Pretty As I Wanna Be - The Story of Bernard Purdie (FULL / HD)

What do Aretha's Respect,
Miles' Bitches Brew, NWA's Fuck The Police,
and the Chemical Brothers Block Rockin' Beats have in common ?
This guy's hands.
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#drums #sample

[@jensmayer6929]

Never seen any artist with such a devotion to music itself. It’s so moving, seeing how much fun he has jamming with those young guys. It moves me everytime. One of the greatest musicians of all time.

[@edgarstein6426]

Hey guys, please don't call him a liar! He's fuc**** Prettie Purdie, a groove master! Very few living (or dead, for this matter) drummers have half his talent! He's still rocking at his 72! Please, knee before him. Or, at least, shut up and listen. And show some respect. Tks.

[@sonsofthetribe]

Amazing story saw him live in London Jazz cafe and got a signed photo and I remember how chuffed he was that all these young kids were admiring and loving his importance In music, he was so chuffed… and so was I :) .

[@Renski69]

BTW, Ron Richard (Beatles producer) stated that he had in mind certain drum patterns that neither Beatles drummer (Best or Starr) could execute. Perhaps this is why Purdie and others were called in? Just illuminating this since it seems inconceivable to some folks that "The Beatles" could ever need substitute session musicians. However, see this YT vid (watch?v=L67RmNQ215E) and hear Pete Best himself speaking on the Beatles' agreement and acceptance that a session drummer be utilized...

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Renski69 Yeah, I could absolutely see that. Ringo is fun to watch, he's got great hands and he looks happy, but Bernard is a WAY better drummer, to be blunt.

[@alhudson]

That look of sheer joy on Bernard's face when he is playing with those guys is just priceless!! Wonderful! Really WONDERFUL!!!!!!

[@dcdc92]

Guys this is an excellent video off the back of what was clearly an amazing event. Thank you for providing this insight into Bernard's career and thank you for showing him the respect he so deserves.

[@tonysmith5878]

PURDIE AND BEATBOX....SO TUFF.

[@DavidOhlerkingII]

I love the Purdy.

[@drummer083]

Bernard did not play on "Respect". That was Gene Chrisman. And he did not overdub on those Tony Sheridan tapes. That work was done by Buddy Saltzman and Gary Chester. The AFM sheets confirm this. And if he did overdub the drums on early Beatles tracks, the other instruments would have had to have been replaced as well, since the early stuff was two track. Another point of contradiction: Bernard said himself that the first hit he played on was "Just One Look" by Doris Troy, which was recorded in March of 1963 (as a demo) and released that May. The Beatles first album, "Please, Please, Me" was recorded between Sept. 62 and Feb. 63 and released (in England only) in March. Why would they (The Beatles/George Martin/Epstein, et al) fly the tapes to the U.S. to have a completely unknown/unproven drummer overdub them? The Beatles themselves made no secret about the fact that Andy White is on Love Me Do and P.S. I Love You. Why not have Andy just do those tracks? And, if they did, don't you think that they'd hire a drummer with "real" studio experience, like the aforementioned Saltzman or Chester, or even Panama Francis? There is not one shred of evidence to support Purdie's claim. He also takes credit for "Cold Sweat", which I know was a huge bone of contention for Clyde Stubblefield. As someone who played on countless hits, Purdie's resume stands on its own. The fact that he feels the need to embellish it speaks to some deep seeded psychological problems.

[@CorePathway]

@10:05 - the joy of hearing the Purdie Shuffle beatboxed by 3 guys that are two generations and a continent removed....indeed he will live on as long as there is pop, soul, jazz or funk. And that will be a loooooooooong time.

[@63Baggies]

A true living legend!

[@sticktrik]

Robert Dore I think this guy is a big fucking bullshitter!!!

[@AHImusic]

Pretty Purdie and the Farty McFart Farts.

