Buddy Rich
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Buddy Rich | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | September 30, 1917 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | April 2, 1987 |
| Genre(s) | Jazz, Big band |
| Years active | 1937–1987 |
| Official site | www.buddyrich.com |
Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuoso technique, power, speed and ability to improvise.
He was born to Jewish parents in Brooklyn, New York on September 30, 1917. It was his father who initially realized Buddy's talent for rhythm, when Buddy could keep a steady beat with spoons at the age of one. He began playing drums in vaudeville when he was 18 months old, billed as "Traps the Drum Wonder". At the peak of Rich's childhood career, he was the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world. At 11 he was performing as a bandleader. He received no formal drum instruction and, in fact, denounced all instruction, believing it would actually degrade his gift for music. He also never admitted engaging in practicing drums, stating that all the practice he needed he derived from his performances. Though he was considered among the most original and creative drummers with few peers, he has been quoted as expressing great admiration for and drawing influence from the playing of Chick Webb, Gene Krupa, and Jo Jones, among a few others.
In 1937 he entered jazz with Joe Marsala's group, then played with Bunny Berigan (1938), Artie Shaw (1939), Tommy Dorsey (1939–1942, 1945, 1954–1955), Benny Carter (1942), Harry James (1953–1956), Les Brown, Charlie Ventura, and Jazz at the Philharmonic, as well as leading his own band and performing with all-star groups. For most of the period from 1966 until his death, he led a successful big band in an era when the popularity of big bands had waned from its peak in the 1930s and 40s. His most popular performance was a big band arrangement of the Leonard Bernstein classic West Side Story. One of his most seen television performances was in a 1981 episode [1] of The Muppet Show, where he engaged Muppet drummer "Animal" in a drum battle.
Though Buddy was typically a helpful and friendly man, he was also known to have a short temper. In many instances, he took advantage of the fact he was so highly respected. He threatened to fire band members many times. However, he rarely actually did.
Buddy Rich died April 2, 1987 at the age of 69. Reportedly, prior to heart surgery, when asked by a nurse if he was allergic to anything he replied, "Yes ... country music!" He is interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Since Rich's death, a number of memorial concerts have been held. In 1994, the Rich tribute album Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich was released. Produced by Rush drummer/lyricist Neil Peart, the album features performances of Rich live staples by a number of famous rock and jazz drummers, all accompanied by the Buddy Rich Big Band. A second volume was issued in 1997.
[edit] Multimedia
- "Hawaiian War Chant" with Tommy Dorsey from "Ship Ahoy" (1942)
- Drum Duet with Jerry Lewis (1965)
- "Time Check", Rochester NY (1973)
- Buddy Rich vs. Animal - The Muppets (1981)
- "West Side Story", Frank Sinatra Concert For The Americas (1982)
- Audio sample of "I'll Never Be the Same" by Rich and Lionel Hampton
- Numerous videos of Rich at drummerworld.com
