Buddy Rich
A virtuoso drummer whose blinding speed and explosive technique made him the most feared and admired timekeeper in jazz history.
1917–1987 (age 70)·American jazz drummer and bandleader·Birthday: September 30·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Buddy Rich didn't learn to play the drums; he was born to command them. A child vaudeville star billed as 'Traps, the Drum Wonder,' he was a professional performer before he could read. This early immersion bred a technical prowess that bordered on the superhuman, with a single-stroke roll that sounded like a machine gun and a sense of swing that was both relentless and precise. After big band stints with Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw, he formed his own groups, most famously a powerhouse big band in the 1960s that became a touring institution. On stage, he was a mesmerizing, mercurial presence—a bandleader known for his volcanic temper and exacting standards, yet capable of transcendent musical generosity during a solo. His playing was pure athleticism and instinct, devoid of electronic trickery, setting a benchmark for drumming excellence that was less about innovation in style than about the breathtaking execution of rhythm itself.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Buddy was born in 1917, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Buddy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1917
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Buddy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1917Born
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Started school
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1930Became a teenager
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Could drive
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1935Could vote
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Turned 21
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1947Turned 30
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 40
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 50
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 60
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 70
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
Key Achievements
- Led one of the most commercially successful and long-running big bands of the 1960s and 70s.
- His famous big band recording of 'West Side Story Medley' is considered a landmark in big band arranging and drumming.
- Won numerous magazine polls as the world's top drummer across decades, including from DownBeat and Playboy.
- Performed and recorded with jazz giants including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Oscar Peterson.
- His televised drum battles with other percussionists, like Animal from The Muppets, became pop culture events.
Did You Know?
He never took a formal drum lesson in his life.
He was a skilled tap dancer as a child and often incorporated footwork into his performances.
Despite his fiery reputation, he was a passionate advocate for animal rights and owned many dogs.
He famously disliked rock music and was openly critical of drummers like John Bonham and Keith Moon.
He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, where he was a judo instructor and played in the Corps' band.
“I'm not a drummer. I'm a musician who plays drums.”
