A friend of mine and I met Ed after a show in 1992...two kids just finding our way musically. He was a class act and spent about 40 minutes talking to us about how we could improve and how he got started. He didn't have too, but believe me, we will never forget that day and we are always grateful for the moment and the memory. May you rest peacefully for eternity, Ed. You were a gentleman and a great soul.
Met him at a local convention, he actually stood in line for BBQ ! I asked him "What's Doc really like ?" He laughed and told me "Most people ask me about Johnny !" lol
Great tribute to a great drummer. I discovered him by watching Buddy on the Tonight Show in the early 1970s. Hopefully he will never be forgotten because he influenced a lot of players.
Wythe Trumpet Buddy Rich loved him Too and always complemented him so did Louie in this video! Plus Johnny wasn’t a great drummer but understood great drumming and picked the best!!!
Absolutely beautiful video on the Great Ed Shaughnessy. I first performed with Doc and Ed in June 1967..when our late wonderful director, Paul Semicek brought them in as guest stars, for our annual FESTIVAL OF STARS event. Rest peacefully Brother Ed..your magnificent Spirit and talent enriched the world 🌎 Most respectfully..Vaughn Nark 🎺
Ed Shaughnessy played on five Count Basie LP's and sounded fantastic. If you watch any of Johnny Carson re-runs (on RU-vid), you can hear the Tonight Show Big Band play uninterrupted during the commercials. Incredible performances!
Wow, the irony in his opening sentence!! When I was 29 I met Ed in Vancouver,WA. in 2000-1? after watching him play. (he kicked ass that night imho too) But I'll never forget what I said to him...or REALLY, what he said back to me, without 'missing a beat'! I said, "Mr. Shaughnessy, your a real inspiration sir!" His reply: "Yea, well 1 of these days I might fuckin get it right!!" RIP Ed, mission accomplished.....
Such a great guy and teacher! I had the honor and pleasure of studying with Ed at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. Just sitting and talking with him was always such a pleasure and education. He is truly missed!
Yes, Great Person. I, met Him at Skidmore one night,when He interned, w/ Milt Hinton. . We, walked in together and laughed as we both kept saying You First as I held the Door.. I, did not ask for anything from Him but wish now , we could have spoke more on His life. Drummers today Do Not live this kind of life or come up on the real side of Music/ Drumming it seems.Thanks Ed....
I've always had such a Love for the Drummer's of this Era. I was always taught to Learn the History of Your Instrument, and Ed S. Was always a Inspiration. I used to stay up Late at nite Watching Late Nite TV to see Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, Ed Shaunessey on Johnny Carson and Vinnie Caliauta on Joan Rivers Show. Rest in Peace Ed.
Miss you Ed. You were the greatest sit down and talk at the NAMM show cat I have ever run in to. I will save all the stuff he related to me - he was NOT afraid to talk about anything or anyone musical at any time. I love you man.
What a great guy he was!... Had the honor of meeting him and hanging out with him briefly at a drum clinic in Birmingham AL. It was shortly after Buddy Rich had passed away back in 1987. (Wow, doesn't really seem that long ago. My, how time flies). He thought a lot of Buddy and spoke highly of him. Ed was super nice and it was a pleasure to hang out with him in such a laid back setting without all the "buzz" of his fame and such. He was just a regular guy that day. R.I.P. Ed Shaughnessy
I remember the saxophone player saying that the Tonight Show studio setup was so horrible acoustically and that in order to compensate, Ed had learned to play the drums slightly out of sync so that everything would get together by time the sound made it to the microphones out front.
What a great drummer and what a great guy. He was the first player I ever saw at a drum clinic when I was thirteen. I was also a huge Carson fan, so it was doubly exciting. it's sad to see him go, but it sounds like he had a great life. We should all be so blessed.
Just wonderful I never knew Big Band Ed was from Jersey until I helped at Sam Ash in cherry Hill NJ in one of his clinics Mike S a co worker picked him up at the Airport mike was also a fine drummer and a Ludwig man and a Ed S lover he was in heaven before during and after this clinic it was a joy to learn see Ed up close and personal as a Jersey boy myself I was truly proud and pleased a played a small part that day RIP ES
I went to a clinic that Mr. Shaughnessy put on at the Santa Monica Civic center. That was back in 74'. That information was foundational in my playing and learning of drum play. Awesome drummer, lifelong teacher.
