scovit!
A couple things you may find interesting:
I was attending the Berklee College Of Music back in '73 when I finally got my chance to see "The Mahavishnu Orchestra"... some dude on another floor had offered his tickets for sale. Anyway, that's when I saw/heard firsthand Billy Cobham and his Fibes. Up until then I was only able to listen to them on albums... anyway ... the night of that concert, when the introductions were made, Billy Cobham got a standing ovation... and rightly so ... what a monster! John Mclaughlin didn't get anywhere NEAR the applause although he certainly got his due! Well, I could feel the tension on stage from where I was sitting! I knew there were problems afoot... and then ... Billy Cobham releases "Spectrum" while he was STILL IN the Mahavishnu Orchestra... and that was the end right there. Billy left Mahavishnu very shortly after that album was released. Word was that John Mclaughlin fired him... the truth was Billy split, because there were problems/tension between him and John Mclaughlin. It would seem that John's ego couldn't handle the fact that Billy Cobham was getting most all the attention in that band... and again, rightly so! You made a comment:
"I believe quite a bit of Cobhams playing is exemplified by today's modern drummer!" So true!!! Cobham was IT during this period, and through the late 70's as well. Every drummer of age during this period was certainly influenced by BC. He brought a LOT of new ideas/approaches to the table, not the least of which would be the "open hand" style of playing and complete MASTERY of odd meters. I was able to see him with his own band a total of 6 times while I was in Boston. Spectrum, Crosswinds, Total Eclipse,... all of it. At one point I was sitting a mere 25 feet in front of him and his Fibes. Wow. That was a show at a place called "Paul's Mall" in Boston. Very intimate venue... as in not very large. I was completely blown away... visually as well as aurally!! The next time I saw him he had added the North Drums to his Fibes kit. These were protoypes and NO ONE had ever seen/heard them before. I go some great pics from that concert!! Anyway,
GREAT that you found a Fibes candidate to sit with your kit until you can locate that most illusive rectangular Farmingdale Fibes badge. Again, those drums are gorgeous!!! I will keep an eye out for you as well.
Tommyp