BUDDY RICH - IMPOSSIBLE DRUM SOLO | DRUMMER REACTION 

There’s two types of drummers in human history. Buddy Rich and everyone else

Even as an older man, Buddy Rich was the "Gold Standard." He was simply the Best.

Buddy Rich is rated as the greatest drummer of all time, by the greatest drummers of all time ;-)

Buddy is the GOAT, any other answer is crazy

Buddy suffered a heart attack during this solo. He went from the stage to the hospital. There's a good video which covers it and shows the exact moment doctors believe it happened. I was lucky enough to see him live near the end of his career. He had a reputation for being a real a-hole. He would scream and threaten players in the band. One time a player secretly recorded a tantrum on the band bus. It's a classic. The night I saw him, he stopped in the middle of a song and berated the lighting crew and threatened to leave if they didn't get the blue lights a little dimmer. But he was in my opinion the greatest drummer to ever pick up sticks.

No one on earth will ever come close to this man. Absolute fastest hands I've ever seen. Perfect technique. GOAT

He was Neil Peart's (Rush) favorite drummer.

He had a heart attack during the solo. It's insane!

My wife and I use to go to Disneyland just to see Buddy Rich play in the Carnation Plaza. No extra charge and we were able to sit on the floor right in front of him. Great memories.

1979 Newport Jazz Festival at Cardines Baseball Field in Newport RI. From 1 am till sunrise, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie and others jammed until sunrise. We walked in for free! Only a few hundred people in the audience that late. Will never forget it!

"Buddy Rich was not of this world when it came to his drumming skills. One word describes him: GOAT."

And of course there's that time he was on the Muppet Show,

His left hand is incredible.

The man is playing a solo in a suit! Do you know how hot, and uncomfortable that would be ? He was amazing.

Buddy Rich was the greatest drummers' favorite drummer. His control, speed, accuracy, and musicality was best ever . . . still.

I love his undercuts on the cymbals, such a cool technique, and his sticking, I mean his mastery of grip and wrist control is incredible.

Fantastic and even better when he was younger! Next up: Gene Krupa playing in Sing, Sing, Sing.! 1938 Concert at Carnegie Hall (13 mins audio only available.)

I've been a musician since I was a kid (I'll be 57 in a couple weeks) and I started taking taking drum lessons at 6 y/o and then also started taking piano lessons a couple years later (total of ~8 years of lessons on both drums and piano). I was a huge fan of Buddy Rich and his jazz contemporary, Louis Bellson, all through my childhood (in addition to rock drummers like Danny Seraphine, Phil Collins and Bobby Colomby) and my parents brought me to see Buddy Rich play live with his big band 2 or 3 times when I was between 10 and 12 in the mid 70's. He was an incredible drummer with jaw dropping technique, but as a couple other commenters mentioned, he wasn't known as the "nicest person" in the world and I had a run in with that attitude. During a break in his sets at Sandy's Jazz Club in Beverly, MA, Buddy was outside the front of the club smoking and my father asked if I'd like to go meet him, to which I instantly said "Yes"! When we got out there, Buddy was talking to another guy and my dad politely interrupted and introduced himself and then said "Buddy, this is my son Neal. He's a drummer and he'd love to meet you". Buddy looked at me without a smile, said "Hi" and shook my hand for a half second and then promptly turned around and restarted the conversation with the other guy. After that moment, my infatuation with Buddy quickly faded because in my mind, being a shit human being outweighed being a world class musician. To add some contrast, I met Louis Bellson a couple years later after his soundcheck at a local music theater where I was volunteering as an usher. I was the only person in the seats and as he came up the aisle, I said "Mr. Bellson, my name is Neal and I'm a drummer. I have one of your albums and I love your playing". He stopped, whipped around, grabbed my hand and said "Nice to meet you, Neal! Thank you and keep on drumming!" If you've never heard Louis Bellson, you should check him out. Not only was he the first person to use double bass drums, but he was a great writer/arranger and IMO, his drum technique was on an equal par with Buddy and I thought he was more creative with use of different sounds.

