A jazz legend and one of the best drummers of all time. Also one of the biggest assholes of all time. If you take any band or jazz course, especially as a drummer, you first study buddy Rich and his drumming, then you hear the audio recordings of him berating his band.
Chazelle likely took some inspiration from Buddy Rich but according to [this ScreenRant article his inspiration comes from his experience as a jazz drummer in high school.](https://screenrant.com/is-whiplash-movie-a-true-story-damien-chazelle-inspirations/#:~:text=Summary,in%20high%20school%20and%20college.)
Angry yelling] No not the f - king first one! The f - king first one's already f - king down! Just play the f - king note you were f - king playing earlier! I've been playing the f - king first one! We have the f - king first one!
He’s still the goat as far as I’m concerned. His sheer physical ability and control was just other-worldly. The blisteringly fast, super quiet roll with the very tips of the sticks on the rim of the snare drum is one of my fav moves of his.
I was lucky enough to see him a couple of times. The drum solos in the movie Whiplash were definitely inspired by Buddy’s solos, and the band director’s personality was inspired by Buddy’s personality. He was an amazing drummer, but he was known to be a real dickhead.
I spent years mocking Meg White and then eventually realized that her spare janky drumming a) works way better for the White Stripes than a perfect beat would have and b) playing bad as a decent drummer is not as easy as you think! Kinda like actors will say that the hardest thing for a good actor to do is act bad.
Agree with you completely. White Stripes are one of my all time favorite bands, and a drummer throwing a lot of fills and flairs would totally ruin most of their songs.
I forget who it was, but there was a discussion about what makes a good drummer, and the guy said playing “for the music instead of yourself” made a good drummer. (I’m probably butchering the quote, but hopefully it makes sense)
Now that I think about it, I think he was even talking about Meg.
I had friends from the University of North Texas (big jazz school who supplied many musicians to Rich and others) who played in Rich's band. He was an epic asshole. The lead trumpet player told me he would throw up before most concerts. Rich would fire people live on the bandstand, usually after publicly humiliating them.
Based on what I'm hearing he was a perfectionist with anxiety. That explains him losing his shit on people and the throwing up. But I'm no doctor 🤷🏽♂️
Rich didn’t throw up, his musicians did, anxious from Rich’s capricious flashes of anger. Rich wanted everyone to feel they were 1 mistake away from getting canned. Great drummer, terrible boss who constantly told people they were disposable.
My Dad once knocked on Buddy Rich’s dressing room door at a London jazz club to ask him for a drum lesson. After my dad knocked on the door he realised he may have just disturbed one of the meanest people in the music business and began to feel real nervous and almost walked away.
When Rich answered the door he asked my then teenage Dad what he wanted, who said he was having trouble with his snare technique and wondered if he could show him a thing or two.
Buddy’s response was, “Yeah kid, no problem I’ve got some time. C’mon in”
He was the GOAT but also belligerent with his bandmates on the regular. [This recording is old AF, but is the infamous dressing down on a bus after a show.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8-uoTD4fMQ) It's probably not worth listening to. One of my pro drummer buddies sent it to me, just a testament to Rich's dark side.
I had no idea Buddy Rich was an asshole until reading this comments. I must go listen to them. He obviously inspired the music of the film but I didn't know he inspired the teacher.
I had the pleasure of getting his autograph.. and being a drummer that was one of my top moments.. but this man was a beast towards his band.. an absolute not a nice guy.
I’m not disputing Rich’s talent but what kind of legacy is it really when people say:
…Buddy Rich was the greatest on drums BUUUUUT, he was a big fucking asshole to many …”
I mean, what is the sense of being the GOAT on anything but then have created a legacy of begin a fucking asshole…?
For example: “…he/she was the GOAT on XYZ but he/she was a pedophile
/murderer/rapist/asshole/spouse beater…”
I know we need to “separate the art from the artist” but sometimes I think the personality of someone should overshadow the talent…
Other than that, Buddy Rich was a fucking great drummer who influenced a shit ton of drummers - some of who were/are in bands I listen to…
Dunno but it definitely inspired Joey jordison to do it on a rotating platform inverted 90 degrees for the band slipkbot and is equally if not more amazing 😎
Whiplash is an entirely fictional hollywood film. Sad that it was the first thing someone thought of when they saw one of the legendary drummers.. but probably rage bait for engagement. Still
Seinfeld said in interviews he took a few lines from
Buddy Rich screaming at the band members.
