I'm a trombone player, played in some big bands in high school and college. Listened to BR a lot over the years. After watching a lot of his videos, the thing with which I am impressed the most is his attention to the melody of a tune. A good big band drummer will kick entrances. BR accents almost every note of a melody, in addition to kicking entrances.
THIS IS WHY BUDDY RICH IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE "THE WORLD'S GREATEST DRUMMER!! THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT COULD DISCRIBE THE TECHNICAL MAGNIFICENTS OF THE MASTER! BUDDY RICH!! HIS DRUMMING WOULD BRING THE AUDIENCE TO TEARS EVERY TIME!!!!!!!
All the good rock drummers cite Buddy as a big influence because of the way he combined huge power with making the drum kit part of the music, not something just to keep time.
Buddy was clearly feeling some hostility toward his band, as usual. "We're gonna keep playing this 'till it's right." Heaven knows what he said after the show.
I interpret that line from Buddy a very different way. He was clearly in his "comedian" mode on this concert. So, since WSS had been performed before SO many times for UK audiences, he was just continuing the comedy by making a small quip, .meant not to criticize, but to bring a smile.
I don’t think things like “ the best “ or the “ The GOAT “ but the world will never see the greatness of another Mr Buddy Rich . & the band are on fire .
I saw Buddy live in 1973, so four years after this. Goodness! He was one of my all-time idols and such a superstar! He made me feel so excited! That might have been the most exciting and enjoyable night of my life. I'm now 65. We've all seen so many amazing drummers since, but like the comments I've read- no one swings like Buddy. And I've never seen anyone faster, especially for several minutes straight- no one! I think he's my favorite because he caused me to play drums, more so than anyone else.
His musical memory was uncanny! The band is reading charts. West Side Story is hard even for a good reader. He couldn’t read music he never missed a queue. He knew the chart as well as the musicians in the band or better. Phenomenal! He would say matched grip was incorrect for drummers. Yet he used it masterfully. He was an arrogant SOB., but he really was the greatest drum set player in the world. I have never seen a faster single stroke roll in my life!
I talked to a few players from his band. Their nickname for him (but NEVER to his face!) was " The Ruddy Bitch." hee hee He was a task master and couldn't understand it if others wouldn't/couldn't practice enough to keep up with his demands. He can play it, why can't you?!
You can bet that these guys weren't reading. I've seen this music, not this arrangement but the score for the musical. To play this well, you have to commit this to memory. You use the chart as a guide, but you are not reading. It takes too long to read, process and respond. It's like the difference between reading a speech and memorizing it.
To this day still, matchless matchless matchless!! Thank God we have all these wonderful performances to look back on listen to and learn from. Seeing him live and standing in front of the set of drums was always beyond comprehension. To be that close and feel the power behind everything he did is simply beyond words. Honestly, how many of us that saw him live wanted to go home and just burn our drums!! The real drummers are born not created. With all respect that is not meant to offend anyone. He had the Divine spark!! That's why they say one of a kind. Do you know why lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place?! It's because it doesn't have to!! Never stop playing drums and always, always keep your chops up my brothers!!
I helped B.R. pack up his cymbals after a gig in Maine one night. Ain't no brag, I just wasn't going to be denied meeting the master. I got hip to Buddy after inheriting "The New One" (1967) from my sisters ex-husband in about 72', as she was not much of a jazz afficionado to begin with. Funny he was the last musician to exit the hall, and didn't seem the least bit bothered by it. Although we spoke briefly, Buddy was down to earth and very encouraging to me, specifically. I got the feeling he was going out of his way to turn all the young cats onto jazz, as if it was his mission in life. Funny to, because I wasn't inquiring about him per se, I was just rattling off about Satchmo, Krupa and all the bigs, and how my Pa' weened me on Jazz from an early age, and all this and that. He probably laughed like hell later. Must have been about 74' or a little earlier. Me and my band went to see him in 83' at Gorham High School, Maine, and Woody Herman had his full orchestra on stage also. The stage was big enough for two full big bands, they just rolled the concert grand back and fort between sets. Fantastic concert, it should have been recorded, on a side note, Woody's bass player was out of this world fantastically great. I don't know how his fingers stayed attached. Went to see the first Buddy Rich Ghost Band in late 87' at the "Blue Note", New York City, it was great, and Anita O'Day did a lot of stuff from her time with Krupa, which I was really there for anyway. Oh well, I got carried away with a trip down memory lane, I don't know why, but what the hell.
@@Johnnycdrums thank you so much for sharing!! I did get to meet buddy a number of times when I was still in New York. I'll share one of those times. I didn't know the city that well when I was younger. After one of Buddy's concerts I'm trying to leave the city and head back over the George Washington bridge. I somehow ended up going the wrong way out of one way street and my friend in the car said to me John that looks like buddy!! As it turned out Buddy Rich was walking home after his concert. I left my car parked the wrong way on a one-way Street so my friend and I could walk with Buddy for a few blocks and talk with him!! We were all so fortunate to be able to see hear and sometimes meet and speak with Buddy. He definitely did everything to share the big band music, his drumming, his comedy which was outrageously funny and most of the time his kind and sensitive words to all of us that were in all of him trying to learn how to play like him. Which now we know that was just impossible!! I'll stop there for now my friend. Stay in touch and we can share more adventures!! 🥁🙃
“Real drummers”… aye, all it takes is a desire to play and improve and you’ll get a great drummer. To say anyone is born to do anything is not a good mindset to have.
