GENE KRUPA - Sing Sing Sing REACTION on the Ed Sullivan show - First time hearing

[@kenrobinsphotography9200]

You MUST watch this performed by the entire Benny Goodman big-band, featuring Benny on clarinet, Gene on drums, and Harry James on trumpet. There's so much missing here!

[@jamesloughran7278]

I was thinking the same thing as good as this is I like the Benny Goodman version better.

[@ladyabstinencelevain8696]

my dog used to love playing tug danceing to this song but it had to be by the Benny Goodman Big Band he didnt like the Louis Prima one RIP Pugsley the staffy

[@John_Chu]

Gene Krupa was the drummer in Benny Goodman's band that changed pop music history. Goodman's 12 minute performance of Sing Sing Sing at John Hammond's "Spirituals to Swing" Carnegie Hall concert in January, 1938 was an iconic moment. Not only was jazz presented as concert music to be listened to not just to be danced to but Goodman's band was integrated with both great white and black musicians. The song was written by the great Louis Prima and was a very popular tune at the time. Fun fact: John Hammond wanted to present Robert Johnson to the Carnegie Hall audience but discovered that he'd died a year before he started putting the concert together. Now that would have pushed pop music into the second half of the 20th century at least 20 years before its time.

[@collinnicholasns]

I have this recording of Benny Goodman's orchestra at Carnegie Hall on vinyl. It's always good and just a great and amazing performance. My only complaint is that I wasn't there.

[@larryfisher7056]

@@collinnicholasns Carnegie Hall was the place to be New York City that evening January 16, 1938. I doubt that anyone who managed to get tickets ever forgot that concert.

[@thecrippledrummer]

I’ve run a Gene Krupa website for 25+ years, along with a Facebook group, and seeing the reaction from someone who is unfamiliar with him just makes my heart smile. I hope that your video, and other Krupa reaction videos I’ve seen, will help open the eyes of younger generations to the genius of classic musicians like Gene. I have dozens of videos of Gene on my KZbin channel.

[@jawnotindrummer]

Great job! Gene Krupa helped make the drums the instrument it is today. The setup, the sound, the playing. He helped with tunable toms and the modern hi-hat. He's a bit older than Buddy Rich and was a major influence on many. He helped make this song famous as part of Benny Goodman's Orchestra in the mid to late 1930s. This video is probably 20 years after that.

[@talltulip]

My dad was a professional drummer and bandleader from the early 40s until the mid 90s, and he always said Krupa was his favorite drummer. Krupa was the man, as far as my dad was concerned.

[@grahamboffey457]

I’ve been playing drums for over forty years. I am inadequate. This bloke is fabulous.

[@aden2957]

He was idolised by rock musicians and rock fans back in the 70s and 80s ...The greatest drummer ever!

[@ianfranks7182]

no question the best

[@kenf5189]

Gene Krupa did it before all the drummers of today. He started it all. They all owe hommage to him.

[@mikeywid4954]

Imho he wrote the book on the drum solo.

[@dwhite849]

he is considere by most drummers as the GOAT. There is a clip from a TV show where he had a heart attack in the middle of his performance kept playing - hauled out in an ambulance after

[@thecrippledrummer]

You’re referring to Buddy Rich and how his performance with Frank Sinatra at the “Concert for the Americas” has been exaggerated. He had heat stroke during his band’s performance of West Side Story and was checked out by a doctor backstage afterwards. In the years since, people (including his daughter Cathy) have rewritten the event into Buddy having a heart attack and being taken to the hospital.

[@roccon1338]

Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich were just the best for featured drummers.

[@michaelbrennick]

Gene Krupa was a master of musicality. I love watching Buddy Rich's amazing technique and speed. But Krupa brought a whole other dimension to his playing.

