Music: A Tribute to Buddy Rich

Who said video games weren't educational? It just so happens that playing the fake drums in "Rock Band" has given me a whole new appreciation for drummers. I felt compelled to research the history of rock drumming, including its roots in jazz and blues drumming. I had heard of Keith Moon, Neil Peart, and John Bonham before. I had never heard of Buddy Rich.

Rich was a very famous jazz drummer - his hallmarks were his stick speed and ability to drift into and out of the rim of his snare, creating a unique sound. Perhaps his most famous TV performance was his drum battle with "Tonight Show" drummer Ed Shaughnessy. It's clear from their faces that these guys were having a ball:



Rich also participated in several other, more lighthearted battles. First up is this duel with Jerry Lewis:



And this one with Animal (it's obviously Rich playing Animal's part, but the puppeteer is fairly talented to get Animal's part looking so realistic):