Drummer reacts to Buddy Rich's "INSANE" Drum Solo

[@loriebeshara6633]

Buddy Rich was the Best man at my parents wedding. My father is listed in The Who’s Who in jazz. His name was Jackie Mills also a drummer :)

[@SteveCooley-w3y]

That's awesome!

[@dominicpardo4783]

He played with Dodo Marmarosa. I have the record. Very tasteful drummer.

[@loriebeshara6633]

@@dominicpardo4783 Yes he did my mother used to talk about Dodo. He was also with the Desi Arnaz Orchestra where he met my mother, she was the singer.

[@jowsmith1904]

@@loriebeshara6633 soooooo cool.

[@hampyonce]

Just wow!

[@DinoNardelli]

Dude is in his sixties, full suit on, and having a heart attack at the same time and gives one of the most outstanding drum solos in history. Incredible.

[@Joe.M]

Buddy's daughter said after that performance and having a heart attack, he went backstage and refused to go to the hospital. After having bypass surgery, Buddy's cardiologist told him he shouldn't play for a year. After being released from the hospital, he went down to the Los Angeles drum shop and played. If my memory serves me, six weeks later, he was back doing gigs. There's a Johnny Carson video where Buddy talks about his bypass surgery.

[@lorenjackson8961]

Buddy Rich could kick the ASS out of ANY drummer that came after him. Absolute drum GOD!!

[@briankaufman7293]

Don’t think anyone has surpassed him yet! Stunning. One-handed roll faster than most drummer can do with both hands!

[@spacecadet35]

What's really scary is that he was doing all of that whilst having a heart attack. He had to go to the hospital straight after this show. You should also check out when Buddy Rich does a drum battle with Animal on the Muppet Show.

[@richardcampbell2261]

It was awesome that drum battle. All recreation of the the battle between Rich and the Legend Keith Moon who destroyed him. Not a joke. They battled in London and at the end Rich walked across the stage and handed Keith his drumsticks. I wash it was filmed.

[@kevincosta9228]

Yes, the man was a trooper.

[@liamoconnor9487]

@@richardcampbell2261 Sorry mate but that never happened. It's a myth that got carried down through the years. In reality, Moon couldn't live with Rich in a drum battle...and I speak as a Moon fan. He would have been out of his league.

[@IvoMaropo]

​@@liamoconnor9487 Moon played like a monkey on acid next to Rich.

[@987654321wormy]

​@@liamoconnor9487Gotta agree, love Moon as a drummer but he wasn't in the same league as Rich.

[@rockledgeln]

Roger Taylor (Queen) was asked who he thought the best drummer ever was. Without hesitation he replied "Buddy Rich".

[@15DurangoRT]

Dude! He was 65 years old when he performed this masterpiece!

[@abc456f]

His left hand wasn't human. It's what always impressed me most about him. His left hand single roll was faster than most drummer's two hand single rolls. Just sick!

[@L33Reacts]

Apparently he was a child prodigy too (sorry I'm still learning) so he had decades to get that down probably. What an insane presentation. Now I see why every drummer says his name when they bring up influences

[@JimmyJamJack]

And his fulcrum, where he holds the stick, doesn't seem like it should work lol

[@abc456f]

@JimmyJamJack I use an American grip. It's even more impressive that he had so much speed with a tradional grip.

[@hammathguy3995]

I saw Buddy in the early 80's at a local jazz club. Just excellent. Especially when you consider he had recently broke his left arm and was playing in a cast.

[@Janzer_]

@@hammathguy3995 these are living gods among humans. he was a drum god, would play no matter what.

[@kathybwell]

DAMN! Best cymbal solo ever!!🔥

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

Buddy was one of John Bonham's drum heros..

[@chrissawyer1502]

The GOAT!!.....hands down.....saw him in concert and my high school in 1974....UNREAL!

[@2cents128]

Far and away the best drummer ever

[@keith6485]

Buddy was THE GOAT, period. I was blessed to him live one time just a couple of years before this concert. He played in a room filled with 3000 jazz musicians, not just fans, but musicians. He had so much fun that he actually played an encore! Buddy NEVER played encores!! He was stunning as always. An absolute genius of percussion.

