Any Buddy Rich fans?

He was a great musician, an artist, and like so many (definitely not all) not so great a human being to be around. What isn't discussed is that more than once Rich got beat up by someone he shot his mouth off at, and it didn't stop him at all. He had issues that nothing besides embalming fluid was going to fix.

Sinatra was that way too.

But they are dead and the music lives. That's the more important thing, no?

 

My friend and I used to see him so often in first row that he would call us by name. He came to Milwaukee's Summerfest every year. I first saw him at the high school I would attend later. Incredible high energy trip seeing that band live from up close.

 

Frank Sinatra hired a few of his pals to give Buddy a working over during the days when they were both in the Tommy Dorsey band and feuding constantly.

Later on Buddy became a karate expert. Maybe he thought he needed it.

 

I can never pass up the opportunity to mention that I saw the Buddy Rich Orchestra open for The Who in 1969. Talk about a weird bill.

I saw Buddy play live twice and of course he was unreal. Great.

 

anyone into Buddy Rich? I was reading that he never had a lesson, completely self taught, and was a child prodigy. Could not read music whicch for a jazz musician at that level seems unusual. I don't think there was anyone faster either.

 

If you haven't heard them yet, the Buddy Rich rants are infamously funny.

 

Yep, a good drummer too!

 

Loved his Big Swing Face album. Great artist. The rants are indeed funny.

 

He was in a word a GENIUS!

 

Where's the best place to start for someone (like me) who's unfamiliar with his music?

 

There's an album called "The Monster" from Verve. That's the first one I heard. It's as good a place to start as any.

 

Big Swing Face, Swinging New Big Band, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Keep the Customer Satisfied, Buddy & Soul

 

Thanks!

 

I saw him once. What he did with a simple drum set is beyond words. He could sound as fantastic as Bonham Palmer or Moonie with just a tiny kit. His speed and just inherent feel were amazing. A year or so ago, I took a nephew who played drums through a simple Buddy lesson, dissecting Ya Gotta Try for him, showing him how even Rich's fills worked to complement the song, his 'sowing off' never got in the way of accenting the key points in the song.

 

"Your Not My Kind Of People" Rants

 

Chased that band around western NY and NE PA in the late 70's up until he passed away. Saw him in dives and in concert halls with Sinatra. He never failed to entertain...and to purely mesmerize.

 

Guys, here we have a person new to Buddy and his MUSIC. For once, can you same guys who always bring up the rants and say the same old stuff just chill out for once and let us introduce Buddy and his MUSIC to someone who is interested in learning about that? Please?

 

Best band I ever had-short but sweet and a Hoffman mastering for DCC is the choice. Giant Steps with Lionel Hampton and The two tribute cds overseen by Neil Peart are fun.

 

Buddy's speed and technique were nothing short of incredible beyond words.

 

Go to youtube and type in Buddy Rich,a lot of videos and music there.

 

I love this. Pretty sure I remember it going out on BBC radio in 1984 or so.

 

I was unaware that he was self taught. I only saw him once back in 1974 and he was a real treat to listen to and watch.

Jetman, I have no idea what you're blathering on about. I do know that when someone says "anyone (everybody) know this" it's time for me to tune them out.
Maybe you weren't ranting, but it sure sounded like you were.

 

IMO, Rich lacked the subtlety and nuance of a Max Roach, but for sheer rapid-fire big-bam-boom cannon power, I don't think he can be touched.

 

Rich played this solo at the age of 65 (he died at 69):

 

He had full cardiac arrest after that solo. True story!