@@Isuckatlifesorry I appreciate the reply and I do apologize if that sounds a little off.. it really wasn't meant to offend. Some guys are born to be able to run under a four minute mile, others cannot. Some guys are able to win multiple super bowls or world series. I believe it was trying to express his most of the great ones have that Divine spark, that genius thing that just comes out of them so natural and that it boggles the mind. I've taught many young drummers that have excelled and played things better than I ever could. Some of them past the drumline auditions. Some of them continued their music education with scholarships and achieved bachelor degrees. I'll be honest with you my friend I never had half the brains that most of my students have!! But I was born to play drums and from an early age I've never stopped learning practicing or playing. Do what you do best, never stop and always share what you've learned. And as I would say that any of my drummer friends when we go our separate ways.... Keep your chops up!! 🙏🥁
I think that is true....he was at his peak right here! Amazing. Great band as well. This Slingerland kit was tuned to perfection. He should have used that snare at every gig! Great set up.
to the 10 dislike may god forgive you, you know nothing, pick up a pair of drum sticks then realise the talent this man has, then give this genius the vote he deserves
Watch this very very very very closely. Any drummer out there who thinks just thinks he can play a set of drums. Let the RECORD be LOUD and CLEAR this is the Man who is still untouchable. Many Buddy clones out there. but but but this is the real deal. Buddy Rich the Holy Grail of drummers. Pay attention and MARVEL at the Superior drumming of Buddy Rich. enough said
Ray I have watched Buddy for over 50 years and have come to the conclusion that the more I study him the further away I am of realising how great this guy was, every time I watch him play I see how he dissects a bar of time like a surgeon with a scalpel!
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU. I JUST GOT DONE SAYING THE SAME THING ON ANOTHER BUDDY RICH SOLO. IT IS SO BREATHTAKING TO WATCH THIS MAN. IT'S BEEN OVER THIRTY YEARS AND STILL NO ONE COMES CLOSE. GOD BROKE THE MOLD WHEN HE MADE BUDDY RICH.
THAT'S EXACTLY IT. THERE IS NOT ONE AREA OF DRUMMING WHERE BUDDY RICH IS NOT THE BEST. PEOPLE MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT HIS ATTITUDE AND IT BOTHERS ME BECAUSE IT IS NOT A PERSONALITY CONTEST. THE QUESTION REMAINS.. .WHO IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST DRUMMER? THE ANSWER IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE ... BUDDY RICH.!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU. P.S. LOOK UP DON OSBORNE JR. HE WAS BUDDY'S ONLY PROTEGE. HE PLAYS WELL.
Buddy probably excoriated them after this. Just his opening line "We're gonna keep playin' this till it's right" and scowl tell you all you need to know about how he was feeling that night.
Geeze playing 1000 beats per minute towards the end is insane precision power and ability that only Buddy Rich possesess in the world. I havent seen anyone to this present 2020 reach that speed yet! Buddy still the best in the world 33 years later after his death. Mind blowing! Rest in peace Buddy. Your still untouchable.
There are some drummers who match the speed. But actually, so what, is what I say. Because none (IMO) match the musical precision and perfection. And in the final analysis, that's what matters the most.
@@cloudview747 well dick Cully comes to mind he has studied buddy rich for years he’s the only drummer that comes close to buddies single stroke rolls and I would say he could possibly be faster then buddy but it’s very close tho
Buddy Rich was phenomenal and only improved with age. His hand speed, coordination and timing were impeccable. There will never be a jazz drummer that can come close to what he accomplished.
Back in the early 70s, other kids were listening to pop and stuff, but I was groovin' to music like this and Stan Kenton. My classmates were going to rock concerts and my first concert was Buddy Rich and his Big Band.
Same thing happened to me! Although I did keep up with rock and fusion also. For me it happened because of my father, who was a jazz drummer. I was only listening to rock/pop and drumming to rock/pop, but my father kept bugging me to sit down and really listen to Buddy Rich and his other big band music. FINALLY, I took his advice. I was hooked pretty much immediately!!
@11:50- @12:39 - from slow triplets to sextuplets to sixteenths, to single stroke roll to some rudiment or another (don’t recall all the names) to the edge from the center drumhead, to rim-taps, to creating a cymbal/bell sound from the drum rim to the soft/slow/intense single strokes - then he grunts/looks up @14:29 to alert the band he’s bringing them back in at @15:00 to end this super-human ordeal. AND HES WEARING A TIE AND JACKET DURING THE WHOLE GOLDURN THING!
Amazing how he could play very fast & loud but it still sounded very refined. You can always feel that pulse. He always kept rhythm. Many drummers can play fast but Buddy always had "that swing".
I’ve been playing drums for 50 years I like what Louis Bellson said a buddy rich the best people in the world might be able to play up to buddy rich but they never go above him on the drums very well said there are great drummers out there only one the greatest buddy rich
Seeing is believing. Having had the pleasure of seeing Buddy and his varying bands over the years (Lake Compounce Bristol, Ct. late 60’s-early 70’s and Newport Jazz Festival along with Led Zeppelin later 70’s) he always, always brought his “A” game. This is an absolute classic example of his prodigious talent. R.I.P. Buddy Rich. The absolute greatest !
I was very fortunate to see Buddy several times. The first time I might have been 15 or so and was snuck in a San Francisco nightclub. Sat right off to the side. Saw him at Disneyland a few times. Only autograph I ever asked for and drank a toast as it hung on my wall when he passed.😎🥂
Back in 69 i saw Buddy play at The Atlantic City Pop Fest & in 1970 at The Famous Ballroom in Baltimore MD. Though I've been a guitar player since starting in 67 i was so blown away by Buddy's playing those shows still are stuck in my head . Never seen a drummer as good as he was & personally i doubt we will ever again & there's some awesome drummers out there . He was the best .
what a powerful and beatiful sound comes out from his Slingerland snare drum ! What a beautiful melody he's able to pull out from the instrument... It seems to me Buddy is the only drummer in the jazz history who played better and better as the years went by ... he plays better in the last decade of his life than in the fifties or the seventies ... smooth sound, great class and a stunning elegance ... he has everything a jazz drummer needs to have
Buddy Rich is the only conductor who uses two batons. The often mercurial Rich had the chops to back it up. It sometimes seems he's in a pure meditative state as he plays.
At this point in time Buddy was three years into his new big band and totally at the top of his game. About ten years ago this video was called the "The pilgrim of all drum solo's" this still applies today.
I've watched a lot of BR videos but never seen this one. It's beyond great. Such great control, unmatched speed and dynamics. Still the GOAT to this day! Was lucky to see him live 40 years ago never to be forgotten.
Why do I start watching this again? I can't pull away and then get so behind in my work! Total and complete mastery over his instrument that boggles the mind. Especially if you're a drummer. :) Or thought you were a drummer, until you watched this.
