The Amazing Buddy Rich | Reaction Video

[@drumqtips]

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[@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!

[@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.

[@thejuggernaut5327]

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

[@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

[@richardcole9308]

The greatest, then and now !!

[@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!

[@johndavis9432]

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

[@drumqtips]

You can say that again JD!

[@honestabe5331]

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

[@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!!!

[@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.....

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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. ❤️

[@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!

[@robw5514]

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

[@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.

[@flamencolo]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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?

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

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

[@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...

[@garypugh1153]

Im 70. Been watching buddy rich since ''69...seen him twice,, have his autgraph... many drummers try to imitate him.. all fail ! 🎶🎸🎼

[@robertpollara3072]

Buddy Rich is the greatest of all time!!! Period!!

[@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!

[@chriscurtis8344]

I saw him live twice. Buddy Rich was born to play high level jazz drums. Drum set leadership.

[@drumqtips]

Awesome you got to see him Chris!

[@chriscurtis8344]

@@drumqtips yes. Every drum student, instructor, teacher was there. Both times at Shea’s Theater in Bflo, N. Y. We’re looking at him , hearing him and we’re all amazed. No need to worry Buddy Rich made you feel proud to be a drummer.

[@tomtomboy6471]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 !!

[@rochluongo8018]

I was in St Catherine's Ontario saw Buddy Rich at a high school. In the middle of the winter waited outside his bus. Asked him if I could go to the second show. He told me to wait outside. When the cops came to get me Buddy Rich put his arm around me and said he's with me. I got to see him from 10 ft away backstage it was the most incredible experience I ever had. We didn't discuss drumming. I just told him he looked great on Johnny Carson and he was very funny. I'll never forget it. At that time he was playing the 26-in bass drum I couldn't believe it. But he is the master.

[@larrylivolsi6011]

Buddy Rich was the greatest drummer of all time! Why do you ask? Because he didn't have all the toys that today's drummers have. And he was the first to play that fast with that kind of command over his instrument. They will never be another one like him. He is definitely and always will be one of a kind. Larry

[@constantkiffer7924]

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

[@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?

[@1BulldogBob]

Buddy was the absolute BEST drummer ever.Greatest Drummer tag goes to Gene Krupa for being the first featured soloist and bringing the drums out to the front where they belong.

[@manuelgchapajr2000]

The greatest is yet to be heard! I have been telling my students this for over forty years. That’s because the next great could be picking up the sticks in your next beginners class. No one is born like this, like every gift it presents itself and you have to refine it. And it continues but you are NEVER satisfied. That makes you Great no matter what the gift is.

[@stevenmonte7397]

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

[@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!

[@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!!

[@drdanr]

his technique made him the best..very precise hand movements with no wasted energy or no extra movement.

[@dibber43]

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

[@jimlasterni7310]

Thank you for the Buddy Rich video and thank you for your nice comments toward buddy

[@drumqtips]

Not hard to say nice comments about Buddy. He's one of the greatest! Thanks for watching.

[@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.

[@kenwinter3821]

There are sooo many great drummers out there today. I will watch videos of some and think to myself: this guy’s so amazing!!! And he is. Then I watch Buddy. There’s something that happens deep inside you as you listen and watch him. It’s impossible to describe. All you or I know is you’re watching a true phenomenon, a freak of nature, a talent so special it could only be given to one person. You just know.

[@drumqtips]

Well said Kenny. Well said.👍🏾

[@mikekelly9851]

Those thin jazz cymbals are real beauties, great tones. That brass snare drum kicks butt.

[@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.

[@davidhoff5481]

Yes, Buddy was the greatest drummer ever for many of the reasons you state here: the creativity, the precision, obviously the chops, not to mention what he did for the world of drumming. What he could do with that left hand alone was more than I could ever hope to do with both of my hands no matter how many years I worked at it. I saw him perform one time, a couple of years before his death. WOOOH, indeed!

[@drumqtips]

That's amazing you got to see the GOAT David!

