Buddy Rich - Jazz Legend '70 to '87

Upped for educational purposes because Buddy Rich schooled just about everybody...

[@bellavia5]

BUDDY RICH A drummer so talented -that his name became synonymos with Jazz and percussion. THE most intense and formidable Jazz drummer ever to sit behind a drum kit. We we're lucky to have him for so long a time. GOD Bless.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Like any musician is synonymous with their craft.. that is how it works.

[@hectorchavez3405]

@@morbidmanmusic you are one jealous dude

[@chriscollesano8463]

46:00, his brush work.. man. I had a big smile while watching that.

[@mervinjohns3009]

I know . Had not seen Buddy with brush in hand . No problem !!! Awesome !!!!!

[@MrKlemps]

This two-part documentary is one of the best, perhaps THE best documentaries ever done of a musician. And that's because the MUSICAL events are shown at length, and the voice-overs are minimal and, for once, not trying prove how smart the script-writer is. So let's hear it for the producers and for Mel Torme.

[@WhenHerbSpeaks]

The Patron Saint of The Drumset. Buddy was, and always will be, KING. Poise. Grace. Attitude. Musicality. Skills. Power. Technique. Buddy Rich is The Frank Sinatra of DRUMMING. 'nuff said.

[@johnnypenso9574]

Words like superstar, legend etc. are thrown around today like candy on Halloween. This guy was the very definition of legend, of superstar. He stood head and shoulders above the rest of his profession like Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus in their prime, like Michael Jordan in winning 6 straight titles and like Bobby Orr winning 2 scoring titles as a defenceman in his prime. Imperfect human beings in some ways but untouchable and unbeatable in others. These are the men that make even skeptics believe there may indeed be a God.

[@chrismartin81]

Obviously a superhuman on the drumset the like of which we'll probably never see again. To say he was a genius is an underestimation of his phenomenal skills. Not just the best drummer in the world but the best in all creation. He's left a legacy of albums and videos that illustrate his God given gift for playing the drums!!!

[@Bob-nu3xe]

once in a life time of the universe drummer and i got to see him how cool was that! many thanks for the post great job, Buddy was not only the master he worked he butt off over his life time to share his talent thank god he did

[@dmreeoogdaq]

The version of "West Side Story" in this film is so good it is absolutely stupid. Rich displays his absolute best in those solos: raw power, mind-boggling stick control, superhuman speed, accuracy, incredible finesse and sensitivity, and musicality...all at once. I've been playing drums for almost 30 years, and STILL...all I can do is sit here in complete amazement and shake my head and say, "Damn!" every once in a while. There are super-talented, creative, brilliant drummers out there right now, but no one is even in the same ballpark with things Buddy Rich did 30, 40, 50, 60 years ago. I often can't believe what I'm hearing and have to play it again (and again, and again...).

[@MsStormy333]

Well said!

[@turnitback]

I agree completely. Everything about it is breathtaking. The thing that struck me even more than everything else was his soling around the cymbals. I find it impossible to play with that control on cymbals for even a couple of bars.

[@boomer3150]

Same here.

[@paulbudd1330]

It's all been said, so many times before! There will NEVER! BE! ANOTHER! BUDDY 😢 GENIUS! " Not in a MILLION YEARS! Will there ever be any drummer, ANYWHERE! TO COMPARE! WITH " Mr BUDDY RICH! GOD BLESS! HIM! " RIP! " Paul Budd Brightlingsea Essex England UK XXXX

[@cheri238]

​@@paulbudd1330 Wow!!!!

[@mervinjohns3009]

This documentary proves beyond any shadow of a doubt ......BUDDY RICH is the GOAT . I understand that different people have different tastes and preferences .....no argument there . I love and always will , Ginger Baker for his particularly quirky and individual style .....BUT neither Ginger or anyone else could compete with BR . INCOMPARABLE !!

[@johnnyharperscoutstable5386]

Manson fan huh

[@johnnystark1736]

He is the teacher for all drummers!

[@nickturnbull4105]

Buddy was truly exceptional ,no doubt about that ,but let's not forget Tony Williams ,and now JoJo Mayer ,there's been so many great drummers Joe Morello etc etc

[@roybeckerman9253]

Buddy only thinks how good he feels, when he plays, he said. We all feel good , watching him.

