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Buddy Rich | | Background information | Birth name | Bernard Rich | Also known as | Traps the Drum Wonder (as a boy) and "B" (as an adult) | Born | September 30, 1917(1917-09-30) | Origin | Brooklyn, New York | Died | April 2, 1987 (aged 69) | Genre(s) | Jazz, Big band | Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, bandleader | Instrument(s) | drums and percussion | Years active | 1919–1987 | | | | |
Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer, bandleader and former Marine. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer"[1] and was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed. Contents[hide] * 1 Early life * 2 Big band success and later life * 3 Drumming technique * 4 The West Side Story Medley * 5 Channel One Suite * 6 Personality * 7 Death and legacy * 8 References * 9 External links |
[edit] Early life
Rich was born in Brooklyn, New York to vaudevillians Robert and Bess Rich.[2] His talent for rhythm was first noted by his father, who saw that Buddy could keep a steady beat with spoons at the age of one. He began playing drums in vaudeville when he was 18 months old, billed as "Traps the Drum Wonder." At the peak of Rich's childhood career, he was reportedly the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world (after Jackie Coogan). At 11 he was performing as a bandleader. He received no formal drum instruction, and went so far as to claim that instruction would only degrade his musical talent. He also never admitted to practicing, claiming to play the drums only during performances. He expressed great admiration for, and was influenced by, the playing of Chick Webb, Gene Krupa, Dave Tough, and Jo Jones, among others.
He first played jazz in 1937 with Joe Marsala's group with guitarist Jack Lemaire, then played with Bunny Berigan (1938) and Artie Shaw (1939). In 1939, Rich taught drums to the young