This is the greatest Buddy Rich post ever seen on drummerworld. It sums up perfectly what so many of us older guys feel everytime we see inane comments like all he had was chops, he always played his solos out of time, he was great for his era, he couldn't lay down real grooves, he would suck in a real rock band etc, etc, etc... .
Dougalmac may not be aware of the revisionist history seen frequently on drum forums where Rich is still considered great but with disclaimers, judged almost entirely on four or five videos that I have stated at least a thousand times are not even close to what he actually was.
Day after day we witness teenage fans who argue incessantly, with no regard for idealogical comprehension and/or possess the tools necessary to make such judgements. Instead they rail on that Rich support is a kind of props for an older generation that neither appreciates nor understands the nuances of their misunderstood heroes, as if any comparison does justice to historical accuracy. I have even seen posts where I am told that Rich could not hold his own with DCI drummers, had lousy brushwork, or could not lay down a good groove.
For the last time...from the perspective of American 20th Century drum set playing alone...
Rich could groove any way he desired.
He could play any music he chose to play at the highest possible level, and could perform said task without the need for practice.
He was the fastest.
His cymbal work was the absolute standard.
His brush work was at least as good as Shelly Manne's.
Yes, he would have been great with absolutely any band of any style or genre.
No these are NOT opinions. They are quantatative and qualitative assessments based on many years of educational analysis, and thousands of hours of acute observation.
Am I saying that Rich walked on water?
Yes, I am saying that. He was a Mozart like prodigal freak of nature, whose likes may not be seen again for decades to come.
He may not be your favorite. Check out my handle. He wasn't mine. But he was the best...and during his lifetime, no one and I mean n-o o-n-e dared claim otherwise.