Buddy Rich

Arguably the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the legendary Buddy Rich exhibit
ed his love for music through the dedication of his life to the art.
His was a career that spanned seven decades, beginning when Rich was 18 months o
ld and continuing until his death in 1987. Immensely gifted,
Rich could play with remarkable speed and dexterity despite the fact that he nev
er received a formal lesson and refused to practice outside of his performances.
Born Bernard Rich to vaudevillians Robert and Bess Rich on September 30, 1917, t
he famed drummer was introduced to audiences at a very young age.
By 1921, he was a seasoned solo performer with his vaudeville act, "Traps the Dr
um Wonder." With his natural sense of rhythm, Rich performed regularly on Broadw
ay at the age of four.
At the peak of Rich's early career, he was the second-highest paid child enterta
iner in the world.
Rich's jazz career began in 1937 when he began playing with Joe Marsala at New Y
ork's Hickory House. By 1939, he had joined Tommy Dorsey's band,
and he later went on to play with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie V
entura, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. Rich was regularly featured in Jazz at t
he Philharmonic during the late 40s.
He also appeared in such Hollywood films as Symphony of Swing (1939), Ship Ahoy
(1942) and How's About It (1943).
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Rich toured with his own bands and opened two nigh
tclubs, Buddy's Place and Buddy's Place II. Both clubs were regularly filled to
capacity by fans of the great master drummer.
After opening Buddy's Place II, Rich introduced new tunes with elements of rock
into his repertoire, demonstrating his ability to adapt to his audience's changi
ng tastes and establishing himself as a great rock drummer.
Known for his caustic humor, Rich was a favorite on several television talk show
s including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the Mike Douglas Show, the Dick
Cavett Show and the Merv Griffin Show.
During these appearances, Rich entertained audiences through his constant sparri
ng with the hosts and his slights of various pop singers.
This famed musician received outstanding recognition throughout his career. The
Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame Award, the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame A
ward and
the Jazz Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award are just a few of his numerous honors
. Rich gained international attention for such master compositions as his 10-min
ute West Side Story medley.
During his lengthy career, Rich toured around the globe, performing for millions
of fans and several world leaders including the king of Thailand, the queen of
England, Franklin Roosevelt,
John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan and King Hussein of Jordan.
On April 2, 1987, Rich died of heart failure following surgery for a malignant b
rain tumor. Long-time friend, Frank Sinatra, presented the eulogy at Rich's fune
ral.
Today, Buddy Rich is remembered as one of history's greatest musicians. Accordin
g to jazz legend Gene Krupa, Rich was "The greatest drummer ever to have drawn b
reath."