Ed S. is one of the greatest drummers ever. his "battles"with Buddy were breathtaking on the tonight show. Yet he was so down to earth and honest. How unusual and wonderful is that?
I got his autograph in the early 80s right before he took the field and played his kit with Illinois State University's Big Red Marching machine. He was in the back of the band's equipment truck playing rudiments on a piece of carpet over his knee and when they announced him, I asked for a quick picture and autograph, he was cool enough to do so.
Nice,Don....I studied with Ed in the 60's and remained friends with him till the end.He had a tremendous influence on my drumming career,and I still teach the things he taught me.
That was so enjoyable. I am the poorer for not having seen years ago. I loved his tonight show battle with Buddy Rich, seeing it on the night the show was first broadcast.
Fantastic video! I had the honor of hearing Ed play and speaking with him on several occasions. Always friendly and humble. His autograph is in my drum room.
Thanks for posting, used to tune into Carson at night as a kid just to listen to Ed, and maybe you got lucky and Buddy or Louie visited and played, I was always a Louis fan
I've always thought that his playing relationship with brass was exceptional especially in that his cymbals seem to blend with the horn hits so perfectly and somehow enhance their tone rather than just 'being there'. So when he mentioned a prime reason for wanting to join the Tonight Show band was the brass it made perfect sense to me. What is it about his cymbal work that makes it so special?
RIP Ed............Not until I learnt of your passing..........I solidly admired your performance on Johnny's show.........you and Buddy.............you went simply too soon.........Thank You Ed.....enough said
Said this on other videos but I had the pleasure of playing in a drum battle with Ed back in 1988 during the writer's strike. He was doing drum clinics and played with our jazz band as a headliner at our high school. I was spending much of the day setting up not only my gear but his (it was shipped ahead of him) so when he arrived most of his kit was generally ready. A spur of the moment thing, he decided we were going to take one of the songs and make a drum battle out of it. I will forever be grateful for Ed giving me that "fifteen minutes" and for his mentoring.
As a drummer, when I pass and go to heaven, I really hope some of these guys will give me lessons. I think I'm pretty good but it's better that you don't know better.
Ed was a true master of his craft. He ranks right up there with the true greats like Buddy Rich,Gene Krupa and Louis Belson. A lot of the younger people today have no clue as to what a great drummer sounds like.
In July of 1969 Jimi Hendrix made a rare TV appearance on the Tonight Show with Billy Cox in bass and Ed Shaughnessy sitting in on drums. I watched this video hoping Ed might mention it. I saw the show that night but sadly the video tape is lost (erased as the legend has it) and all that remains is an audio tape made from a TV speaker. Flip Wilson was the guest host that night. Jimi's amp blew half way thru the solo and Ed and Billy continued to jam for a bit and then they broke for a commercial to fix the problem. They came back for a rousing version of "Lover Man." You can listen to it here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eLofWkoBQI0.html
Great teacher and musician. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice, very nice guy. Thanks Don for posting. Be sure to read Ed' biography, if you're a drummer you'll find it hard to put down.
I, met Ed at Saratoga N.Y. He was doing a summer internship w/ Milt Hinton. Was ,walking up to an entrance to a small show they were doing . Ed approached from the other side . So I said after You , He said no after You .We traded a few of those and walked in . He was super cool ,Wish I spent some time w/ Him . Didn't even ask for an autograph. He towered over Me , very big dude ,and was having some trouble walking at that time.
Great guy and amazing musician.. It always makes me sad to see all these greats gone.. I suppose I live in the past because it was simply superior. You do not see the level of musicianship now as we did in the past. Not even close.. Think of the days when Buddy Rich was a regular on late night and would tear down the house...
Great video. I learned a lot about Ed I didn't know before. To keep up with the Tonight Show band monsters you had to be on top of your game, and Ed was more than up to the task - and then some. I wish I would've got to know him personally.