[@davidcurtis4478]

Buddy Rich - Best drummer in the world ever - period! David Curtis Drumming

[@mervinjohns3009]

Sorry ... pressed the wrong icon . BR .... the incomparable !!!!

[@sandy3482]

1973, At the Top of the Plaza, Rochester N. Y. I was 23 - I was there - I will never forget it. It is safe to say there never was and there will never be a better drummer than Buddy Rich

[@starsong8665]

I love West Side Story in that particular concert, so moving and full of emotion

[@anthonysilva5312]

I studied music at Humber College in Toronto Canada. The sax player here on the far left (1st chair) is Pat Lebarbara. I remember walking down the hall one day and walking towards me was Pat and Chick Corea. That was unreal.

[@sohobob1]

BR was one of the music greats. Thanks for this video which shows him at his electrifying best.

[@MrZutty]

Buddy was great Not because of speed, chops etc. but because of his Swing! His time was perfect and he could swing his ass off. He is sorely missed!

[@morbidmanmusic]

Okay, but all I can say is if you ask anoyine what brought them to buddy was speed, and technique. Most, including you, likely, didn't love his swing till much later.

[@hectorchavez3405]

@@morbidmanmusic give it up

[@boomer3150]

@@morbidmanmusic Well-said.

[@jackswing-ep7cf]

Buddy rich just cook em. the best ever

[@toddaustin3961]

with all the drummers since and down the line, including Pert, Bonham, Palmer, et.al I don't think any can or did, come close to Buddy Rich

[@bRadicalmagic1]

I got to see Buddy live in Klamath Falls Oregon in 83 , I got to hold his sticks after the concert & let me tell you that they were LIGHT .

[@hoozerob]

+bRad “bRadicalMagic” Nichols I have a task for you. Since I have seen Buddy use different types of sticks with different weights,shoulders, heads and tapers, could you describe the sticks today, if you remember? Only once, one of these videos at the intro, do they show the sticks that seem to closely match the Vic Firth Buddy Rich Signature Series(which I use and they, so far, work the best for me). Like for instance, if you went onto the Vic Firth web site and could point out a stick that may match what you got to hold in your hands.

[@bRadicalmagic1]

I would describe them as an all wood, thin, and extremely light weight . Like a 7a perhaps ?

[@hoozerob]

bRad Nichols Just don't see how he could have pounded them on the drums so articulately doing those rudiments. I guess it's just me. The so called Vic Firth Buddy Rich signature series sticks are thicker, more rounder head, wider neck with less taper works, but I wish they had something identical but just a mm or so smaller, same length.

[@bRadicalmagic1]

Yes, I too have a set of these signature sticks, they are NOTHING LIKE HIS sticks at all ! ! ! The signature sticks are BEASTS compared to what Buddy actually used .

[@hoozerob]

bRad Nichols but they insist that these were what he used. but it's wrong. You look at any of his performances and slow down the frames, you can tell that he almost never seemed to used these. Only in one or two videos have I seen him with such sticks.

[@dannywoody7266]

All time king of the drums. And he proved it over and over the greatest drummer ever draw breath

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

BEYOND Virtuosic, almost inhuman!

[@ChesterDrorze]

Two hours twenty-two minutes later... well thanks for that. I've been a Buddy fan since 1967 and have seen many pieces on KZbin - but these two are definitive. Having seen the great man many times and met him a few, I have a number of anecdotes. Here are just two: in 1970 (?) I first got to see him live. A theatre gig in Victoria, London. He opened with "Machine" (the number that started my life-long love of Jazz) - but it was during the "big" number (WSS or C1S - I don't recall) that they dimmed the stage lights and reduced the spotlight to Buddy. As he centred on the snare, it was reduced further, to cover just him and it. But suddenly the spot wandered off - and without missing a beat, Buddy continued with one hand, crooked the index finger of his other hand into the errant spot and beckoned it BACK! Huge laugh. The other concerns his appearance on the Royal Command Performance - again, 1970 (?) Topping the bill was Herb Alpert. Buddy was less than pleased that he - as with all the others - had to limit his performance to 10 minutes, while Herb got 20. Knowing this would bring him to a VAST British audience, he wanted to do WSS. But it was a 15-minute number. Solution? He shortened the arrangement and crammed a 7-minute solo into 4 minutes. I'd never seen anything LIKE it. I was watching it with a friend - and that performance converted HIM into a life-long Jazz fan. I wonder sometimes how MANY people were INTRODUCED to Jazz by Buddy...