[@markstromberg1148]

UNQUESTIONABLY, the greatest drummer of all time. His solos and accompaniment was always so lyrical and matched with the music - he was "fluent" with the drums in a way that no one else ever was (and possibly more than anyone ever will be). That's why every recording you hear of him playing the same charts is different - it was all improvised. No one else ever could do that. Bottom line: Buddy Rich is your favorite drummer's favorite drummer.

[@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.

[@bmbell71]

Buddy was the GOAT. There are not many guys who are drummers who could be the headliner for a show and sell out all the seats. Buddy Rich was that guy. Chops, musicianship, talent, showmanship, he was the total talent.

[@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).

[@mjm5081]

Thank you so much for sharing! Long live the 👑

[@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!

[@kidotai1777]

Buddy Rich is the greatest… drummers in 2022 are still trying to play like Buddy 25 years after his passing! They still can do it!! There’s still no one like him.

[@kidotai1777]

They still CANT do it I meant to write

[@brandonschoen5047]

This whole concert is spectacular. Very nice

[@drumqtips]

Indeed it is B!

[@kenogster3059]

I have seen Buddy and Louie Bellson at Berkley in Boston back in the early 80's and it was AWESOME! At the end they both came out for a drum duel and just blew everyone away.

[@jazzhole8208]

Thanks so much for your reactions Quincy. It's very inspiring to hear some thoughts of an expert in this craft 🙏 and in terms of pure stirring energy and density, Buddy was the best. Even non-musician-folks did and do know him. And well musicality is in the eye of the beholder, i guess. I perceive him as very musical with a vast amount of ideas and spontaneity . . . But with a lot more sense like a Snare-Drummer would approach that 🙌 i like that 🙌 greetings

[@dereknoe9161]

Just a few observations: first, his bass drum work is hardly ever talked about, especially during his solos, and on this one in particular he is just masterful. If you watch him while he's going to work on his snare during the second solo, he's dropping those kicks in there just perfectly. First time I saw this solo I kept thinking he was hitting his toms but it was his bass drum! I was so captivated by how fast he was playing with his hands that I didn't even notice what he was doing on his bass. Incredible! Second, his dangerous left hand, just.....WOW!! When he speeds up at the end, just watch his left hand keep the roll going while he's hitting his cymbals.....blew me away!! And lastly, if Buddy isn't the G.O.A.T., I don't know who is because you can't teach that. He had it all!! I think Dave Weckl even said something like there's Buddy and then there's everyone else. Nuff said! Great video Q!!! Love the breakdown!!

[@MichaelSoucy]

There are so many amazing drummers now and from the past, why choose just one? :-) Great video, very enjoyable! I've had to play this before, always humbling. And thanks for the sale. Trying to learn to groove in 13/8 and look what I found among your downloads! Have a great Christmas Santa Q!

[@drumqtips]

I made that 13/8 track just for you saucy Soucy:) Santa Q

[@MichaelSoucy]

@@drumqtips aww shucks...

[@oldschoolaudioenthusiast]

When I was living in NYC training as a classical percussionist and jazz drummer back in the 70's, Buddy and his band would come to town & all the top NYC drummers and percussionists would drop everything to go see him. His technique emphasizing his snare drum playing to this day cannot be matched by anyone. For me as Mel Torme' once said - "The Greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath." Period.

[@rc2464]

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

[@sulladrum]

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

[@gregorybush3224]

And still............the baddest! I was blessed to personally meet him 2x.🔥

[@rebeccaj.wright3511]

I saw Buddy Rich in concert back in the 60's when I was 10 years old and visiting relatives who took me to see him in concert. I was too young to really understand the music, but I did understood excellence when I heard it. It was formative for me. Buddy Rich.

[@drumqtips]

Amazing you got to see this drum God in the 60s even if you were going. Thanks for sharing ‘Becca:)

[@rebeccaj.wright3511]

@@drumqtips Seeing Buddy Rich at such a young age, led me to Gene Krupa, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Pert and so many others. I got lucky. 😎

[@bradg4562]

First Merry Christmas Prof Q🌲 as for Buddy for me there are many greats but the fact that Buddy is sighted as a main influence for many many of the great "modern" drummers today says it all. Thnx for your great channel. Here's to a healthy, happy, prosperous and jazzy New Year! ✌️

[@robbyrob0723]

I saw Buddy at Disneyland when i was a kid and during a solo he was doing pointed angrily at the 2nd trumpet player to get out. The trumpet player quietly removed his mouthpiece packed his horn and left the stage. Pretty cool!