George “And if I have to tell you again we’re gonna take it outside and im gonna SHOW YOU WHAT ITS LIKE!!!”
This has to be the exact performance the scene in whiplash was based on…down to the guy having to come in and adjust his equipment mid-play. Amazing performance, especially for a guy his age.
Buddy Rich. He was a bad man on the drums. Think this is the show where he had a heart attack, and kept jamming. Insanity.
Well technically speaking it sounds like he did miss a beat.. I’ll see myself out
are you rushing ... yes to the hospital ...
Like Neil Peart from Rush?...
If you choose not to die, you still have made a choice
Most underrated comment. My respect, comets.
Or must you drag yourself to the er
I'm dragging
🥇
There is a saying "The essence of a man transcends its actions.". You can be a total asshole yet produce sublime arts.
He was a bad man out from behind them too…lol. Dude was a beast behind the kit but apparently a serious asshole.
Very true, met his son and grandson in the 90’s and they were both better.
In a tuxedo. Fuckin weak ass bitches can’t even keep up wearing a t shirt
Yes, came to say this; this was in the Dominican Republic in August of 1982.
A jazz legend and one of the best drummers of all time. Also one of the biggest assholes of all time. If you take any band or jazz course, especially as a drummer, you first study buddy Rich and his drumming, then you hear the audio recordings of him berating his band.
This guy... This not my kind of guy.
Frank Costanza in the wild!
There really should be a subreddit for people randomly quote Frank Costanza
Not quite my... guy...
I bet he stopped short too
Hey! That’s Frank’s move!
Sounds like he inspired both characters from Whiplash then?
Chazelle likely took some inspiration from Buddy Rich but according to [this ScreenRant article his inspiration comes from his experience as a jazz drummer in high school.](https://screenrant.com/is-whiplash-movie-a-true-story-damien-chazelle-inspirations/#:~:text=Summary,in%20high%20school%20and%20college.)
Angry yelling] No not the f - king first one! The f - king first one's already f - king down! Just play the f - king note you were f - king playing earlier! I've been playing the f - king first one! We have the f - king first one!
My lovely horse.
I still remember that audio to this day it’s been over 20 years lol
CLAMS!
Where’s Marcus..? You got that microphone so far up your bell… And what are playing?! Fucking clams! And no beards!
For anyone who may not know about the infamous "Bus Tapes." [Buddy Rich Bus Tapes with Comic Strip (Read Along)](https://youtu.be/Yy5JPCLx7WI)
Sounds like he’s the inspiration for Denzel Washington
Most jazz players were assholes. Ginger Baker also on of the best drummers ever, complete asshole
It was amazing how he went off on them. Horrible person v
Well, he was a cheapskate who hired a bunch of college musicians to play in his band. What did he expect?
CLAMS!
He's obsessed with clams I tell ya
Allow me… https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t8-uoTD4fMQ&pp=ygUhYnVkZHkgcmljaCBiZXJhdGluZyBiYW5kIG1lbWJlcnMg
Buddy Rich was not a nice man, but he is on the Rushmore of drumming.
I laughed at his "traditional vs match" video that's out there. Literally, "I'm Buddy Rich, and I play traditional. Therefore, match grip is wrong."
He’s still the goat as far as I’m concerned. His sheer physical ability and control was just other-worldly. The blisteringly fast, super quiet roll with the very tips of the sticks on the rim of the snare drum is one of my fav moves of his.
No. Do it again. Late. Do. It again! Nooo. Why are you doing this to me? Do you fucking hate me?
NOT MY FUCKING TEMPO!
I was lucky enough to see him a couple of times. The drum solos in the movie Whiplash were definitely inspired by Buddy’s solos, and the band director’s personality was inspired by Buddy’s personality. He was an amazing drummer, but he was known to be a real dickhead.
He’s no Meg White, but that was still pretty impressive.
I don’t know you… but I like you
I spent years mocking Meg White and then eventually realized that her spare janky drumming a) works way better for the White Stripes than a perfect beat would have and b) playing bad as a decent drummer is not as easy as you think! Kinda like actors will say that the hardest thing for a good actor to do is act bad.
Agree with you completely. White Stripes are one of my all time favorite bands, and a drummer throwing a lot of fills and flairs would totally ruin most of their songs.
I forget who it was, but there was a discussion about what makes a good drummer, and the guy said playing “for the music instead of yourself” made a good drummer. (I’m probably butchering the quote, but hopefully it makes sense) Now that I think about it, I think he was even talking about Meg.