SAXES(l-r): Pat LaBarbera, Richie Cole, Quin Davis, Don Englert, Joe Calo(b) TPTs(l-r): George Zonce, Mike Price(L), Ken Faulk, John Deflon BONEs(l-r): Malcolm Griffiths, Rick Stepton, Don Switzer(b) P: Joe Azarello B: Rick Laird Buddy Rich Nov.1969 UK TOUR (Ronnie Scotts, Palladium, “Talk of Town”, etc)
The hand speed alone is not of this earth. Along with the intensity, precision, and feel his virtuosity has never been matched, IMHO. Oh, and I'll bet he racked up some killer dry cleaning bills.
The best perfectly matched hands ever! It is the SOUND, of those rolls, that is so evenly performed! And for get that left hand, that is an entity on its own. I watched and or heard all the greats, and NO ONE has the sound and perfectly matched hands. This was just another stunning example, why no one was or is greater/better than this man.
I could not agree more. It was way back in the early 70s when I first heard Rich, on the Blues Caravan album and Swingin New Big Band album. I was dumbfounded by exactly what you say - the perfectly executed, even sound coming from those incredible two hands! And here I am, all these many years later, still completely amazed by this man.
Every drummer musician that have seen Buddy play in person was the same of riding the worlds tallest fastest roller coaster and wondering and asking how could any one play this great articulate and make it look so easy. Drummers and musicians watch this man in Awe and still remember that there is no one out there today yesterday or forever that would match the artistry of Buddy Rich enough said
Jim, that's a chrome over wood 3-ply 4x14 shell and I agree I think that is just about his best sounding snare drum next to his old wfl the studio recording of rich and Krupa... There's just something about those old 3-ply shells I'm not that crazy about the fibes drum I played a couple of them and they are very loud but cold sounding (to my ears) compared to the warmth of the 3-ply shells and Buddy ended up using an old radio King 3-ply for his last kit for several years and those sounded way better than that Ludwig 6 ply crap that he was using for a while which to me hurt his actual sound and when he went back to the vintage kit to me he sounded better of course his playing is always jaw-dropping and from another planet but I think the Vintage drums actually helped him swing a little more and they have better dynamic range as well 6 ply shells project more and are louder they just don't have that sweet dynamic range and aren't as musical sounding as the 3-ply shells with reinforcement rings do in in my opinion of course but I think cloudview might agree here... just didn't want you to think what you were listening to was the fibes snare because at least in this show it isn't. Peace, Bob
No one came close to this before him and no one will ever be this great after. His rudiments are simply untouchable. It’s an anomaly that can’t be repeated.
Roy you are right what you said. Slingerland and Ludwig Rogers Fibes all the companies wanted Buddy to endorse their drum line. Ofcourse having the Worlds Greatest drummer endorse is what every major drum company would prefer. No matter what drum company Buddy played or endorsed he made those drums sound magnificent.
My mom took me too see Buddy play at coachman Park clearwater florida back in 83. It has been jazz bliss for Me ever since..long live the king of jazz drums
I don't recall seeing this one. I'd have remembered that jacket. Man, he was on fire that night. This is one place where being a "Control Freak" is so accurate, it's scary. Surgical precision.
Buddy was phenomenal in the 60s&70s on the Slingerlands his speed & power in a class of its own not to mention that left hand! He created excitement the way he drove the band like no other if anyone deserves the term genius he certainly did & missed by us all.
WOW!!!! After all these years, still, the best drum solo EVER. And the snare? Words can't do it justice; unbelievable? amazing? perfect? And the kick? He never got much credit for how he used it. The only word I can come up with is seamless.
Very rudimental, yet so impressive ! 1969 ! The Beatles were popular and the funky-rock "groove" era was about to change the music world. Peace, love and music for everyone ! Thanks for sharing !
Yes the late sixties ..the British invasion ..rock and roll beginning its zenith.. buddy put a lot of rudimental drumming on display with some rock.. and fused in there also very hip
EVERYTHING THAT'S EVER GOING TO BE POSSIBLY DONE ON A DRUM KIT EVER!!! IN ABOUT 10MINS. BUDDY RICH IS NOT ONLY THEEEE G. O. A. T, BUT HE'S A FUCKING BEAST ALL ON HIS OWN LOOKING DOWN AT THE FAT COWS GRAZING IN THE FIELDS BELOW HIM. R. I. P. .
I'd like to remind all the viewers that as great as this is to hear it live is even better. his bass drum kicking and booming combined with the contrast of the snare is remarkable. and yes of course Buddy is the standard untouched and unchallenged
I shake my head at those drummers today, who idolise their hard hitting, bashing drummers, who play double bass drums and use a million drums and cymbals, where you can barely even see them.. Buddy just used the basics.
The Buddy Rich discography by Doug Meriwether lists the performance/videotape date as November 22, 1969. It also says that BBC TV telecast the show on December 18, 1969.
I have thought the same thing. Watching the prolonged single stroke roll finale of Buddy's drum solo, it's almost as if he is sacrificing himself on a "give it everything you've got" music altar.
Yes, killing it musically! And yes, the Mel Torme biography about Buddy mentions that since Buddy was a little kid, drumming became a kind of therapy for him.
I wanted to see Buddy Rich and his band perform. This killed it. Imagine this band performing in front of you. A friend of mine saw the gig in Montreal way back and he talked about it for years. Lucky dog indeed.....
You are SO correct. It was incredible, astounding, overwhelming actually, to be right there up & close when the The Buddy Rich Big Band performed live.
I remember watching him do this in person at Blues Alley in Washington DC, it was so amazing, you just could not take your eyes off of him. It is still amazing and I am still amazed!
I still remember watching him do this at a club called Amazingrace in Evanston IL (not kidding, that was the name of the club). And like you, I am still amazed!!
Rich was SUCH a badass! ONLY he could have gotten away with a 2 bar solo consisting of absolute silence! Takes a LOT self-confidence to make that work.
I know Ginger Baker has passed RIP Ginger really had no use for complimenting Buddy. The reason being is that Buddy was so Phenomenal in style class chops Creativity. Hell Ginger was not stupid. Rather than give a compliment to Buddy he bashed him. Sort of like watching a guy hit home runs after home runs. You just can't compete or catch up. Batching and bad mouthing made Ginger Baker proud to Swear and Bash. Bottom line Buddy Rich did more in one minute than Baker did in a life time. story over case closed.
