The Amazing Buddy Rich | Reaction Video

[@drumqtips]

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[@memathews]

Buddy played my hometown in the late 60s in a dinner club. The club sold a few student tickets through local music teachers and 14 year-old me pleaded with my dad to take me. The club seated us in a separate dining room off the main club dance floor and opened the adjoining doors. The band played the first piece, Buddy looked through the doors at us and said, "nobody's going to dance tonight to what we're playing, you kids come in and sit down here," motioning for us to sit on the dance floor. I sat three feet from his bass drum the rest of the gig and marveled at his abilities. There is no all-around best, but Buddy Rich was a special force in drumming.

[@drumqtips]

Amazing story! Thanks for sharing.

[@memathews]

@@drumqtips Thank you for sharing your reaction and pointing out specific actions between Buddy and the band.

[@jazzpianoman01]

Yes agree, that makes two of us who saw him up,close in the flesh; he was a true force of nature

[@jaylundell6474]

Was that in Portland? I was at a club in Portland and that same thing happened. We all got to sit on the dance floor, closer to the band than the adults!

[@memathews]

@@jaylundell6474 Yes, Portland, in Gracie Hansen's Roaring 20s Room at the Hoyt Hotel. Lots of the greats played that venue in the 50s and 60s, not too much later it closed.

[@jimbarcelona1078]

He was and always will be the best in my eyes.

[@drumqtips]

I can respect that👍🏾

[@chevyimp5857]

That left hand....just incredible

[@drumqtips]

Indeed it is!

[@gwynmacgregor6845]

No question. Greatest drummer of his time and I would argue greatest of all time because of his combination of technical skills, musicality and supreme focus on the overall sound. He was absolutely the front and centre showman of his band but the ensemble music result was what made him truly great.

[@drumqtips]

Hard to argue that my man! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@erikrupp692]

Buddy Rich was the greatest drummer in the world during his lifetime. From 1940-1986 there was no one who could match all that Buddy could do. Truth be told, even since he passed I don't think anyone could match him in all aspects of what he did. And it wasn't just his technical skills that made him great - it was his stylistic choices that were fantastic, too. No one drove a band the way Buddy did, and I don't think anyone's matched him since when it comes to that. While he took inspiration and influence from Chick Webb and Gene Krupa, he surpassed them and went to a level that no one came close to until the 70's. It wasn't until people who grew up listening to Buddy Rich and trying to play what he played that anyone really came close on a technical level. He was the originator - the original. Have there been guys around in the last 30-40 years who could play what Buddy played? Maybe. Could they do it with the same flair? Nope. Could they drive a band the way Buddy did? Nope. Trust me - I saw Buddy and his band live at least 3 times from the late 70's to the mid 80's, and no one got more out of a band from behind the drum kit than Buddy did. Buddy pushed his band to be more aggressive, more energetic, and tighter than any other Big Band band I ever saw. At the same time, Buddy could lay back and play the mellower songs with amazing feeling. THAT is why Buddy Rich was the greatest drummer of all time. He was the complete package. He did it all, and he did it all on an elite level.

[@bobbydale1938]

Perfecto ! 😍

[@AnthonyToth-t5v]

Well said I couldn’t have said it any better

[@jeandejazz6426]

Buddy was a force of nature. A phenomenon. I saw him 3 times. The last one just a few months before he died. He brought the house down every time with his drumming skills. To me he was the greatest. You walked away from his concert totally thrilled and amazed. Thanks Buddy.

[@StarchildeX]

My dad saw the Battle of the Drums in LA. Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. He said Buddy dropped a stick and without missing a beat, he played the fallen stick along the floor, up the legs and body of the drums and right back into the swing of things! The GOAT!

[@drumqtips]

Genius stuff. lol!

[@johnlilly2991]

I am sixty years old, he is the best I ever seen!

[@drumqtips]

Much respect👊🏾

[@davidkoch3666]

I saw Buddy 4 times and have listened to him for 50 years, along with many other drummers. HE IS THE BEST DRUMMER OF ALL TIME!,,

[@drumqtips]

Hard to argue that Davey!

[@tedmackenzie5728]

Buddy Rich didn’t have a teacher. He didn’t practice. He didn’t read music. He listened to a new arrangement once and played it like he wrote it. Rare was a “mistake “! How do I know? I went to Berklee in the late 60s. I played in Phil Wilson’s Dues Band. Many of the band mates went to BRs band. I played w them years later. I studied w Henry Adler Sonny Igoe and Jim Chapin. I revised Buddy’s snare drum book. Wrote the follow up book Buddy Rich’s Rudiments Around the Kit and The Ultimate Drummer’s Workout. No one can do what he did but we keep on trying! Thanks for this stunning review. God only makes only one of a kind!

[@drumqtips]

Wow! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the kind words Ted🙏🏾

[@hawkrider88]

Thx for the info Ted. I have one of your books and have enjoyed your videos over the years. I'm born and raised in Rochester (now In Atlanta) and you and I have chatted a couple of times over the years. God bless you and keep on!!!

[@edellis515]

My god that cymbal work. Unhuman

[@drumqtips]

Indeed Eddie!

[@U2WB]

Buddy WAS the greatest drummer of all time. The evidence is clear from the fact that his technical ability is the yardstick by which ALL other drummers are measured.