[@dubby46]

Its amazing how many musicians have bad days and are replaced with session players.i belive mr purdie

[@jakeenan]

That was a wonderful beats jam to the Purdie shuffle at the end. One could almost envisage those cats and the great man getting it on on a kinda modern day version of a Bitches Brew type jam. That would be something!!

[@Craftonboy]

bernard is not just the groove master.. he's the INspiration itself, And i'm gonna Splain to u all.. He gives other inspiration, he is the source, the core. If not, there wouldn't be any 'a fool in the rain' and much much more.. BpP in our hearts.

[@tonysmith5878]

DIDN'T KNOW SMOKEY WAS GETTIN' DOWN LIKE THAT.

[@jaredsmith3236]

Pete Best, Bernard Purdie, and Paul McCartney all played on Beatles tunes. Facts are facts.

[@dingles69]

TWO BARS!!!

[@Viator19]

Bernard is THE Daddy. Period.

[@cabogallo]

! Twist & Shout ! I was right !! The feelin is very diferent .

[@SKYSAW59]

Its a beautiful thing!

[@miriangraafsma9732]

This man should auto-biographize his life staring the man himself in the lead and Maurice Fears as his younger self .

[@GFunkTube]

BRILIANT RECORDS! DRUMMING!

[@camdensubdivision3020]

Great drummer, but put me in the "not buying his outrageous claims: camp. Both he & Carol Kaye claim to play on those Motown hits, but what probably happened is that they played on re-recordings of those songs for the various Motown TV specials that were so prevalent in the mid-late 60's. But even then, there's some suspicion as Hal Blaine & Earl Palmer were the first call guys in L.A. Be assured, the Motown "hits", with few exceptions, were recorded in the Snake pit, with Benny, Uriel or Pistol..

[@tonysmith5878]

PURDIE NICE HANDS!!!!!!!! FUNK OCTOPUS.

[@MexzTV]

Ohlalalala!!!!

[@peterknispel4020]

That was fun

[@chidrummer]

@tomthefunky Purdie may not be on the studio recording of Respect, but he did plenty of live versions. The same with James Brown. Bernard is definitely on the studio version of Rock Steady and that's a far better testament to his talents. Have to agree with you on The Beatles stuff though.

[@mrniceguy7704]

What 20 people didn't like that? the jam at the end was awesome

[@ganeshmunuswamy5445]

Can any one say which is the video or song ? 2:47 minutes.

[@Jaycee37]

Bernard Purdie is not making bogus claims. The producers would have sued him if it weren't true. He would not have gotten more work. The Funk Brothers, Carol Kaye and so many others were not given all the credit they were due. Fact! It's part of the business yesterday and today. Not every singer actually is the one singing on the records. Get over it.

[@drummer083]

The AFM sheets don't lie. There is one filled out at every session.

[@Renski69]

rossignolmusic Roberta Flack reportedly "played 42 songs in 3 hours" at her audition, "recorded 39 song demos in less than 10 hours," and recorded her entire debut album in a mere 10 hours. Should we doubt/disbelieve her also? This does not seem improbable given that in-demand professionals tend to do MULTIPLE sessions daily, for months at a time (Ed Greene, James Gadson, JR Robinson, etc.). The likelihood is especially increased where a musician is affiliated with prolific artists (King Curtis/Aretha), producers (Spector/Wexler), or record label (Atlantic/Motown). From listening to prolific session musicians, "One album per day or every two days" is small thinking on your part! These guys eat off of session work and live in the studio.

[@familytreemusic]

@tomthefunky whatever my friend, his greatness at the drums speak for himself... can i hear you groove somewhere, tom the funky? which great album i can check you on? to each his/her own, stop hating and live in love. peace!

[@waltercgi]

3 Def people?

[@ulrichweber3415]

Does anyone know the name of the song at the very end (trailer) and the one in the beginning of that video??? Please help!

[@jonathanw11]

I want to know the same thing!!!

