The Most Influential Drummers of All Time

Buddy Rich

Buddy Rich was best known for his speed and power. He was trained as a jazz drummer and conductor, but it was his background in music that really led him to a future of success. He taught himself how to read music at the very young age of 4, and at 5 he was playing the drums in an off-Broadway pit band. By the time he turned 14, he was already leading bands on world tours. 

Starting Them Young

By the age of 15, Buddy Rich was one of the highest-paid drummers in the entire world. He stayed committed to his art as the industry began to change around him. He was just as versatile as a drummer as he was curious about the forward direction of music. 

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The More You Know

  • Before they became (arguably) the biggest pop act of all time, The Beatles had a hard time convincing record labels to sign them. In 1962, they were rejected by Decca Records, whose boss said “guitar groups are on the way out.”
  • Approximately 73 million people watched the Beatles make their U.S. television debut on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964.
  • In 1969, the founder and the original leader of the Rolling Stones (Brian Jones) got kicked out of the band and then died less than a month later.
  • After Kurt Cobain passed away, Dave Grohl almost joined Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers after they played together on Saturday Night Live.
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.