[@musshwins412]

I grew up under the influence of rock and the birth of heavy metal. In the early 80's I was ignorant to jazz drumming in general. If i had mentioned jazz music in my circle of musician friends i would have been beaten. As i matured and began to listen to drummers with more groove/swing (which my drumming lacked, badly), i began to admire jazz drummers. Then the internet happened and suddenly i was exposed to drumming that blew my mind. Buddy Rich was inhuman. I started breaking down what he was doing. One of my favorite clips is from his 80's tv show, all pro shot. He plays "Love for sale" and the way he led the horns through the music is amazing. Accenting ALL the horn hits perfectly. From piano to forte', he is perfect. Wish i had cooler jazz cat friends as a young drummer. I would be a better drummer. Buddy Rich is the best.

[@mancuniancandidatem]

Thanks for this. I was lucky enough to see Buddy one year before his death when I was 11 years old. I walked into the concert as a Police, Queen, U2 and Duran Duran fan and left with my 11 year old musical world turned upside down. Buddy gets a lot of internet hate these days and keeps getting compared to Max, Art, Elvin and Tony but people need to look at the historical context of his importance to the lineage of drumming. He was playing professionally in the 1930s as a teenager. He predated Tony and Elvin as a professional drummer by almost 25 years. He grew up on stage and did all of his practice Infront of an audience and it just gave his playing an extra level of confidence I have not heard in any other drummer. His time playing was amazing. People need to listen to his albums or watch a whole concert to get a full appreciation of how good he was. A lot of musicians form an opinion soly based on his West Side Story medley solo. Brush Strokes from this same concert video has some of the most impeccable brush playing I have ever heard. He was one of the greatest Big Band/Swing era drummers who just happened to survive and continue playing and leading a band in the era's of Bebop, Rock and Roll, Cool Jazz/Hard Bop, The British Invasion, Fusion, Funk the Hippy Movement, right through the 70s and up to his death in 87. He even embraced some of those more modern styles and I happen to personally love the way Buddy interpreted funk drumming. His impact on drumming was so huge that I think if he had not existed, Max, Elvin, Tony and even Art would have played very differently, in the sense that all of these drummers had distinctly different styles and found ways of playing that nobody previously had done. They knew what Buddy did and paved their own way and played to their own strengths,staying out of Buddy's musical territory.

[@williamperri3437]

I ain’t into comparing the greats but who was better than Buddy? I don’t play with two topics: Buddy wasn’t as musical as…. AND Tony was better than Billy!!! Both ridiculous comments. All the greats with mega chops of the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and so on were very innovative but at playing break neck tempos and then doing the highest level of solos in the world NO ONE had Buddy beat.

[@cjMbuck]

My former teacher, Joel Spencer was friends with Buddy. Joel went to see Mel Lewis play and ran into Buddy at the gig. They sat together. Mel at one point is playing a solo and Buddy leans over to Joel and say, "I wish I could play like that." .

[@sembawangbolo2722]

I, too studied with Joel Spencer for almost 2 years. I remember seeing the picture of Joel as a kid sitting next to Buddy. He shared many a Buddy story with me.

[@rgk9ruler777]

Buddy never wished he could play like ANYONE because he was the best that ever lived.

[@cjMbuck]

@@rgk9ruler777 There is a video of his shows at Disneyland. He was interviewed and was asked about being the greatest. He said there is no greatest. You can think your the greatest, then you run into some 17 year old on a street corner in Kansas City who is better than you. His "i'm the greatest" stuff was all an act. My favorite quote was to Dorsey. Dorsey and Buddy had an argument, and Dorsey said, "you must think you run this band." Buddy replied, "Mister, I am the band."

[@risby1930]

Yeah he is greatest, there are other great ones way too many to list, but no one drives a band and has ungodly technique as Buddy did.

[@RA2Music]

I have heard that story as well. I believe it because all great artists know there is room for improvement, areas that you can develop further. Buddy saw something in Mel’s playing that he didn’t see in his. That doesn’t make him lacking, just realistic. The reality, however, is that Buddy had so very few holes in his playing to fill, I’m sure it was hard to find inspiration in most of his contemporaries.

[@louisd95714]

Buddy Rich is the greatest drummer I've seen in my lifetime. I laugh when I see polls that rank John Bonham or Neil Pert as the greatest. Neil Peart even said himself that Buddy was the greatest, and who would ever argue with Neil about drummers?

[@HarryJoiner]

I saw Buddy Rich at Druid Hills high school in Atlanta Georgia in 1982. It was just like this video - only there was no KZbin to rewatch things 10 million times. It was simply mind boggling. There’s no other way to describe it. My friend and I left that gymnasium stupefied by what we had seen. I’m 58. I’ve seen 1 million drummers. I’ve never seen another Buddy.

[@Chris-is6xb]

One million drummers? You could see one a day and never make that stat. 🤣

[@rgk9ruler777]

Not likely that you ever will see another Buddy either..

[@Chris-is6xb]

@@rgk9ruler777 you and I aren't but the digital age has yet to have their 'Beatles moment.' The young musicians coming up ( the real ones not the propped radio fodder) are incredible.

[@constantkiffer7924]

Definitely, he was the absolute greatest drummer of « his » time ! 💁🏻‍♂️🤗🙋🏻‍♂️

[@francois0013]

I was there that very night! Montreal, Place des Arts, 1982! Wow do I feel lucky! And yes, I think he's the greatest drummer of all time! His kicks, his fills, his solos, the way he drives the band, and how he got people interested in drums, jazz and big band. Un tour de force!