[@Canucklehead557]

I saw Buddy live in 1981. He played a 20 minute drum solo and never touched a drum skin. He played the stands, the horns, the stage and the rims. Just awesome.

[@L33Reacts]

That's fucking awesome man. This blew my mind. I can't wait to hear more from him.

[@Canucklehead557]

@@L33Reacts There is a track out there with Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa called Drum Battle on Verve Records. Definitely worth a listen.

[@cameltanker1286]

During the middle of that performance, Buddy Rich was suffering a heart attack. He continued to play and after his set, he was taken to the hospital. He was the consummate professional.

[@Tonyr0206]

You can see his labored breathing and him wincing in pain during the solo because of it. It was confirmed by his daughter Kathy, that he in fact did suffer a heart attack during the show.

[@lindakoschwitz7098]

My late ex husband was a drummer and Buddy Rich was his idol. His parents took us to see him when we were 15, at the Empire State Building..we had front row seating and got to meet him. My ex was in seventh heaven for that next week. When Buddy shook his hand he said to him "you play don't you?" It was incredible this solo is incredible!!

[@johnmarks227]

Everybody thinks they are a musician, until they actually see one.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

All drummers today try to emulate drummers who've had a lot to learn from this. Yet so many years later, Buddy is still lightning fast and highly regarded.

[@lastrada52]

I was a drummer and while many are impressed with Buddy's speed I was always impressed with his accuracy. Look at his handwork under the hi-hat when he does the hi-hat work -- amazing control. If you want to sample what 2 legendary drummers listened to (Buddy Rich & Gene Krupa) from the early 1930s listen to both the studio band recording & live version of Chick Webb's drum solo on "Liza." Both are on KZbin...no images but you can hear the mastery. He was a hunchback who had his traps specially manufactured for him. Remember that in his day they didn't have fancy drums like today but listen to the skill this giant had. There weren't many before him. He also discovered Ella Fitzgerald. It's great that you're open to listening to some vintage superb musicians. It all had to start somewhere. (Listen to the drums on the King Crimson track "21st Century Schizoid Man," from "In the Court of the Crimson King." That drummer is Mike Giles -- he probably started the whole progressive rock style since no one drummed like him in 1969). You don't have to review it -- just enjoy it privately.

[@henryzelman33]

King of the snare drum. Impeccable stick control.

[@kirksmith2051]

Check out his video from The Hague (1970).

[@jima6545]

In his 60s, in a tux, having a heart attack. For a real treat, his drum solo at The Hague is even crazier

[@joeday4293]

In Central American humidity. Under hot lights.

[@kirksmith2051]

Yes. His performance was jaw-dropping.

[@jerrypedit5383]

So fast that even Animal from the Muppets couldn't keep up

[@sherigrow6480]

An epically great Muppets Show episode!

[@kevinmcconnell3641]

Buddy was 65 when he did this show. Buddy had his own band eventually.

[@kathybwell]

65?! That was so impressive, but especially at 65

[@user-tb9dx9mg2njsb]

Watch the drum off between Eddie Shaughnessy and Buddy Rich it will blow you away!

[@robzalewski1618]

4:20 😯. He is absolutely inhuman. THE absolute god of drumming. A left hand that will never have an equal.

[@ziusthefirst5387]

The old timers know the secrets. Always seek them out.

[@pebblehilllane]

When I was young Buddy Rich was on various talk shows and variety shows, etc. and while I have never been a major fan of drums I was ALWAYS stunned and extremely impressed by Buddy Rich.

[@scotthanson4200]

buddy rich is the standard for all drummer's. he had is own orchestra. l saw him in concert in 1977 l was in 7th grade went with my dad.

[@Rikkykins57]

I had an unexpected encounter with Buddy in the 80's. I was delivering some AV equipment to a Manchester UK hotel. His tour bus was parked outside and as I was going in I held the door open for an elderly man and as he walked through he patted me on the head and said "thanks a lot kid, you're a gentleman". The doorman at the hotel said " Don't you know, that's Buddy Rich you were talking to?". Talk about ships that pass in the night! 😁

[@edalisauskas7313]

Your favorite drummers, favorite drummer

[@andrewmccormack4295]

Dom Famularo,Louie Bellson,these two are my pick for my favorite drummers.

