Buddy Rich

Play Radio
Listen to Buddy Rich Radio, featuring artists like Maynard Ferguson, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, The Buddy Rich Big Band, Stan Kenton and more…

760,388 plays (110,044 listeners)

Shop now at Amazon | Send Buddy Rich Ringtones to Cell
Buy
Add to my Library
Buddy Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He is widely considered to be one of the best drummers of all time, known for his technique, speed, and power.

For most of the period from 1966 until his death, he led a successful big band in an era when the popularity of big bands had waned from their 1930s and 40s peak. See also Buddy Rich Big Band. His most popular performance was a big band arrangement of the Leonard Bernstein classic West Side Story. In the early 1970s he commented upon how odious he found the emerging Mormon boy band, The Osmonds, especially Donny Osmond. Later he would sometimes be seen performing wearing a Donny Osmond badge on his lapel. One of his most seen television performances was in a 1981 episode [1] of The Muppet Show, where he engaged Muppet drummer “Animal” in a drum battle. Beginning in 1962, he was also a frequent guest on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. It has been reported that Rich gave Carson a drumset sponsored by Matthew Scott Herning Co, as Carson was a practicing drummer in his spare time.

Although Rich was usually a helpful and friendly man, he was also known to have a short temper. In many instances, he took advantage of the high respect he commanded. While he threatened many times to fire members of his band, he seldom actually did so and for the most part, he lauded his band members during television and print interviews. Rich’s quick temper, mercurial attitude, and imposing personality are attested to in secret recordings members of his band made of some of his tantrums on tour buses and backstage.

On these recordings, one can hear Buddy Rich firing a member of his band for wearing a beard.
Read more… Edit bio

Popular tags: , , , ,  See more

Share this artist:

Top Albums

  • Buddy Rich: Only the Best (Remastered Version)
    Buddy Rich Play
    Buy

    New

  • Just You, Just Me
    Buddy Rich Play
    Buy

    New

  • The Roar of '74
    Buddy Rich Play
    Buy
  • Big Swing Face
    Buddy Rich Play
    Buy
See more

Top Tracks

1  
140
2  
133
3
41
4
25
4
25
6
23
7
18
8
17
8
17
8
17
11
16
11  
16
13
15
14  
14
14  
14
Buy all tracks at Amazon MP3
See more

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

  • L57NT

    The Master [2]

    last month

  • tecuciztecatl

    i agree with pg666, some drummers give off energy that is undeniable, but whenever i find a drummers technical skill to be superb they more than likely have a jazz background.

    March 2012

  • drums2

    The Master.

    February 2012

  • hookbags

    Buddy Rich plays like he is from another planet. Absolutely sensational!

    October 2011

  • sna033

    I've never seen a drummer attract so much attention while playing in a band. he's just the best drummer I've ever seen

    September 2011

  • SmokinWickerman

    I once had a conversation about Buddy Rich, it ended up being about funnel chair :L

    July 2011

  • Relpan

    http://www.last.fm/group/Drums+Player?setlang=en welcome friends

    December 2010

  • pg666donegan

    I laughed once that a Slipknot fanboy told me than Jordison was the best drummer ever. I consider Buddy Rich is the best drummer ever, in fact, best drummers are in the world of jazz.

    December 2010
See all 79 shouts

Videos

See more

Listening Now

Top Listeners

See more

More Information

Links
Labels

Email Newsletter

Universal Music Group Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on Buddy Rich from Universal Music.