[@erikrupp692]

You hit on something that I mentioned - no drummer could drive a band the way Buddy could. I have yet to see anyone drive a Big Band (or any size Jazz group) the way Buddy could. Forget his chops and technical skills. Forget how great his choices in what he played were. The way he drove a band was unmatched in his lifetime, and it still hasn't been equaled in the nearly 40 years since he died. That says a lot. Honestly? I wish Big Band Jazz were more financially viable these days, because I'd love to see some of the drummers he influenced get a shot at it. Nothing beats a Big Band, live, and Buddy's was the best. They took on his persona when they played. He drove them from behind the drum kit, and as a bandleader. (Yeah, I know, bus tapes, yada yada yada - those were brief moments of anger and frustration followed by the vast majority of the time where he was easy to get along with and a lot of fun to be around. Mel Torme, Steve Marcus, and many, many others have all said what a great guy he was - and Don Menza said that Buddy Rich was the only REAL bandleader he ever playerd for! Now go back and see who he played for and give that some thought!)

[@drumqtips]

Amazing comment! Thanks for sharing.

[@johnlennon1049]

No debate about it. He had the fastest hands I’ve ever seen. He was phenomenal!

[@rgk9ruler777]

Yup

[@antidote7]

There is no greatest.

[@KenAldrich1958]

well yeah the speed is what drags you in but if you listen to the things hes playing inside of that speed it gets even crazier i have a few albums where i have NO idea of how he got certain things it was in his ceptet years with mike manieri (whom btw was only 18 when he was on those sessions!!) anyway i dont remember if it was caravan or i remember clifford anyway he takes this solo its buddy at the top of his game of course! he does this stick shot thing where he is literally playing the melody of this tune using one hand (the right) with the left stick on the head if you hear it youll be dumbfounded ..sure ive tried it but.....

[@Tpupapau-dk2zo]

I think that there is no greatest of all time, because there are so many Drumlegends. Buddys technique is unbeliveable but could he play as melodic as Max Roach? I think the key is to find your own Style and get inspired by all of the Greats :)

[@antidote7]

Exactly. The idea of a greatest is absurd, especially in art.

[@warrenbrazina779]

There are many Great drummers out there. Buddy Rich was beyond Great, he was Supernatural. Born with a freak gift that I haven't seen matched by anyone. Remember, Buddy never took lessons, didn't read music or even practice. He just played with bands and whatever came into his head he had the ability to execute without working it out or practicing it. If I had to vote on who is (was) the Best Drummer ever, it's BUDDY RICH.

[@carlarena7951]

Hey Q..! Without a doubt. For me, Buddy was the best and always will be. His timing, feel, sense of swing , his technique, his personality, ability to lead the band, his showmanship. Oh yeah. And he could always hold his own on the couch with Johnny Carson!

[@bjhogans]

I think Buddy was the greatest. He was just as obnoxious and self-confident as Mohamed Ali, and both of them could back up their bluster over and over again. Overpromise and exceed expectations. I saw Buddy three times and he let me climb aboard his bus when he visited New Milford HS in c 1976. He's the only drummer whose playing can give me a lump in my throat or sometimes a tear of amazement, joy and sadness. My favorite quote of his was when someone was testing his patience by saying "Hey, have you hear about drummer so-and-so? He can play real fast!" And Buddy replied: "Yeah??, Can he play slow?"

[@drumqtips]

Awesome that you got to see him live BJ!

[@BrentSteinberg]

I grew up watching buddy I met him just before this show out in Oregon. I always thought he was the greatest..he had the strongest most flexible wrists I ever saw. But I played frizzy with him at the truck stop where our busses stopped. And he was the most uncoordinated frizzy player I ever saw. He asked me if I played drums and I said I try. !!

[@drumqtips]

Great story of Buddy. Thanks for sharing Brent!

[@dibber43]

Yes...Bernard "Buddy" Rich is THE greatest drummer to ever walk planet earth.

[@jazzpianoman01]

I can’t do that one handed roll either and I’ve tried hard

[@thepsalms--atribute2686]

To me, Buddy is the greatest of all time. No one else had the chops, creativity, sensitivity, preciseness, speed, strength, stamina and the love for the drums, all rolled into one, as much as he had. He has been and still is such an inspiration to drummers all over the world. I have a suggestion for a future reaction video. It is of Max Roach on the hi-hat. It is short, but he does some amazing things. If you could figure out what he is doing when he is flipping his stick around and going up and back, it is incredible! Also, I noticed that his top hi-hat cymbal is smaller than his bottom one. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZqlmn2sgZ6hpKs

[@thepsalms--atribute2686]

@ON NICEGRAM👈@QuincyDavis2 what is the process for claiming the prize?

[@jazzjohn2]

It should also be mentioned that he had the magic power of a rhythmically photographic mind. This version of West Side Story was an abbreviated one. The original was a longer and more complex arrangement. How did he learn the complex arrangement without the ability to read music? I asked his trumpet player Bobby Shew that question. With the new arrangement, a music-reading drummer would play it as Buddy watched. Bobby said they did that twice. After the second time, Buddy played it and nailed it the first time. If you listen to him play other tunes, you will see that he misses no hits, large and subtle, of hundreds of complex tunes. This is the part of his genius that gets overlooked because his chops are so amazing.

[@honestabe5331]

Buddy is the GOAT. He had all the techniques before any one had them and, the best left hand ever.

