Buddy Rich’s Famous Tirade on the Bus

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Buddy Rich
was a famous jazz band leader and drummer, who was billed as the
greatest drummer in the world. He lived from 1917 to 1987 and was
especially well-known for his West Side Story Medley and his frequent
appearances on the Johnny Carson Show. Rich was generally described as an
upbeat and friendly person, but was also known for his temper. A No Asshole Rule
reader named Bob was kind enough to point me to a recording of Rich’s
famous tirade at his band, which was secretly recorded on his bus by
one of the members. Rich clearly was well-loved by many and, at
least from what I can uncover, did not seem to be a certified asshole.
But I don’t know if I have ever heard a better — or worse — example
of a temporary asshole in action. The entertainment value is
extremely high. You can hear it it here (there is no video, but what a sound track!).

P.S. Thanks to Bob from Utah for telling me about this recording.

Comments

6 responses to “Buddy Rich’s Famous Tirade on the Bus”

January 21, 2008

BillB

So this was the pep talk he gave between the first and second set, as I gather from the recording. I can’t imagine the band felt more cohesive after this onslaught from their leader, and this makes me question the exact implementation of something you’ve taught students. In lecture, you say:
“Sometimes the best way to stop a fight is to just start doing something. For example a string quartet said when they have a problem, ‘We just start playing.’ The idea is it’s hard to fight while sawing away at instruments.”
Hmm. The “just play” approach probably works better the earlier it is begun after the conflict arises.

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January 22, 2008

George Dinwiddie

Hmmm… When I was in college, I worked in the theatre doing lighting and sound. I had the experience of being the sole technical support for a Buddy Rich concert. I received a very sketchy request at the last minute–too late to learn more about the desired lighting.
The concert began with a very short set and a long intermission as Buddy Rich refused to come out of his bus. Eventually I came to find that he was upset at the quantity of light, expecting to find a night-club atmosphere rather than a concert hall one. I unplugged two thirds of the lights and the show went on.
The way things were handled made a big impression on me. I was anxious to please in any way I could. The situation didn’t have to be so hard to resolve.
That night my father told me an old joke about a jazz musician entering heaven. As St. Peter users him through the pearly gates, he hears an amazing drum solo.
“Is Buddy Rich here?” he asked.
“Naw,” replied St. Peter. “That’s God. He just *thinks* he’s Buddy Rich.”

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February 7, 2008

John-Paul Ferguson

Ha. Buddy Rich’s notorious tantrums were handed over to a younger generation by the Beastie Boys, through a name-check in their 1994 single “Sabotage”:
But make no mistake and switch up my channel / I’m Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle
In those early-Internet days, many of us puzzled over who Buddy Rich was. It turned out to be a perfect reference.

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June 19, 2008

Bruce Klauber

Many of the ‘Tonight Show’ episodes were destroyed by NBC in the 1970s in an effort to make room on their warehouse shelves. Not only did this make Johnny Carson furious and later, bitter toward NBC, but resulted in so many classic performances and debut performances being lost forever. Even most of the paperwork was destroyed along the way.” — Donald Sweeny, former “Tonight Show” Music Supervisor.
Dr. Bruce H. Klauber, Gene Krupa’s biographer and writer/co-producer of the Hudson Music and Alfred Publishing “Jazz Legends” DVD series, has the following, private priceless and invaluable collection available for immediate sale. Contact: DrumAlive@aol.com and/or 215-620-5227.
_______________________________________________________________________
BUDDY RICH ON THE DICK CAVETT SHOW: DECEMBER 29, 1972
BUDDY RICH ON THE DICK CAVETT SHOW: MAY 23 1972
These DVDs were recorded directly from VHS tapes purchased from the Cavett offices, cut from their masters, which no longer exist. These are the entire 90-minute programs with Buddy playing and talking, in great, great quality.
BUDDY RICH ON THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW, A SALUTE TO BUDDY RICH, AIRED FEBRUARY 13, 1979
One hour tribute to Buddy Rich, starring Buddy Rich and his entire big band, along with musical / showbiz associates Redd Foxx, Mel Torme’, Henny Youngman, and veteran dancer Jack Ackerman. This was taped directly from the television broadcast–which has never been re-broadcast, by the way–via Betamax in 1979. Buddy talks about his career, sings, dances and plays. This is a gem. The Griffin vaults do not have material that goes back this far.
TONIGHT SHOW WEST SIDE STORY PREMIERE: 1966
One of the rarest clips of Buddy in the universe, this is in black and white with small time code at bottom of the screen. Surprisingly good quality, though not broadcast quality ala the Cavett, Griffin and other Carson shows.
JOHNNY CARSON TONIGHT SHOWS
All programs are complete, uncut, 90 minute, color programs on VHS tape, duplicated from the salt-mine-stored Carson masters. All were purchased directly from Carson Productions and carry the “Tonight Show/Johnny Carson” logos. Buddy Rich guests on all programs.
Dates:
November 29, 1972
September 5, 1973
January 15, 1974
February 19, 1975
April 22, 1975
November 6, 1975
April 13, 1976
June 25, 1976
Note: One of these is a drum battle with Louis Bellson.
This priceless collection is available now. These cannot be obtained from the Carson, Griffin, Cavett or NBC offices–or anywhere else–any longer. Please contact me a DrumAlive@aol.com and/or 215-620-5227 for information.
Bruce Klauber
http://www.JazzLegends.com

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August 5, 2008

Buddy Rich Fan

As far as the bus tapes of Buddy and his chewing out his band for mistakes. NO BIG DEAL. repeat NO BIG DEAL. Buddy Rich was a U. S. Marine . and marines are tough. You played in buddys band you had to be tough. No sissies there. Like Buddy said I demand one hundred fifty percent of you every night. And I agree. Thank God Buddy was a task master. He ran a tight tight Big Band and it sounded great always. Buddy Rich was tough on himself also. If he had an off night which was RARE he was his worst critic. I dont care what you say or anyone says. If Buddy appeared to be HARSH or MEAN so be it. He was the BEST DAMN DRummer who ever lived. Bar None.

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January 24, 2014

Paul Lindemeyer

Buddy was actually known for respecting players who stood their ground with him – as long as they understood the demands on them and kept giving.
Dave Panichi, who gets trouble about his beard on the tapes, held his own. That night on the gig, Buddy gave him the high sign, and Dave stayed in the band for another year. He didn’t even have to shave for two more weeks.

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