The Tonight Show 6/6/1982 Buddy Rich

[@midlandsroylenfield]

was he ever less than amazing?? i watched him for over 20 years and was never disappointed!! thank you Mr C.D. for this new to me show!!!

[@KirkSH52]

“Thank you Buddy for all you did in music. You are the greatest drummer that ever lived.”

[@dinodeluca6210]

One of his best Tonight Show appearances....thank you sir, once again!

[@JoeNocella]

That's one of the livest kits Buddy played on the Tonight show. The toms are open and not dead sounding. Thanks for the upload!

[@drumsjt]

Ed’s tubs, when Buddy and Ed were with Ludwig, from time to time Buddy would use Ed’s 5 pc kit.

[@johnsjohnson448]

There is nothing today that compares to Buddy Rich and these musicians. Stars of Mr. Carson's and his show's stature are long gone. Thanks for sharing.

[@superacesnare]

just when i thought i had seen them all. its great to know theres still more footage out of this remarkable drummer. thanks so much for the upload

[@tonydir5673]

Love any new Buddy video always a treat Thanks

[@ralphsantiago1887]

Yet another one I haven't seen. Thanks so much for posting. I really miss going to see Buddy live, these vids are all we have now. Thanks for putting all this out there to share with everyone !!!!

[@vova47]

Not an easy chart to play, Buddy didn't read music and probably heard it only one time during the rehearsal. Yet, he sounded like he's been playing it for years. Just that in itself is amazing.

[@erzug]

@@jackstubbington387 I've heard and witnessed (KZbin and live) many BR charts that did not have any extended solos. If you want dancing, then he obviously isn't your cup of tea. He played dance music with Tommy Dorsey and on-and-off with Harry James and was often bored to tears playing the old standards. There are two 1965 Harry James/Br tunes on this website that I really like (Sunday Morning kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCqkmt9o7-LfrM and Green Onions kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6eliX55e86NpKs).

[@ciadella1971]

It's amazing that in addition to Buddy being possibly the best technical drummer ever, he knew so many jazz standards and songs without reading music/charts. He was one of a kind.

[@erzug]

I think at the 2:46 mark, when the trumpets hit the high note for the first time, Buddy thought it was time for his solo. He quickly corrects himself when the sax player is into his solo, however.

[@hawkrider88]

@@erzug I think you are correct. He covered it well though.

[@FusionHowie]

@@erzug Great ear you did catch that and he did smooth it over quite well..... Wow you have a great ear !

[@dherz108]

Thank you for posting this. Finally a Carson appearance that is miked properly...drums don't sound like coffee cans. BR seemed inspired...playing before chatting. Nice one. Good rapport with the band.

[@HammerTime5150-m4i]

421's on the toms

[@Bob-nu3xe]

Buddy was physically struggling to recover here after the performance, a true pro gave it his all, the only way he knew god bless him

[@andyman2462]

Yeah I could tell he felt that shit. But I would be too and I'm 34

[@jackturchin9182]

He was also only about 6 months from his quadruple bypass as well.

[@drumsport]

Over 5 minutes of high intensity sticking, a 65-year old man ready for a heart overhaul, and a sweater that could warm a bear in hibernation. He was lucky Johnny didn't have to breathe in his mouth. Greatness still.

[@scottmoyer1357]

Nobody thinks nor plays like the great Buddy Rich. He never fails to amaze and always swings deeper than anyone could ever imagine swinging.

[@erzug]

And when he gets a standing ovation from the piano player, you know he's been impressive. I've never seen that before.

[@mobrules29]

??? The piano player didn't stand up.

[@erzug]

@@mobrules29 5:15

[@mobrules29]

@@erzug Ah yes! Now I see it. Thanks.

[@rudydynxx]

Totally insane drumming from the best .🥁😎

[@Jath2112]

It's...incredible how hard he went. Hard to imagine giving it like that, every single time you play...for the better part of a century. What a badass.