[@warnerbasement1628]

Buddy Rich is arguably the best working, recording, and touring snare drum player of all time with respect to speed, and dynamic control. He was a freak of nature on the snare drum and I've never seen any working drummer top him in terms of just complete mastery of that instrument. But drummers like Joe Morello, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Gene Krupa, Philly Joe Jones and even rock drummers like Bill Bruford, John Bonham, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Stewart Copeland, Mitch Mitchell, Neil Peart were much better compositionally and far more interesting and creative across the kit. Joe Morello didn't have as much speed on snare or complete dynamic control but his accent choices were much more interesting and alive. His playing just breathes and Elvin Jones? There's just no comparison to Buddy with Jones' compositional genius. Jones was in another universe. Buddy has a bad rep as being a huge hard ass but we have to remember he was a band leader and not just a drummer. It was the Buddy Rich Orchestra and he took that deadly seriously at a time in the 50's, 60's and 70's when getting musicians to arrive standing up much less sober was a near impossibility. In short. He had to be a hard ass. And as a showman and leader he is up there in terms of longevity, commitment to performance and complete dedication to his craft. He was no bullshit. That has to be admired. But overall he's one of the best among working drummers but not the best. Not even close.

[@sitarnut]

I know it's crazy to compare folks, and yes, Buddy was fast and everything, but don't forget incredible Joe Morello. He is a bad Mamma Jamma. Not saying one is better, they were in two different worlds. Joe is a force to be reckoned with too. His left hand is unreal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXzbYnqMjrWCpdU

[@hehs3469]

RICH DIDN'T NEED 25 DRUMS , OR 1O DRUMS , JUST 4 , HE IS PROBABLY THE MOST TECHNICAL DRUMMER'S OF ALL TIME'S WITH HIS ONE HANDED DRUM ROLL !!

[@francoisduhamel1648]

Here i see a drummer showing off great skills but nothing more to me, so i don’t feel anything like when i listen to Elvin, Tony, Brian Blade and now Marcus Gilmore. What is missing here is the genuine artistic sense that these guys were blessed with. Happy holiday and thanks again Q!

[@rgk9ruler777]

You have no clue...

[@drumlover1687]

Thanks Santa Quincy, this was a great early present! Hands-down, the greatest drummer I've ever seen in my humble opinion.

[@chriscurtis8344]

YeaaaaaaaH Quincy Davis, this is a treat. I never saw that performance before. You did a great job because you’re a great musician who shares.

[@thejuggernaut5327]

The fact that he’s always in the conversation is all you need to know.

[@rhoanjenson7475]

Buddy Rich was not of this world when it came to his drumming skills. One word describes him: GOAT.

[@drumqtips]

Hard to deny that sir!

[@martydurlam]

No, he is not the greatest. Tony Williams is the greatest.

[@zeichner42]

Buddy was unique. I don't know if there is a way to compare him to other drummers. He was an excellent jazz drummer & really knew how to lead a big band. In his element, he had no equal.

[@najidrum]

hard to say who the greatest drummer of all time is... what I can say is Quincy Davis is the greatest drummer making content on youtube. Thank you for being awesome!

[@jamesfrench2352]

In my opinion Louie Bellson #1, Buddy Rich #2. Buddy Rich is notorious how he treated his band on tour such as the famous bus recording. Louie Bellson was a fine Christian whom everybody loved: a real gentleman! I saw him play around 2007 and he was tremendous. He invented the double bass and his 1939 Skin Deep drum solo with Duke Ellington is incredible. His smooth fast double bass and composition and how he interacts with the band is fantastic. I respect highly Buddy Rich’s drumming certainly, they are close indeed, but over all Louie is tops.

[@ikshields]

@@jamesfrench2352 - Louie disagreed loudly to this suggestion, by the way. He didn’t tolerate anyone suggesting he was even in Buddy’s league, and this is the common (and remarkable) attitude of virtually all the great drummers who ever encountered or studied Rich’s supernatural abilities at his instrument. I actually got to hang around Bellson a couple of times, once in a Master Class private lesson with him at Indiana University in the ‘80s, and then in his late years here in the SF Bay Area, when I and a fellow drummer/bandleader once gave him a lift to his weekly practice band in the South Bay. It was on this drive that Louis told us his famous joke about arriving at the Pearly Gates, and being offered the drum chair in heaven’s band by St Peter. Just as Louis thanks St Peter and says he’d be honored, the sound of a magnificent drum solo comes blasting through the heavenly clouds, on the other side of the gate. Louis recognizes that sound anywhere. “Hey St Peter, I thought you said you wanted me to be your drummer. That sounds like Buddy Rich to me!” St Peter shrugs. “Nah, that’s God… He just thinks he’s Buddy Rich.” 🎤🥁

[@najidrum]

@@jamesfrench2352Billy Higgins is my hero...

[@jamesfrench2352]

Bellson did his original “Skin Deep” with Duke Ellington in 1939. Listen to the whole song as the solo occurs multiple places composed masterfully with the band. The Double bass is astounding through the whole solos with great strength and accuracy and speed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpCog6NomJqWmpY

[@jamesfrench2352]

Thanks for the heart. I certainly respect Buddy despite his personality issues. But the machine gun like precision of LB on the bass etc. is the greatest I have ever heard as well as his compositions which always do a drummers main job which is not soloing but to play with or drive the band! Certainly perhaps we should compromise and say LB and BR are the two greatest drummers in the world. If you haven’t listened to all of skin deep you are missing out of certainly one of the best drum composing and playing, and it was 1939! LB invented the use of 2 bass drums in high school! Ginger Baker was originally a Jazz drummer and he certainly was most likely influenced by LB. It was Baker who brought this concept of double bass into the forefront. So double bass drummers owe a lot to LB whether they know it or not?

