I received this book two days ago. I have not been able to put it down. I’ve stayed up way too far into the night reading it. I am not a Buddy Rich “freak”, but I have respect for the man who was called the greatest drummer in the world not only by his peers, but also by those who later stood on his shoulders and became the leading drummers of our time. I have always had a healthy interest in his playing by listening, absorbing, stealing licks, being influenced by him, etc. but I am not obsessed with him. I have known some drummers who were obsessed with trying to play and be like Buddy and watched that obsession ruin their chances of success in the music business. BUT, there is such a rare thing as a healthy obsession with the man, and this book is the fruit of that passion. Mr. Berglund took exactly the right approach in documenting Rich’s life from infancy to his final days by writing and quoting short vignettes and remembrances by those who worked with him and for him, his family and his friends, and by Rich himself.
The biggest public misperception of Buddy Rich over the years has come from the infamous Bus Tapes; recordings of Rich cussing out his band that the internet has allowed to fester. Yeah, that happened, but that was only .001% of what Buddy was and did. Imagine there being a recording or video of your worst behavior moment that never goes away. Is that all there is to you? No. This book fills in the other 99.99% with first hand accounts of his humor, generosity, struggles and humanity.
I’m going to include here the text of the press release from Hudson Music.
“In this meticulously researched biography, author Pelle Berglund presents the first comprehensive book on the life of Buddy Rich, still considered by many to be the greatest drummer ever to pick up sticks. Using interviews with many of Buddy’s band members (some conducted by the author himself) along with extensive sourcing of quotes from practically every interview ever given by Buddy himself, a complete chronology of Buddy’s life is presented—along with insights into what drove him and what he thought about the various situations and people he encountered through his life. One of a Kind recounts each chapter of a life lived in the spotlight: childhood star Traps, the Drum Wonder; young jazz drummer with Joe Marsala and Bunny Berigan; star sideman with Artie Shaw, Harry James, and Tommy Dorsey; and leading various incarnations of the Buddy Rich Big Band. A twentieth century icon, Buddy’s relationships with Shaw, Dorsey, Count Basie, Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Gene Krupa, Norman Granz, Lana Turner, and his family, including wife Marie and daughter Cathy are insightfully investigated.
Never-before-seen photos of Buddy culled from the private collection of collector Charley Braun add a new perspective on Buddy’s life—including a 16-page featured photo section. Beyond providing a complete timeline of Buddy Rich’s life, One of a Kind provides a glimpse into the mind of a musical titan who demanded greatness from himself and those around him, and became one of the most celebrated and controversial stars in music.”
Rob Wallis and Hudson Music are offering a special offer to Not So Modern Drummer readers for a limited time; A two for one discount for buying this book and a book about Bobby Morris that was released at the same time. Who is Bobby Morris? All you need to know is that he was the drummer Buddy would hire to play with his band in rehearsals and with his band on stage for certain situations. Here is a link to that offer