[@lawrencelam4787]

Somehow, Buddy Rich seemed more showy and flamboyant in his drumming on the Tonight Show than he was with his own band when on the road! I guess he knew he had to just knock the national audience's socks off with a superhuman show-stopping number for each appearance. And every time he delivered! (I learned elsewhere on KZbin that this chart was "Mr. Humble", arranged by Tommy Newsom. After playing it on the Tonight Show, Buddy added it into his road book. I love Doc's playing on it, as well!)

[@alfiend331]

I like how he completely ignored the other 2 guests when he walked over to be interviewed.

[@drumsport]

I highly recommend reading "One of a Kind: The Making of the World's Greatest Drummer". The most detailed book on Buddy I've ever read. He was a phenomenon. RIP

[@rick3747]

The greatest drummer to ever draw breath.

[@carloandoni2176]

this is Buddy Rich, no one can approach him .....

[@iansolo3402]

Beautifully put

[@erzug]

I never get over how much The Tonight Show band members loved Buddy's playing, especially trumpeter Conte Candoli.

[@dherz108]

Drums are miked much better than usual Carson BR spot. Good stuff. Thank you.

[@erzug]

It was little more than two months later (8/20) when he suffered a heart attack while performing West Side Story in the Concert for the Americas event, hosted by Frank Sinatra.

[@frankclavin1681]

erzug Zero star is so I can get over

[@rickrick5041]

erzug Did Frank Sinatra help him out?

[@erzug]

@@rickrick5041 You mean off the stage? No. Not sure about financially, but probably not. I believe Cathy was there offstage and noticed there was definitely something wrong with Buddy. Certainly the heat and the humidity didn't help his cause.

[@rickrick5041]

erzug I meant financially but any way, as Sinatra was known for his extreme generosity and compassion

[@erzug]

@@rickrick5041 I don't think that happened. At least, Buddy never mentioned it from what I've seen and heard. If Frank had done so, Buddy would have certainly acknowledged that fact. He mentioned numerous times that Frank backed his first big band in '48.

[@arame29]

82 was a tough year for Buddy , healthwise. In Sept at Concert of the Americas with Frank Sinatra, he nearly dropped dead behind the kit, In Jan 83 had a massive heart attack, was pronounced dead on the operating table. Came back strong as always.

[@mobrules29]

It seems that Doc miscued and signaled Buddy's solo too early - 2:45 - and the band continued.

[@byrongaum]

I noticed that too.

[@vincentbuonora8477]

Buddy was a prodigy on two levels, physically and musically. No one has ever matched his physical technical skills. As a music prodigy he probably could have mastered other instruments and played with the same individuality and skill.

[@jlaleknas]

This is PERFECT

[@davidsaelens9168]

My father bought my first of drums for me when I was 14. It had 2 shell mount tom toms. It was difficult to play the ride cymbal with 2 tom toms so I took one off. My hat is off to any drummer who can play a drum set with 2 shell mounted tom toms. David Saelens, drummer, Rock Island, IL. (posted 5 January 2019).

[@northernbohemianrealist]

I can't think of one time when I heard Pete Christlieb without uttering religious words. Such an amazing talent.

[@bobbysands6923]

Never mind his playing, he was also Caron's best guest. He was funny and more interesting than anyone else, and was consistent all of those years.

[@rogerhn7785]

Thank you for posting these amazing videos. Didn’t even know some of these existed. Do you have any from the late 60’s and 70’s? Rich’s prime so to speak. Thanks again.

[@erzug]

I think you've just watched Buddy in his prime.

[@Bob-ub4gl]

Try to find one of the Four Drummers on The Tonight Show--Johnny, Sammy Davis Jr., Ed Shaunassey, and Buddy. All of 'emerged were tradin' 4's, then the "amateurs" went and sat down, while the"pros" shed some MORE wood. (Ed & Buddy) Trying to describe that performance here would be less than adequate, BELIEVE me... lol

[@MrJoeybabe25]

When Buddy Rich was being wheeled into the operating room for another heart surgery he was asked if he was allergic to anything. He said, yes; country music.