[@jonathanw11]

The very end is Galt MacDermot Duffer

[@DDandrums]

Love Purdie, though Roger Hawkins drummed on Respect

[@HARALDEMANN]

Believe what you want, but Purdie's answers regarding his playing on Beatles records have been so full of contradictions, claiming all from that he played on all of the early records to only 'fixing' certain songs. He did play on early recordings featuring The Beatles , but not the ones he wants people to believe he recorded. The recordings in question were recordings made in Hamburg in 1961, featuring Pete Best. When these recordings were re-released in 1964 in the US, it featured beefed up drumming from Purdie. Regarding 'I Feel Fine', the whole session tape exists on bootleg and features Ringo talking. Do you want me to believe that a session tape which were never meant to be heard in public, should feature Ringo talking, while Purdie would remain quiet except when he played? Too far out.

[@MELLSBAD]

Just ask Paul or Ringo man

[@jdmac44]

blip

[@johnfoster535]

jdmac44 ....well...in Beatles history, there WAS a time when Ringo stormed out of the recording sessions after hearing "different" drum tracks on certain recordings. It is even discussed by him on the anthology.....John sent him flowers and coaxed him back. He assumed it was Paul drumming. It is VERY possible that Bernard could have been used to fix certain recordings... it IS TRUE that "I Feel Fine" DOES sound out of character for Ringo...ESPECIALLY the CROSS STICK on the snare drum rim during the chorus. It is VERY INTERESTING that Purdie SPECIFICALLY mentioned the "multi-track" setup at Les Paul's in California. Back in England, they were working with TWO track machines then, and soon after, 4 track ones. Tracks were "bounced" and two separate machines were sometimes used. A multi-track setup WOULD HAVE been needed to "repair" recordings, the way he claimed they were. In addition.....you can see in the video...Purdie ALWAYS reverses his two rack toms...low one on the left, high one on the right. In "Day Tripper", more than once, you will hear a VERY fast single-stroke roll going from LOW TO HIGH. This would be VERY difficult to play for Ringo on his NORMAL drums, where the low tom is his FLOOR tom on the right, and his high tom is above the snare. However, Ringo was left-handed, so MAYBE he did it.....still VERY difficult,though. NO ONE can argue with Purdie's drum legend......JEFF PORCARO honored Purdie in his recording of "Rosanna" and EVERY intelligent drummer KNOWS that "Home at Last" and "Babylon Sisters"are two of the GREATEST groove tracks of ALL TIME !!! One thing is for SURE...NO ONE connected to the Beatles will EVER admit it, if it is true. I spoke with Davy Jones two years before his death about musicians used on the Monkees records. He mentioned several, especially Glen Campbell. It is WELL KNOWN that George Martin WAS very demanding.....frustrated with George Harrison's trouble playing the lead solo on " A Hard Day's Night"......Martin played the solo on his "wound up" piano at HALF SPEED....down an octave, and THEN had George double him on the guitar. THEN, that "solo" was sped up to full speed and "inserted" into the song. " Varispeed" was also used to raise the pitch of their voices,or, instruments.....during other songs it was used to create the low pitched drums and bass by slowing tracks down. I believe it IS possible, he may be telling the truth,but, who can judge without more evidence ??? I DO KNOW for a FACT...that The Beatles HAD to "fix" the soundtrack for the Shea Stadium concert film by re-singing certain things to a projection of the film in England. They did so well on it, that it is impossible to tell. Purdie is ALSO right about the use of DEMOS for ACTUAL hit records....sometimes, they would only re-do the lead vocal track. One thing is FOR SURE....there is a lot about this stuff WE DON'T KNOW !!!...

[@skfranks77]

John Foster I'm with ya on this. I listened to the studio of"I feel fine"then watched the live recordings and Ringo isn't coming even close to playing it. Especially the ride cymbal work and write a bit more.

[@markyncole]

Interviewer to John Lennon: "Do you consider Ringo the best drummer in the world?" John Lennon to Interviewer: "Ringo isn't even the best drummer in The Beatles"

[@davidwilmothall]

"How Smokey gon' sound without any drums?"