[@djdevine59]

My understanding is that, he was often having severe back problems from a slipped disk, which makes these performances even more incredible. I heard that, sometimes, he literally almost had to be carried onto his throne, and then, despite his intense pain, he played like *this*. A one-of-a-kind drumming phenomena, no matter what anyone says . There is no doubt.

[@williamtaylor5193]

djdevine59 All true, and Buddy approached the instrument that way--life or death. It explains his ranting at other band members too. 100% all out effort.

[@muratkaraali5704]

A genius. I know some guys that deem themselves drummers and have no idea who Buddy Rich is. Go figure!

[@migrangazanchyan4952]

So true. Unfortunately.

[@ididyermom3273]

"When I play the theater, I really play the theater!" His battle against Animal is just the best! Probably one of the biggest influences as to why I chose the drums as a kid over all the other instruments because I loved the Muppet Show and Animal! gotta hand it to the drummer playing Animal's parts, held his own for sure!

[@lindamorrison2929]

The greatest of all times, buddy attacked the drums like no other.

[@chriscollesano8463]

One thing I really wish that some of these camera guys would’ve captured, was his foot work!

[@thomasrichmond2413]

My mom was part of the Buddy Rich fan club when she was in high school-in the 40’s!. In the 80’s, Buddy’s band would play a full week at Disneyland. I would be there every night.

[@peterlaw201250]

Never to be seen again, on this earth.See you in heaven soon.😇 Pete Law X Royal Marine drummer.

[@jrsdsu1986]

no one else comes close. the king.

[@Steffentrommelt]

Kenny Aronoff statement is really the Buddy Rich Cookbook secret

[@kevinn4592]

Buddy Rich……That guy could do things back then that drummers today are still trying to figure out today. A true genius.

[@tyler4girlz]

Kevin N He's the Jimi Hendrix of drums.

[@acohen1980]

Ty Ty : nah...you mean the Wes Montgomery or the Charlie Christian of drums....I don't think even Hendrix would agree with you..check him out on the Cavet interview.

[@MarkR1957]

+Ty Ty That's not a good analogy. Buddy was a Master Jazz musician. Hendrix was an influential rock guitarist, but no where near a master musician. There are 1000 plus Jazz and Classical guitarists who were/are light years ahead of Hendrix in every aspect of musicianship. The best rock musician is simply no match for the best Jazz musician, in any respect.

[@tyler4girlz]

+MarkR1957 What I meant by my analogy, is that Buddy did stuff on drums that many drummers to this day are still trying to figure out (like what Kevin N's comment was about), just like Jimi did stuff on guitar that most guitarists to this day are still trying to figure out. Both musicians had a taste/style/flavor all their own, that other musicians can't replicate....Just something I thought of when I read Kevin's comment. I'm probably still way off haha. Ah well.

[@MarkR1957]

Ty Ty You are probably not familiar with the Master Jazz and Classical guitarists. They are light years ahead of Hendrix on his best day, and there is nothing he played that hasn't been played by these master cats when they were years 18 years old. Hendrix was an influence to rock musicians because of what rock music is. But he was a far cry from being a great musician. Rock and roll VS. Jazz, Jazz wins every time.

[@Braglemaster123]

The greatest !!

[@anonymusum]

Gosh - I knew of course that he was a brilliant drummer, but just now I realize that he played every tune by memory. That´s just crazy as the last big band arrangements were quite difficult.

[@ForeignObject101]

Good Lord. This man's talent is beyond words. Unfuckingbelievable.

[@vova47]

You kiss your mother with this mouth?

[@stevedrums1675]

How he played with the snare angled as it was is remarkable in itself.

[@JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

Any world famous drummer alive knows Buddy Rich is the top dog in the hall of fame history book !!!

