Is Buddy Rich the Greatest Drummer Ever?

[Ducbutter]

Originally Posted by Old-T

I think you exagerate a bit, but so does equating Rich to Ringo. Except that Ringo is indeed very rich.

I'm not exagerating at all. If it wasn't in two-four or four-four time, Ringo couldn't play it. Paul McCartney did the stuff Ringo was incapable of. From a technical standpoint he was beyond weak. Ask anybody who studied and played drums.
That being said, I've always liked the Beatles.

[Old-T]

Originally Posted by Ducbutter

I'm not exagerating at all. If it wasn't in two-four or four-four time, Ringo couldn't play it. Paul McCartney did the stuff Ringo was incapable of. From a technical standpoint he was beyond weak. Ask anybody who studied and played drums.
That being said, I've always liked the Beatles.

I agree with your points--I would never say he was good. I just think there are some really bad drummers out there. I've heard some who seem to be playing a totally different piece at a totally different rhythm than the rest of their own band.

[CuteOldGuy]

Ringo was a great drummer, in that he knew his limitations and did not try to exceed them. He was the perfect complement to the other three Beatles, which made them, arguably, the best pop/rock band ever.

But he's no Buddy Rich, and I'll bet he'd be the first to admit that.

[lizardking]

Ringo, Charlie Watts, and Levon Helm are amazing "true rhythm" drummers. They nail the beat down and never miss a lick. That Levon could do it while singing is even more amazing. Don't underestimate Mo Tucker, either.

For pyrotechnics and technical proficiency, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Mitch Mitchell, and Danny Carey are tough to beat.

For my buck, there's nothing quite like watching a pair of drummers hit it in sync: Micky Hart & Bill Kreutzmann; Butch Trucks & Jaimoe; and Bill Bruford & whoever else is playing with King Crimson.

Best ever? Of the drummers I've seen, I'd say Keith Moon, Danny Carey, and Bill Bruford are the best.

[Ducbutter]

Old-T, You're probably right about some of the newer drummers out there. I don't listen to that much new pop music these days. I commend your patience if you do.
COG, Ringo is the first guy who'll tell you he's not technically gifted. And he was a perfect "fit" for the Beatles.

[CuteOldGuy]

Lizard King, I was expecting you to name John Densmore.

[Ducbutter]

Originally Posted by lizardking

Ringo, Charlie Watts, and Levon Helm are amazing "true rhythm" drummers. They nail the beat down and never miss a lick. That Levon could do it while singing is even more amazing. Don't underestimate Mo Tucker, either.

For pyrotechnics and technical proficiency, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Mitch Mitchell, and Danny Carey are tough to beat.

For my buck, there's nothing quite like watching a pair of drummers hit it in sync: Micky Hart & Bill Kreutzmann; Butch Trucks & Jaimoe; and Bill Bruford & whoever else is playing with King Crimson.

Best ever? Of the drummers I've seen, I'd say Keith Moon, Danny Carey, and Bill Bruford are the best.

Those are some "heavy hitters" (pun intended, sorry) indeed!
Bruford's work with King Crimsom and Yes really challenged me as a kid. Impressive as much for what he doesn't "say" as he is for what he does, imo.

[CuteOldGuy]

I saw Peter Erskine live with Stan Kenton when he was 18. He was amazing! I don't know what he's up to now, but that was a great show. And they were the loudest band I've ever heard, and they didn't use amplifiers. Maybe a slight exaggeration there, but not much.

[lizardking]

Originally Posted by CuteOldGuy

Lizard King, I was expecting you to name John Densmore.

Well, true. But I hate to be a homer. His work on many of our songs, like Break on Through and L.A. Woman, strongly reflects his jazz background. I have to admit, his drumming on The End is flawless. I couldn't have done it without him. Wasn't much of a parties, though.

[CuteOldGuy]

You're right, he is an exceptional drummer. So, how are you and Elvis getting along? I never hear from him anymore.

[lizardking]

He's such a dick. Last week, Brian Jones and Keith Moon set a paper bag full of dog shit on fire at his front door. They do it about every three months, and he falls for it every time. Senile old fucker. They had to give him an extra peanut butter and banana sandwich at lunch to calm him down.

[CuteOldGuy]

LOL! I love those guys!

That's funny stuff, LK!

[TexTushHog]

Originally Posted by Ducbutter

Got anybody in mind or are you just being contrary?

Sorry, missed the question. Very broad since you hace to include all sorts of styles, but just confining it to jazz, I'd say Max Roach, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones are guys I'd rate higher. Probably Art Blakley. Crossing genres, I also think session guys like Steve Gadd and Vinnie Colaiuta who can play anything from jazz to rock are amazing. I've seen Gadd talk about how he comes up with and combines patterns and ts just mindblowing. Those are the guys I think of off the top of my head without getting in to rock drummers, who, as a group, are less skilled, although a few fit in extremely well with the ensemble they play ith and may be great in tht more limited context.

[Ducbutter]

Originally Posted by TexTushHog

Sorry, missed the question. Very broad since you hace to include all sorts of styles, but just confining it to jazz, I'd say Max Roach, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones are guys I'd rate higher. Probably Art Blakley. Crossing genres, I also think session guys like Steve Gadd and Vinnie Colaiuta who can play anything from jazz to rock are amazing. I've seen Gadd talk about how he comes up with and combines patterns and ts just mindblowing. Those are the guys I think of off the top of my head without getting in to rock drummers, who, as a group, are less skilled, although a few fit in extremely well with the ensemble they play ith and may be great in tht more limited context.

Agreed. Most jazz players have a greater skillset as well as a better musical vocabulary and IQ. Simply put they're more serious musicians, on the whole.

[lizardking]

Originally Posted by TexTushHog

. . . rock drummers, who, as a group, are less skilled

Originally Posted by Ducbutter

Agreed. Most jazz players have a greater skillset as well as a better musical vocabulary and IQ. Simply put they're more serious musicians, on the whole.

Absolute nonsense!