Along with my illegitimate little harmonica toys, I played drums for about 15 years, beginning in Jr High. Back in the early 70's it was much cooler in my neighborhood to be in the beer-keg party band as a drummer. That has long since changed in my case.
Thank you Buza!!! That's him. Kingley, Buddy probably was better, but by that time Krupa was getting older and was sick, too from what I have heard. Imagine they BOTH in their heyday? Now, who's better in this video, Animal or Buddy Rich??? Also, the thing about Krupa you must remember, his he pretty much invented the drum set. Others MAY have done it, but he was the first to bring it to popularity. Of course, Krupa and Rich were equally important.
Kingley, Gene Krupa was not well at all in that video. He was battling with leukemia at that time and it really shows. That was the only video recorded battle between two, but wasn't the only one they had. There are several "battles" that were recorded audio in the 50s as well as live at some JATP concerts. Gene is healthy and kicking at these, and is a fairer "battle" to choose. Always a friendly contest however, they were always good friends.
There is no doubt that Buddy Rich was better technically, but Gene Krupa overall was way more musical and had a longer more successful career. Buddy didn't get his real fame until around the 70s with his own band. Gene was doing that in the early 40s and before was with Benny Goodman!
Well that was a tad unnecessary for just a simple comment, and considering this is a harp forum. Sorry I get worked up when Buddy and Gene are compared. ---------- Michael
Mg! You rule!!! But, yeah, Krupa said he heard melodies and copied them on his drums. I feel Rich probably just banged a lot, which is not an insult. Who else can bang that good? I'll pay anyone some good money to play like Buddy. As I said, Buddy was better, but Krupa was like the inventor.
Yeah too each his own I guess, I always vastly preferred Gene for his melodic solos combined with that fat Radio King Slingerland sound. I just can't get into Buddy, blazing technical wizards just don't fancy me. You could say that Buddy was the "better" drummer, but Gene was the better musician. It's why I have several hundred recordings from 1929 to near his death in 1973 with Gene Krupa, and only about 20 or so with Buddy, and most of them were when he was playing with Gene!
Don't get me wrong, Buddy could be musical. Ironically, he was most musical when playing with Gene baring this little drum battle on the Sammy Davis show. Buddy really wanted to show off his chops to the world. And that's what he continued doing, being as fast as possible to garner attention. Gene promoted drums, Buddy promoted Buddy. ---------- Michael
Last Edited by on Jul 15, 2009 9:50 AM
Mg, I agree. I do believe Krupa was in it for the drums, as Buddy was not just drums. I love both of them and couldn't really compare them. But, where you getting these recordings? I have none, just YouTube...I know, horrible. I want to get Benny Goodman at Carnegie, what was it, 1938? Incredible stuff I heard.
When I first saw the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I was surprised by the drummer's traditional sticking. You catch glipmses of it here (if you can keep your eyes off Karen O)
Last Edited by on Jul 15, 2009 10:51 AM
You cats want to learn something about drumming Philly Joe Jones , Art Blakey,for starters.Now their is a big secret in their playing for all. Morello,Al harwood, those cats.Then comes Shelly mann stuff
Kenny Clarke. Now you lot into blues and some of you into jazz right. Then go away and listen really listen particularly to the work of Kenny Clarke.
However all those mentioned in particular Philly joe kenny Clarke and Blakey. Then look at some the things Dizzy and others introduced along side with the bass figures.
I don't name drop it isn't my style but many years ago I was hanging out with one of the greatest jazz drummers that ever lived and one day I says to him. Hey man why do drummers have their cymbols set up on angles up high and all of that shit.
With a smile his answer was because their all jerks. I remembered that and have told that story many times to jazz college students.
A lecture for drummers should be listen to whats going on and use ecconomy of movement.
Some of the best drummers iv'e played with and hung out with interestigly they all have one thing in common.They hate drum solos.
Sure they work out on them and enjoy what they do but everything has to have relevence and meaning.