[@johnevans1962]

him and gene krupa are without a doubt at a tie for greatest two ever in drumming

[@richardcole9308]

The greatest, then and now !!

[@davemarriott9332]

At 0:54 in the video you asked who we think the greatest drummer is of all time. I'm 55 and when I was 10 my friend Scott Dolton (Jazz Drummer) was into Buddy Rich and Gene Crupra. The albums of the battles they did together were regular vinyl plays. Summer of '78 Scott's Dad took us to Disneyland where Buddy Rich and his Band were to play the Carnation Hut a stage with an open floor and 4 or 5 stairs leading up to the main stage where Buddy's set was. We got to sit on the stairs right in front of Buddy and I've never been the same since. I'd never seen anything like that and it totally threw me into music. I remember the sweat dripping off his nose in the evenings summer swelter. There was this random guy next to us scatting "sho do ba ba do doddle ee wa" in his own world as we were...everyone was and the crowd went crazy after each song. Buddy sat on a bongo drum type seat and started playing not only his rims in a motoring roll but then went to his cymbal stand hardware then all of his hardware in a high speed roll, then down to his seat, over to his ride cymbal stand back to his tom rims and one stick went up in the air and slammed down on his snare drum and the entire band blasted in and I was blown away....Never to this day have I ever seen a human do what I witnessed that summer night. So many incredible players out there....but no one has ever enveloped the timing, attack and speed with such accuracy. So...to answer the question....There's so many great drummers all with different styles and genres and I've seen most of them live, not all, but to me no one has ever come close to what I witnessed back in '78 at that Carnation Hut. Buddy will always be the undisputed best drummer of all time in my opinion. Favorite song: Birdland. Thanks in advance for the video. Cheers

[@robw5514]

The GOAT ! Had the privilege to see him many times and met him.Great time to be alive!

[@deanbrandl1987]

Of course he's the greatest of all time . he set the bar so high.. that for 40 years only a few could reach up and touch it .Sunny Payne Louie Bellson and a few others.. his ability and musicality aside from power stamina and speed was just mesmerizing to watch. I was fortunate enough in the '70s to see him perform 15 times and each time was just absolutely draw dropping

[@antidote7]

No such thing as a greatest in anything really, especially in art, expression.

[@mladenbaresic5172]

Thats one way.. Many other ways exists...

[@johndiraimo1444]

Buddy was certainly one of a kind. I was fortunate to see him live in a small club in Canada. If I'm not mistaken, one of Buddy's favourite drummers was Papa Joe... another musical technical genius. Thanks for this Quincy!

[@JacksonAxe]

Best Buddy quote I've read was by someone who's name I forget: 'Buddy could do anything and he knew it!!' The reason I think he's the greatest ever is because he could solo on a snare all day and never do the same thing twice.

[@marvingoodman7381]

Buddy Rich, no lessons ever, always his own way, technique he's developed over the years AND THE BAND LISTENS TO HIM, they follow him. THE BEST LEFT HAND IN THE BUSINESS... YEAH, THE BEST EVER.

[@drumqtips]

Can’t dispute any of that brother Marv👍🏾

[@fweddyfwintsone4491]

16:50 - Is Buddy the greatest drummer of all time? Let's just say that in a drumming contest, no one in their right mind would want to challenge him. There are many great drummers in their own right, but Buddy is positively in a league all by himself.

[@musicaldiscovery1434]

IMHO, Buddy was the best of his era, but was very narrow in the scope of music he played. Players like Marco Minneman, Billy Cobham, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati and Vinny Colaiuta are technically much more advanced because of their ability to understand and handle the incredible complexity of jazz/rock fusion, while also being able to lay down a groove and display speed. I don't think Buddy could have come close to the foot speed and complex rhythms that someone like Marco is able to easily blend into his grooves and fills.

[@alonzovillarreal4666]

I watched him play about a year before he passed away. I sat about 15 feet away from him and it was something to see. After the show he let fans on his bus for autographs. ❤️

[@Dan-zb1ks]

Any drummer who can solo sticks on each other slams the door closed. This guy single strokes his left hand faster than most drummers today using 2 hands. The guy drum rolls with his left hand and right foot......... and he does it all on just a 7 piece drumset. Every other drummer in history is fighting for 2nd place.

[@drumqtips]

Hard to argue with you Danny! Buddy was one-of-a-kind.

[@philclarke1389]

Why don't you stop waffling through the video? It takes away any reaction anyone has and is just tiresome. The man is a genius and you should let people listen in peace and quiet.

[@drumqtips]

A lot of folks actually enjoy hearing my “waffling” as I’m REACTING and pointing out various things that some folks may not have noticed. For other folks like yourself who don’t like my reactions, just go and watch the original video instead of my reaction video.

[@ARGBlackCloud]

Buddy's left hand is part of what makes him the GOAT , it's a machine gun , his standard solo started developing around 1974 and the paris show, Buddy didn't have to pratice , his solo was all the pratice he needed. What always got me was his super low single strokes in the solo , fast ans uper clean . Just think if Buddy did pratice !! Buddy's hands are unbelievable !!

[@paradidd]

I'm not a fan of the "greatest of all time" type of thinking but I can see see why people have been calling him that. You nailed it though, people think about his chops, but his playing with Coleman Hawkins and others displays his ability to swing in an understated kind of way. He was perhaps the fastest but for my money, he wasn't an innovator. Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton, Chick Webb, Max, Klook, Roy, Pappa Jo, Sid Catlett, and many more moving forward displayed an individual voice and identity on the instrument, some more than others but you're right, so may drummers are attracted to the guys that have the "Chops" Also, on that Rich Vs. Roach record, I prefer Max's sound and phrasing tho they're both amazing, Max to me has a looser sound.

