Infamous Beater
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According to “Buddy Rich: One of a Kind — The Making of the World’s Greatest Drummer,” the drummer completely gave up playing drums in the late ’50s to become a singer. “He burned his drumsticks at a press conference at Birdland,” recalled drummer Bruce Klauber.
"Buddy Rich Quits Drums to Be Song and Dancer," proclaimed Down Beat early in 1956.
I discovered all of this reading a seemingly well-researched article, "Buddy Rich, a Monster at Rest." http://jazzprofiles.blogspot.com/2016/10/buddy-rich-monster-at-rest.html
Clearly, Rich recognized that jazz was in decline (and 1956 was the year Elvis first appeared on Ed Sullivan). He sensed that a career as a jazz drummer would never eclipse the singers he sat behind.
Is this why he was so angry?
"Buddy Rich Quits Drums to Be Song and Dancer," proclaimed Down Beat early in 1956.
I discovered all of this reading a seemingly well-researched article, "Buddy Rich, a Monster at Rest." http://jazzprofiles.blogspot.com/2016/10/buddy-rich-monster-at-rest.html
Clearly, Rich recognized that jazz was in decline (and 1956 was the year Elvis first appeared on Ed Sullivan). He sensed that a career as a jazz drummer would never eclipse the singers he sat behind.
Is this why he was so angry?