Thank you so much for posting this, it is by far the best and cleanest video I have seen of Buddy playing West Side Story. Man he can hammer, with either hand. This is the first video I have seen a close up of Buddy's foot hitting the bass drum. Man he is kicking it like a Harley. No feathering Jazz bass drum here, this is pure power rock bass drumming. He is kicking the crap out of it and doing it beautifully. I just noticed the spring on the pedal goes upwards for tightening the pedal tension. Man that would make it so easy to adjust tension. I have always thought it was silly having that spring adjustment be tucked way down at the bottom so it's impossible to adjust if you are performing. This would allow you to bend down and easily adjust after you finished a song. The man has no peer. Think about this, this is pure talent. He was never formally taught, did not read music and rarely if ever practiced. Of course he was performing about 300 days a year. I love how if he ever dropped a stick you hardly noticed, he knew not to chase it, just grab another.
I have a Rogers Swiv-a-matic in storage that has the tensioner on top. Don't know why they strayed away from that setup. I use a PDP now. Great pedal but it's a pain in the butt having to get down on hands & knees (sometimes laying down) to adjust.
When I saw and met Buddy in the early 70s he was using that Rogers pedal and playing Slingerland drums. He switched to Ludwig for awhile and came back to Slingerland but always used that Swiv-a-matic. He told me it was the best pedal in the world and so I bought one and sold my Ludwig Speed King.
My Dad brought the family to see Buddy at Basin Street West in San Francisco when he came to SF, starting 67, my dad was known in the area and got tickets comped so he took me to meet him at intermission, I got a autograph at 10 years old, Still have it, he would always bum a smoke and say he was trying to quit, doubt he had to ever buy a pack. He asked my Dad for a smoke then of course you had to offer a light because he said if he didn’t have cigarettes he wouldn’t have a light but the guy was like a God, every one just in awe of him
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After all these F ing years! Buddy is still the fastest cleanest drummer out there!!!
And also IMO the most musical in his solos!!
I'm a trombone player, played in some big bands in high school and college. Listened to BR a lot over the years. After watching a lot of his videos, the thing with which I am impressed the most is his attention to the melody of a tune. A good big band drummer will kick entrances. BR accents almost every note of a melody, in addition to kicking entrances.
What smctrout4423 said!!
THIS IS WHY BUDDY RICH IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE "THE WORLD'S GREATEST DRUMMER!! THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT COULD DISCRIBE THE TECHNICAL MAGNIFICENTS OF THE MASTER!
BUDDY RICH!!
HIS DRUMMING WOULD BRING THE AUDIENCE TO TEARS EVERY TIME!!!!!!!
No doubt, Buddy has brought many in an audience to tears. Especially drummers in the audience! Because they really "get" how good he is!
All the good rock drummers cite Buddy as a big influence because of the way he combined huge power with making the drum kit part of the music, not something just to keep time.
The best drum solo in the history of drumming. Unbelievable.
in a suit and vest no less
Buddy was clearly feeling some hostility toward his band, as usual. "We're gonna keep playing this 'till it's right." Heaven knows what he said after the show.
I interpret that line from Buddy a very different way. He was clearly in his "comedian" mode on this concert. So, since WSS had been performed before SO many times for UK audiences, he was just continuing the comedy by making a small quip, .meant not to criticize, but to bring a smile.
@@cloudview747 Agreed.
I got that impression too, but he also seemed to be in a good mood.
The hair styles may change, the size of the lapels, and width of the ties, but the greatness of Buddy Rich will never fade...
Agreed!!
He's been gone for over 30 years and he's still the measure of every other drummer.
@@DavidLeBlanc
INDEED.
💯
I don’t think things like “ the best “ or the “ The GOAT “ but the world will never see the greatness of another Mr Buddy Rich . & the band are on fire .
Wearing a coat and a tie and Buddy is still lightning fast - all top shelf musicians👍
Yeah, how did he do that! Amazing.
I saw Buddy live in 1973, so four years after this. Goodness! He was one of my all-time idols and such a superstar! He made me feel so excited! That might have been the most exciting and enjoyable night of my life. I'm now 65. We've all seen so many amazing drummers since, but like the comments I've read- no one swings like Buddy. And I've never seen anyone faster, especially for several minutes straight- no one!
I think he's my favorite because he caused me to play drums, more so than anyone else.
His musical memory was uncanny! The band is reading charts. West Side Story is hard even for a good reader. He couldn’t read music he never missed a queue. He knew the chart as well as the musicians in the band or better. Phenomenal! He would say matched grip was incorrect for drummers. Yet he used it masterfully. He was an arrogant SOB., but he really was the greatest drum set player in the world. I have never seen a faster single stroke roll in my life!
The greatest.
The man !! He is drums.
My drum instructor saw him live reading music charts. He was self taught, but he could read music.
I talked to a few players from his band. Their nickname for him (but NEVER to his face!) was " The Ruddy Bitch." hee hee He was a task master and couldn't understand it if others wouldn't/couldn't practice enough to keep up with his demands. He can play it, why can't you?!
You can bet that these guys weren't reading. I've seen this music, not this arrangement but the score for the musical. To play this well, you have to commit this to memory. You use the chart as a guide, but you are not reading. It takes too long to read, process and respond. It's like the difference between reading a speech and memorizing it.
To this day still, matchless matchless matchless!! Thank God we have all these wonderful performances to look back on listen to and learn from. Seeing him live and standing in front of the set of drums was always beyond comprehension. To be that close and feel the power behind everything he did is simply beyond words. Honestly, how many of us that saw him live wanted to go home and just burn our drums!! The real drummers are born not created. With all respect that is not meant to offend anyone. He had the Divine spark!! That's why they say one of a kind. Do you know why lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place?! It's because it doesn't have to!! Never stop playing drums and always, always keep your chops up my brothers!!
Forgot how wicked good this is.
I helped B.R. pack up his cymbals after a gig in Maine one night.
Ain't no brag, I just wasn't going to be denied meeting the master.
I got hip to Buddy after inheriting "The New One" (1967) from my sisters ex-husband in about 72', as she was not much of a jazz afficionado to begin with.
Funny he was the last musician to exit the hall, and didn't seem the least bit bothered by it.