[@rjenkins6306]

I know this man....he is my great uncle! if he said he played on beatles tunes, then he did. just listen to the groove and then read about ringo "playing for the song". He is the MOST recorded drummer ever, so there would be no reason to be dishonest. Back in those days, lots of studio musicians would play the recorded track and then the drummer/musician would LEARN what the studio musician played.

[@jivefx]

Absolutely. I'm a session drummer and I create the parts. They copy. Bernard is probably my biggest influence. A total legend.

[@recordguy4321]

Yeah well he's my 4th cousin and he's full of shit. (But a great drummer). The Beatles thing is a FARCE! ..And why would berry Gordy who had 3 of the greatest studio drummers of all time in Benny Benjamin, Pistol Allen, and Uriel Jones need Purdie. Bernards best studio work was with King Curtis,Aretha and all the great Atlantic artists. And Hal Blaine has played on more records than your uncle.

[@cobb_thedrummer]

Bernard Purdie did play on some Beatles songs. Not all, of course but there was a period from 1964 to 1965 where they released two movies and a handful of albums. In order to get this done in the time it was demanded, Bernard was called in to handle the singles mainly. Listen to "I Feel Fine" it's got Purdie all over that beat. Ringo is incapable of playing that highly syncopated groove as proven by live video. He also did "Day Tripper" and "Help" listen to the fast triplet fills and watch video of Ringo doing it, it doesn't match. I've listened to both drummers extensively. You can hear Ringo's style on what he plays (Come Together , Rain etc.) and Bernard on his. I'm also a student of Mr. Purdie.

[@HARALDEMANN]

@Deanlgnacio. Believe what you want, but Purdie's answers regarding his playing on Beatles records have been so full of contradictions, claiming all from that he played on all of the early records to only 'fixing' certain songs. He did play on early recordings featuring The Beatles , but not the ones he wants people to believe he recorded. The recordings in question were recordings made in Hamburg in 1961, featuring Pete Best. When these recordings were re-released in 1964 in the US, it featured beefed up drumming from Purdie. Regarding 'I Feel Fine', the whole session tape exists on bootleg and features Ringo talking. Do you want me to believe that a session tape which were never meant to be heard in public, should feature Ringo talking, while Purdie would remain quiet except when he played? Too far out.

[@shaneviosk4286]

I've never heard of this until today!! Cool.

[@Panufo]

I love Purdie, but he DIDN'T play on the Beatles' 'Twist & Shout'. Old wives' tale, that. And as for 'I Feel Fine', all Ringo did was reverse the 'What'd I Say' beat, a club staple for every working drummer. Purdie wasn't in London often enough to be on the all-too frequent Beatles' sessions, and if you can play Ringo's two-handed unison fills like on 'Tell Me Why' and 'Help!" without your hands going out of sync, you're a far better drummer than I am. No offense - Ringo and Purdie are both part of my drumming trayectoria. Please either give us a link to a video of Ringo butchering 'I Feel Fine', or hold your peace

[@tomthefunky]

@familytreemusic You're an other one making excuses for him. Purdie doesn't "exaggerate his statements". He flat out lies. There's a big difference between exaggeration and lying, you ninny. And how would you feel if he ran around saying he played on something that you ,in fact, played on?

[@jbeatindo8040]

wow !!!! Cool !!! you're my inspiration, under kontrol !!!! Salam Microphone !! =>> that is greeting for beatboxer in Indonesia :) COOL !!!!

[@blacktop2001]

What is the song at the end of the.

[@jcschmehl1661]

Does anybody know what the name of the song is at the very beginning?

[@paulabella6714]

Walking In Space from the Hair soundtrack.

[@ricardomarliere]

SOMEBODY?????

[@familytreemusic]

@tomthefunky he may exaggerate his statement for some reason, i agree. but his groove is undeniable, no one can deny: ask gadd, porcaro (if he could tell you, rip), steve jordan or the other top groove masters who is the boss, and they will tell you purdie. full of himself, yes he is. full of some big, phat, juicy groove...