[@sherigrow6480]

Whenever Buddy Rich was going to be on Johnny Carson we were allowed to stay up late to watch. Epic.

[@nemo227]

YES! I remember a couple of times that Buddy was on Carson's show. Once, he just came out from the between the curtains, sat down at his drum set and . tap tap tap tap tap tap tapatapatatat. He began slowly and continued to add elements and complexities, counter point, etc. It was a master class showing the many things a drummer could do. That must have been more than 40 years ago and I'm still impressed.

[@jsunnj76]

Yes

[@RockinExperience]

Same here! He and Ed Shaughnessy were worth staying up late and being tired in school. I met Ed in 2009, and I told him that story. He gave me a drumstick!

[@nemo227]

@@RockinExperience That's real memorabilia. I would probably build a small frame for the drumstick and hang it on the wall with a picture and note telling how it was given to you. Worth keeping, for sure.

[@RockinExperience]

@nemo227 It is framed. I collect used drumsticks. I have dozens. My largest collection is used Neil Peart drumsticks. I have a video Short of them on my Channel.

[@samblethen]

Cathy Rich confirmed that Buddy had a heart attack during the solo

[@WorldWide-q8v]

The best are all behind us. The modern world does not produce this kind of talent anymore.

[@Tonyr0206]

It does....Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Marco Minneman, Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati, Steve Smith, Steve Gadd, Tony Royster Jr., Billy Cobham, Greyson Nekrutman, Dennis Chambers, El Estepario Siberiano, to name a few. The art of drumming has progressed so much in the past 30 years. People have taken what the greats like Buddy, Louis Bellson, Joe Morello, etc. and have expounded it exponentially.

[@firebirdguy3151]

Buddy Rich is the GOAT!

[@gillwaugh7212]

Oh my goodness. Just reading all your comments about his heart attack. This is a miracle and it’s a privilege to see it.

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

I saw Buddy Rich and his band live in the mid-1970's. This solo was in the tune "West Side Story Medley," one of the tunes that Rich regularly played in concert. At the concert I attended, he soloed for almost 20 MINUTES on that tune. He started playing professionally in the 1930's and was playing until shortly before his death in 1987. Probably the best jazz drummer who ever lived.

[@thondomain]

I played snare drum in the Palmetto High School band (State Champion Marching Band three years running). Our band director took the percussion section to see Buddy Rich for a drum clinic in Greenville, SC around 1970. Our first chair drummer, who played in a rock band, asked Rich if he could do rock drum solos. He did a one-handed solo that would be the envy of any rock and roll drummer. We also went to a clinic given by Gene Krupa who was also amazing.

[@godbluffvdgg]

Nobody does one hand rolls like Buddy...Buddy's work with big bands is his greatest works.

[@patrickcadge-moore6916]

He was born in 1917, so he must have been in his mid to late 60s here. Another great classic drummer was Gene Krupa, I'll see if I can dig up some of his work

[@sulladrum]

I've seen lots of phenomenal drummers, but none of them affected me the way seeing Buddy play live did. I was almost crying from amazement. The one thing none of these videos can capture is the tremendous power he generated when he played. I feel blessed to have seen him up close. No other experience has ever equaled it. i agree that you should see him at the Hague.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

When I was in high school in the 1970s, all the drummers I knew had buddy rich as the ultimate drummer. Neil Peart said it many times. He was not the easiest drummer to work with but OMG. The other drummer often mentioned was Ed Shaunesy who played Johnny Carson

[@karenfryberger4260]

There's a video available on YT: "Buddy Rich and Ed Shaughnessy: Drum battle at The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, 1978" (it has 1.1M views). Awesome and fun to watch.

