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I was lucky enough to see Buddy play twice in Atlantic City, New Jersey before he passed away. The first time was 1985 in the fall I think. I was 18 and a huge Buddy fan. The concert was amazing and Buddy was brilliant as usual. The second concert was sensational. I believe it was at the Sands in Atlantic City in the Fall of 1986. Buddy was there with Suzanne Somers.
The band played all my favorites( Mexicali Nose, Norwegian
Wood, West Side Story) and they were on fire. Buddy's
playing was magnificent up until his extended solo in
West Side Story at which point it became astounding! About
ten seconds into his solo, Buddy stopped playing and slammed
his sticks down on the floor tom. The audience went as
silent as a grave. Buddy lunged at his rack tom and proceeded
to rip a huge piece of muffling gauze and duct tape off
of the drum head. He then wadded it up in a ball muttering
curses about the quality of the sound system and the sound
engineers. This was all clearly audible through the drum
mics to the audience. I braced myself for what I was sure
was going to be a once in a lifetime drum solo. Buddy,
who was now scowling with rage threw the ball of tape
and gauze off the side of the stage yelling "Here's Your
Damn Tape Back," picked up his sticks and launched into
the greatest drum solo I have ever heard. I am sure it
will always be the greatest solo I will ever hear. It
lasted about 15 minutes and ended with his famous single
stroke roll. The ovation lasted almost as long. Buddy
walked up front said "Sorry about the duct tape," which
cracked the place up. Then he said, "Thank you very much"
and was gone. He died less than a year later and I cried.
But I am so thankful I got to see him play and will never
forget that second concert as long as I live. Memory of
that concert serves me as a constant inspiration in my
own musical career. Thanks Buddy!
~Norm Dorrell
When I was 17, Buddy came to a town that was 30 miles from where I lived. At the time I didn't have a way to go see him, my parents were out of town for the weekend, so I took my dads truck without permission, but I had to go there and maybe get a chance to meet him. When I got to the place he was performing, I went in a side door that was unlocked and found my way to the stage where he was warming up. I stood behind the curtain so I wouldn't be spotted. Finally, I had to open it so I could see him close. When I did, he stopped playing and turned around. I was shocked. He asked me what I was doing and I explained to him that I took my dads truck to come see him play. He asked me if I had a ticket and we both knew I didn't. We talked drums for awhile and he let me sit behind his kit for about 30 seconds. He then stopped this guy and told him to get me a chair up front to see the show. I knew that night I definately wanted to be a drummer. What an experience that night. I did get in trouble for taking my dads truck, but it was worth it. Two things happened that night; I'm 47 now and still play drums, the other is I will always have Buddy Rich in my mind and heart. Thanks Buddy! ~Denny Wells
I have been a lifelong fanatic fan of Buddy. I watched him for almost 30 years on the 'Tonight Show", saw him 7 times in concert and have over 20 albums that showcase him. I waited practically my entire adult life to meet him, and finally had my chance in 1981 when he came to St. Louis. In between sets, he was signing autographs, so I decided to go up and get one and meet him. I was next in line to meet him when suddenly Buddy went ballistic. It seems that the lady in front of me made the fatal error of shoving her autograph book in his face. As any of you know, that's all it took. Though he signed her autograph book, he did not neglect to let her know, in a language all of his own, how displeased he was with her, (and the way her mother raised her). By the time he got to me, I was so shook up, that I simply smiled at him,(he was not smiling back) turned around and walked away.
I had waited over 20 years, and just walked away from the only chance I ever had. I knew I had to do something. I waited in the background and when he started walking for the stage, I blurted out: "Hey Buddy!" He turned around with a scowl, and I said,"You're the greatest!" He looked at me, smiled and said "Your right kid." He got up on stage, watched where I sat, and played a high hat solo that, was of course, astounding. The greatest thing, was that the whole time he played, he just looked at me - no one else. When he saw me fall apart, he smiled and counted in the band.
As long as I live that smile will mean more to me than any autograph that I ever could have gotten. I'll always believe he played that solo just for me. I still miss him. I always will. ~Dave F.
When I was 12 yrs old (1961), I had my first Buddy experience.
Being from Chicago, I was aware of the legendary Gene
Krupa but had no familiarity with Buddy . . . Until, I
discovered the JATP "Drum Battle". . . I have
been a fan and disciple of Buddy ever since.
As a teenager, I would borrow my older brother's ID and
see Buddy and the band anywhere within a 250 mile radius
of Chicago. Fortunately, I witnessed the performances
most regularly at the club known as the
"Plugged Nickel". I have so very many memories
of Buddy and the band(s).