[@lionheartroar3104]

Still the best ever

[@rickdavenport9538]

When giants roamed...

[@mobrules29]

We hear a lot about Buddy's left hand, but the right hand is no slouch 3:50

[@dantheman3825]

Man, wasnt he a lefty too…

[@erzug]

When Doc''s piano player gives Buddy a standing ovation, that's saying something. Don't recall seeing him ever do that after a BR performance.

[@deanbrandl1987]

Keep in mind where he places those stick clicks. generally in a impossible place. especially at that Tempo..marvelously orchestrated.. and most probably Johnny's drums.

[@tempo954]

Buddy Rich is a fucking machine!!!

[@Braglemaster123]

Exceptional “

[@benjygreenberg1512]

Thanks for posting. A lot of rich Carson videos out there not posted. Also merv griffin.

[@benjygreenberg1512]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKLOqqR9hMuJbKs

[@grumpygbp]

The best drummer in the world, no one comes near him, I have seen him at Wolverhampton, early 80’s

[@tonyvincent9753]

You would have thought if they went to the trouble of setting up a kit in front of the band, it would have at least been Buddy’s set-up? He’s got an extra rack tom and a ride cymbal that is way higher and far right from his normal playing position. Still, he never clicks a rim or a stick! Absolutely amazing! He did the same when he played on Ed’s huge double bass kit. Never moved a thing, just sat down and played flawlessly.

[@박시현-w8h3x]

0:55

[@MELONenSURPRISE]

Buddy was misunderstood as a man , his speed and temperament were just faster than that of an average person ,some misinterpreted it as being mean . He was just too fast for people around him ,that's all

[@aeropilot4419]

MELON en SURPRISE I think you’re right

[@michaelhungate3262]

No shortage of confidence and bragging. But the guy was among the best ever and knew it. He could definitely back it up.

[@Bob-ub4gl]

@@michaelhungate3262 Every TIME... lol

[@basilrug]

Poor Buddy.. he does not look well here... really short of breath.. and apparently suffered a heart attack a couple of months later..

[@blankowvsingt]

Still playing the drums better than every human that ever lived on this planet

[@roybeckerman9253]

Buddy was 64 here.

[@roybeckerman9253]

After all the years Buddy appeared on this show, wouldn’t you think they would know his correct drum configuration by now..

[@sbullar]

I too have not seen this clip, thanks for posting. What was the name of that tune, really loved it. Buddy could have used it in his own band, lots of room for breaks and solo's. Not his drums but as always he could play on anything. You hear a lot about the famous tribute but was there any audio or video from that night, that would be incredible to hear or see that.

[@thecrippledrummer]

Steve Bullard yeah, the rented drums sounded awful most of the time

[@KenLoomer]

The name of this song is Mr.Humble in honor of Buddy Rich composed by Mike Barone who wrote for the Tonight Show Band. Buddy Rich did play this chart many times with his Big Band. I have an audio recording of Buddy in 1982 playing this chart and it was super. As you know,Johnny Carson always called Buddy"Mr.Humble". Would love to do this chart with my Big Band.

[@sbullar]

Ken thanks for the info, love your big band and your drumming. Do you know if there is any video or audio from that famous tribute to Buddy, iv'e never seen any.

[@thecrippledrummer]

Steve Bullard I’ll have to check on that.

[@erzug]

In this case, he called him "Mr. Humility".

[@flashtheoriginal]

Clearly unwell here, sadly. Note how the other 2 guests seem to steer clear of him, particularly at the end; no smiles, handshakes, acknowledgements. Hmmmm

[@edellis515]

Those boots....unreal playing in those

[@robertboney4493]

He was blunt from his Marine Corps training!

[@sebastianbernardo9900]

Good thing he still didn't pack his M-1 Garand!