What is more amazing is the age he is doing it at! Now you know why that was Neil Peart's idol.! No specific order but my three favorites Peart, Rich and Bonham. 🥁🥁

Buddy Rich was 65 years old in this clip. It was part of Sinatra’s Concert for The Americas in the Dominican Republic in 1982. Rich underwent open heart surgery shortly after. He recovered well and he died in 1987

I love the idea that your Dad was a drummer .

I grew up in a jazz town... Early 70s.. Duke Ellington/, And Emerson Lake and Palmer..

OUT OF THIS WORLD .

Un-freaking-believable 🤯

He was pretty old here. Holy cow is all I can say.

Buddy Rich vs Animal is one of the greatest drum battles of all time

These answer is: He is the most fierce jazz drummer of all time who led his own orgestra and his legacy as the greatest drummer of all time." Who is Buddy Rich?"

Hey Brother. It’s funny How this particular solo seemed to end up on everybody’s playlist but really if you want to see buddy at his very best with his killer band look up Buddy Rich West Side Story drum solo in Cologne, Germany. One of the best recorded videos of Buddy. Btw he could not read music, never practiced, and could not explain how he could play like that. His lack of ability to read music was actually an embarrassment to him but he worked much more than most drummers because his mind was so quick ... he could hear a tune once and play it back instantly ....he had an amazing memory and was really just a gift from the musical Gods.

Thanks for reacting to the phenomenal Buddy Rich!!! Saw him live many, many, many years ago as a kid!!!!! Dating myself…had no idea!!!!🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

His drum solo, "It Doesn't Get Better Than This" is about 9 minutes ... astonishing.& he doesn't have a heart attack during it...saw Buddy 6 times...

He played that wearing a Tuxedo....

Crazy that his hand speed was so incredible that he could do a drum roll with just one hand. 😳

Thank you for showing this video and I always enjoy young people's comments on Buddy Rich thank you so much

Look up the drum challenge with Buddy Rich vs. Animal on Sesame Street. A great guitar solo is during the TV show, “The Odd Couple.” Roy Clark plays so well the entire staff stops and just watches.

Untouchable and every drummer everywhere knows it.

For any drummer, knowing all about Buddy Rich is like knowing Michael Jordan if you’re into basketball. Plain and simple. That’s the center of everything, right there.

When I saw him on johnny Carson telling the viewer what happens when tours and playing the drums watch him on johnny Carson.

Buddy Rich always flys like a bird with no fear.

There is one in black & white, he’s younger, it’s even crazier.

Buddy Rich wasn't a big fan of rock and roll, but he did have at least one compliment for a rock drummer and that was Bill Bruford (Yes and King Crimson). He said of Bill, "Kid's got good hands." That's quite a compliment coming from Buddy.

And in a tuxedo, no less!! Haha

Buddy Rich is the GOAT!

This was off the charts! How many times did he seamlessly go from one tempo to another? And his control was like no other. Remember when you did Santana at Woodstock, and Michael Shrieve? His drumming was influenced by Rich, I'll bet.

What everyone forgets is that you're watching him in his 50's and 60's. The guy peaked in the 1940's and 50's and yet he still blows you away today. One last point. He does it all with just a 7 piece drumset. Feel free to point out any other drummer who does same.

Buddy was Neils hero growing up and life long dream to play with him. he finally did. its on you tube.

King of the snare drum.

Your analysis and judgement was spot on.....very honest....

Sounds like 'Something's Coming', from 'West Side Story' that the band returns to briefly before ending. Always was a treat to catch Buddy on late night TV, or prime time variety, for that matter. Phenom, dudeman! 😮😂👍✌😘🎶

Best drummer ever!

The looks on your face were priceless 😳

Buddy, Gene Krupa were pioneers of great drummers but don't sleep on Carl Palmer of ELP! Carl has some cool solo videos too.