[@williamtaylor5193]

+Joseph Nordenbrock True. And it's highly unusual that we talk about any area of human endeavor without disagreeing about who the best is, but when it comes to drumming, no one else is consistently in the discussion-- Buddy separated himself that clearly. Very few knowledgeable people hold a different opinion.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Your last line is comical. I hope you don't play..

[@BluesBoy-ij2rb]

"E V E R Y" drummer knows who Buddy Rich is !!!!!!!!!!.................................. Erik

[@boomer3150]

@@morbidmanmusic I play, and it is not comical...it is true.

[@joelsacks210]

As Lawrence Welk might have said, "That's a some a tight a band!" But I wonder where all those polyester pants and leisure suits have gone.

[@dibber43]

THE greatest drummer to ever walk planet earth...BAR NONE!!!

[@drumburov]

Как же я его люблю! Нет ему равных!Это вам не бласт-биты тарахтеть.

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

Always thought Rich was too big of a drummer for a small band, til I watched this .. he was smooth in a quartet too!

[@fweddyfwintsone4491]

Many great drummers today, but Buddy truly broke the mold for big band drumming. He has set the bar so high I doubt anyone will ever achieve his level for this style of drumming.

[@roybeckerman9253]

To think that today’s drummers, think their modern day drum heroes are better.... They have no idea...or taste.

[@johnmercurio8529]

Matchless!! Simply matchless to this day!! When you start that young and play as much as he did, we can maybe begin to understand the depth of the man, the musician and the drummer he was and forever always will be!! Like they say, one of a kind and the greatest of all time!! Miracles and blessings to you all 🙏🥁

[@grantjohnston7148]

This solo in particular is so out there compared anything else. Love buddy, because he's my idle, yet some modern day drummers are also on another level.

[@patrickmcginn4435]

Love 'Smitty' Smith's playing. Just awesome.

[@robertlawrence1146]

He's expressing deep philosophical truths and breakthroughs in advanced rocket science while I'm saying 'see spot run'.

[@crazy8sdrums]

Thanks for watching! :) Buddy was incredible! I've got some more vids of Buddy and others on my channel, and more to come!

[@johnreilly8812]

Crazy 8s Drums

[@ryankklein]

Ok, can anyone beat this guy, what is going on here? can help but laugh this dude is ridiculous.

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

he would scream motherfucker at his band

[@itinensanzen]

Maybe only Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers can do something similar today, i"m still on doubt

[@joshuajuaire8757]

Buddy had some cool drum sticks in his life

[@HadEnough745]

Thanks for sharing this and keeping Buddy alive. We need him now more than ever.

[@simontills7090]

Best ever. No one even close. Amazing.

[@TheKtownhustler]

#neilpeart

[@julienpillonca6686]

@@TheKtownhustler neil peart ?????? Lol

[@julienpillonca6686]

Je was a muppet show drummer next to buddy. Fanboys never realistic.

[@robertalbiston7822]

Not Neal but Gene said of Buddy, 'the greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath.’ There is a small precision gap between the two; but credit to the great Mr. P. Snare section beginning at 21’ shows mastery and perfect note placememt.

[@dibber43]

@@robertalbiston7822 It was NOT Neil Peart that said that. It was Gene Krupa DECADES ago!

[@TheGamerNerd025]

This video is phenomenal!! Buddy was such a legend. May his drumming never die! RIP Buddy

[@ianhendrytube]

Thank you so much for iploading this!!

[@jcw91371]

What a wonderful and amazing documentary; THANK YOU so much for sharing! As I watch this story unfold, I come to realize that modern drum set performances as we know them today simply would not exist without Buddy.

[@Jellybeantiger]

I thought in the 70s,everyone did have distinctive sounds but now,every drummer sounds the same.Buddy brilliant doco.

[@Ireland299]

FAB FOR ALL DRUMMERS ... MY HERO BUDDY RICH FOR 35 YEARS SAVING 20P A DAY TO BUY HIS TAPES .... THANKS FOR POSTING ,,,,,, LOVE EVERY MIN OF THIS JAZZ MUSIC

[@xFreestyleKingx]

14:05 that fast one hand of his... my god!!

[@wphh7272]

@ 50:15 that long-haul left hand!!! Just HOW????