[@taagenletter220]

For Big Band drumming I really like Mel Lewis and Sonny Payne. I think both of those gentlemen has a unique take on time and groove. Buddy Rich is probably the most technical proficient drummer, but I don't think that his musical contribution to music, and drumming is so significant as guys like Elvin, Tony, Philly Joe, Papa Joe Jones, and some of the other inventors of drumming. Buddy took it to the limit speedwise and I guess that he is as close to what you would call "natural talent" ??? To the best of my knowledge he had other drummers play the arrangements first, because he wasn't a reader so I guess other people invented his drumparts??? (I don't know) Thanks for the videos.

[@rogerjames6956]

If you just shut up, for two mo,s this would have been fun!!!

[@drumqtips]

I’ll talk as much as I want on MY channel in this REACTION video. I was reacting to the video dude. Watch the original (link in the description) which does not have my banter.

[@flamencolo]

Buddy Rich is the goat. Is the real boss. An icon. A showman. I love you Buddy! ❤

[@chadphillips1950]

Think they took the video down, I'm only seeing a black screen?

[@drumqtips]

Hopefully it’s back up.

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

To me is simply the best. I own many of his vinyl albums. Nice to see him live on video.

[@rc2464]

Yes, the ABSOLUTE greatest. No one could match him then or now.

[@KevinBarrettDrums]

IMO Buddy was the best technician and natural drummer who ever lived. There may be some guys with faster hands nowadays, but nobody tops what Buddy did in terms applying technique in a musical way. Whether he's the greatest drummer is a subjective call. Did he have the best technique and chops? For the type of music he played, yes, I think he did.

[@saoirsedrums]

best big band drummer by far. best drummer overall goes to tony imo

[@drumqtips]

Hard to argue that my friend. Cheers!

[@johndavis9432]

The greatest.The best that's ever been and probably ever will be.

[@drumqtips]

You can say that again JD!

[@JunkerOnDrums]

Buddy Rich Was one of the best drummers of his time, playing the music of his time in his own rights :D Art is great,Max is great, Elvin is great, Roy is great, Tony is great, Jack is Great, Brian is great, Gilmore is great etc... There is no best drummer, but a lot of birds singing their own voice. And I love them all.

[@drumqtips]

Good answer!!

[@dibber43]

Yes there is...Buddy Rich. To try and change my mind...would be a waste of our time.

[@ikshields]

That would be common wisdom on any other instrument, and it’s still true for all the other great drummers you and I love, except this one. Sorry, but Buddy was not part of this planet. It’s just too abundantly clear, in too many universal, unequivocal ways, regardless of styles or genres or individual flavors or whatever. We’re just just going to have to allow that the nice rule of equanimity doesn’t necessarily always apply everywhere. Buddy kicked all our asses, all the way. That’s all.

[@ikshields]

@@drumqtips - It is a good answer. It just isn’t the answer to Buddy Rich. 😂

[@JunkerOnDrums]

@@ikshields In a Louis Belson interview in Modern Drummer, Louis talks about how he and Buddy enjoyed going to concerts with Elvin Jones. They were impressed by Elvin's ability to solo over the form in the music, as well as his unique timing and swing. They both agreed that it was beyond their competence. In Denmark, we have a pun on comparison: "What is higher - Round tower or a thunderbolt?". It doesn't make sense to make the comparison, nor to put Buddy up on a stick as unique in all respects and at all times. He himself said that he plays a simple style. Check out Marcus Gilmore if you want to hear what modern jazz drumming is all about and find it done just as masterfully as Buddy.

[@mikestevens5512]

Quincy Can you do a video on one my favorite drummers and one of Buddys too Joe Morello.

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely!

[@JohnHJaabk]

He plays the music. He signed all LP covers in Oslo after the concert in 1977. I talked with him back then. A really fantastic man too. I was only 16.

[@drumqtips]

That’s amazing that you got to talk to him!

[@brandonschoen5047]

This whole concert is spectacular. Very nice

[@drumqtips]

Indeed it is B!

[@Jackgrahamphotograph]

Buddy was a machine...no soul...Tony was also a machine WITH soul!... Billy Higgin=soul, JO Jones---Elvin, Jimmy Cobb=Soul so many others--soul---Buddy was a machine and great...no soul. (PS--Oscar loved Buddy back in the late 50's and 60's).. then buddy :THE MACHINE" appeared. ...Shame he did play with soul at one time.--check it out. (Plus--he was may times not the nicest of guys)-----love your videos even though I am not a drummer--keep em coming!

[@ethanfossum1757]

Buddy was and alway will be the greatest in the world at being Buddy. Some cats are trying to copy his thing and sound exactly like him. He would have hated that.

[@hopudoxropurdox9602]

Joe Morello has to be my pick for the greatest

[@jean-xf9mv]

why i dont consider B.R as the most influential drummer : jazz is about interacting and telling a story together , on the spot. every member react to each other in an organic way and an original journey happens every time, even if they play the same songs night after nights. it s not a juxtaposition of individuals having crazy chops. it s like a discussion : you have a group of people , everyone contributes when needed, listen and standbye when needed. no need to throw 100% of your knowledges, but rather use wise words at the right time. and if everybody listen and respect each other, the discussion can evolve to some unknown places, and thats for the best. B.R to my knowledge hasn't contributed such artistic projects. i will always feel more excited to listen to Papa JO, Max Roach, Elvin, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Paul Motian etc... the band's music matters more than the drummer chops

[@redpebbles]

BR was quite proficient as a sideman and in smaller groups. It's just his own work that eclipses everything and with reason.

