Hall of Fame: 1980 Big Band: 1979,’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85 Jazz: 1981, ’82,  ’83, ’84 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. He could be taking it easy, because the contribution he has made to drumming has ensured his place in history. Even if he did want to keep playing, he wouldn’t have to worry about having such a great band or about keeping his music current. He could just play the old arrangements, and as long as he did a big drum solo every night, no one would care what the band sounded like. But Buddy Rich does care what the band sounds like, and he doesn’t take it easy. As a result, whenever you hear him, you hear why he has earned his reputation. You don’t have to settle for listening […]

January 1986 Issue