Found a new clip of Buddy on a show called Melbourne Tonight. Well it's new to me. Says it's from the 60's. Buddy sings first then plays Drums. Can't identify the kit though. I'm thinking it's Rogers.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHBEnmN3EHs"]Buddy Rich on In Melbourne Tonight - YouTube[/ame]
Cool clip.. Can't say I have seen it before either... he seemed to hit a bit harder back then..
Thanks for posting it..
Note it's "Melbourne" land of OZ...
Cheers
John
Thx for posting I have seen this one but it's been awhile.
Watching Buddy tuck in that left elbow and comp his as$ off with that miracle left hand of his is a thing of beauty.
He made that guitar player play the intro three times! Then when they were playing together he looked back over his shoulder at the musicians (because they were lagging behind him) and they immediately picked it up a tick. That guy was executing an impossible for anyone else solo while conducting/directing the band at the same time. Leading the band from the drum throne.
Only one Buddy Rich.
John
This show was actually called "In Melbourne Tonight" and ran from the late 50's through about 1970. I have also seen this spot prior, but it then disappeared from Youtube. It has been re-posted which is nice! This was during BR's nightclub act period where he wanted to sing, dance, to a little comedy, and of course play some drums! Buddy started with this act in late 1957, but it didn't last too long as he was quickly back with Harry James... but then left Harry James again in 1958! A restless period for him for sure! Anyway...
... I was trying to dial in the date of this performance as I have pretty complete histories of BR's career with regard to dates, bands, etc. In 1959 Buddy was back at it as a singer, dancer, comedian, etc., as well as just playing with small groups... no big band. Culling through all the listings, I couldn't find "In Melbourne Tonight" listed anywhere, but it may be there. Sometimes these little TV bits get caught between other significant dates that ARE listed. It would be right around 1960/61 though as that is when he was experimenting with the nightclub act for the 2nd and last time! He did a bunch of dates at Birdland in NY during this period with a small group as well as the singing, etc. It all ended in 1962 as BR rejoined Harry James, and was back in the drum chair driving a big band... as he should be! A little side note: Harry James was paying Buddy $1500.00 per week then! Now you won't believe this but... that would be $11,740.00 per week today! He stayed with Harry James 'till April of 1966. THAT... was a great payday!
Tommyp
Never seen this clip before. Wow! I just have to shake my head in amazement that he could do what he did.
Is his snare mounted unusually high? Don't recall noticing it being so high when I saw him in later years.
Tommy, It may be worthwhile to use the show host "Graham Kennedy" in your search.. The show was widely referred to down here just as "The Graham Kennedy Show". There is a DVD set of show highlights available .. I'll do a further search anyhow.
" Considered by many as the ‘King’ of Australian television, Graham Kennedy established himself on the ground-breaking prime-time live variety show In Melbourne Tonight, launched on GTV-9 in 1957. From there he was given the golden opportunity on special Friday night editions to host The Graham Kennedy Show and the rest is history - a bold, jocular and decidedly hilarious slice of Australian television variety."
Cheers
John