[@mikecaetano]

"Sing, Sing, Sing" was written by Louis Prima in 1936 and famously recorded by Benny Goodman and his orchestra in 1937. Gene Krupa played in Goodman's orchestra, so he's an old hand at playing this song. "Sing, Sing, Sing" has been used in numerous movie soundtracks in the decades since it was written, including Martin Scorsese's Casino (1995) and more recently Finch (2021) starring Tom Hanks. PS. Chick Webb is another great drummer from the Big Band Era of the 1930's.

[@pacebrison1453]

While I would never take away from the talents of these men, this song should be listened to with a full big band compliment. I’m talking trumpets, trombones, drums, piano, saxes. It’s an experience!

[@gavinhill6463]

Great reaction, one of my all time favourites, Gene WOW

[@garyseven5791]

Gene Krupa is widely regarded as one of the most influential drummers in the history of popular music.

[@marybaillie8907]

Gene Krupa epitomized jazz drumming. Before him solos by drummers were rarely seen. While playing with Benny Goodman, Krupa had a tendency to grand stand during his tenure. But his good looks and outstanding abilities won everyone over. He also played with Glen Miller. Great reaction. Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@joelmoreno4223]

Each man shines...with the Krupa accompaniment! What an all-around performance!

[@felixkmgalanti9064]

Krupa and Rich! The God fathers of Drum solos!

[@patriciagruber5905]

Back in the 50's our Dad gave us( his children) a tremendous appreciation of Gene and so many other band groups. Today wonderful, He can play!!!!

[@theemaygoogleme151]

Krupa was the original kick ass drummer, all others are following his lead.

[@michaelpisani5962]

What a great distillation of a classic Big Band tune.

[@brunocazaban-mazerolles5504]

Well... I'm a 64 years old frenchman, and I discovered Gene Krupa in 1979 and 80 when I began to learn to play drums in those days.... I'm very surprised that you, american people discovered Gene Krupa today... Lol, because " Everybody knows Sing sing sing !!! " which is a spin column of 20th american music... " Best later than never " and welcome in the magic world of swing and jazz music !!!

[@barberjeff67]

Gene was always very musical in his playing

[@nemo227]

Everyone is the USA knew who Krupa was back in the forties and fifties. Yes, Gene Krupa WAS that good. Fabulous.

[@biggmaqq]

The song "Sing, Sing, Sing (with a swing)" was written by Louis Prima and it has lyrics but its instrumental version is the best known, especially by Benny Goodman. I had not heard this version before. Thanks for sharing it.

[@ursulabklyn_mia6148]

The drummer was also the maestro. Everyone knocked it out of the park. I really love the clarinet. That instrument reminds me of old black and white movies featuring big bands.

[@glenndespres5317]

Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich were the two drummers that my Dad would point me to whenever I would go on about how good I though rock drummers like Ginger Baker or Keith Moon were. I learned!

[@TikTok_refugees1977]

one of Gene's greatest atributtes......He listened.

[@jocknomore]

Your choices of music are spectacular

[@lynnmartin906]

Nice he listened to the others and complements the whole song

[@flutesong5527]

GOAT! This was a performance on the Ed Sullivan show which wasn't hurried on and off the stage. Imagine a prime time music segment on a variety show these days, not happening.

[@aberration3869]

Gene played with the Benny Goodman quartet that included Lionel Hampton who was a great percussionist in his own right, although he primarily played the vibraphone in the group. They rocked, check them out if you haven’t yet.

[@joelbusald6416]

He looks like he is having fun. Playing drums and making it look fun has to be hard work

[@furtherdefinitions1]

Gene Krupa was the first drummer to take the drummer from the back of the band as a timekeeper and made the drums a solo instrument. You are right that he is a melodic drummer. He is one of the greatest drummers ever. I recommend you also react to his drum battles with Buddy Rich.

[@jessicagreene1773]

Gene Krupa brought the drums up front. Prior to him they were always behind the band in the background, he made drumming something to see.

