As much as I've missed Buddy for 35 years, the loss of Steve Marcus was huge, too. He was one of the all time great sax players, and he was the one constant in Buddy's band other than Buddy himself. So many of the greats gone. I just feel fortunate to have seen people like Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, and Maynard Ferguson lead their big bands through amazing sets. And every time I saw Buddy, Steve Marcus was there, ripping it up on sax like a monster! I miss those guys...
Sadly, yes, it's the end of a superb era in American Jazz. With Louie it will end, for sure. Morello is well past his prime, and he and Louie are really the only 2 left of that era when talent, determination and dedication to your craft was everything. Buddy, Mel, Joe, Shelly, Louie, Gene, Art, Elvin, these guys set the standard and aside from a very few like Butch Miles and Donny Osborne, none have even come close. And no one will ~
hmmmmmm.... have you not been listening lately? Dennis Chambers, Bissonette, Weckl and many others. They all are doing a good job. I love those masters but the "young" set is doing pretty well for themselves.
I feel sorry 4 them to have had to resort to wearing false Hair...The indignity of it and imagine if it fell off while they were playing? so I admire buddy and Louie 4 having the courage to wear a toupee and still go out and play great drums and win alot of respect...also Now I have Faith in god, I long for the day to see buddy and kathy reunited...just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes
Thanks! Yes, it's a shame that Donny seems to be all but forgotten these days. There are a few videos of him here on YT, but not enough of him OR Butch Miles. Donny is one of the best drummers ever. He certainly deserves a lot more publicity. The "drummers" these days seem to be all about flash, not substance. Huge drum sets and fast chops. NOT my idea of great drumming. I love Mel Lewis' playing. No one like him - or his band - even close today. Nice favorites, by the way ~
Look carefully around 2:15 - I think Buddy's ride cymbal is actually positioned LOWER than his hi-hat. Just awsome player though, what a monster. I love Bellson too. Buddy had the chops, and Krupa could outswing anybody. But I think Bellson was like the best of both worlds. Swung better than Buddy, better chops than Krupa. A happy medium.
Well, yeah I guess you could say that. As for 'better' - it depends what your criteria you're judging on! If you listen to the drum battles, Rich is always fast, smoother, more clinical, and has a certain finesse that goes along with it. Krupa was a bit rougher round the edges but I think he swings better and is more musical. Not that Rich couldn't swing, I just think krupa could swing better, that's all. And Bellson can't really touch Rich technically, like I said, but does swing nicely.