[@johnsilva9139]

Loved your reaction. Had the fortunate experience of seeing Buddy Rich perform at The Monterrey Jazz Festival in 1972. He did a drum duel with Elvin Jones if I'm not mistaken. Awesome to watch and hear those guys. There's a video on KZbin of a young Buddy from 1942 in the movie "Ship Ahoy" where he drums while the dancer Eleanor Powell tap dances and does acrobatics, along with Bert Lahr and Red Skelton singing the song "Tallulah". Very entertaining scene.

[@simonm7133]

I saw Buddy Rich at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London in 1979. It is still a concert that sits in my memory as one of the greatest I have ever seen. Rich was the drummer for The Tommy Dorsey Band during WW2 and there are some great recordings of him at that time with Frank Sinatra. The greatest drum solo I've seen him do was recorded by the BBC in 1969 at a venue called The Talk of the Town . It is his West Side Story Medley and it is staggeringly brilliant. You can find it on KZbin

[@guidosarducci]

I do believe that Neil Peart loved Buddy, as he included a clip of him in his own solo... Excellent choice, man!

[@tedr3586]

Amazing. Buddy was a hero to a number of drummers including Ian Paice of Deep Purple Check out "the Mule" drum solo by Ian

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

That's the guy every great drummer was aiming for. Perfection !!!!

[@kirksmith2051]

Buddy Rich's hand speed was inhuman, other-worldly.

[@beatlejim64]

Met him...saw him play live...Best ever...

[@BiolleyBuzz]

I was fortunate enough to see Buddy Rich an his orchestra decades ago. I was worn out by the end of the concert! It was high energy and had incredible young talent from across the US in his orchestra. Fabulous!

[@keithr-xj7zx]

I'm not sure if this is the performance where he had a heart attack mid way and didn't miss a beat. Amazing talent. 😊

[@dbradx]

Yeah, I think this is the one - you can see it on his face as he ends.

[@karenfryberger4260]

It is.

[@albertfish69]

i nearly did watching it.

[@dbradx]

@@albertfish69 🤣🤣

[@barrycohen311]

Buddy was like "The Show Must Go On..."

[@orangeandblackattack]

The legend! We can all argue about the best rock drummer, but all-time drummers? Buddy is it!

[@perrymalcolm3802]

There’s the real deal!! Had the fortune of seeing him up close in a high school gym near my parents house 35-40 years ago, no wig. Tight band. He had no song order. Each song had an individual intro drum riff. Once he started playing it they had about 10 seconds to figure out the riff, scramble for the sheet music and begin!!!! AWESOME talent!! Had been playing since about as high to the bass drum! Google the picks!! Keep going! See the movie clip where he plays while Eleanor Powell tap dances!!

[@SuperPrince1007]

Buddy Rich wasn't just the Greatest Drummer of all time he was a freak of nature. No normal human being can play the drums like that. His hand speed was just unbelievable.

[@benhill8454]

Amazing!!!! Fantastic drummer. Another great drummer back in the day was Gene Krupa. My dad, Gerald "Jerry" Harrison, (monster jazz player), was the pianist with the Gene Krupa Trio... Late '50s.

[@0090andrew]

Buddy was touring 9 months per year in his sixties. I saw one gig in a smallish town. He got a standing ovation. Wherever he toured I reckon he got a standing ovation.

[@laurencaulton103]

Our greatest musicians are in jazz. It's just the truth. You'll never see another Buddy Rich.

[@droz7503]

My idol in the late 70’s GOAT

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Hehe, one of those times I get to thoroughly enjoy a reaction and your comments after as a musician and fully love it. And I've always liked the reactions and commented but this is one of those that's right up your alley and you ramp up the musician relation to it, which is the way I listen to and identify with anything everything all the time. That was really fun. I think I caught him switching out of trad grip a few times, but mostly he stayed there, but man he's just mind-blowing. So many drummers idolize him.

[@stevegans3517]

You can see the pain in his face from the heart attack he's having while he pulls off this amazing solo. In his youth he was even faster.

[@DennisCharles-l9d]

There's a lot of really great rock drummers but I don't think there was anybody ever better than buddy rich.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Lee, did you see "Whiplash"? The actor/character in that flick was obsessed with Buddy Rich and he tries to emulate him. Great movie -- if you can take the PTSD-trigger, that is. But, check out Buddy's amazing Big Band Jazz music! He's got all kinds of videos on YT that show a lot of his appearances! Keep going!

