkins Palace (1982) — as Self
- Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words (2016) — as Self (archive footage)
- Santana: In Concert (2005) — as Self - Keyboards
- Phil Collins: Finally... The First Farewell Tour (2004) — as Self - Drums
Where to Watch Chester Thompson Films
Most Chester Thompson movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Chester Thompson, check our movies catalogue and browse page.