Saint Johnny B Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 You know there have been many, many great drummers in the world, but almost all of them mention Buddy Rich when you ask them about their influences and favs. So was he the greatest, or, do you think other surpassed him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleen Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 Was he the "best"? The best what? Best groove player? Best soloist? Best swing drummer? Best rock drummer? Best all-around? He was "best" at making the Buddy Rich Big Band sound great, but if he played with the Beatles, would they have been better? I just don't see how this is something that either has relevance or can honestly be decided. No, I'm not grumpy... recording/mix guy don gunn.com myspace.com/dongunnmusic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
where02190 Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 If you've evern been or heard the tapes from his backstage and on the bus rants, hecertainly qualifies as the biggest a-hole. Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jode Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 There are a lot of factors that make one the "best" at any facet of drumming. Having seen lots of drummers play, and having seen several videos of Buddy, I have to say that he has the most amazing physical control over his instrument of any drummer I've ever seen. The fluidity, the flow he got into while he was playing, the effortlessness of his amazing chops, not to mention the sheer power... Some may criticize Buddy's penchant for bombast, or maybe his musicality; they have a point, although I disagree. But in terms of simply doing some amazing shit on the drums, Buddy was and is the tops. Where did he get those wrists? "I had to have something, and it wasn't there. I couldn't go down the street and buy it, so I built it." Les Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freelance Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I agree that "the best" can mean many things. However, having watched Buddy play several times (live and on several videos) I think he had perhaps the best "technique" of any drummer. His control of dynamics, the speed of his left hand, the innovative use of the hi-hat - all set a standard for every drummer to follow. Could Buddy rock? The times I've seen him play "pop" led me to think he could not (nor did he likely want to). Could Buddy swing? Perhaps like no other drummer ever will. Was he a mean spririted, bombastic guy, maybe - but that does not discount his enormous talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I saw Buddy Rich in the late 70s and almost couldn't believe it. My jaw was dragging the floor most of that night. But the best drummer of all time? Naw, that's Ringo! -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Buddy was unique. Dunno if he's the best ever, but I never saw anyone do what he did better than him.... I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jode Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Originally posted by freelance: Could Buddy rock? The times I've seen him play "pop" led me to think he could not (nor did he likely want to).I dunno... he may not have rocked, but the boy could definitely funk. He could get a great lope going when he wanted to. Ever hear his take on McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey"? Damn. "I had to have something, and it wasn't there. I couldn't go down the street and buy it, so I built it." Les Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super 8 Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 I never got into Buddy, but many of the greatest drummers think he was amazing. However, I think most of his bandmates found him intolerable. So whats the point in being both the greatest drummer and the biggest jerk? All of that technique really doesn't count for that much -especially in a Rock gig. Attitude means more than technique. Now Louie Bellson, there's a drummer you could set your watch to! And a REALLY NICE guy. I had the pleasure of meeting him, and he seemed like a very warm individual. Played the hell out of those drums too! Super 8 Hear my stuff here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Johnny B Posted January 24, 2004 Author Share Posted January 24, 2004 He had a rep as a jerk, but he also had a heart of gold. There's fairly new DVD out on him, well worth a look. Make sure you look in the added features sections, you'll see that image is sometimes misleading. Also they had some very cool shots with the camera pointed up thru the snare drum. I got my DVD at Tower Records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 It just so happens that many artists are jerks, or otherwise unbalanced. Does it somehow diminish a person's professional accomplishments if they had some quirks? I think not. Originally posted by Super 8: So whats the point in being both the greatest drummer and the biggest jerk? I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Yeah, I agree, coyote. Being from L.A. I met a lot of famous people. If I limited the music I enjoy to only those people who were "nice guys" I wouldn't have much left to listen to. Luckily a lot of my "heroes" DID turn out to be nice people, but unfortunately someone's personal attitude often has little to do with the quality of their music. I love Buddy Rich's drumming, BTW. I agree with others that he was the best at what he did. For sure, what he did wouldn't fit into a lot of contexts, but hardly anyone would fit every musical context. What I think the guy had besides monstrous technique and physical prowess, was genuine passion and musicality and a great feel. He didn't seem to sacrifice groove for technicality. His drumming really energized a performance and it always felt instinctive to me, never calculating or contrived. Bottom line I enjoy listening to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzman Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 I think you need to view his work back in the hay-day, not to compare with today's drummers. I think Steve Gadd, and other hot drummers of today play just as hard if not better. He was very good, but also a showboat on stage. He was the featured act. Swing was his thing. If I can remember, he didn't have a whole lot of drums and cymbals to play with, but he used everything he had. I don't think he played the Hi-hat as much as a lot of drummers of today do. My 2 cents worth. Jazzman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jode Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 Originally posted by Jazzman: I don't think he played the Hi-hat as much as a lot of drummers of today do. Grab a copy of "Buddy Rich At The Top" on DVD and rethink your position, my friend. Maybe he didn't keep time on it like a rock drummer does, but Buddy on a hi-hat alone could out-solo most drummers with a full kit. "I had to have something, and it wasn't there. I couldn't go down the street and buy it, so I built it." Les Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Johnny B Posted January 26, 2004 Author Share Posted January 26, 2004 Good point. I'll have to check out the DVD you mentioned, the one I referred to earlier was one of his last performances, done at the King Street Studios in San Francisio. They had a bunch of cutting edge high-tech gear, but I really loved those shots up thru his snare drum. Amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freelance Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 There's an old Buddy joke that goes like this. A "sideman" calls Buddy's house, Buddy's wife answers and says Buddy died. The sideman calls again, asking for Buddy, again he's told that Buddy died. A third time. Finally on the 4th call, Buddy's wife says "I told you 3 times already that Buddy died, why do you keep calling? The sideman says - " I just like hearing it!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Johnny B Posted January 28, 2004 Author Share Posted January 28, 2004 I don't know if you know this about the man, but he really helped a guy who was injured so badly that he was unable to work and he helped the guy's mom save her house. He did this so the guy would not feel beholden to him, it was a secret between Buddy and this guy's Mom. I think that shows Buddy Rich had more than a little heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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