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Buddy Rich

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

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Buddy Rich Memorabilia from the Northup Drums Museum

Buddy Rich is considered by many to be the greatest drummer of all time. Here at the Northup Drums Museum, we share that view and celebrate the influence he had on so many drummers not only during his life, but…

By Tim Northup
Aug 1, 2026

Cathy Rich: The Other Side of Buddy Rich

Buddy Rich is the greatest and most influential drummer ever, but he had many sides. People, like diamonds, have many facets. Nearly 40 years after his death, more recordings keep being released that continue to show his many sides. Buddy…

By Mark Griffith
Aug 1, 2026

Gregg Potter: Sitting on the Hottest Drum Seat EVER! Playing Drums in the Buddy Rich Big Band Machine

Following in the tradition of the legendary Buddy Rich Memorial Concerts founded and started in 1989 by Cathy Rich, Buddy Rich’s daughter put her father’s band back together in 2011 with Gregg Potter at the helm, and they started to…

By Mark Griffith
Aug 1, 2026

Modern Drummer Remembers: Buddy Rich, 40 Years Later

Welcome to Modern Drummer’s Tribute to Buddy Rich on what will soon be the forty-year anniversary his passing. Yes, it is nearly forty years after his last jaw dropping solo, and drummers are still talking about him, shaking their heads…

Modern Drummer
Aug 1, 2026

Buddy Rich Elected to Hall of Fame in 1980

Excerpted from the January 1977 issue When it comes to interviewing Buddy, one must learn to expect the unexpected. You can end up with a first rate story, or no story at all. He’s a very intense human being, with…

Story by Jim Warchol
Jan 10, 2022
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Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault

Logo Heads Several years ago, I made the decision to begin selling off my drum collection. I’d spent decades amassing one of the most extensive collections of rare and vintage drums in the world. One of the biggest factors leading…

By Donn Bennett
Sep 30, 2021

10 Pieces of Wisdom from the MD Archives

In its 45 years of publication, Modern Drummer has collected essential data from thousands of remarkable drummers, percussionists, and educators. Throughout our 45th anniversary in 2021, we will offer some features that celebrate the musicians, editors, writers, and photographers who…

Modern Drummer
May 17, 2021

November 1981 — Jim Keltner

A few years ago, Emil Richards took me and my wife to see Buddy Rich play at a musician’s night in a restaurant in Glendale. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
Feb 28, 2020

BJ Miller with Health

Since answering a drummer-wanted Craigslist ad that listed influences from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath to Public Image Ltd. and Can, BJ Miller has proven the ideal rhythm generator for his band. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…

Modern Drummer
Nov 25, 2019

Rhythm! Discovery Center Ten-Year Anniversary

The Rhythm! Discovery Center, a gem of the drum and percussion world.

Story by Bob Campbell
Aug 26, 2019

Industry Insights: Armand Zildjian

To most of the world, the name

by Richard Egart
Oct 22, 2018

The State Of The Art — Buddy Rich

You’ve got to love the guy. Let’s face it: He doesn’t have to be out there on the road all the time.

by Rick Mattingly
Oct 5, 2018
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The State Of The Art

An Anniversary is typically a time to celebrate, but it can also be a time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future.

Modern Drummer
Oct 5, 2018

What’s Your Favorite Buddy Rich Performance?

In this month’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop, the author and educator Eric Fischer analyzes one of Buddy Rich’s earliest surviving recordings. We reached out to our readers and social media followers to find out what other performances from throughout the legendary…

Modern Drummer
Sep 28, 2018
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