[@aeropilot4419]

fan tas tic ! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@contactjohndavis2479]

Buddy was so smooth that it almost looks effortless when in reality it's beyond sensational!

[@Bob-ub4gl]

Smoother THAN silk... lol

[@geoffnelson4777]

Taped 8 June '82

[@NellsStuff]

Is that Doc's Easter suit? ;-)

[@jorgealmeyda5222]

Those two other guests were left so speechless! Lol

[@erzug]

At some point he stopped wearing the toupees and just went with comb overs. Evident in his Montreal Jazz Festival concert gig in this same year.

[@NellsStuff]

the FIRST thing I noticed ;-)

[@roybeckerman9253]

erzug I don’t why Buddy was so concerned about his hair....people were only interested in his hand speed and technique.

[@liams706]

No he returned to them

[@joekaralunas5751]

Pete Christlieb and Rich alumnus Ernie Watts playing tenor. Another Rich alumnus , Bruce Paulson in the trombone section.

[@mikekelly9851]

Age never affected Buddy's speed or agility.

[@eriksmithdrummer]

Thanks, great post! Any trace of the "Carnegie Hall Tribute" mentioned here on video or audio?

[@georgekilroy2670]

Looks like Pete Christlieb on tenor sax.

[@shannongriffith3493]

Buddy always had a nice rug !

[@kennethrussll6059]

Buddy Rich

[@christianforster3875]

what is the name of this tune?

[@DWH072]

Oh yeah !

[@aprilsigns4175]

Does anyone know the name of this song???

[@sebastianbernardo9900]

Buddy seldom spoke about his several failed attempts in 1955 -57 to move beyond being a drummer and even compete with Frank!. Search youtube for "buddy rich sings" or "Sing and Swing with Buddy Rich" to sample one of his albums that tanked.

[@birchply023]

Someone fan that drummer

[@toddwalker4301]

Not looking well, but phenomenal performance. That was the year I saw him live at Rayton HS in Missouri. This is one of the better sounding kits he played on when performing on the tonight show. Good mic setup too!

[@777jones]

He played his ass off and it almost killed him then and there.

[@vistarecords4930]

It did. But there were a lot of performances in that era where he finished and looked like he was having a heart attack! WAY out of breath, sweating profusely - he was on the way to dying, but was saved at the last minute. That quadruple bypass bought him another few years.

[@bholaoates1542]

I wonder what's going on when he walks out at 0:42 and the band stands up for his entrance then Buddy starts to sit down and some of the band members sit down and Doc motions for them to stand back up. Then Doc motions for them to sit back down again. Looks like some kind of inside joke.

[@cadillacdude1975]

looks like this was around the time he did the concert for the americas.....the night he had the heart attack start during west side story.

[@cadillacdude1975]

i just looked.....this was two months before that concert.

[@bholaoates1542]

Thanks for such a great post. Johnny should've had a towel ready for Buddy after all those years of seeing him work up a sweat. Maybe have a pretty girl present it to him on a tray or something like that. Kleenex doesn't cut it for mopping sweat off one's brow.... lol

[@AlainHubert]

Anyone know what song is played here?

[@thecrippledrummer]

“Mr Humble”

[@AlainHubert]

@@thecrippledrummer Ah, thanks! I thought that Johnny had simply made a joke about Buddy when introducing him, calling him Mr. Humble! I didn't know that it was actually the name of the song! lol! Silly me.

[@thecrippledrummer]

AlainHubert it started originally as a joke, so one of the Tonight Show Band writers composed that for Buddy.

[@gradhd4359]

Was Elvin Jones a guest ?

[@johnwilliams2367]

Buddy always got a different hair piece on every Carson show

[@coreyg4229]

John Williams I noticed that also, but Buddy is wearing his real hair here.

