Gene Krupa on Playboy's Penthouse with Hugh Hefner 1961 from Gene Krupa Swing Swing Swing!

Gene Krupa is the Musical Guest with Actor Tony Curtis and gets a quick Drumming Lesson from unsuspecting Lady Drummer. Bass Player is Kenny O'Brien 1928-64.

[@joanneloesner1264]

That is my father Kenny O'Brien on the bass. He passed many years ago and it is a joy "to be able to see him" on this video 👍❤

[@petepoulos]

Joanne Loesner I liked his playing! I will try and get a better one up one day.

[@joanneloesner1264]

Pete Poulos Thank you so much Pete. I came across this by accident looking for some Gene Krupa footage. I was blown away to see my father there. This is a great treasure for me to see and have. Can't thank you enough. ☺

[@petepoulos]

Joanne Loesner the dvd is still available not too much if you want to see it more clear with better sound. I notice your Dad has been on some great recordings. Can you tell us all more about him? A short bio maybe?

[@joanneloesner1264]

Pete Poulos Sure I would be happy to. Is this the best place to share it or would you prefer I use email ??

[@petepoulos]

Joanne Loesner it’s the Krupa DVD called Swing Swing Swing!

[@sixtieskid062]

According to a story in Rob Cook's "The Slingerland Book", Gene once showed up at a NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention and signed autographs until his right hand literally bled. When H.H. Slingerland found out about this, he mailed Gene a check for $2500.00 . A few weeks later, the check was returned to Slingerland by mail, torn in pieces. Enclosed was a note from Krupa stating "I didn't do anything to earn this money."

[@petepoulos]

Wow, now that’s a story!

[@stefaniadelosrios2329]

Sin duda Gene es de lo más grande que ha existido cómo progenitor en este hermoso instrumento y cómo persona. Genio total!

[@robertboney4493]

Once there was a drummer named Krupa...just once.

[@horsefish2525]

super said

[@MrPizza063]

so true a legend

[@Babsan1000]

Yes and I saw him at cafe Metropole in Manhattan many evenings

[@seekingwisdom8]

My dad was a big fan of Gene Krupa, so right around 1961 my parents bought me a toy marching snare drum. I loved it, but was always in awe as my dad would take the sticks and play a few military style marching rhythms. I had no clue who Gene Krupa was, but soon discovered Ringo as the rest of the world did. When I was 10, my parents gave me a full 4 piece kit, and I was in heaven. I played that kit nonstop everyday until maybe 1974 when our basement flooded ruining the bass shell. By then, I had discovered many other great drummers and started to practice rudiments. Today, at 65, I play a standard 4 piece Ludwig kit from 1967. I’ll continue until they pry the the sticks from my cold dead hands

[@MrFchank]

Sounds like my story. I first discovered Sandy Nelson,then Krupa, then Ringo and Buddy Rich. At 69 I continue to play and agree with your final statement. Peace!!

[@christopherp.9616]

Ah yes, but Gene Krupa said that Chick Webb smoked him!

[@shedjammer87]

The woman's reaction when she found out it was Gene Krupa was priceless!!

[@michaelsynovetz6093]

Eddie Wasserman on Sax and Flute. He also played with Benny Goodman. He was my junior high school music teacher at Christopher Columbus junior high in Clifton, Nj. 1979. He actually liked Punk Rock !

[@2007Tarkus]

Just look at him playing the drums he is using no effort making the sticks bounce off the heads fantastic, you will never see another Gene Krupa

[@MrPizza063]

truly one of a kind a gift from GOD!!

[@edgarcook9607]

Moeller method--not just the wrist!

[@acedrumminman]

As Buddy you to say..."There he is, Mister Showman!"

[@canconservative8976]

John Bonham studied and loved the style of Gene Krupa.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Bonham slipped in so many jazz licks into his solos but altogether different from how Mitch Mitchell did relative to the genre.

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

Baker and Moon too very accomplished drummers Capaldi Kreutzman Hart Trucks Jaimoe and Hayward and Dryden as well

[@spaniardmartinez6896]

@cancoservative,Bonham,kieth moon,Peter Chris,and bill ward had Krupa as their biggest influence.

[@bobbysands6923]

What Gene is playing on drums is deceptively difficult--go ahead and try to play it. But the best thing about this video is the feel...Gene just kills on it.

[@petepoulos]

Everybody nails it here, it’s such a great version.

[@petepoulos]

Everybody nails it here, it’s such a great version.