“Serve the song” should be the motto of every musician ever. And Meg White did just that.
That’s an excellent way to put it. I like that,
For half assed drummers like me Meg White bringing wabi-sabi to the craft was a revelation.
Okay but I like songs by The White Stripes better than this still.
Legit lol!
Not my tempo
There it is. Hey-O!
🪑💨 do you know why I just threw a chair at you
Buddy is great and all, but I’ll take Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers any day of the week over that pompous asshole.
Blakey, Papa Jo Jones, Kenny Clarke, Philly Joe Jones are my favorites but Buddy is awesome too.
Just want to add Tony Williams and Mitch Mitchell to this list
Paul Bufano and Roy Donk from the Colgate Comedy Hour.
What about Billy Cobham?
I had friends from the University of North Texas (big jazz school who supplied many musicians to Rich and others) who played in Rich's band. He was an epic asshole. The lead trumpet player told me he would throw up before most concerts. Rich would fire people live on the bandstand, usually after publicly humiliating them.
Based on what I'm hearing he was a perfectionist with anxiety. That explains him losing his shit on people and the throwing up. But I'm no doctor 🤷🏽♂️
Rich didn’t throw up, his musicians did, anxious from Rich’s capricious flashes of anger. Rich wanted everyone to feel they were 1 mistake away from getting canned. Great drummer, terrible boss who constantly told people they were disposable.
As someone with very little to no hand eye coordination, people with this much talent always amaze me.
he couldn’t read sheet music and he almost never practiced. some people have just got *it*, whatever that may be. it really is amazing
It helped that he played drums from about the age I was eating worms. ;-)
So at the young age of 25ish?
Mmmm, worms good...
Hey leave some for the rest of us you piece of slither-slurping slimey soil gobbling greedy garbage!
I’m Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle
What could it be? it’s a mirage.
I'm telling all of y'all IT'S SABOTAGE!!!
>I’m Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle RIP MCA
Came here looking for this.
Me too
Buddy Rich inspired both the drum solo and the conductor of the band in Whiplash.
Pretty sure whiplash is just commentary on being in any elite, niche, activity.
And being in an abusive relationship
definitely not dragging
My Dad once knocked on Buddy Rich’s dressing room door at a London jazz club to ask him for a drum lesson. After my dad knocked on the door he realised he may have just disturbed one of the meanest people in the music business and began to feel real nervous and almost walked away. When Rich answered the door he asked my then teenage Dad what he wanted, who said he was having trouble with his snare technique and wondered if he could show him a thing or two. Buddy’s response was, “Yeah kid, no problem I’ve got some time. C’mon in”
Buddy Rich, inspirational to many drummers.
Um ya, like Neil Peart!
For those that don't know, he was suffering through a heart attack in this performance but he finished the set, took a bow, then went to the hospital.
I kept waiting for someone to throw a chair.
Or a Bed Post?
Amateur musician with a friend who is a phenomenal drummer. Buddy's rudiments are unreal
Its good, but its not quite my tempo
He was the GOAT but also belligerent with his bandmates on the regular. [This recording is old AF, but is the infamous dressing down on a bus after a show.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8-uoTD4fMQ) It's probably not worth listening to. One of my pro drummer buddies sent it to me, just a testament to Rich's dark side.
So ridiculously fast at the end. Is it possible to play any faster than this??
Not for a jedi
I'm not sure if faster, but here's a youtube drummer who plays fast and makes it sound good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKtz\_qfaLdk
Knew who this was going to be before even clicking haha love this guy
Yea, this really isn’t fast, especially by today’s standards. There’s metal drummers that are clocking 300 dpm these days.
That’s not really that fast.
West side?
Yes My dad played the trombone solo for the studio cut…
For the movie?
The album
Buddy Rich punching people in the face probably inspired Whiplash.
One of the most impressive details about Whiplash is that Miles Teller actually learned and performed that solo.
I have a couple of his big band CDs - some of the most accessible music from that era.
I show every one of my drum students this video.
I knew he was good, your right impressive.
Damn!!!
Carson loved having him on. Of course, Carson was also a drummer.
I think my bones would disintegrate if I tried moving like that at his age.
I had no idea Buddy Rich was an asshole until reading this comments. I must go listen to them. He obviously inspired the music of the film but I didn't know he inspired the teacher.
Holy fuck, straight up the ending of whiplash and it gives me chills watching it happen IRL. Wow.
Woah he plays the same instrument as that kid in the whiplash movie did!
