Buddy Rich - Blues in the Closet

Buddy Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. Before he turned two, he was part of his parents’ act on vaudeville circuits, but on breaks he would sneak into the orchestra pit and try to get the drummer’s sticks. In his teens he led a band and toured in the U.S. and Australia. At fifteen he became the second highest paid child entertainer behind #JackieCoogan during the 1930s. His jazz career began in 1937. He became a member of big bands led by Bunny Berigan and Artie Shaw. When he was home from touring with Shaw, he gave drum lessons to a 14-year-old Mel Brooks for six months. In 1942, Rich left the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra band to join the Marines, in which he served as a judo instructor, and never saw combat. In 1946, with financial support from Frank Sinatra, he formed a band and continued to lead bands intermittently until through the 80s. Gene Krupa described him as “the greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath.“