[@louisd95714]

Buddy Rich (Legend) had the raw power, and Gene Krupa (Another Legend) had the style. I swear, Gene Krupa made the drums sing like no other drummer.

[@stefaniadelosrios2329]

Sin lugar a dudas.. pero además observemos lo adelantado a su tiempo estaba en cuanto a ideas y adornos en la batería un fenómeno!

[@jazzpianoman01]

My very first drum idol and influence.

[@stefaniadelosrios2329]

Gracias Mark por tu respuesta!

[@ronaldvangilder3985]

BS

[@christopherp.9616]

Yes...but Gene Krupa said that Chick Webb smoked him!

[@Scooot1972]

I love good musicians. I'm an indie kid from the 90s this is magic. Its where my music comes from. 50s rebels.

[@geoffnelson4777]

I saw this episode when it was originally broadcast. If memory serves, I believe the telecast date was 27 Jan 1961

[@peters1127]

I was a teenager in Chicago and enjoyed watching the Playboy's Penthouse and Playboy After Dark series on Channel 5. He had so many fantastic entertainers such as Krupa and various other people on the show.

[@xfhghe]

Perhaps not the most gifted drummer (though very good), but he was always very musical, which ultimately matters more IMO.

[@lindabranigan2460]

KLee without insulting, how can you possibly say that Gene Krupa was not a one of a kind, legendary drummer, of all times? Do you play and who's better?

[@xfhghe]

@@lindabranigan2460 You are right. He was a one of a kind legendary drummer. He was one of the first to become a star on that instrument. But there were quite a number in his time and who came afterwards who had as much if not more talent than Krupa. Consider Chick Webb, Jo Jones, Sid Catlett, Buddy Rich, Dave Tough, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey, Max Roach to name a few. The world of jazz is replete with great drummers.

[@morbidmanmusic]

He didn't say that, relax, take a few drums lessons and you will see it wasn't an insult. Non musicians are the worst

[@soilmanted]

@@xfhghe Let's not forget Jim Chapin. Story goes that Jim Chapin goes to dance or a concert one day and hears Gene Krupa perform and is blown away. Jim Chapin despite being 18 years old at the time has no musical knowledge at all but decides on the spot that he wants to play the drums and wants to be able play them like Gene Krupa, and be like Gene Krupa, so he says to Gene Krupa "can you give me drum lessons?" and Krupa replies, I don't give lessons, but call Sanford Moeller, that's who taught me. So Chapin takes lessons from Moeller and learns very rapidly. After 2 years Moeller tells him, no more lessons for you; I've taught you every thing I know. Then years later Krupa calls Moeller and says I want to improve my drumming, can I get some more lessons from you? Moeller says sorry I'm retired, can't do it any more. But call my best student, who has since become even better than me, call Jim Chapin. Really. That's what happened. Now, Krupa not only remembers Jim Chapin from many years earlier, but also knows how good Chapin has become. Chapin is may not be household name in the area of performance art, as is Krupa, but Chapin has become very well-known in the field of musical education. Krupa decides to call Chapin. Chapin answers the phone and hears "hi Jim, I want to take some drum lessons." Jim says "ok, what's your name?" Gene Krupa says "Gene Krupa." Jim says to himself, oy vey, another prank call, how cute, and hangs up. Krupa calls back and says "no, don't hang up on me, this is really Gene Krupa. I think I can improve my drumming. I think you can teach me things. So now Jim Chapin gives drum lessons to Gene Krupa. No shit. I heard this story from Jim Chapin himself.

[@xfhghe]

@@soilmanted This shows that Krupa was a real and sincere musician. That's one thing I love about jazz musicians from back in the day, they really loved and was genuinely dedicated to their art.

[@jazzpianoman01]

Superb interplay between Gene and the band

[@jamesmccarthy6975]

Amazing touch on them drums.👍

[@taocpa]

His hands just glide over them. Amazing.

[@arthurlambert6418]

Playboy after dark use to come on after 12 on Saturday night, great entertainment

[@blujay2084]

This guy brought the drums from the back of the stage to the front. A giant.