[@dirtycanvas9711]

I love the guy, but I don't think he's on Bitches Brew...

[@Dogdrum]

He was on one track on Get Up With It (1975). I don't get his claim about being on Bitches Brew.

[@pikratewilson6824]

Totally agree with you. I know tons of records with him on drums. When you know his playing style, you can recognize him very clearly without even reading the casting of a freshly discovered recording. More than just a sound (which also depends a lot on the microphones, the engineer... For example his drums sound completely different on G Scott Heron's "pieces of man" record, compared to, let's say, E Phillips' album "from a whisper to a scream". Both record in 1971) this drum genius has a type of playing (several styles even)... that you will never find on Bitches brew. On the other hand, you can recognize there among others, Don Alias...for example

[@GFunkTube]

I love you man. come over to hang out with me.

[@mikehunt4023]

Sorry but he did not play on bitches brew or twist and shout

[@fayabraz]

I love this kind of hater !!!! you are probably a wellknown great drummer , please where can we enjoy your fabulous skills mister goat ?? hahahaha

[@user-xq6dn8eo8x]

there is no reason for this person to lie about anything

[@fayabraz]

Purdie is on more than 4000 records....nothing compare to Gadd ....by the way Gadd 's work got as much impact on drums and patterns as Purdie ... they are 2 legends there is no doubt !!! i now personnaly think when your work become a basics in your art , you have no reason to lie..... another interview shows purdie cut by a phone call.... Aretha inviting him at home.... obviously nobody can speak about what they did in their career .... as you wasn't born when he first played drums! PEACE

[@bingrim]

Is this about my dude or those fartboxers.

[@1954telecaster]

Bernard is one of the greatest drummers of all time but he's out of his mind, he didn't play on any Beatles or Motown records.

[@ryansams1682]

It's quite possible that Bernard Purdie added some minor overdubs to a few tracks recorded by Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers - featuring Pete Best on drums (which were later re-released by MGM in order to capitalise on The Beatles' success). However, his suggestion that he played on 21 Beatles songs from their first three albums is both laughable and impossible.

[@zplapplap]

There's no basis in fact for the suggestion that Purdie didn't play on Motown Records. It's your assertion, substantiate with facts.

[@rossignolmusic]

I just don't buy the 4000 records. That is an album a day for 11 years, or an album every two days for 22 years. do the math... He might be on 4000 but Gadd did all the songs on 600 hundred he did. Perdie is obviously coloring the facts but sa I said, that is his thing, it doesn't take anything out of his legacy, but it sure buts all of us in a shadowee argumentative position. anyways. thanks for the feedback, always nice two now these two drummers have a lasting impacr :)

[@samuelorefice2758]

that was pretty ridiculous.. those guys arent even close to bernard lvl

[@rossignolmusic]

Yeah I know, it's kind of sad though. I mean I love his playing and his smooth shuffle 16th, but he's locked himself up into these lies. Why? And the most recorded drummer of all times? Really? Steve Gadd did about 600 recordings that are for the most part verifiable. Anyways, he can't be feeling to happy inside so I'm not going to start pulling him down on youtube. He's taking care of that...

[@christiangasior4244]

One of the beatboxers makes a stupid farting noise. Anyway just let Bernie drum.

[@tolanstout]

Follow Bernard Purdie on Twitter: twitter.com/bernardpurdie

[@dannyman60001]

This dude is delusional despite being a great drummer. The Beatles!! Aretha. Motown. Given his real contributions it amazes me how he can claim all of these bogus credits.

[@AfferbeckBeats]

He said the DEMOS which are not the studio versions

[@dannyman60001]

Beatles demos? No such animal done by session players.

[@guyhughes4185]

yeah i agree i love his playing but never have been able to stand a second of his bs rambling

[@cyrus6581]

danny casavant Aretha is facts! Played the rocksteady beat and all over young gifted and black