[@richardturk7162]

I saw him live with a jazz band back in the late 60s and he tore it up . Best drummer I have seen ever. Its good you go back and look at the legends and maybe you will learn something from them. Staying with contemporaries or one genre will stifle your growth musically. My son in law did drum line too and is an excellent drummer. He has done heavy rock Zydeco jazz and other genres.

[@daveduffy1755]

The greatest drummer ever all others many of them great aswell fall in line behind Buddy Rich A live performance with his band was a privilege to see At a performance in sydney Australia's Horden pavilion I saw all the top prob Aussie drummers standing and cheering buddy's greatness

[@davidhadley1870]

Saw him live 2 times. Worlds best.

[@hampyonce]

I used to love seeing Buddy Rich on late night TV.

[@thomassanchez-oo6sb]

Carl Palmer had open heart surgery last April and was on the road playing in July and keeps going to this day!!!!!❤️✌🏼

[@samuelmoulds1016]

yeah, quite frankly, I loved "Emerson, Lake, and Palmer"! ....... 🎵......."OH! What a lucky man he was........"..........🎶

[@TheAmazingSpaghetti]

@@samuelmoulds1016 Buddy was friends with Carl and saw ELP play live.

[@ajn465]

Carl, another drummer, heavily influenced by buddy

[@jamesdrynan]

I saw Buddy and his band in Toronto at the Royal York's Imperial Room in 1970. A thrilling experience! I was nineteen. My favorite recording was Rich playing Love for Sale in 1965.

[@sirslice7531]

Amazing performance! Buddy was experiencing a heart attack, during this, yet he still played on!

[@louisevad6091]

When you are gifted and you work at it and love it, you get this❤

[@gordonmorris6359]

All of Buddy's solos are worth watching, even studying, from the earliest to the last.

[@justjack0715]

Simply the best there ever was and will ever be. I had the pleasure of seeing him live 3 times in the 70's. His speed, control and agility has never been matched to this day. There's a bevy of close seconds but none compare to this man. Oh, he's probably in his late 50's here and wearing a suit and tie to boot. 😳

[@TonyCrawford-n9s]

Best drummer of all time

[@thedocofrock1890]

hard to imagine that buddy was 65 years old in this video. jeezus what stamina and dexterity. one of THE greatest

[@blitztim6416]

And he’s wearing a tux! I saw Buddy live once. Also got to see Louie Bellson live. He was great also. Played part of his solo with wooden spoon. Like the kind you would cook with. I feel kinda lucky. I mean I’ve seen Sinatra and I’ve seen Eminem live. That’s a crazy range.

[@hesh8367]

“I’m Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle” Beastie Boys. Sabotage. The man was the goat.

[@trollman591]

I got to see him live in the late 70's. He was amazing.

[@nathans3241]

Of all the drummers I've heard in my life, Buddy Rich is the greatest. He comes from the big band era of the 1940's. He can turn a drum kit into a one piece orchestra.

[@patrickwilder6492]

Karen Carpenter has a nice solo video also. Not comparing the two ; just another superb talent. One of the best Drummer/ vocalists to ever perform. Cheers !!

[@shiva1742]

I am old enough and lucky enough that he came to my city in the mid 70s and performed this very piece. Yes, he is the king in my opinion.

[@snivelinj7612]

Even as a man in his 60's and 70's, he was still better than any contemporary drummers. He was a total master----the best in history.

[@paulehney4581]

Now you know why we kept telling you that you had to hear Buddy!

[@yourebusted5786]

If you want to go OLD school, check out Gene Krupa and don't forget Graham Lear from Santana's Moonflower album. He nailed the Soul Sacrifice solo.

[@kavimontanaro7976]

I saw him right around this time, and I remember this number - medley of songs from West Side Story. My band director took the whole jazz band to see them. It was an amazing experience. And he hit so HARD.