[@bruceklauber9837]

Can you please tell us who was responsible for making this fine film, discovering the clips,getting the rights to use those clips, etc.? Just in case we would want to credit those hard-working individuals responsible for this.

[@crazy8sdrums]

Buddy Rich and his bandmates were responsible for making this film and most of them are, sadly, dead. The others who strung this video together were just riding on his coat-tails towards a profit. I am not. I offer this free so that others who aren't wealthy, and those that are, can watch and learn from the magic that was Buddy and his band.

[@bRadicalmagic1]

+Crazy 8s Drums And I for one am greatly indebted to you . Buddy Rich only passes through Creation one time & you have preserved it ! ! !

[@andytaravella8124]

+Bruce Klauber cathy rich and hudson music i had this on vhs

[@DrummingMan1]

Fan-fucking-tastic! I grew up idolizing Buddy, Gene, and many other drummers! Today, I am 57, totally blind and a really good drummer! It's all because of these legends! Sadly, I was too wrapped up with my youth and never got to see Buddy play live! What a beautiful, articulate, talented and driven man! Listening to Buddy play always drives me to get behind my kit! Does it get any better than that? His daughter sounds happy and grateful to be buddies child! She is lovely, so was buddy and so are you for putting this together cheers… Keith

[@DrummingMan1]

Crazy 8s Drums Fan-fucking-tastic! I grew up idolizing Buddy, Gene, and many other drummers! Today, I am 57, totally blind and a really good drummer! It's all because of these legends! Sadly, I was too wrapped up with my youth and never got to see Buddy play live! What a beautiful, articulate, talented and driven man! Listening to Buddy play always drives me to get behind my kit! Does it get any better than that? His daughter sounds happy and grateful to be buddies child! She is lovely, so was buddy and so are you for putting this together cheers… Keith

[@johnnyharperscoutstable5386]

Buddy was hunched over the drum like a drug addict struggling for one more hit and the concern on the other musicians faces was priceless 😆😆😆🐸🍺🔪🔥

[@kahjazz]

The best of the best! No dispute, ever!!!!!!!!!

[@seanosomething]

Not fair... theres three really fukn good drummers hiding in his left hand......

[@chrom6419]

"Eugene Bertram "Gene" Krupa (January 15, 1909 - October 16, 1973) was an American jazz and big band drummer, band leader, actor, and composer. Known for his highly energetic, flamboyant style and for his showmanship, Krupa is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time and one of the first major percussive soloists."

[@crazy8sdrums]

You are welcome, and thank you for watching! I've got lots of awesome drum performances on my channel so subscribe if ya dig it! Cheers!

[@scottclute8413]

Thanks for the memories!!!

[@MegaLJ3]

For one it's a blessing to have film data on one, if not the one and only true master of drumming. It's hard to conceive that anyone could be critical of such a dynamic player in our time.

[@Tatiana7.62]

What a monument!

[@HarryJoiner]

11:56 ... So true. I never thought about it that way. I guess this is why experts say “people don’t quit their jobs, they quit their bosses.”

[@bastonercesare]

Il più GRANDE di sempre.

[@loucontino4804]

Someone once asked Buddy, what's the most difficult rudiment to master and he said flat-out, "The Single Stroke Roll."

[@williamMikmaq222]

In 1960 a drummer died and went to heaven. When he entered the pearly gates an Angel met him, the Angel said “come with me and I’ll take you to your paradise”. As they walked along the drummer heard another drummer playing an incredible solo, the man asked the Angel “ Who is that playing those drums”?. The Angel looked over his shoulder at the man and said “ Oh that’s God playing, he thinks he’s Buddy Rich”.....

[@whatspadethinks]

Awesome documentary! I heard about this from a jazz band instructor in HS & looked for it for years. Went to a Tower Records one time and I got the DVD "Best of the Big Band Drummers Vol. 1" with some of the playing footage. Dude told me it wasn't in the "catalog" so I figured I wouldn't ever see it. Thanks so much man...

[@MrTerryzhou1985]

他是鼓手得传奇，我的偶像

[@JoeNocella]

1:02:33 nice ending..If you watch his closed roll, you can see how super smooth it was..