Although we spoke briefly, Buddy was down to earth and very encouraging to me, specifically.
I got the feeling he was going out of his way to turn all the young cats onto jazz, as if it was his mission in life.
Funny to, because I wasn't inquiring about him per se, I was just rattling off about Satchmo, Krupa and all the bigs, and how my Pa' weened me on Jazz from an early age, and all this and that.
He probably laughed like hell later.
Must have been about 74' or a little earlier.
Me and my band went to see him in 83' at Gorham High School, Maine, and Woody Herman had his full orchestra on stage also.
The stage was big enough for two full big bands, they just rolled the concert grand back and fort between sets.
Fantastic concert, it should have been recorded, on a side note, Woody's bass player was out of this world fantastically great.
I don't know how his fingers stayed attached.
Went to see the first Buddy Rich Ghost Band in late 87' at the "Blue Note", New York City, it was great, and Anita O'Day did a lot of stuff from her time with Krupa, which I was really there for anyway.
Oh well, I got carried away with a trip down memory lane, I don't know why, but what the hell.
@@Johnnycdrums thank you so much for sharing!! I did get to meet buddy a number of times when I was still in New York. I'll share one of those times. I didn't know the city that well when I was younger. After one of Buddy's concerts I'm trying to leave the city and head back over the George Washington bridge. I somehow ended up going the wrong way out of one way street and my friend in the car said to me John that looks like buddy!! As it turned out Buddy Rich was walking home after his concert. I left my car parked the wrong way on a one-way Street so my friend and I could walk with Buddy for a few blocks and talk with him!! We were all so fortunate to be able to see hear and sometimes meet and speak with Buddy. He definitely did everything to share the big band music, his drumming, his comedy which was outrageously funny and most of the time his kind and sensitive words to all of us that were in all of him trying to learn how to play like him. Which now we know that was just impossible!! I'll stop there for now my friend. Stay in touch and we can share more adventures!! 🥁🙃
“Real drummers”… aye, all it takes is a desire to play and improve and you’ll get a great drummer. To say anyone is born to do anything is not a good mindset to have.
@@Isuckatlifesorry I appreciate the reply and I do apologize if that sounds a little off.. it really wasn't meant to offend. Some guys are born to be able to run under a four minute mile, others cannot. Some guys are able to win multiple super bowls or world series. I believe it was trying to express his most of the great ones have that Divine spark, that genius thing that just comes out of them so natural and that it boggles the mind. I've taught many young drummers that have excelled and played things better than I ever could. Some of them past the drumline auditions. Some of them continued their music education with scholarships and achieved bachelor degrees. I'll be honest with you my friend I never had half the brains that most of my students have!! But I was born to play drums and from an early age I've never stopped learning practicing or playing. Do what you do best, never stop and always share what you've learned. And as I would say that any of my drummer friends when we go our separate ways.... Keep your chops up!! 🙏🥁
Mindboggling solo...Buddy in his prime...he seemed to be on a mission that night...just amazing
I think you're right - he would get on kind of a mission when there were lots of professional drummers in the audience.
I think that is true....he was at his peak right here! Amazing. Great band as well. This Slingerland kit was tuned to perfection. He should have used that snare at every gig! Great set up.
A pool of sweat on his snare.
weird thing about buddy rich, he was always in his prime
@@thephantomroland Was he ever not in his "prime"?
Just when you thought his climatic phases couldn't get any better, he unleashes an ending for the ages!
:-)
His classic ending, he did it on pretty much every performance of West Side Story. Unbeatable!
to the 10 dislike may god forgive you, you know nothing, pick up a pair of drum sticks then realise the talent this man has, then give this genius the vote he deserves
As Mel Torme said, ee really was O O A K, "One Of A Kind."
Watch this very very very very closely. Any drummer out there who thinks just thinks he can play a set of drums. Let the RECORD be LOUD and CLEAR this is the Man who is still untouchable. Many Buddy clones out there. but but but this is the real deal. Buddy Rich the Holy Grail of drummers. Pay attention and MARVEL at the Superior drumming of Buddy Rich. enough said
What Ray said!!
I miss him Ray.
Ray I have watched Buddy for over 50 years and have come to the conclusion that the more I study him the further away I am of realising how great this guy was, every time I watch him play I see how he dissects a bar of time like a surgeon with a scalpel!
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU. I JUST GOT DONE SAYING THE SAME THING ON ANOTHER BUDDY RICH SOLO. IT IS SO BREATHTAKING TO WATCH THIS MAN. IT'S BEEN OVER THIRTY YEARS AND STILL NO ONE COMES CLOSE. GOD BROKE THE MOLD WHEN HE MADE BUDDY RICH.
@@charlescampbell2585 😊
THAT'S EXACTLY IT. THERE IS NOT ONE AREA OF DRUMMING WHERE BUDDY RICH IS NOT THE BEST. PEOPLE MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT HIS ATTITUDE AND IT BOTHERS ME BECAUSE IT IS NOT A PERSONALITY CONTEST. THE QUESTION REMAINS..
.WHO IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST DRUMMER? THE ANSWER IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE ... BUDDY RICH.!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU. P.S. LOOK UP DON OSBORNE JR. HE WAS BUDDY'S ONLY PROTEGE. HE PLAYS WELL.
I'm a drummer, but I want to give much deserved kudos to the band, which is stellar. I don't need to talk about Buddy. ;)
Yes indeed, kudos to the band!
Buddy probably excoriated them after this. Just his opening line "We're gonna keep playin' this till it's right" and scowl tell you all you need to know about how he was feeling that night.
Geeze playing 1000 beats per minute towards the end is insane precision power and ability that only Buddy Rich possesess in the world. I havent seen anyone to this present 2020 reach that speed yet! Buddy still the best in the world 33 years later after his death. Mind blowing! Rest in peace Buddy. Your still untouchable.
There are some drummers who match the speed. But actually, so what, is what I say. Because none (IMO) match the musical precision and perfection. And in the final analysis, that's what matters the most.
@@cloudview747 well dick Cully comes to mind he has studied buddy rich for years he’s the only drummer that comes close to buddies single stroke rolls and I would say he could possibly be faster then buddy but it’s very close tho
Buddy Rich was phenomenal and only improved with age. His hand speed, coordination and timing were impeccable. There will never be a jazz drummer that can come close to what he accomplished.