[@drumqtips]

Great story! Thanks for sharing it.

[@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.

[@tpatrick44]

He was a Great Showman, fastest left hand ever and each drum and symbol was played for a specific sound with each stroke of the sticks. His dynamics were right on as well…Buddy is the most enjoyable drummer I’ve ever watched because he was a consummate performer! He’s my favorite of all time. Being the greatest of all time is subjective. I’m 70 years old…I think he’s the Goat…

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for sharing! He was certainly something special for sure!

[@jimbarcelona1078]

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

[@drumqtips]

I can respect that👍🏾

[@BewareTheTortoise]

I love watching these at my kit and dissecting with you man, such great stuff! I talk to my students all the time about the importance of recording and listening to yourself - maybe you could walk us through how you go about self reflection?

[@1965JWP]

Quincy, I love your channel. I'm just a working(at this point sort of) musician and teacher. Your Ed Thigpen with Oscar and Ray video was terrific. I'm an Oscar nut in general, but worship Ray and Ed as much. I almost feel like Dave Tough would have been "Ed like" had he lived on. I love your respect for the history of jazz and drumming. A good friend of mine, Bill Prince, was on the ,"Mercy Mercy Mercy" record and was the jazz trumpeter on that record. HIs comments to me about Buddy were much the same as yours here and much what he has looked for in a drummer ever since..... brilliant articulation. I just so much appreciate you from an education standpoint. Your playing goes without saying. Thankyou.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for the comment, and for the kind and insightful words. Cheers!

[@castlehilldude]

I saw Buddy Rich play; both he and his band were unbelievable. Sonny Payne could probably give him a run for his money. Another great drummer in Buddy's league would be Charlie Anatolini. Great commentary on the video as well. Thank you.

[@OlesonMD]

Saw Buddy in concert 4, maybe 5 times. In the early 70’s and early 80’s. Yes, he is the GOAT. No one else even comes close. Buddy Rich had a special talent for driving a big band. Not many can do that.

[@RickMeadors]

I saw Buddy twice back in the day... both times when I was in college at Baylor. The first was at the Wichita Jazz Festival (1978?). It was a double billing with Buddy and his band and Louis Bellson and his band. Incredible! During Buddy's set (he went last), there were a couple of incidences of feedback from the sound system. The first time, the sound guys just got a stern look from Buddy. The second time, Buddy stopped the band and said over the microphone, "that happens one more time and we're out of here!" The second time I saw him was in my hometown of Lawton, OK. I remember it was the night of the great "Miracle on Ice" hockey game because they announced the result of that game during the concert! My long time friend and former percussion instructor, Jim Lambert, was back stage helping with the show. Jim told me that one of Buddy's trumpet players had not gotten his music back in the right order from the previous gig and missed the downbeat to one of the tunes. Jim observed Buddy after the show telling the poor kid that he was fired and to find his own way home. Yikes! But man, Buddy's playing was just phenomenal (as was his band's playing)! Was he the best ever? Overall, I'd have to say so. Maybe not so much sometimes when he ventured too far outside of swing. Loved his solo work. But like you said, his playing WITH the band was just so incredibly good! When I was a kid, I tended to focus more on the solos. But now I listen to these videos and just marvel at how musically he plays and how much he contributes to the energy and the feel of the music!

[@drumqtips]

Priceless stories! Thanks for sharing my man.

[@mikezes]

Just beautiful, thank you!

[@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.

[@sethcashman1011]

I don''t know if you've ever heard Anthony Jackson's story about witnessing Buddy play two sets with his arm in a cast and a drumstick shoved into it. It's a good one!