[@danlc95]

He was just on another level. He understood motion and body mechanics. His vocabulary depth was immense. He's a once in a lifetime kind of drummer, well, aside from Dick Cully who has a similar facility. A young drummer just came up who is compared to Rich, but sadly he's nowhere near the same league. Not even close.

[@seankatkus4424]

The best drummer who ever picked up a stick. Hands Down !!

[@matchforest1091]

I want my kids and grans to apply as much energy as he did in whatever they choose to do

[@vova47]

I don't know why anybody bothers playing drum solo after Buddy Rich.

[@letsgomets002]

Buddy Rich definitely a Narcissist but nobody can refute his #1 drumming, in the world.

[@ikarooz]

"When I play the theatre, I PLAY the theatre!" Brilliant duet with Animal

[@joelsacks210]

I was just gonna add that when I saw your comment.

[@scottclute8413]

He,and Gene Krupa turned us younger aspirants into a stronger interest of percussion Thanks to both..

[@sasmihaly]

Thank you verrrrry much!!! Realy happy to see my God! :o)

[@jimbarcelona1078]

The man was unbelievable fantastic the best drummer in the world. 😅

[@speedoflite1]

thrilling drumming

[@leicaman56]

Thanks Bruce Klauber for a well written and co-produced documentary! I saw Buddy for the first time on my 13th birthday at the Norton (Ohio) Brown Derby in 1969. And continued to follow him throughout the rest of his "career". (Also managed to get his autograph 3 times along the way)

[@scottclute8413]

Steve Hard as well,evolved in the lineup.

[@martinruiz6288]

la verda un gran baterista en todas las formas

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

excellent CYMBAL solo -but i swear i saw him on PBS doing a 15 minute hi-hat solo-Where did that go?

[@TheRange7]

I saw Buddy open for Sinatra at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. What a thrill to hear the band play a live show. The whole theater just lit up when he walked out on to the stage. He's the GOAT imo, but he was also bat shyte crazy. Does that come with the territory? Not always, but more often than I ever though. RIP Buddy and thanks for the music

[@simontills7090]

What a show that must have been.

[@rovikab6561]

Worlds greatest Drummer.

[@Troisimenauer108]

Such a hero and inspiration.

[@Teajryan]

I just love how this documentary lets the music play out...they make a point about his chops, and then show us!

[@TonyDanger]

I only knew my uncle for 18 years before he passed away... and the best thing he ever showed me was Buddy RIch.

[@silasmarner7586]

Sheee-it. After his open heart surgery he just seemed to play better!

[@davekenney1874]

I saw him play at summerfest Mil. and they did West Side Story, it was beyond words, his energy was amazing and the other soloist were equally incredible

[@davidemmet7343]

*Buddy Rich would have been great in Nashville's Wrecking Crew!*

[@MichaelOBrien-z8i]

Buddy Rich was A One Man Wrecking Crew!! mob 🔥☮️

[@nicknogueira517]

Legend.

[@adityatyagi4009]

I don't think there has ever been a drummer, past or present, who played the drums as intensely as Buddy Rich did!

[@JOMISAG]

Buddy Rich ¡irrepetible! ¡excelente!. Maestro de maestros.

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

At 1:05:30 there is a clip of Buddy on the Johnny Carson Show: Does anyone know when [i.e. which month/year] this show was taped? -- Buddy mentions that only 10 weeks previously, he had undergone a quadruple bypass heart operation. Carson asks Buddy: "What would you have done if your Doctor had told you that you couldn't go back to work??" ......Buddy -- ever the comedian -- replies: "I would have got another Doctor."

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

tunefultony johnson Rich had his first heart attack in1959..... It was in 1983 when he had the quadruple bypass operation, so I guess that this Carson episode was from 1983.

[@pinball1970]

That first solo is just nuts. 3 piece suit too.

[@geoffreyandress9801]

@1973 my fiancée and I saw the band at an outdoor concert in Lancaster, Pa. Raining cats and dogs. The stage covered, the band came out and each tune of the first set was more incredible than the one before. The crowd was enthusiastic and hung around. Break time comes and as the guys are leaving the stage Buddy says: “Come on back - we’ll play the second set right now before the audience drowns.” The trumpeters looked like they’d die. On they went - and again, every tune was somehow a step up from the one before. Thanks guys. Thanks Buddy.