Back in the early 70s, other kids were listening to pop and stuff, but I was groovin' to music like this and Stan Kenton. My classmates were going to rock concerts and my first concert was Buddy Rich and his Big Band.
Same thing happened to me! Although I did keep up with rock and fusion also.
For me it happened because of my father, who was a jazz drummer. I was only listening to rock/pop and drumming to rock/pop, but my father kept bugging me to sit down and really listen to Buddy Rich and his other big band music. FINALLY, I took his advice. I was hooked pretty much immediately!!
Funny cause my rock friends bragged about John Bonham and I asked “ have you ever seen buddy Rich ? “
@11:50- @12:39 - from slow triplets to sextuplets to sixteenths, to single stroke roll to some rudiment or another (don’t recall all the names) to the edge from the center drumhead, to rim-taps, to creating a cymbal/bell sound from the drum rim to the soft/slow/intense single strokes - then he grunts/looks up @14:29 to alert the band he’s bringing them back in at @15:00 to end this super-human ordeal.
AND HES WEARING A TIE AND JACKET DURING THE WHOLE GOLDURN THING!
And only 52... And to think this boy got better as he got older.... I saw him 18 times in the 70's
Amazing how he could play very fast & loud but it still sounded very refined. You can always feel that pulse. He always kept rhythm. Many drummers can play fast but Buddy always had "that swing".
I’ve been playing drums for 50 years I like what Louis Bellson said a buddy rich the best people in the world might be able to play up to buddy rich but they never go above him on the drums very well said there are great drummers out there only one the greatest buddy rich
Buddy Rich -- the greatest drummer in the world.
Yes he was.
100% agree!!!!!!! The Greatest!!!!!
Crazy Jewish man- buddy rashevsky. Original last name
Really he was !
@@laurentmcmeenes1366 100% Jewish
Seeing is believing. Having had the pleasure of seeing Buddy and his varying bands over the years (Lake Compounce Bristol, Ct. late 60’s-early 70’s and Newport Jazz Festival along with Led Zeppelin later 70’s) he always, always brought his “A” game. This is an absolute classic example of his prodigious talent. R.I.P. Buddy Rich. The absolute greatest !
I was very fortunate to see Buddy several times. The first time I might have been 15 or so and was snuck in a San Francisco nightclub. Sat right off to the side.
Saw him at Disneyland a few times. Only autograph I ever asked for and drank a toast as it hung on my wall when he passed.😎🥂
Back in 69 i saw Buddy play at The Atlantic City Pop Fest & in 1970 at The Famous Ballroom in Baltimore MD. Though I've been a guitar player since starting in 67 i was so blown away by Buddy's playing those shows still are stuck in my head . Never seen a drummer as good as he was & personally i doubt we will ever again & there's some awesome drummers out there . He was the best .
👍 😊
this guy was at his moment. The best control and speed that ever could be had. Buddy was a God given drummer.
:-)
God must be so proud of what he achieved when Buddy picked up a pair of sticks he (God)knew it was a one off
what a powerful and beatiful sound comes out from his Slingerland snare drum !
What a beautiful melody he's able to pull out from the instrument... It seems
to me Buddy is the only drummer in the jazz history who played better
and better as the years went by ... he plays better in the last
decade of his life than in the fifties or the seventies ... smooth
sound, great class and a stunning elegance ... he has everything a jazz
drummer needs to have
👍 😊
I was just thinking the same.
Only one has the feel for making these drums com alive
He will be missed
Buddy Rich is the only conductor who uses two batons. The often mercurial Rich had the chops to back it up. It sometimes seems he's in a pure meditative state as he plays.
At this point in time Buddy was three years into his new big band and totally at the top of his game.
About ten years ago this video was called the "The pilgrim of all drum solo's" this still applies today.
Unparalleled strength, stamina, musicality, ideas, technique, he had it all.
I've watched a lot of BR videos but never seen this one. It's beyond great. Such great control, unmatched speed and dynamics. Still the GOAT to this day! Was lucky to see him live 40 years ago never to be forgotten.
Why do I start watching this again? I can't pull away and then get so behind in my work! Total and complete mastery over his instrument that boggles the mind. Especially if you're a drummer. :) Or thought you were a drummer, until you watched this.
OMG
SAXES(l-r): Pat LaBarbera, Richie Cole, Quin Davis, Don Englert, Joe Calo(b)
TPTs(l-r): George Zonce, Mike Price(L), Ken Faulk, John Deflon
BONEs(l-r): Malcolm Griffiths, Rick Stepton, Don Switzer(b)
P: Joe Azarello B: Rick Laird
Buddy Rich Nov.1969 UK TOUR (Ronnie Scotts, Palladium, “Talk of Town”, etc)
Thanks.....nice to get the names
Still haven’t heard any other drummer or big band play this on RUclips.
A hard act to follow.
Would like to see today’s star drummers try this one ..🙂
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT TOO. NOBODY WILL EVER GET TO WHERE BUDDY IS.
Might be painful to watch.
Weckl might do a decent job.
The hand speed alone is not of this earth. Along with the intensity, precision, and feel his virtuosity has never been matched, IMHO. Oh, and I'll bet he racked up some killer dry cleaning bills.
The speed is amazing yes, but when you add in the precision and musical feel as you say, it's just completely mind-boggling.
This is buddy at 52 , his peak.
He was already 52 by then? Wow, I didn't know he was so OLD xD
The best perfectly matched hands ever! It is the SOUND, of those rolls, that is so evenly performed! And for get that left hand, that is an entity on its own. I watched and or heard all the greats, and NO ONE has the sound and perfectly matched hands. This was just another stunning example, why no one was or is greater/better than this man.
I could not agree more. It was way back in the early 70s when I first heard Rich, on the Blues Caravan album and Swingin New Big Band album. I was dumbfounded by exactly what you say - the perfectly executed, even sound coming from those incredible two hands! And here I am, all these many years later, still completely amazed by this man.
