Buddy Rich

Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an influential jazz drummer and band leader born in Brooklyn. His parents were vaudevillians and they had him performing with them as young as two years old. By the time he was four years old, Rich was seen on Broadway as Baby Traps the Drum Wonder. He never learned to read music but throughout his career he was praised for his perfect drumming technique and speed. By the 1930s he joined and toured with various big bands with the likes of Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Vic Schoen. He joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II where he served as a judo instructor. After the war and with assistance from Frank Sinatra, Rich formed his own band: The Buddy Rich Big Band. As a big band leader, he made frequent television appearances as a guest on shows such as "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (NBC, 1962-92) and "Here's Lucy" (CBS, 1968-74). He famously engaged with Animal in a drum battle on "The Muppet Show" (Syndication, 1976-81) in 1981. Buddy Rich continued to perform and tour for his entire life until he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 1987. He died a few weeks later on April 2, 1987.