My dad was a session musician and band leader in the Cleveland area back in the 50s and early 60s but he would not gig away from the area. When a major act would come to town they always found him to sit in. He would take me to rehearsal and at 8-9 years old I didn't realize that the great musicians of the day were right in front of me. An old guy came up to me when the rehearsal stopped for a break, and said "I saw you watching me do you want to try it? "I sat down banging away, after my arms got tired I stopped. Buddy Rich could be mean at times but I never saw that. Looking back now. I'm dumbstruck. I also sat At Gene Krupa's drum kit, sat and tried to play piano with Duke Ellington and Count Basie. the whole time with no appreciation of what I was doing. One time when the Motown tour hit town I was running around the stage and a lady asked me to sit down and play cards with her. I did and the rehearsal went on. I recognized the card lady a month later on a Supremes album cover, so I played cards with Diana Ross as well. Like I said, dumbstruck.

He had either small stroke or mild heart attack ( some sources say a mild heart attack and others a mild stroke) during this performance and just kept going 😳. ☮️💜

The best ever drummer.

Dont feel bad. Neil Peart himself looked up to Buddy Rich. One of the coolest things I ever saw was a drum battle between Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and Sammy Davis jr. tapdancing. All call and response

The #1 Drummer, Bar none!

Every drummer in the world looks up to Buddy. One of a kind, started performing when he was 5. He does things with one hand, that takes me 3 hands to copy! Lol he couldn't read music, so he had someone tell him how to play it, then he remembered it from then on---fabulous! No one can ever replicate him, maybe they learn some of his licks, but he was pure genius and so, unique.

Your dad's marching band analogy is a really good one for learning how to solo. I need to remember that for my students. I mean, with a few more details, but yeah. That's good. My marching band experience was definitely helpful to my kit drumming, now that you mention it.

Buddy was the goat of all goats.

Chod you looked like a kid in a candy store watching this. Your turn. Let's see you play!🥁

You are very insightful. Looking forward to watching you play.

Check out Larnell Lewis with Snarky Puppy. Not quite the virtuosic fireworks of BR... but his groove is insane. Check out Lingus... amazing keyboard solo by Cory Henry in that one as well.

The preview picture shown is not from the concert where the the impossible solo was played, that was the Frank Sinatra show in South America. The pic is from the supposed lost tapes from a Buddy Rich show that was intended to be a TV special in 1982 but was never shown on TV. There were many famous jazz greats that played with the BR big band, you should see it if you can, the DVD with the all stars i haven't been able to find, it's surly out there somewhere.

Look up Colin Bowden’s drum solo. 85 years old, and he’s still “got it!”

Never seen speed like that before in my life. Not the speed of sound breaking barrier but the speed of light.

Buddy Rich was amazing; I saw him several times and he was from the Big Band Era of great drummers, including the equally great Gene Krupa. You should try to find some of his performances. Loved this though.😊❤️

John Bonham solo is a MUST see!

Buddy could do everything, but he will always be best known as the master of the single stroke roll.

all great rock drummers studied Rich

Dude is an enigma. Coked up and smoking fools like mop and glow

CHOD,IT IS GREAT TO SEE A DRUMMER WATCH MR RICH...ALL MY BEST,KENT IN OHIO

If you want, the drummer from Nuclear Assault played Sonar. A great sound , very unique

I saw Buddy live at Knotts Berry Farm when I was in the Marines back in the 70s. He is absolutely amazing.

He was with Sinatra at the Concert For The America's in Rio Dr Janerio .It was hot he was older and had a heart attack after this performance.