[@blackmore4]

On the other hand, going by the mix on this TV show, we'd have got a better balance if he'd stayed at the back ;)

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

amazing feel to his playing, he is not just a great technical drummer

[@catfishrushdie1444]

Thanks for uploading this! This is quite a revelation in the study of GK's evolving style. I have seen him as a master of (mostly) single-stroke based playing, (film clips from the 30's and '40's) but here, in the early 1960's he shows off his doubles with great style and finesse. 😎

[@petepoulos]

Thanks, I know my version was low resolution but because of it I connected with Bass Player Kenny O'Brien's Daughter who never "saw" her Dad play and to me that was everything.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Krupa barely contains his rhythmic passions but remains smooth while coloring behind the soloists. Just so much fun watching as much as listening because he leaves so much room for you to digest it all… 🤷🏻‍♂️🍗🥁🥢😅

[@Pamledger478]

This drummer was good too... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXzbYnqMjrWCpdU

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

My Dad was big fan of Krupa saw him w Benny Goodmen and a drummer in his youth

[@Musician-r5q]

April 7, 1961 I was 13 Days old.

[@blackmore4]

Go you!

[@lastrada52]

That light touch Krupa had maintained over a liberal thunderous beat nonetheless was an incredible skill. Smooth and consistent -- think it's easy? Try it if you're a drummer. Sometimes showing off in this manner is more impressive than being a wild man. No crazy cymbal splashes until the very end and his accuracy on target -- on a small kit. There will always be something special about Krupa.

[@MrFchank]

Krupa was the best and Rich came along. Both great!!

[@lastrada52]

@@MrFchank- If you appreciate great drumming charles frank check on KZbin both the pristine studio take & thunderous live version of "Liza," by Chick Webb (who led his own band). He came before both Krupa & Rich (of which, both gave Webb credit as the pioneer drum soloist). He was a hunchback who didn't let that stop him from being a giant with the sticks. He also discovered a young Ella Fitzgerald. The man was superb and even on a primitive set of drums was magnificent.

[@minkoiliev5257]

@@lastrada52

[@jonathanoakley7234]

My question is how did that Lady feel sitting behind the drums after the master!

[@allenhonaker4107]

Don't forget Louis Belsen

[@kevinhyatt2]

Mr smooth and cool,he makes drums fun

[@bobalmighty2925]

I was conceived to this.

[@cymandeh]

seeing these old videos in 720 and 1080p is really incredible

[@dallasstiles118]

What a cool version

[@mudbog5750]

Evening, nighthawks

[@elwoodwhite2499]

So much soul true expression!👍🏿

[@rhythmfield]

Can anyone name the reed/flute player & pianist? They’re great also.

[@michaelsynovetz6093]

Eddie Wasserman on Sax and Flute, he was my junior high school music teacher. Christopher Columbus junior high, Clifton, NJ. 1979.

[@destroythenarrative9034]

It'd be priceless to see this in color, those White Marine Pearl Slingerlands looked like new then

[@destroythenarrative9034]

@MichaelKingsfordGray It'd be priceless for you to summon the courage of your horse mounting u in your profile. 😅😅😅😅

[@destroythenarrative9034]

@MichaelKingsfordGray you get irritated just by a user name on YT comment section. ........😂😂😂😂😂😂 soy beta loser

[@bobg6418]

My Dad always said the same thing about them! I was 11yrs. old then . Always loved hearing these two Greats. When Gram got the phonograph and one of the Uncles brought record of each one! Big Doins back then. So that’s when comparison argument started. 👌😊

[@cobb_thedrummer]

Gene Krupa was the man

[@TRUTH4U2NO]

MK Ultra mind control hypnosis programming tune. lol

[@davidhull1481]

After tricking the young lady, seems like the decent thing to do is let her play alongside Krupa.

[@mwdrum]

Eddie Shu ? He doubled on trumpet, sax and harmonica, plus clarinet,

[@petepoulos]

That's not Eddie Shu here but yes he did.

[@michaelsynovetz6093]

That is Edward Wasserman on Sax, he was my junior high school music teacher in 1979, he died in 1992

[@mwdrum]

@@michaelsynovetz6093 thanks - I never saw ES play flute,

[@dennisnovia8607]

Smoothest drummer ever !!!

[@GregZO6]

What, no mention of Baby Dodds? Seriously, so many luminaries that these Virtuoso players stand on the shoulders of...

[@petepoulos]

This was a clip from the video on Gene Krupa. If you watch Dial M For Music Krupa mentions Dodds and Chick Webb.

[@sixtieskid062]

The Slingerland Drum Company goes nowhere without Krupa.

[@rf396]

Nor do the many drummers that came after BECAUSE of Gene and His Slingerlands!

[@sogent56]

GK one of the greatest. Was my hero growing up.

[@gurutejs.khalsa3915]

His left hand control is remarkable

[@TheChianello]

This is the best rendition of 'Caravan' I have ever heard!

