The Beatles have long been one of the most beloved and recognized bands in music history. However, not everyone acclaimed their achievements, one being the great drummer, Buddy Rich.
Buddy Rich was born Bernard Rich, and from the age of two was playing drums. His career quickly skyrocketed to stardom as he began playing with various big band leaders such as Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, and director Vincent Youmans. His skills were highly praised, with press describing him as having “thunderous rolls and a natural rhythmic instinct” Despite this, Rich had no tolerance for the new age of music, the rock genre, made popular by the The Beatles. He openly expressed his dislike of their music, claiming they had no skill or refinement.
It is unfair to fully judge an artist on the basis of a single opinion, especially when it is so impressionable. The truth is, Rich felt the genre of rock was below him. Growing up in a different era, it is natural for him to value the timeless classics of jazz greatly. He was highly experienced and respected in the industry having performed with some of the greatest and most influential names in Jazz. Weighing up the different values of each music genre, it is hard to deem one superior over the other.
It is fair to say, though, that the Beatles were revolutionary in popular music. They spearheaded an invigorated and revolutionary form of music. Introducing the ever-growing genre of rock, the Beatles made history with every album they released. At the time they were innovative, pushing the boundaries of popular music and becoming an emblem for the youth of the 1960s.
Buddy Rich passed away in 1987, but despite his opinion of the Beatles, he surely respected their immense admiration and legacy within the music world. Rich was known for his passionate drumming and even once said “The real proof of a drummer is how he plays with dynamics. ” Such strong statements coming from a legendary musician is proof of the caliber of skill and knowledge he had.
Despite their differences, it is worth remembering that both were, and still are, respected musicians. Buddy Rich is still known as one of the greatest drummers of all time and The Beatles are still heralded as one of the most revolutionary and popular bands the world has ever seen.
Influence of Buddy Rich
Throughout his long and illustrious career, Buddy Rich was able to influence many an aspiring drummer. His energy and passion on the drums was truly captivating. Drawing from a variety of influences and talents, Rich was able to formulate a style like no other. He consistently pushed the boundaries of jazz and kept it alive with every note he played. His devotion to the instrument was obvious and his influence has been passed down through generations of drummers.
An ardent admirer of his talent and showmanship was Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll found Buddy Rich inspiring and so much so that he requested for him to be included in the Memphis recording session. Also, Frank Sinatra famously said that Rich was, “the greatest drumming ever in the history of the universe”. Such was the admiration for Buddy Rich.
Buddy Rich even had influence in the film industry. He was often asked to feature as an actor and even composed and recorded the soundtrack for the 1967 movie, “The Swinger”. Additionally, he starred in his own television show, “The Buddy Rich Show” in 1965. The show featured him as the host, featuring jazz music and welcoming prominent musicians including Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, and Woody Herman.
His musical legacy has stood the test of time and his influence can still be felt today. Tributes to the life and music of Buddy Rich have been held in cities throughout the United States. He is remembered fondly and his talent will live on forever.
Methodology Rich Used
As briefly mentioned earlier, Buddy Rich had his own unique style of playing drums. His technique was proficient and technical, but with just enough finesse to make it special. He was consistent in both the speed and accuracy of his playing. His infamous double-bass technique helped him attain the magnitude of speed and shift the focus of the band to the drum kit.
Additionally, Rich was a proponent of the improvisational aspect of jazz. His fills were always creative and often unexpected, yet somehow fitting the groove of the piece. Buddy Rich also favored volatile tempo changes, often speeding up or slowing down the elements of the song mid rhythm.
Rich was also known for the value he placed on the technicality of the drums. He was a perfectionist, always striving to attain the highest level of playing possible. He was noted for his meticulously high standards of playing, even going so far as to remove unneeded drums from his kit.
Ultimately Rich was a master of the drums. His style, influence, and values have been retained by many generations of drummers. His methodology was unparalleled and the knowledge and experience he has provided us will never be forgotten.
Rich on a Musical and Personal Level
It is true that Buddy Rich had an okay relationship with the Beatles. He was an opinionated man, which may have caused tension in the music world. Nonetheless, on a personal level, he seemed to be rather fond of them. In fact, he once said that what The Beatles “left in their wake was quite remarkable”. He found it commendable that they were not manipulated by others and that their managerial team had been able to navigate through such a tumultuous music world.
On the level of musicianship, Rich’s belief had still not been fully shifted despite his respect for The Beatles. He was still skeptical of their capabilities and level of expertise they had in their music. However, he admired the unexplainable synergy between the members of the band, which allowed them to create their head-turning music.
It is interesting to note that Lance Hayward, one of the most experienced and respected pianists of the era, had been the pianist for one of The Beatles’ albums. He shared that Buddy Rich was usually quite opinionated, and yet even he recognised The Beatles as talented musicians. It was only a matter of if he was willing to admit it.
Nevertheless, Buddy Rich respected the musicians he worked with and the musical knowledge they had. There must something he had noticed in The Beatles, whether it was the musicianship, the passion, or the drive. He admired the individual characteristics of The Beatles, so much that it seemed to have led him out of his own personal biases.
Buddy Rich’s Legacy
Despite his opinion on The Beatles, Buddy Rich’s reputation as one of the greatest jazz drummers will forever remain intact. His technical prowess, timing, and speed on the drums is still seen as the highest standard for aspiring drummers to this day.
In addition to his beloved jazz genre, he was also greatly involved in the popular music world of the time. He would often be seen with musicians of different genres such as Chris Connor, Carmen McRae, Bobby Darin, Mel Tormé and Nat King Cole.
Buddy Rich was also noted for his modern take on the traditional Big Band setting. He introduced the world to a different sound that gave way to the modern big-band era. In times of rapid changes and evolution of music, Buddy Rich kept the original artwork of jazz alive.
Rich’s legacy lives on today. The young generation of jazz drummers still study his works and the variety of technique and energy he possessed. He did more than just entertain the crowds – he captivated them. His expertise on the drums were unparalleled, and his enthusiasm for the genre was undeniable.
Excellence of Buddy Rich
Not only was Buddy Rich a ferocious performer on the drums, but he was also a gifted composer. As early as the 1940s he had been working on writing and publishing his music.
He was known to have a compositional style that was, “direct, earthy, and daring”. He knew just how to produce melodies that were fresh and innovative. He drew from a variety of influences to construct his own unique language. He not only experimented with jazz, but also ventured into funk, Broadway-style compositions, and Latin-American repertoire.