[@lashutterbug]

John Bonham idolized Gene Krupa, and you can definitely hear it in Bonzo's work, particularly in his long solos on "Moby Dick". When Led Zeppelin played at Carnegie Hall in 1970, Bonham was particularly wound up and anxious beforehand. When asked why, he said, "This is where Gene Krupa played 'Sing Sing Sing' for Benny Goodman in 1938."

[@videocat1366]

Believe it or not, this is a watered down version of the original performance he did with the Benny Goodman band when he was younger. He was insane.

[@jypziiatthecrossroads9047]

There are clips of battle of the drummers, Gene vs. Buddy Rich, best if introduced by the GOAT Showman MR. Sammie Davis Jr. You can see the mutual respect the 3 had for each other, when you're that good, you can gladly check your ego at the door.

[@jimilove7773]

One of the best!

[@arvopart1950]

Another great drummer in the 50's and 60's was Buddy Rich. They played together on an album simply called "Kruppa and Rich".

[@LynneConnolly]

Krupa invented the modern drum kit, called a "trap" back then, and pioneered the tuning of the snare drum.

[@vixtex]

The one and only!

[@SkyRiver1]

Krupa played at my high school for an "assembly". He was fantastic. It was supposed to be some kind of educational thing. And it was. If I remember correctly Gene was from Chicago. But at this assembly he said he was from Diamond Town, PA. Which is like a little village attached to the Borough of Mt. Carmel, PA. A hard coal region town in the oldest mountains on earth. Same little village were Machine-gun Kelly died in a shot-out with the police. I don't know why he said that. Maybe it's true.

[@debramartin1583]

What fun. I am 65. This guy was from my mom's time. She died 4 years ago at 87! Thanks for the menories!

[@ednoponen2943]

Ha! I was pretty sure you'd like this one. Krupa, along with Buddy Rich, was one of the very best drummers of the pre-rock 'n roll age. He makes it look easy. He's hardly breaking a sweat. Yet the sounds are incredible. The rest of the band ain't too shabby either. Nice reaction, as always, Harri !

[@Lensmaster1]

Yes, you need to watch the Benny Goodman Orchestra do this. Talk about Gene's energy, he was twenty years younger then. Louis Prima wrote this with lyrics. Goodman planned to have his singer Helen Ward sing it but the band kept developing a strong instrumental performance that it became a piece to feature several instrumental solos.

[@audreyjohnson4599]

Big Band era drummer. It's even better when Sing, Sing, Sing is played by the whole Benny Goodman band. It really swings.

[@lesliedavis2185]

Sing sing sing, is a favourite of mine, great with the full orchestra. This is a real showcase of Gene Krupas great talent.

[@ianfranks7182]

the man was the king of drummers

[@kyle-409]

I love when drummers play melodically. I feel like Danny Carey from tool is playing guitar riffs on the drums sometimes... Really love it

[@davidmoeller370]

Remember, Krupa was doing this stuff in the 1940s! Where was his head in those days? My mother skipped high school to watch him in concert in Cincinnati about 1943 I think

[@arturosaenz9208]

Thank you for this video to remind us drummers where we come from.krupa,rich,bellson,jo jones, so ny greer,etc.on a 4 piece drum set,that is musical,less is more sometimes,this proves it.⁰

[@ronjones1077]

First their was Gene Krupa, then Buddy Rich in the jazz/swing era. Rock era would be Sandy Nelson (Let There Be Drums) and The Ventures drummer, Mel Taylor. after that hard/acid rock took over and drum kits became as large as an orchestra. I saw Benny Goodman live in 1969

[@raynavarro7997]

This is my alarm ringtone! Gets me going in the morning!!

[@edithmaxim2041]

Always love the drums. Gene was the best.

[@godbluffvdgg]

That sheepskin sound on the floor tom is so tasty!..You can't get that with modern heads...Good stuff, glad you're listening to it...

[@patriciagruber5905]

You certainly have got the appreciation of music. Thank you.