[@sebastianbernardo9900]

Les Paul tells how Buddy took up guitar and folk singing but failed miserably at this "simple music." Search youtube for "Les Paul on Buddy Rich 8/6/01"

[@hawkrider88]

A new one for me...and I'm old! Thanks much for posting Drumultar. Who the heck was the guy on the end?

[@NellsStuff]

is that a guy??

[@gregorypeller3052]

"That is none other than one of the greatest trumpet players and band leaders ever under the sun who was on the Johnny Carson show for over 30 years and his name is Doc Severinsen and he is now in his early 90s still playing and Jammin out..... and still married to the same woman for many years...... it was a different time in the 1980s when bands were more colorful and people could speak their mind without someone telling them that they need to think the way the other person thinks or else they are this and that..... we still had a country back then that stuck together and we still had music with real bands playing real instruments and rocking out or jazzing out and having a great time with our freedoms and our dignity,-- unlike the way it is today. Yeah Doc Severinsen could wear pink because he was a man who simply could, and certainly wasn't confused with who he was......"

[@mobrules29]

Johnny referred to him as "David" at the very end, and at the beginning of the clip Ed's intro said, "Skirts for Men Advocate, David Hall." Here's more from Wikipedia - not that you wanted it!: In the 1970s, David Hall, a former research engineer at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI), actively promoted the use of skirts for men, appearing on both The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and the Phil Donahue Show. In addition, he was featured in many articles at the time.[24] In his essay "Skirts for Men: the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of bodily covering", he opined that men should wear skirts for both symbolic and practical reasons. Symbolically, wearing skirts would allow men to take on desirable female characteristics. In practical terms, skirts, he suggested, do not chafe around the groin, and they are more suited to warm climates.

[@mobrules29]

@@gregorypeller3052 He's not referring to Doc.

[@onemoremisfit]

@@mobrules29 Just a quick glance of that guy makes my suspect he wore a dress more for 'symbolic' than practical reasons.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Anyone know which Ludwig snare he was using here.

[@thecrippledrummer]

Roy Beckerman it’s a rental set. Can’t see clearly but it’s most likely a Supra

[@roybeckerman9253]

Buddy’s last year using Ludwig. He had a massive heart attack 7 months later.

[@superfuzzymomma]

Was he using two rack toms at this point? Looks like he avoids the second tom a lot.

[@liams706]

@@superfuzzymomma No, this kit was rented by the Tonight Show.

[@Bob-ub4gl]

Slingerland was his "brand." A TRUE " Buddy fan" should KNOW that... Reality 101

[@roybeckerman9253]

@@Bob-ub4gl He switched to his own Slingerland Radio Kings, from 1983-87.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Buddy was 64 here.

[@louisd95714]

To think, he did this at an age when most people cannot. On top of this, I believe this was after he had bypass surgery after his heart attack. The only other drummer that I can think that would be able to keep up with him was Joe Morello. Thye each had different styles, and I cannot keep my eyes off either one.

[@erzug]

How did 2 people dislike this? Are they piccolo players?

[@guyfawkes9951]

Country fans. Or Clam Diggers, maybe.

[@erzug]

Reminds me of the line Buddy used with the nurse right before being taken in for his final surgery. She asked if he was allergic to anything and he supposedly said "Yeah, country and western music".

[@guyfawkes9951]

"Mr. Rich, is there anything you can't take?" "Yeah, country music." And, just for you, the greatest meme in meme history, IMHO. i.imgur.com/7bK4omC.jpg

[@tripacer2005]

Strange he's playing on a 5-piece drum set.

[@dan0711123]

I have a performance from 1986 of The Tonight Show on VHS and he looked much better . I know he died a year later

[@erzug]

At 2:46 it appears he's going into his solo and then realizes it's not time yet. Anyone else think that also?

[@thecrippledrummer]

erzug yep

[@onemoremisfit]

Trampled the cue for the sax solo, then quickly smoothed it over.