Artistry! Speed, imagination, clarity, and control- He does it all in that solo, and he's wearing a tux! Did you notice his left hand, it was like a precision machine☺

I recorded this off TV...PBS channel...when it came out, wore out the tape watching this over and over and over and over... Buddy was in his late 60s when this was recorded. He started playing at 18 months old, his parents were Vaudeville performers so he was well versed in many aspects of entertainment performance. As a drummer of 40 years now I think Buddy was the best ever, he sits in the throne and there are 5 or 6 others who occupy the chairs directly beneath him. His ending, the snare roll slowing down then speeding up with a ferocious blast of cymbals is something I stole directly from him when I end my solos. At 3:30 of THIS video (not the solo video on its own) he does a 5 stroke roll that I am STILL trying to get down. The accents he plays to make it sound the way it does is what's tough. Had had a minor stroke during this performance at about 5:50 in this video, it was the result of a previous incident. He was taken to a hospital right after he left the stage but was released being okay. Something that has eluded me is what happens at 5:56. A member of the band walks over and makes some kind of adjustments to the hi-hat and cymbal stands and for the life of me I cannot figure out WHY. I have seen this exact same action on two other videos and I honestly think it's a little something of an act for the audience's benefit...something to make them say "Ohhh, wonder what's going on there?" when there really isn't anything going on. I wrote to Cathy Rich (his daughter) and asked, but never got a reply. Having been a participant of the very first ever Drum-Off competition in San Diego and for many years after that, making it to the store level finals twice, I have learned a lot about soloing. I was also asked to be a judge for the primary store level competitions for three years. The most important thing about playing a solo is to be musical and entertaining. There must be a beginning, a middle and an end. A competent soloist will know what he is going to do ahead of time, it's rehearsed with a little room here and there for improvisation. I just love playing drums, it's SOOOO much fun!!

he was a natural

Check out Cozy Powell's 'Dance with the Devil'! Amazing drum-solo single, that topped the UK charts in the late 70's!

I was lucky enough to see him live a few years before he passed away . Just an incredible 🥁 drummer.

Check out a drummer named Dennis Chambers. I know of him by his work with John McLaughlin. He has vids on RU-vid. I saw Buddy Rich and his band at the Whiskey a Go Go, A small club in Los Angeles, in 1968, from which a live album was recorded. I was blown away!

Check out Buddy's Drum solo at The Hague ...best I've seen of his inventory .

one technique of that kind of speed ( and buddy used this) is the mueller techique. the bass coming in with the left hand creates triplets. a very cool technique!

Did u catch that one handed buzzroll?!?!?! PEOPLE can't do that anymore today hahahaha

The drum equivalent of humming bird wings.

I saw him late in his career playing at a local high school gym to a small audience n he was absolutely fabulous!! The cool thing was he picked the songs as he went along. He didn’t talk to the band, but instead started a drum rhythm!! EACH SONG had a special tag rhythm he would play! The band listened n then scrambled to find the sheet music!!! 😂 Got to shake his hand at the end. Life highlight! Watch his number done with the great Eleanor Powell as she danced!!!

It is said.that Buddy had new cymbals for every gig and his bass drum was changed by Ludwig and he used slightly heavy 7A wood tip drum sticks.

I seen him do this when I was a kid. Amazing to see live and his band was awesome.

Ian Paice from Deep Purple was inspired by him. Check him out The Mule Copenhagen 1972. Buddy Rich is the King.

Brother your expression said it all it was the wtf look 😂😂😂

Reading up on him, he started drumming at the age of...2. He was a drumming child prodigy and a money-making main event by the age of...4. He'd been drumming for his entire conscious life.

It's Buddy's left hand stuff that gets me every time....not sure anyone in recent memory had a traditional LH technique as fast & adept like Buddy Rich....luv the West Side Story solo context as well...phenomenal of course...thx for the post

Have you heard Terry Bozzio , he has like a 200 piece set ,!!!!

Wow!

And that's Buddy in his 60's. He slowed up a bit by then.

Big Mac is one funky ass song by Mr. Rich. I think you will love it!

Is this solo in the midst of a big band rendition of Bernstein's Tonight from West Side Story? That's what the ending melodic line sounded like to me.

"old white guy".. 😂

Don't ever doubt yourself. Don't think, just let the feel flow. Just by your passion, you got it.

I'm like Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle....

He was having a heart attack while he was performing that solo, I heard!!!