[@petepoulos]

Actually check out the two other versions, Mike Douglas Show 1965 and Dial M for Music with The Jazz Priest..it's right before Krupa Retired, I think that version is by far The Go To Version...but that's just me.

[@michaelsynovetz6093]

He probably liked Playboy bunnies too !

[@genestray1]

I love this rendition!

[@panamatom9804]

Is it no wonder how Pebbles loved BAM BAM?

[@qg3726]

Was all of 9 years old in 1961 living in Chicago where Hef made his claim to fame.....

[@mortalclown3812]

Who is that completely 🔥 pianist, please?

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍💗🇺🇸 🇵🇱 🥁🎼 GO GENO GO!!!

[@matthewpaluch777]

Polish pride from Chicago's southside!

[@gregstegeman7102]

Hey Pete Poulos, thanks for posting. Would you happen to have access to a Playboy Penthouse show from 1959 featuring The Four Freshmen? Saw it once and it was great.

[@petepoulos]

Hi Greg, no I don't but it's possible it could be available either on KZbin or on DVD. I have seen June Christy and even The Kirby Stone Four.

[@ianmitnick8245]

unreal - thanx so much Pete!!!!

[@nockianlifter661]

Getting the drums to smoothly resonate like that is very difficult. Whenever I’ve begun to achieve that sound, even for a brief moment, it’s almost a shock and I instantly try and control it, with the inevitable consequence that the resonance collapses and I’m back to banging the drum harder in an attempt to get it back.

[@sogent56]

Never bang…. Lighter is better.

[@ibleebinU]

Caravan is such a great tune that I like every version I've heard.

[@petepoulos]

It is an awesom tune.

[@Music--ng8cd]

So many versions of Caravan are out there, but I don't think I've ever heard it played with a flute

[@petepoulos]

On Buddy Rich’s Caravan album on Verve too.

[@dallasstiles118]

@@petepoulos gonna check that out for sure ty

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

Notice very few cymbals

[@petepoulos]

Not his set either!

[@CydnotCharrise1]

Gene Krupa and also Buddy Rich, two of the best!

[@johnweyers2685]

Only difference is, is that Buddy Rich was an egotistical a-hole but still a great drummer, and Gene? Well, Gene was just damn cool and also a great drummer. But Gene's got that effortless swing and flow.

[@soilmanted]

Gene Krupa was a musician. Buddy Rich was a showman. "Its a Barnum and Bailey world just as phony as it can be." And to paraphrase: but I'm not doing make-believe, Gene Krupa says to me.

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

Too much cymbals from time to time with Gene. Not so much Buddy

[@woodyjagla328]

,,,,, Magic.

[@dropbearattack]

What a terrible gig to have to play.

[@petepoulos]

Maybe for you, but from all I had spoken to that had anything to do with it, they had fun.

[@dropbearattack]

@@petepoulos There might have been a little sarcasm in the comment.

[@MrNiblif]

@@dropbearattack, I caught it mate. It was a high koala-ty comment.

[@cronkitepercussion]

Mr. Krupa was his own best salesman.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Greatest description of Krupa not using music as a reference. 😅👉🏼🏆✨🤷🏻‍♂️

[@phaedrabacker2004]

Thanks

[@philf959]

if that bass player would of been oscar pettiford this would of been amazing

[@petepoulos]

As it was he is Kenney O'Brien and he participated in some of the Greatest recordings done with many of THE Greatest. So....by the way Pettiford died the year before so it wouldn't have been possible.

[@Crankerny58]

Cool style and technique but not as exciting as Buddy Rich!

[@petepoulos]

Yeah but it's Gene Krupa, why don't you Buddy fans just go to his page and comment?

[@ernestroig3592]

❤❤love drums and enjoy each one from ringo to" the next best ever". Listen to louie bellson's hum drum solo with duke ellington. Put that on y0ur drum set.........still krupA was my fAvorite. The man just lived and loved playing the drums. How do you top that???????back

[@mortalclown3812]

​@@petepoulos🔥

[@Thomlistentoslayer]

That quite a big ride cymbal for that time period🤔🤔🤔24"?

[@petepoulos]

It wasn't his set up but he was known to play a 24" ride.

[@toddwitheril847]

Those are the fattest bass strings l have ever seen.

[@alcyone9361]

The fact that she didn't recognize him speaks volumes about her musical taste and experience.

[@petepoulos]

Well that of course is only your theorem..she may not have been much of a Jazz fan..anything can happen..maybe she wore glasses and without them couldn't really tell.. lot of reasons. Maybe she didn't have much taste..maybe she was only into Pop and Rock music..who knows..we will never know.