Every drummer musician that have seen Buddy play in person was the same of riding the worlds tallest fastest roller coaster and wondering and asking how could any one play this great articulate and make it look so easy. Drummers and musicians watch this man in Awe and still remember that there is no one out there today yesterday or forever that would match the artistry of Buddy Rich enough said
He's using a Rogers pedal and I believe that is the Fibes snare he loved playing so much... that's a great sounding snare.
It's the Slingerland Buddy Rich model with the Zoomatic strainer. The one he plays on "Chavala" in the same show.
Jim, that's a chrome over wood 3-ply 4x14 shell and I agree I think that is just about his best sounding snare drum next to his old wfl the studio recording of rich and Krupa... There's just something about those old 3-ply shells I'm not that crazy about the fibes drum I played a couple of them and they are very loud but cold sounding (to my ears) compared to the warmth of the 3-ply shells and Buddy ended up using an old radio King 3-ply for his last kit for several years and those sounded way better than that Ludwig 6 ply crap that he was using for a while which to me hurt his actual sound and when he went back to the vintage kit to me he sounded better of course his playing is always jaw-dropping and from another planet but I think the Vintage drums actually helped him swing a little more and they have better dynamic range as well 6 ply shells project more and are louder they just don't have that sweet dynamic range and aren't as musical sounding as the 3-ply shells with reinforcement rings do in in my opinion of course but I think cloudview might agree here... just didn't want you to think what you were listening to was the fibes snare because at least in this show it isn't. Peace, Bob
WOW!! GREATEST DRUMMER OF ALL TIME HANDS DOWN!! BUDDY RICH!!
:-)
I wonder how many drum kits wound up on eBay after the owners watched this.
🤔 🙂
When ever there is a “ who’s the best drummer” it will always be Buddy. There are a lot of very great ones but he is the best.
That album live at the chez in Vegas is my most played album since it came out in the 60s this song is on it highly recommended
The Chez was in Los Angeles. The "Swingin' New Big Band" and "Big Swing Face" albums were recorded live there.
Loved this. I am a Neil Peart fan Buddy and Neil, the world's greatest drummers Bless them.
To all the fan boys of Virgil, Lang, Marco.....tell me again....they can this with finesse, groove, feel, soul.....
His playing with or with out a band cant be matched.
😊
No one came close to this before him and no one will ever be this great after. His rudiments are simply untouchable. It’s an anomaly that can’t be repeated.
As Mel Torme used to say, he was OOAK - One Of A Kind.
Buddy The Greatest Ever. Pete La Bella Sr Siny
Yes!
Outrageous precise technique and musically complete, simply amazing musician
What an unbelievably strange dichotomy. Talent bestowed by the Hand of God.........solo stamina possessed like a Devil. Never again! RIP Buddy.
😮 🙃
Even though Buddy played way better than anyone else he never practiced his drumming,which makes it all the more amazing.
That is one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen. Thank you Buddy Rich.
13:48 look at the sweat on the drum! And yet he's wearing a tie and jacket! THAT is dedication modern drummers don't understand
Best advertisement ever, for SLINGERLAND.
Let’s see DW top this, with their new Slingerlands.
Roy you are right what you said. Slingerland and Ludwig Rogers Fibes all the companies wanted Buddy to endorse their drum line. Ofcourse having the Worlds Greatest drummer endorse is what every major drum company would prefer. No matter what drum company Buddy played or endorsed he made those drums sound magnificent.
Buddy could make trash cans Sounds fucking fantastic! Or any Drum!
this is a great version of WSS. Love the overhead shot--it's angle we don't see too often. My God...he is killer.
He most definitely was.
There a lot of great drummers, but only one daddy. If you love playing, Buddy is your daddy.
With out a dout hes the best and noone can get near his unbiliveable drumming skills . He was the best in the world rip Mr Buddy Rich ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I think that’s Pat LaBarbara on the Tenor. He was to be a rare mainstay in the band as Buddy seemed to fire band members after 6 months on average 🤣
My mom took me too see Buddy play at coachman Park clearwater florida back in 83. It has been jazz bliss for Me ever since..long live the king of jazz drums
I don't recall seeing this one. I'd have remembered that jacket. Man, he was on fire that night. This is one place where being a "Control Freak" is so accurate, it's scary. Surgical precision.
I think Buddy felt an extra level of motivation when an audience had a ton of professional drummers watching - as was the case at this concert.
Buddy was phenomenal in the 60s&70s on the Slingerlands his speed & power in a class of its own not to mention that left hand! He created excitement the way he drove the band like no other if anyone deserves the term genius he certainly did & missed by us all.
What Bren Nelson said!
WOW!!!!
After all these years, still, the best drum solo EVER.
And the snare?
Words can't do it justice; unbelievable? amazing? perfect?
And the kick?
He never got much credit for how he used it.
The only word I can come up with is seamless.
Wow indeed!!
One the best West Sides I have seen. Thanks for the post
You are very welcome.
Very rudimental, yet so impressive !
1969 ! The Beatles were popular and the funky-rock "groove" era was about to change the music world.
Peace, love and music for everyone ! Thanks for sharing !
My pleasure.
Yes the late sixties ..the British invasion ..rock and roll beginning its zenith.. buddy put a lot of rudimental drumming on display with some rock.. and fused in there also very hip
My drum idol for 45 years now. I started like buddy age 3 . The king of jazz drums
EVERYTHING THAT'S EVER GOING TO BE POSSIBLY DONE ON A DRUM KIT EVER!!! IN ABOUT 10MINS.
BUDDY RICH IS NOT ONLY THEEEE G. O. A. T, BUT HE'S A FUCKING BEAST ALL ON HIS OWN LOOKING DOWN AT THE FAT COWS GRAZING IN THE FIELDS BELOW HIM. R. I. P. .
I'd call him a machine but all machines would break down
I'd like to remind all the viewers that as great as this is to hear it live is even better. his bass drum kicking and booming combined with the contrast of the snare is remarkable. and yes of course Buddy is the standard untouched and unchallenged
THE BEST VERSION OF WEST SIDE STORY EVER!!!! THE MASTER IS IN THE HOUSE AND KICKIN' BUTT!!! R.I.P. BUDDY RICH, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!!!
Definitely one of the all time great video captures of Buddy doing WSS. Glad you love it as I do.
I wonder if Bernstein ever heard this arrangement of his music. Astounding drummer! Saw him at the Imperial Room in Royal York, Toronto in 1970.