[@bobbydale1938]

I saw him many times 60s and 70s early 80s, Seeing it live and his band , put his mastery in a complete different level , i have seen all the best , Buddy was totally one with the drums ,music , band , atmosphere , people And gave 120% energy push to it all ! made everyone drool to what was happening😅he had complete complete control 🗽 , my dad took me to see every big band and jazz band he loved and grew up with . ww2 generation music lover ! 😊 HS Class of 1975👍 The goat he was and always be

[@drumqtips]

Awesome you got to see him Bobby!

[@bobbydale1938]

@@drumqtips Yes it was thks , Do Sonny Pain he was really impressive and show man ' saw him a few times with The Count Basie Band 😊🗽He was awesome

[@jamessholtz6016]

I was lucky enough to see Buddy play over 10 times. People that never saw him play cannot know his ability to transfer emotion to others. Or his ability to swing. I played in the USMC D&B and also the USMC Band. The two best musicians I ever saw were Buddy Rich and Ravi Shankar. Buddy's ease and smoothness at speed was amazing. His phrasing too. As Neil Peart has stated "his left hand was like another melody going on." Buddy was the best I ever saw.

[@rgk9ruler777]

Most of his critics are rock fans or even rock drummers whom of course are pedestrian compared to Buddy

[@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.

[@KenAldrich1958]

notice whn he misses it ok he then wakes up out of the "trance" the in the moment thing comes into our reality comes back and does it 80x better..then he slips back into the moment im tellin ya thats is absolute KEY

[@drumqtips]

Exactly Kenneth! He when straight back to immortal-mode after that slight flub. 😂

[@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

[@sethcashman1011]

Thanks for this one, Quincy! I love this performance. Have seen it countless times. Only saw him once live, though, a couple of years before he passed. Someone shouted out a request from the audience. Buddy said, "We haven't had that in our book for years." The audience member replies, "Well, get with it!" And Buddy shoots right back, "Get with it? I got a message for you" and flips the guy off from the stage. Classic. As renowned as he was for his technique, Buddy ALWAYS came to play with the band. One of my favorite quotes of his: "When a guy is standing up to play a solo, it’s your function to make him play. To boot him in the ass! Not to lay back, but not to overshadow him, either. It’s a fine line between being intrusive and subtly hip. I say that for the benefit of all the guys. I’m not subtly hip. I’m not subtle in any way. But I like to think that behind a soloist, if I’m listening to what he’s playing, I’ll get the most out of him. Not the most out of me. I’ll try to do something that’ll give him some kind of forward motion. When I hear the applause he gets, I’m totally satisfied." As much of a showman as Buddy was, he was there to make the band sound good.

[@jimlasterni7310]

Thank you for your video on Buddy Rich I agree he was one of the best

[@drumqtips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@2risingfall38]

Met Buddy after a show in 1974 when I was introduced to him by Trumpet player Ross Konikoff. Had the privilege of sitting in on his pre-show rehearsal in 1976 at Berklee College of Music performance center. Definitely my G.O.A.T. drummer. I own a slingerland BR set with a numbered and autographed limited edition BR anniversary snare and Roar of 74 autographed album.

[@tubular167]

Definitely my favourite drummer for jazz.keeping those dynamics going with alien like speed is a feat that is extremely rare😁

[@anthonydemayo9367]

He was, and still is, the best.

[@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!

[@mikestevens5512]

As absolutely unbelievable As Buddy was he Will tell how great Jo Jones was, He fawns over Jo Jones contributions. Buddy also Mentored Philly Joe Jones, hiring him to play A second drummer in his band. Miles Davis Commented look at how the band reacts to Buddys power and explosiveness. Miles then Hired Tony Williams. Quincy you are awesome as well!!

[@stix9641]

I saw Buddy often in London at the time when we were all raving about Phil Seamen .Phil was chosen by LB to play West Side Story in Europe .I watch Phil and Buddy all the time on video and it just gets better every time ..outstanding drummers

[@wilftaylor9377]

I played my tape of Buddy Rich at Ronnie Scott’s until it wore out. I saw Buddy at Aberdeen Capitol cinema when I was 16. He signed my programme. Pure magic!