[@stlmopoet]

Born Sep 30, 1917 Brooklyn, New York, NY Died Apr 2, 1987 Los Angeles, CA I remember seeing him on the Tonight Show. Even though he was a misician of my parents' era, which I thought old snd sappy, I had to admit he was amazing. I've since learned there's a lot of great stuff from all eras.

[@ajn465]

Buddy Rich Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival

[@billc.5861]

THE GOAT Nobody’s better, your favorite drummers favorite drummer.

[@grahamkey8496]

Or he could be your favorite drummer's favorite drummer's favorite drummer!

[@billc.5861]

@ grahamkey8496. Hahaha ! I actually know my favorite drummer And his favorite drummer is Buddy Rich.

[@charleswagner2984]

Since Buddy passed away, Neil Peart was the GOAT. Now that Neil has passed, who would you say is the living best drummer in the world?

[@billc.5861]

@charleswagner2984 That’s a really good question, my first thoughts are Billy Cobham , Steve Gadd , Vinnie Colaiuta , Steward Copland , Mike Portnoy , Jeff Campitelli Honestly I’m not real familiar with a lot of the young new drummers coming up and there’s probably some spectacular ones that I just don’t know about but really good question to ask. Thanks.

[@momokomiyafuji396]

I saw Buddy at a club in Upstate New York back in 1978 (I was 16 and got into the club using my cousins drivers license - this is important to the story). An older couple got up and started dancing and Buddy stops and told them "This is a concert. The American Legion hall is down the street." I shout out "Play Brainwashed." and Buddy responds "Shut up kid. I don't do requests." He pauses, squints his eyes and says "How did you get in here kid? You look like your balls haven't dropped yet." The crowd starts laughing. Being insulted by Buddy Rich was the biggest honor of my young life.

[@davidkomen5283]

I first heard about Buddy Rich,on an episode of the Muppet show. Him and animal had little competition.

[@MAGAEATSBOOGERS1]

He was one of my Favorite Students, so glad he made it.

[@jameslapham3274]

What a great performance! I think he may have been working with a ring on his finger in some of the high hat work. Incredible!

[@KenWesaw-up5wf]

I needed a breather just watching him

[@user-he6nj1zv9f]

And that old dude was playing in a tuxedo, a goat . He was my dads favorite drummer and it is easy to see why.

[@JohnHJaabk]

I met him back stage after the concert in Oslo in 1976/77. He signed all my LP covers.

[@JimmyJamJack]

You were slack-jawed at the end. Welcome to the club!

[@samblethen]

Neil Peart from Rush said that Buddy Rich was the greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath

[@VincentAgostino-gy6hr]

Buddy had a club in New York in the 1970’s I went a few times .. once I went and saw his band backing up Joe Williams and once Lou Rawls

[@tpatrick44]

Great to see you show this video…being a Drummer yourself. I got to see him when I was young…he was an interesting cat for sure!

[@mikefitznb1]

THE GREATEST DRUMMER EVER!!!!!!

[@waynemoon5359]

You should read his Biography called Traps the Boy Wonder written by his close friend jazz vocalist Mel Torme. In it Mel tells the story of Buddy's life. Buddy parents were vaudeville performers and took Buddy on the road with them. When Buddy was eighteen months old he was sitting on the stage while his parents were rehearsing. The drummer in the band gave Buddy a pair of sticks to amuse himself and Buddy tapped in time with the band. They decided to make him part of the act. Decades later in the 1950's Buddy was interviewed by Modern Drummer magazine and was asked how often he practiced. He answered "Practice? What for? If I've something in my head and I can't get it in 20 minutes, what difference is 3 hours or 3 days gonna make?' They say he never played any song exactly the same way twice. In the 70's he was asked if there were any young, up and coming drummers he liked and he said "Yeah I like that kid from Chicago. Danny what's his name" That was Danny Seraphine he was talking about. If you want a stellar example of Danny's work listen to "Make Me Smile" on Chicago's debut album. When it comes to drumming, next to Buddy, lets face it, we're all playing waffle ball.

[@jowsmith1904]

seraphine is a monster drummer, for many years my #1 fav...saw hmim live on point he was.