[@TracyfromNC]

Greatest drummer!

[@750count]

I always appreciate your reactions So glad you have gotten to experience Gene Krupa The whole band is right on time

[@Kissozzymadman]

This is great !!!!

[@billdCT97]

Written in 1937......Timeless!!!!!

[@jimsarinick6532]

my dad, who lives me , was casual buds with him, dad turned me onto it at 7!

[@albertrhodes6476]

Effortless drumming heat

[@markkringle9144]

You should listen to the Benny Goodman recording of sing, sing, sing with the same drummer. You will be dancing.

[@neilphelan145]

Check the initials GK on the bass drum head. They be Gene Krupa. He inspired me to start playing drums when I was in the fifth grade, 1965.

[@davidmazon7516]

there was a movie tribute to Gene Krupa. actor Sal Mineo played Gene Krupa. but Gene Krupa made a cameo appearance.

[@frankofva8803]

Gene Krupa was vicious!

[@SingerRameshLooloj]

Very nice presentation. welcome.

[@rsherman5993]

Wow! Gene Krupa was so very good!TY for posting this. I've heard of his talent before but never saw a performance. Gene Krupa inspired the late singer Bobby Rydell (April 1942-April 2022) who played drums as a kid. Rydell is mostly known for his singing though. It would be an honor if you could react to "Volare" or "Forget Him". Bobby Rydell was a good person, he did humanitarian work.

[@lastrada52]

Absolutely right.

[@robertbruner6884]

Well done.

[@justaddshuttersinc.994]

very good reaction!!

[@jayonnaj18]

Dear Harry Best, you look young enough to be a grandchild of mine, lol! Of course, I KNEW who Gene Krupa was and saw him perform on early small TV screens in B&W back in the 1950s and right up to color TV! He was extremely famous and a fantastic drummer who put drummers on the world's map! He had the incredible talent as an awesome drummer in his blood! He made those drums sing!!! Yet he seemed modest! Loved him!

[@purfctwmn]

For a quick fun video you might check out Gene Krupa playing “Drum Boogie” with matchsticks. It features Barbara Stanwick as the club singer and Gary Cooper as a clueless professor trying to learn about “modern music”. A great movie/music clip.

[@Sp33gan]

Hello, Harri! There's not much I can add that others haven't said before me. You've got to check out Krupa's finest moment with this song when he played in the Benny Goodman band from the 1938 Carnegie Hall performance. It's groundbreaking in so many ways. Krupa's drumming style was unique as few other drummers before had played the instrument as a featured soloist, Goodman's band was the first to integrate members together as he cared about the music over our skin tones, and Carnegie Hall had never allowed any music other than Classical and Opera. That concert brought Swing music to the forefront and set the tone for amazing bands and records. The Goodman orchestra at that time is considered to be the finest collection of future stars in their own right - Benny Goodman himself, Gene Krupa, Harry James, Lionel Hampton and so many more. Prior to Goodman hiring him, Krupa drove many a bandleader crazy because of his playing style. He was always absolutely on beat, yet the way he played often made it difficult to follow his rhythms if you weren't a top notch musician as well.

[@arvopart1950]

As you say yourself: "The music is not restricted as we bring you all kinds of genres." I like that, I'm 74 and listening all my life to all kinds of music (Classical, Film music, Jazz, Pop songs etc..) So just some suggestions in different genres: John Williams (theme from Schindler's list), Dave Brubeck (Blue rondo à la Turk), Jean-Michel Jarre (Oxygene 4), Pink Floyd (Echoes), Dusty Springfield (I think it's going to rain today).

[@spaniardmartinez6896]

Krupa!!👍

[@coocoocachooglin]

It was interesting to see his mouth moving the whole time, I wonder what he was saying or singing to himself, or maybe that was just his way of counting the time signatures.

[@pureheaven8647]

Genius

[@136Hammer]

There is a great scene in ‘The Mask’ with this song.