The most memorable occurred in the summer of 1979. I had
taken my four year old daughter with me to see the band
at an outdoor venue in Hinsdale, IL. Between sets, while
the band was taking a break, Buddy was greeting fans behind
the bandstand (tent). My daughter wanted to know if I
thought the band was going to play "Birdland".
I told her that I didn't know but maybe we should go ask
Buddy. I, of course, was aware of Buddy's "we don't
play request" image. What the hell? . . . it was
worth a try.
We stood in line for several minutes as Buddy graciously
spent time with his fans. Then it was our turn. As I approached
Buddy, with my daughter perched on my hip, I said: "
I've got someone who would like to ask you a question".
Before I could say any more, Buddy reached his hands out
and my daughter grabbed each of his index fingers (one
in either hand). Buddy warmly greeted her by asking her
name and Kelly introduced herself. Then, Buddy said, revealing
the dad inside: "let me guess, you look like you're
about four years old". He then asked Kelly what he
could do for her. She simply said; " do you think,
you might play "Birdland"? Buddy's response:
'"I'll see what we can do".
As the next set was to begin, Buddy was already behind
the drums and the band was beginning to assemble. Once
the band was ready . . . Buddy got up from behind the
drums, grabbed a mike and walked down to center stage
front. He spoke softly about a request from a special
fan, a little girl named Kelly and that the first number
was for her. Kelly had received her gift.
Kelly, is now a woman of 28 (the eldest of six) and she
has never for gotten that evening. Six years ago she graduated
from Arizona State with a degree in Jazz Dance.
In our household, my kids grew up referring to Buddy as
"Uncle Buddy". I'm pleased to have this opportunity
to share the story with Cathy.
Buddy, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! ~ Jim Muldoon
Being a drummer myself from Philadelphia, I spent alot of time hanging out at Music City. That was THE STORE for music, especially drums in the Philly area. Thanks to one of the owners, Ellis Tollin, I had the opportunity to get to know Buddy and spend some time with him occasionally. Ellis and Buddy were good friends which was lucky for me. Buddy often stopped in at Music City when he was in town. Many times we spent time fooling around with drums in the store.
Some years later I wound up working there and ran into Buddy quite often. I fixed a snare drum for him to keep the snares from loosening during playing. By the way, every drummer in the world has seen a picture of that drum! It's on the album cover "RICH IN LONDON". There's a funny story about Buddy playing that snare drum which Buddy told to Ellis and me at the store. It had to do with the fact that Buddy was playing another brand of drums at the time and the fact that the album cover showed him playing that snare drum got the other drum company very upset. Not wishing to name names, we'll let it go at that.
A few times I had occasion to deliver and set up drums for Buddy. That made me feel very special, and it was Mr. Tollin that made it possible. When things were slow at the store, I would use the time to work out on the practice pad. A couple of times Buddy came in and stood there watching me practice without my knowing it. Once he asked me what I was doing. When I told him he said, "Do you know what you get from doing that", I said "What", and he said, "Tired". As we all know, that was a typical "Buddy" response. However he did watch me play on several occasions and offered some priceless constructive criticism. You couldn't pay for that kind of advice!!! I was very fortunate!
Lots of funny things happened with Buddy, and they are all treasured memories.
Now I would like to give you the crowning glory of all my experiences with "The Master". In the summer of 1981 I had my drums stolen. That outfit contained alot of very special pieces that I collected over the years. When I told Buddy he was very upset for me and said he would do what he could to replace my drums. He said maybe he could put together a few pieces for me and I'd be hearing from Steve Peck, Buddy's road manager. I thought that was great but figured he might forget about it. Well to my surprise, Mr. peck called me a couple of months later and said that Buddy put aside some equipment for me. He told me to drive up to the bus company garage in North Jersey and ask for a certain guy who worked there. I was amazed that Buddy didn't forget, and naturally got up there right away! When this guy verified who I was, he pointed me to the loft above the garage that Buddy rented to keep equipment and showed me what was there for me. To my complete amazement there sat a complete set of brand new Ludwig drums in fiber cases complete with the BR emblem on the bass drum head and "THE BUDDY RICH BAND" stenciled on all the cases. As I started to remove some of the drums I just was totally flabbergasted! I asked this guy if he was sure that these were for me, because I just couldn't believe what I was seeing! He said, "If your Ron DiSario everything right here is for you".
'Till this day I still can't believe how generous Mr. Rich was to me. The next time I saw him didn't know how to thank him. He just smiled and waved it off as if it was nothing at all. Every time I'm near those drums I still have to stop and look at them with so much pride.
Buddy Rich was a great guy and great friend. I treasure the fact that I was able to get to know my IDOL ! Not many people are that fortunate.
I MISS YOU MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~
Ron DiSario
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