[@jean-xf9mv]

@@redpebbles from what i remember, he played on the album "Bird and Diz" wich features Monk as well, and he does an amazing job. however no really influential recordings come to my mind, such as Elvin with Coltrane, Philly Joe with Miles, Paul Motian with Bill Evans etc.... none of my favorites recordings features Buddy Rich... excepted "bird and Diz". i am sure he could have done it, but choose the showbizness instead.

[@HankFinkle11]

@@jean-xf9mv he had to make a living and knew what his audience came to see .

[@derf-vr1fc]

My father introduced me to Buddy Rich back when I was in High School and a John Bonham fan. After hearing this on a cassette tape, I have since then became a jazz aficionado. Since then, I only listened to drum solos of jazz drummers.

[@drumqtips]

That's awesome!

[@riccardodietrich184]

Buddy in few words: Speed Technique Power Versatility Composure.....and 90% of solos on the snare only.....!!! 😯😯😯

[@stevenmonte7397]

My first time to EVER see Buddy play. WOW! RESPECT! Okay, I hope there's a deep rabbit hole to dig into...

[@donimarshall3158]

🌟🇯🇲 Mr. KeeNObservation 🇯🇲🌟__( He Was Great Back Then, But Surely Not Now)_ There's Absolutely No Such Thing As The Greatest Drummer, That's Totally Impossible,Buddy Rich Is As As Buddy Rich,, Steve Gadd Is As Steve Gadd,,Tony Williams Is As Tony Williams,, Dennis Chambers Is As Dennis Chambers, And So On And On,,,, The Modern Day Super Star Drummers Are Now Miles Ahead Of Their Predessors,🌟🇯🇲 Mr. KeeNObservation 🇯🇲🌟,,

[@SteveSmith-jm5og]

Buddy started playing in 1920 vaudeville 3 yrs old before elvin ( who I met and admired ) and the rest . Didnt practice take lessons read music or warmup. He would sit and watch a drummer read a 15 min chart and then get on the drums and play it perfect Photographic memory I played drums for Don Menza and Art Pepper from the Caesars palace album took lessons with Freddy Gruber l heard all the eye witness accounts saw him live he's the all time greatest most gifted drummer

[@snivelinj7612]

Rock drummers can't even approach the competence of Jazz drummers. I don't think there is any doubt that Buddy is the greatest drummer ever. He was so physically and mentally adapted to his drums, and to Jazz, which could be very complicated. Not many drummers can approximate the skill that is required. There are contemporaries who are close but not even with him: Louis Belson, Joe Morello. Some people think Gene Krupa was the best, but he really wasn't in the same game as these others. He used to remark about how fast Rich and Belson were, and wished he was as fast.

[@donimarshall3158]

🌟🇯🇲 Mr. KeeNObservation 🇯🇲🌟___ They're Present Day Drummers That Are Much Much Faster Than He Is, And He Was Mostly A Big Band Drummer, Have You Ever Wonder Why He's Not On Many American Hit Songs As Great A Drummer He Was, Steve Gadd Is Heard On Thousand Of Hits, Using Many Many Many Different Drumming Styles,,,,,

[@johnlong1538]

Great assessment, dude.Yeah,ya can practice for hours and get really "fast"..... but how do ya get that SOUND...????...How he seemed to pummel those cymbals yet not ever once overpowered the band is another fascination to me.....keep up the good work,dude....

[@ron.lightning.9065]

Seriously, I never fail to be absolutely mesmerized by this man's talent! I admire and respect many great drummers since Buddy passed. The late great Neil Peart, as an example. But Buddy was Neil's idol. Buddy will never be equaled. Truly a legend!!

[@RocknRollkat]

He was not a drummer. Buddy Rich was GREAT at being Buddy Rich, but vary from that script and he fell apart. His whole schtick was playing drums FAST and LOUD. And that's pretty much it. He couldn't do most of what a drummer is called upon to do, like read music, take direction, etc.

[@mortenfriis4688]

No doubt.. Buddy is good! Especially if you just look at his solos.. but as a “team player” often too loud and dominant… However… looking for wiskers? Jo Jones is the man.. big bands; Basie drummer Sonny Payne is unique. Im a jazz buff.. and Buddy was never a favorite a favorite.

[@tomtomboy6471]

No other Human can play Drums like Buddy. Buddy put more time and effort into the Art of Drumming than anyone else!

[@sulladrum]

I'm glad you mentioned the power he generated, which was incredible but can't be captured on video

[@MRCATL3]

Dude is an enigma. Never practiced. Coked up and boozing on the regular. Made Gene Krupa look like a newbie. His records with Max Roach were just mind boggling. All of the speed metal cats couldn't hold his sticks. The most insane left hand.......ever......was probably in his 70's in this video.