[@RoryVanucchi]

Krupa and Chick Webb started the drum feature in 20s and 30s. Chick died. young.Let us Leap or Drumboogie are on video in the 40s with Krupa.

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

Really nice to see you doing these great artists. Gene Krupa's favorite songbird was Anita O'Day. She was an amazing jazz singer. Here is a link to her performance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. Her cover of Sweet Georgia Brown is considered to be one of the best, if not the best version ever done. This performance led to a 7 year contract in Japan. Anita is simply amazing. I hope you do this reaction and best wishes from New Orleans! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b57YaK18bLeWq6c

[@kirpalite]

For decades Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich were considered the two best swing/jazz drummers in the world.

[@ricklaszlo3989]

All I can say is I'm I'm in awe thanks again Harry

[@elainemarsh3477]

A reaction to the original by the Benny Goodman band would be a good idea. Besides Krupa's drumming, there's a lot missing here.

[@dougca7086]

You should also react to the song toad by Cream a whole song that's a drum solo and of course by Ginger Baker

[@v.2080]

I know of his name from my dear mother, who was in her teens in the '40s.... 🌷

[@johndowning5011]

For those unfamiliar with this 1937 jazz great, Louie Prima wrote it, Bennie Goodman really turned it into the classic and Gene Krupa played the drums. Special note: the only instrument that plays the entire time are the drums.

[@leomik]

I never heard of Gene Krupa! Great stuff!

[@pierogi3112]

I knew the name Gene Krupa, but have never seen this. Thanks for your great reaction.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

Krupa is one of the greatest drummers in history. How can some one be an adult and never have heard of him?

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

My old man turned me on to Gene Krupa when I was a wee lad, and I've been a huge fan of his ever since. In my book, he's second, only behind John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.

[@Johnnycdrums]

I liked him best with his own big band featuring Anita O'day and Roy Eldridge after leaving Benny Goodman. "Let Me Off Uptown" comes to mind along, with "Drum Boogie" and so many others.

[@michaelobrien8219]

that's a damn big floor tom!!

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Gene Kruppa begat Buddy Rich who passed it on to John Bonham and Neil Pert, snd almost every drummer in rock bands in the 70's and onward.

[@atomic432]

You are correct to note he is melodic.

[@cdfdesantis699]

Sir, I haven't heard this song in a DOG'S age! Thanks for putting it front & center! You may want to check out his "Let Me Off Uptown", one of his biggest hits. Now, on to drummers. You've already reacted to The Ventures' song, "Wipeout!". But you saw a more recent video with 2 drummers. You MUST check out their video, "Ventures - Wipeout live in Japan 1966". ONE drummer, Mr. Mel Taylor, absolutely tore those drums UP! Best drummer I've ever seen. And then, there's "Neil Peart Drum Solo - Rush Live in Frankfurt". Rush's Mr. Peart put on the, BOTTOM LINE, BEST drum solo EVER, PERIOD. (I know that's a lot of caps, but I'm serious.). You will be amazed by them both, sir! Again, thank you for this refresher!

[@khoohockleong7585]

Kruga was born with Pluto in Sidereal Gemini according to Vedic Astrology. Gemini deals with tools - the guy holds the mace and the girl the Sita. Kruga being a guy, it will be the drumsticks beating the drm. Pluto is in 0 degrees Gemini so it is in Mrigashira star constellation. This constellation is ruled by Soma, the Moon God, so his drm beats are very creative.

[@marvingoodman7381]

IF you want to hear GOAT drummer, in my opinion, you need to get a live version of Buddy Rich doing his band's version of West Side Story.... Then we can talk about drummers....

[@bwilliams463]

That is a LOT of drum for a quartet; Krupa's incredible trap set work blends better with a full-sized swing orchestra, like Benny Goodman's.

[@DanielGarcia-sh8gk]

Another great choice! 🍻