[@erzug]

The ride cymbal was certainly higher than Buddy preferred. One would think that Johnny would have noticed this and had it adjusted beforehand. Having seen Buddy play with the band many times, one might have expected him to be proactive in this regard. On second thought, probably higher and farther to the right due to the second small tom, which Buddy never had with his own set.

[@afterburner2869]

That house drummer must have wanted to crawl under a rock when Buddy started playing the skins.

[@onemoremisfit]

Naw, Ed Shaughnessy would do battles with Buddy, they were peers as well as friends.

[@thecrippledrummer]

AFTERBURNER no, Ed could go head-to-head with anyone.

[@andyweis5194]

House Drummer? hahahahahahaha

[@Bob-ub4gl]

As I posted here--look for the video of Johnny, Sammy Davis Jr., Ed Shaunassey, (the "House" drummer) and Buddy. All played, then Ed & Buddy REALLY got down, and showed how it's DONE. BTW--Your "house.drummer" comment displays your lack of understanding, regarding Ed--he's such a "student" of the DRUMS, he once took a 6 month hiatus FROM the SHOW, to travel to Africa, to visit remote villages, and study what/how THEIR drummers PLAYED THEIR drums. House drummer... LOL

[@afterburner2869]

@@Bob-ub4gl A house band is a group of musicians, often centrally organized by a band leader, who regularly play at an establishment. It is widely used to refer both to the bands who work on entertainment programs on television or radio, and to bands which are the regular performers at a nightclub, especially jazz and R&B clubs. By definition, he is the house drummer and a trip to Africa does not change that fact.

[@lionheartroar3104]

Great drumming, but not up to his usual perfection

[@erzug]

Man is he really cooking,

[@magn8195]

What's the song name?

[@sebastianbernardo9900]

Can't you tell what it is? The song got smothered by drum rolls and rim shots.

[@xplaybwoix]

I don’t get why Buddy Rich always wore wigs. Seems to be his natural hair here and looks fine . Even letting Johnny touch it with the handkerchief ..

[@ericdreizen1463]

Kelly Lange at the end giving Tom Brokaw a plug.

[@onemoremisfit]

That man wearing a dress is a guest on the show because he wears a dress.

[@raybenoit5238]

The cops ain't the man . buddy is the man

[@dylangatenby9928]

Buddy really looks ill here. He suffered a heart attack later after this episode.

[@bigswingface5847]

No, not here, at the Frank Sinatra Concert for the Americas concert.

[@dylangatenby9928]

@@bigswingface5847 He did look ill at that concert. I agree.

[@dougharrold2131]

Buddy opened the second set with this chart at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco late in 1982. I have not heard the chart it since (was naively hoping to find it on his next album). My brother and I were lucky enough to be seated at a table in the front row. The closer that night was Good News complete with guitar solo. My only BR lament was that recordings of so many brilliant charts written for and played by the 1966 - 1986 BR Big Bands were never formally released. To be fair, much of the fault was caused by the record industry (for instance the 1972 single record domestic US release of "Rich in London" contrasted with the 1972 dual record European release of "Very Alive at Ronnie Scotts" by RCA and the banal "disco side" of the 1981 Album "Buddy Rich Band" by MCA). I understand Buddy was very upset about the way he was treated in both instances. Imagine if that concert I had been so lucky to experience at the Great American Music Hall in 1982, was filmed in 70 mm Ultra Panavision with 6 track stereo! In my dreams, I would love to see that presentation at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood! Of course even this could not begin to replicate the live concert I witnessed decades ago. Drumuitar, I echo everyone else that has responded, by thanking you for making the effort to release this and so many other high quality BR videos!

[@dougharrold2131]

Correction ... Bass solo

[@tonyencinas7700]

6/6/82 was a sunday numb nuts

[@midlifemotox]

Reminds me of a speed metal guitarist.. Nobody cares.

[@sebastianbernardo9900]

Bang bang, bash bash . You have to admire his bio-mechanical ability, but where is the music?

[@robbopaloobop]

Buddy does not look well...