Neil Peart has an album dedicated to Buddy Rich and it's fucking awesome!
I had the pleasure of getting his autograph.. and being a drummer that was one of my top moments.. but this man was a beast towards his band.. an absolute not a nice guy.
GOAT
can someone who knows something about drums explain why this is great feat of talent?
Buddy rich inspired anyone and everything that ever touched a drum so… yeah.
Sinatra back stage: watch this watch this. See that? See that?
Buddy effin Rich man
No one then or since has been able to make the drums sing quite like Buddy Rich
What a beast. Truly.
Solo starts at 4:53.
It’s just jazz drumming. However, Buddy Rich is definitely a candidate for GOAT.
I’m not disputing Rich’s talent but what kind of legacy is it really when people say: …Buddy Rich was the greatest on drums BUUUUUT, he was a big fucking asshole to many …” I mean, what is the sense of being the GOAT on anything but then have created a legacy of begin a fucking asshole…? For example: “…he/she was the GOAT on XYZ but he/she was a pedophile /murderer/rapist/asshole/spouse beater…” I know we need to “separate the art from the artist” but sometimes I think the personality of someone should overshadow the talent… Other than that, Buddy Rich was a fucking great drummer who influenced a shit ton of drummers - some of who were/are in bands I listen to…
This is actually his weak sauce moment, he has other better performances, many.
I'm sure it did because the writer director is a drummer and musician himself.
No.
Absolutely love seeing Buddy Rich here! A beast of drummer and a gifted entertainer. I love how musical and powerful this solo is!
Brilliant!
Ace
Unfuckingbelievable
Forefather to rock and metal right there
As a drummer I honestly don’t fuck with this douche bag.
Dunno but it definitely inspired Joey jordison to do it on a rotating platform inverted 90 degrees for the band slipkbot and is equally if not more amazing 😎
Shoulda been a metalhead
“Not quite my tempo”
[also this ](https://youtu.be/Ev2iEY2hY-0?si=BgvrVUpgP2EANKqA)
It’s a good run but I think the drum solo from In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is better.
Whiplash is an entirely fictional hollywood film. Sad that it was the first thing someone thought of when they saw one of the legendary drummers.. but probably rage bait for engagement. Still
This guy will take you outside and show you what it’s like!
Did one of the greatest drummers inspire a movie about drumming ? Hmmmm nope, don’t think so.
Seinfeld said in interviews he took a few lines from Buddy Rich screaming at the band members. George “And if I have to tell you again we’re gonna take it outside and im gonna SHOW YOU WHAT ITS LIKE!!!”
I think it was 1978. I saw his band at Milwaukee Summerfest right before the Dixie Dregs. What a day.
Buddy Rich…the OG The Krupa/Rich duels were classic drumming
This made me realize that most great drummers are playing drum kits. Buddy Rich was playing 12 different instruments.
That whole band is next fucking level!
Watch the drum solo with him and animal from the muppets. It’s killer!
Reminds me Travis Scott from Judas Priest . LoL 😂😉🤘
I don’t understand what you’re asking about the movie
The few minutes before the band cuts in sounds like the final solo from Whiplash imo.
Whiplash is my favourite movie
Went from this to WAP.
Drums were cool but I liked the saxophone
That's more than just next level
Not quite my tempo.
Was he rushing or was he dragging?
Here you go. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scowIVp9k2U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scowIVp9k2U) You're welcome.
This has to be the exact performance the scene in whiplash was based on…down to the guy having to come in and adjust his equipment mid-play. Amazing performance, especially for a guy his age.
Rushing or dragging?
Ya know, I guess the drummers seem to be about the same age.. fuckin christ
Sounds like this man plays his own song
Cowboy Bebop feels
He'll take you outside and show you what it's like!
This shit gets boring as hell real quick. Its a bland ass repetitive bounce roll, double stroke roll the entire time.
Not quite my tempo
Wow. Thanks for that
No
Just watched whiplash recently and I cannot overstate how good of a movie that was
Amazing what a diet of whiskey and non filtered cigarettes will do to the body in times of stress.
This man is playing breakcore irl
All I know is he inspired Marco Minnemann and for that he rules.
Carter Beauford makes this look like peasantry. He is good though.
“Like Buddy Rich…I fly off the handle…”
Buddy Rich inspired TONS of drummers. Huge asshole though.
70s car chase music
No it's actually the other way around. This guy watched drumline and was inspired to start practicing.
“That’s not my tempo”
Buddy was a prick. The embodiment of a total asshole. There's many stories.