Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987

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Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time.

Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He discovered his affinity for jazz music at a young age and began drumming at the age of 2. He began playing jazz in 1937, working with acts such as Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Harry James. From 1942 to 1944, Rich served in the U.S. Marines. In 1966, he recorded a big-band style arrangement of songs from West Side Story. He found lasting success in 1967 with the formation of the Buddy Rich Big Band.

Rich was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed. He was an advocate of the traditional grip, though he occasionally used match grip when playing the toms. Despite his commercial success and musical talent, Rich never learned how to read sheet music, preferring to listen to drum parts and play them from memory.

In 1987, Rich was admitted to the hospital after suffering a paralysis on his left side. Doctors later discovered and removed a malignant brain tumor. He died on April 2, 1987 at the age of 69, and was buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Bellson, Louis. Louis Bellson collection, 1943-1996 (bulk ca. 1950-ca. 1970). Library of Congress
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Moments notice [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Information Agency, 1900 - 2003. Audio Recordings, 1942 - 1999. NEW YORK NEW YORK #329: GUESTS: EVELYN LEAR, ANDREW HAY, GERARD NIERBERGER, BUDDY RICH. National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. My funny Valentine [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Sheila R. Weidenfeld Files (Ford Administration), 1974 - 1977. Sheila Weidenfeld's General Subject Files, 1974 - 1977. Ford, John - Events - George Harrison Visit 12/13/74 Gerald R. Ford Library
referencedIn Neat Stuff Collectables. Jazz Playbill Collection, 1923-1952. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives
creatorOf NCSA Jazz Ensemble. NCSA Jazz Ensemble [sound recording]. University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Semans Library
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Buddy's rock [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Duke Ellington recordings collection Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, Harvard College Library
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. I'll never be the same [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. My funny Valentine [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Giant steps [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn National Jazz Hall of Fame. Papers of the National Jazz Hall of Fame, 1983-1988. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Buddy's Cherokee [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Records of Presidential Inaugural Committees, 1933 - 1989. Director's Subject File Relating to Parties, 5/1976 - 1/1977. Rich, Buddy. Jimmy Carter Library
referencedIn Stanger, Philip. Philip Stanger collection, 1886-1988 (inclusive). University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Latin silk [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Buddy's Cherokee [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006. National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017. National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania SP Sunnybrook. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Stanger, Philip. Collection, 1886-1988 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Latin silk [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Information Agency. 1900 - 2003. Sound Recordings Relating to Willis Conover's Jazz Program quot;Music with Friendsquot; National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Moments notice [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Miller, Kenneth L., 1934-,. Oral history interview with Kenneth Miller, [sound recording], 2003. Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Take the "A" train [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Records of the Work Projects Administration, 1922 - 1944. Federal Theater Project Central Files, 1935 - 1939. National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Buddy's rock [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Rich, Buddy, 1917-1987. Giant steps [Multimédia multisupport] / Buddy Rich, batterie. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
Relation Name
acquaintanceOf Basie, Count, 1904-1984 person
associatedWith Bellson, Louis. person
leaderOf Buddy Rich Band. corporateBody
associatedWith Conover, Willis, 1920-1996 person
associatedWith Dodge, Joseph Jeffers person
acquaintanceOf Dorsey, Tommy, 1905-1956 person
acquaintanceOf Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974 person
associatedWith Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006 person
acquaintanceOf James, Harry, 1916-1983 person
associatedWith Miller, Kenneth L., 1934-, person
associatedWith National Jazz Hall of Fame. corporateBody
associatedWith NCSA Jazz Ensemble. corporateBody
associatedWith Stanger, Philip. person
memberOf United States. Marine Corps corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Brooklyn NY US
California CA US
Subject
Drum
Drummers (Musicians)
Drummers (Musicians)
Entertainers
Jazz
Occupation
Band Director
Drummer
Musician
Percussionist
Activity

Person

Birth 1917-09-30

Death 1987-04-02

Male

Americans

English

Information

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