I imagine Bernstein did.
Just a marvel and never will U see this again
I shake my head at those drummers today, who idolise their hard hitting, bashing drummers, who play double bass drums and use a million drums and cymbals, where you can barely even see them..
Buddy just used the basics.
Mesmerizing, thrilling, and intoxicating! Buddy showing why he is the Master of his craft!
I am in complete agreement!
Untouchable and great tune. I can’t thank you enough for all the great uploads of Buddy!
It is very much my pleasure. Buddy deserves to be well represented on RUclips.
is this really from 1969 ? F""k - the quality of the video and audio is incredible ! What a performance by the entire ensemble - magnificent !!✌️🇬🇧👍
The Buddy Rich discography by Doug Meriwether lists the performance/videotape date as November 22, 1969. It also says that BBC TV telecast the show on December 18, 1969.
Almost enough to give you a heart attack just watching!!
I have thought the same thing. Watching the prolonged single stroke roll finale of Buddy's drum solo, it's almost as if he is sacrificing himself on a "give it everything you've got" music altar.
Buddy Rich is the best drummer ever lived..he "was" the drums..(it was like this great man.. founded the drums..) nuff said..
😊
Wow, I'm in total awe....
🙂
He is killing it musically in a superb unheard of way ever since. I think he also is doing a selfpreservation thing. Its his therapy ...
Yes, killing it musically! And yes, the Mel Torme biography about Buddy mentions that since Buddy was a little kid, drumming became a kind of therapy for him.
I wanted to see Buddy Rich and his band perform. This killed it. Imagine this band performing in front of you. A friend of mine saw the gig in Montreal way back and he talked about it for years. Lucky dog indeed.....
You are SO correct. It was incredible, astounding, overwhelming actually, to be right there up & close when the The Buddy Rich Big Band performed live.
Yup, 747 is right. I saw Buddy and his band live 4 times. Once up real close. I won’t even try to describe the thrill.
I remember watching him do this in person at Blues Alley in Washington DC, it was so amazing, you just could not take your eyes off of him. It is still amazing and I am still amazed!
I still remember watching him do this at a club called Amazingrace in Evanston IL (not kidding, that was the name of the club). And like you, I am still amazed!!
Saw a performance of Buddy and Band in Cincinnati,Ohio years ago,This man was THE BEST BEHIND THE DRUMS, PERIOD.
Damn how the hell did he play so precisely at those speeds? The single hand rolls are insane!
So precisely... and so musically/creatively! And yes, amazing stuff with single hand.
@@cloudview747 yes - a great truly musical drummer with incredible energy - a force of nature. Funny too
Absolutely breathtaking. The king then,the king now.
🙂
No man can match this .
😊
Simply the master..
Oh yeah.
I haven’t seem too many other drummers or big bands, play this version…
Except for the 20 year old WHIZ KID…..Greyson Nekrutman….he’s brilliant..
Mr.Drums, Mr. BUDDY RICH.
Indeed he was.
Rich was SUCH a badass! ONLY he could have gotten away with a 2 bar solo consisting of absolute silence! Takes a LOT self-confidence to make that work.
His ability to seemlessly change dynamics while maintaining tempo remains unparalleled.
Excellent point about how he changes dynamics!
Ginger Baker would have learned a thing or two if he had attended this show.
:-) !!!!
I know Ginger Baker has passed RIP Ginger really had no use for complimenting Buddy. The reason being is that Buddy was so Phenomenal in style class chops Creativity. Hell Ginger was not stupid. Rather than give a compliment to Buddy he bashed him. Sort of like watching a guy hit home runs after home runs. You just can't compete or catch up. Batching and bad mouthing made Ginger Baker proud to Swear and Bash. Bottom line Buddy Rich did more in one minute than Baker did in a life time. story over case closed.
@@rayszymarek2920 ; Agreed.
Ginger Baker is one of the most overrated drummers of all time. I think he was shit.
and to even mention Baker in the same breath as Buddy... get the hell out of here.
Look at the river of sweat on his snare.
I know!
Buddy was always great but this night was fiercely intense!
It's hard to believe, he did not read music.
Thank you so much for posting this, it is by far the best and cleanest video I have seen of Buddy playing West Side Story.
Man he can hammer, with either hand. This is the first video I have seen a close up of Buddy's foot hitting the bass drum. Man he is kicking it like a Harley. No feathering Jazz bass drum here, this is pure power rock bass drumming. He is kicking the crap out of it and doing it beautifully. I just noticed the spring on the pedal goes upwards for tightening the pedal tension. Man that would make it so easy to adjust tension. I have always thought it was silly having that spring adjustment be tucked way down at the bottom so it's impossible to adjust if you are performing. This would allow you to bend down and easily adjust after you finished a song. The man has no peer. Think about this, this is pure talent. He was never formally taught, did not read music and rarely if ever practiced. Of course he was performing about 300 days a year. I love how if he ever dropped a stick you hardly noticed, he knew not to chase it, just grab another.
Glad you like this as much as I do! And of course I agree with the things you said.
I have a Rogers Swiv-a-matic in storage that has the tensioner on top. Don't know why they strayed away from that setup. I use a PDP now. Great pedal but it's a pain in the butt having to get down on hands & knees (sometimes laying down) to adjust.
When I saw and met Buddy in the early 70s he was using that Rogers pedal and playing Slingerland drums.
He switched to Ludwig for awhile and came back to Slingerland but always used that Swiv-a-matic. He told me it was the best pedal in the world and so I bought one and sold my Ludwig Speed King.
14:55 he’s in a zone only he and the drum gods understand
:-)
Insane performance by Mr. Rich. Phenomenal! So playful yet so intense.
My Dad brought the family to see Buddy at Basin Street West in San Francisco when he came to SF, starting 67, my dad was known in the area and got tickets comped so he took me to meet him at intermission, I got a autograph at 10 years old, Still have it, he would always bum a smoke and say he was trying to quit, doubt he had to ever buy a pack. He asked my Dad for a smoke then of course you had to offer a light because he said if he didn’t have cigarettes he wouldn’t have a light but the guy was like a God, every one just in awe of him
Buddy was the BEST ........ simple as that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂
One in a billion.
😊