[@drm53]

it's always been the definitive question when talking about Rich. The greatest of all time? I'm a believer in style consistency being the decider. What IS the criteria for best drummer of all time? Or... Any medium GOAT??For example, I think of Muhammad Ali, boxing's the GOAT. It applies to him because he had something totally different for every fighter he ever fought. His style was malleable. He could go in all different ways, his defense as well as his offense. He could settle down and deal on an opponent, Rope A Dope, or he could dance. I could make a case for Rich being the greatest Big Band drummer of all time, although he didn't invent that style, that first came out of Papa Joe, and most definitely and decidedly.. Chick Webb, I refer you to the way that Chick played Liza, playing drum fills all around the melody, machine gun singles, kicking the band relentlessly... you later here those same attributes on West Side Story and Channel One Suite...but Buddy did crystallize it. He took that Chick Webb style and went the distance with it. Power, Swing, and chops. He's admitted that in print. But when I think of the totality of different styles a drummer could be involved in..,, Afro Hispanic, Fusion, R+B Smooth Jazz, piano trio, post Elvin drumming (Ali, Graves, Murray, Oxley, Baby Sommer)......, IMO, no he's not the greatest of all time. The greatest of all time, would have to totally deliver in all of those styles.... An employer that I had at one time, played with Philly, recorded and toured with Elvin, played with Joe Chambers, and a great drummer not often talked about, Beaver Harris. He told me he loved Buddy, but would never hire him to play in his band. He was obviously looking for a quality that he didn't believe Buddy Rich could deliver for him ie....small band swing, post Coltrane style. But...... BR was the first drummer I ever saw live and it was an incredible, amazing experience. Without a doubt.

[@Firebrand55]

Rich was hard on his musicians; you'll find audio examples of how hard on YT. He expected them to rise to his standard of playing....which on reflection, was tough on them....but produced great big band music.

[@MusicByTomas]

Buddy is absolutely known for his chops which are second to none. But he could play with incredible finesse when he wanted to, like you said. His album with Art Tatum and Lionel Hampton is incredible stuff. I don't know if it's possible to say who is the greatest but he is absolutely in the top 10 of all time, in my opinion. Love your breakdowns. His hi-hat work is so clean.

[@RA2Music]

That album is incredible. I almost didn’t believe it was Buddy playing on it because it’s so restrained (comparatively speaking). I’d like to think Buddy heard the sheer brilliance and Art and Hamp’s playing and knew to stay out of the way. Yet another example of why he was so great, playing for the music not yourself (and we all know Buddy had a monolithic ego, so that’s saying something).

[@donaldjackson1490]

I do not like “the Greatest label”…Love Buddy Rich - Willowcrest, Art Blakey - Night in Tunesia, Max Roach - cherokee or George’s Dilemma

[@jefferyperkins4668]

I saw buddy at the great American music hall in SF 1988.(?). Arrived an hour early. Sat in the front row of stage side tables. (We could read the sax players music.) Never in fifty years of listening to and playing jazz have I heard anything as exciting as that evening performance by the Buddy Rich big band.

[@kcorpora1]

No he is not the greatest, he is one of the greatest. He is awesome with swing, jazz, but he had no pocket, no funk. In other words Weckl is a Buddy Rich, both are top drummers but have no bottom for funk and pure pocket. The drummers of Gadd, Chambers, Hakim, Cobham, Garibaldi, Steve Smith, elk all have the bottom and top.

[@TerryTsotigh]

Don't ask if he's the goat for most of the under 30 crowd. I've even read more than a few comments here and there from the younger generation that these guys of that era are boring. I'm in my late 60s. I saw BR 4 times. How many drummers has he influenced. Drummers after him cite Buddy was their influence. To me, he is the goat.

[@gregc.4117]

The GOAT , whether it be drummer, guitarist, quarterback or boxer is so subjective. I remember growing up and my dad not liking Buddy Rich, because he seemed arrogant. He preferred Gene Krupa, which looking back, never had Buddy’s chops but had a sense of “grove” . I guess what I’m trying to say is that humility is an essential component to “greatness”. That being said, his technique was unbelievable and if there was a “Mount Rushmore” of drummers, how could you not include Buddy Rich?

[@kieranheffernan]

One man's cup of tea is anothers poison,yes buddy was amazing , super human ? Sorry but No! Flawed character? Most definitely ! Do I love him ? YES!!! Who is better? Well there are so many amazing talents out there, and so many gone . It's all about your personal choice.

[@RA2Music]

I have been asked this question many times by students and my answer is always yes. Why? Like Mozart before him, Buddy was that rare combination of unbridled talent and nurturing environment. Buddy’s parents were vaudeville performers in the early 1900’s, so when their infant son was tapping out rhythms with his spoon, they could hear that it was more than noise. Furthermore, they were in a position to be able to cultivate that raw talent. That was very similar to Leopold Mozart and young Wolfgang. It’s the talent though that completes the package. What kind of superhuman ability do you need to have to have your first headlining show at 18 months old? Seriously. And while Buddy did study a bit throughout his life, most of his abilities were fully formed and developed naturally. Is Buddy a major influence on my playing? No, not really. But I cannot find another drummer in history that can match what Buddy Rich was able to accomplish musically. For that reason he is the G.O.A.T.

[@genekrupafan]

Here's how I feel about Buddy. He's amazing, no question, but he's not my favourite. He's probably the best rudimental technician. But, there are some things I don't like about his playing. His approach to ballads, for example, I find fussy and unnecessary. I also find anything approaching "funk" he played to be embarrassingly corny. His playing on "Mercy Mercy Mercy" for example, I just can't stand. Dave Weckl's approach suited it much better. I also feel, not that he wasn't creative, but many other drummers were more creative and brought new ideas to the table. I don't feel Buddy changed his style much or embraced newer ideas. So, do I think he's the best of all time? Maybe. But if he is, that doesn't automatically mean that he's perfect at everything, because he wasn't. The things he did well, he did phenomenally well, no doubt, and it's right to applaud that. But that doesn't mean we have to think he was the perfect drummer, because nobody is.