Photo by Buddy Fishman
Buddy Rich, jazz drummer and bandleader, was born 104 years ago today.
Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuoso technique, power, groove and speed.
Born in Brooklyn to Jewish vaudevillians Robert and Bess Rich, Rich’s talent for rhythm was first noted by his father. He saw that Buddy could keep a steady beat with spoons at the age of one.
At 18 months old, Rich began playing drums in vaudeville, billed as, "Traps the Drum Wonder." At the peak of Rich's childhood career, he was reportedly the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world (after Jackie Coogan). At 11, he was performing as a bandleader.
Rich received no formal drum instruction, and went so far as to claim that instruction would only degrade his musical talent. He also never admitted to practicing, claiming to play the drums only during performances and was not known to read music.
Buddy Rich remained active performing until the end of his life. On April 2, 1987, Rich died at age 69 of heart failure following surgery for a malignant brain tumor.