The legendary Buddy Rich had a love for drumming that spanned nearly seven decades. Buddy remains one of the best and most respected jazz drummers of all time long after his death in '87 due to heart failure following a surgery for a malignant brain tumor.

Buddy Rich Vs. Jerry Lewis

Buddy Rich Vs. Animal

Buddy Rich Drum Solo

Although he never had formal training and never practiced outside of his performances, Buddy played constantly from the age of 1 until his death.
Buddy did not read music, so he always had a drummer at rehearsals to run through the new arrangements. Buddy would listen through once and have it memorized. Bar for bar, Buddy had the natural instincts to drive the band.

Buddy Rich (age 6) as Traps - The Drum Wonder

Althought Buddy did not read music, he did co-publish one of the best-known drum rudiment books, Buddy Rich's Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments, with drum teacher and writer Henry Adler.

Visit Buddy Rich on the web.