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Arguably the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the legendary
Buddy Rich exhibited his love for music through the dedication of his life to the art. His
was a career that spanned seven decades, beginning when Rich was 18 months old and
continuing until his death in 1987. Immensely gifted, Rich could play with remarkable
speed and dexterity despite the fact that he never received a formal lesson and refused to
practice outside of his performances.
Born Bernard Rich to vaudevillians Robert and Bess Rich on September 30, 1917, the famed
drummer was introduced to audiences at a very young age. By 1921, he was a seasoned solo
performer with his vaudeville act, "Traps the Drum Wonder." With his natural
sense of rhythm, Rich performed regularly on Broadway at the age of four. At the peak of
Rich's early career, he was the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world.
Rich's jazz career began in 1937 when he began playing with Joe Marsala at New York's
Hickory House. By 1939, he had joined Tommy Dorsey's band, and he later went on to play
with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Ventura, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa.
Rich was regularly featured in Jazz at the Philharmonic during the late 40s. He also
appeared in such Hollywood films as Symphony of Swing (1939), Ship Ahoy (1942) and How's
About It (1943).
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Rich toured with his own bands and opened two nightclubs,
Buddy's Place and Buddy's Place II. Both clubs were regularly filled to capacity by fans
of the great master drummer. After opening Buddy's Place II, Rich introduced new tunes
with elements of rock into his repertoire, demonstrating his ability to adapt to his
audience's changing tastes and establishing himself as a great rock drummer.
Known for his caustic humor, Rich was a favorite on several television talk shows
including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the Mike Douglas Show, the Dick Cavett Show
and the Merv Griffin Show. During these appearances, Rich entertained audiences through
his constant sparring with the hosts and his slights of various pop singers.
This famed musician received outstanding recognition throughout his career. The Downbeat
Magazine Hall of Fame Award, the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame Award and the Jazz
Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award are just a few of his numerous honors. Rich gained
international attention for such master compositions as his 10-minute West Side Story
medley. During his lengthy career, Rich toured around the globe, performing for millions
of fans and several world leaders including the king of Thailand, the queen of England,
Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan and King Hussein of Jordan.
On April 2, 1987, Rich died of heart failure following surgery for a malignant brain
tumor. Long-time friend, Frank Sinatra, presented the eulogy at Rich's funeral. Today,
Buddy Rich is remembered as one of history's greatest musicians. According to jazz legend
Gene Krupa, Rich was "The greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath."
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Elvin
Jones - Buddy Rich
Buddy
Rich - Tony Bennett
Buddy Rich Louie Bellson
Buddy Rich - Joe
Morello
Buddy Rich - Gene
Krupa
Buddy Rich - Gene
Krupa
Tony Williams -
Buddy Rich 
Buddy Rich - Max
Roach