[@chrisscott6417]

It's an act, a joke.

[@Music--ng8cd]

Just one of Hef's toys

[@joconnell8145]

Exactly@@petepoulos, so many reasons including what Chris mentioned, could just be part of the act/show. Either way it was hilarious!! Her: "Hold the sticks like this..." Hef: "That's Gene Krupa." Her *OMG, I'm so stupid* LMAO!!!

[@morbidmanmusic]

Duh to you all, it's s tv show, it was a set up. My god, how gullible are you all .???

[@gregt2022]

She knew it was Krupa, but she thought he was a plumber.

[@gleetz]

hi do you by any chance have the 1961 episode with Buddy Greco performing ? thanks

[@petepoulos]

I do not at this time sorry. I had no idea Gene and Buddy Greco performed together. I have seen one of Buddy Rich and Greco in 1965 or 66. That’s the only one I know of.

[@shannongriffith3493]

Thank God i grew up listening to Buddy Rick !

[@petepoulos]

Who is Buddy Rick? What has this got to do with the video?

[@mortalclown3812]

​​@@petepoulos Think she's trying to say another drummer and got the name off by a letter. No harm done.

[@ramonhernandez7384]

Grande Krupa, imcreibles tambores, verlo da la impresión que fuera fácil tocar la bateria.

[@ytubepuppy]

Certainly not Gene's finest effort, but one that I'd never seen before.

[@thecrippledrummer]

Gene had recently suffered a heart attack.

[@ytubepuppy]

@@thecrippledrummer He was my hero growing up. Got to see him VERY briefly in New York City one night in 1966..

[@amymack1954]

I feel sorry for the lady drummer - looking for all eternity like a complete fool.

[@petepoulos]

Amy I blanked once meeting Tommy Smothers I stammered and said Hey you are one of the Smothers Bros. He looked at me funny and said Yeah One Of Them. So we all sometimes can look like a fool.

[@amymack1954]

@@petepoulos Oof!! At least it wasn't videotaped for posterity, though! :) By the way, Phil Bodner was my dad's first cousin on his mother's side. We kids all called him "Cousin Philly" and thought he was so cool.

[@xaverk]

I suppose, no one of the musicians here had an idea, in what kind of „activities“ this „gentleman“ Hefner was involved. The basement in this villa was remarkably big and deep, as far as we niw know.

[@petepoulos]

At this time Hefner resided in an Apartment in Chicago. What you can take away from this show in general is that one a reflection of the times in regards to the behavior with women, but more importantly he treated and paid Musicians very Well and had an open policy of Minorities being allowed on and Socializing as equals with Everyone.

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales7218]

Gene Krupa (15 de enero de 1909-16 de octubre de 1973) fue un afamado e influyente músico estadounidense de jazz y un gran baterista de big band, conocido y reconocido por su enérgico y brillante estilo de tocar. Ampliamente considerado como el baterista más influyente y popular del siglo XX. [1]​ Es el primer baterista solista de la historia. [2]

[@chipedgar2845]

Seriously effed up opening.

[@petepoulos]

Nobody is Perfect, like to hear your band and see how you do.

[@sergioalves4826]

Duas baquetas então não era coisa de John Bonham?

[@rogeriomieli4874]

Bonzo dizia que era fortemente influenciado pelos estilos de Gene Krupa e Buddy Rick

[@brianchisnell1548]

I like Gene. More famous than good. I studied hard in the 70's. I could smoke him. Never, could I smoke Buddy. RIP to both.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Show me you smoking him. Maybe you can, but show me. I'm a drummer, I'll clone whatever you play and add the rest of the band... show me

[@machinegunjackmcgurn7453]

You must be smoking smoking something else. Maybe pole. Who are you again? You’re fucking delusional.

[@richjohnson749]

They were all high as a kite

[@koshersalaami]

He looks like he’s having an easy time of it. And he looks vaguely like Martin Short.

[@petepoulos]

He looks about as much like Martin Short as George Clooney looks like Eric Clapton

[@peterkirgan6850]

Gene was good but not a patch on buddy rich!!!!

[@petepoulos]

Two different drummers...you know what else? Shelly Manne and Stan Levey were different drummers as well as Art Blakey and Elvin Jones for example.

[@donovanjones4175]

Pete Poulos and of course, Louis Bellson

[@louisd95714]

Buddy Rich had the raw power, but Gene Krupa had the style. I love the both drummers for different reasons.