Hey Robyn!

I've been aware of this, but not sure of it's authenticity. If anyone knows, it would be TP. Let's see if he weighs in on this.

-Mark

Robyn64/Mark!

This is absolutely ... TRUE! This particular incident happened during the "Concert For The America's" that was performed in 1982. It was held in the Dominican Republic and Frank Sinatra was headlining with Buddy Rich and his big band as special guest. The heart attack took place during Buddy's solo on "West Side Story", and there is video of this on YouTube. No one knew what was happening at the time .. but .. you can plainly see Buddy in pain during that solo. The truly amazing thing is, he still played an excellent solo, and finished the arrangement! He ran backstage and collapsed. His daughter Cathy was there and summoned help, and he was brought to the hospital. They got him stabilized, and the next day, Buddy acted like nothing had happened! I believe he wanted to go down to the beach!, and Cathy said nothing doing! You're staying in bed and taking it easy! So there you have it ... and yes ... BAD ASS for sure!!! That's just the cloth BR was cut from!

Tommyp

... and here's the solo where it happened ... Buddy starts sweating profusely, well ... he always did!, but this even more so. It was incredibly HOT AND HUMID this night too, which just added to it of course. I have this ENTIRE concert in my collection, but this clip is in nice quality and shows the actual solo spot in WSS this particular night ...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Kv1VBYbsY"]Buddy Rich - Incredible Drum Solo [DRUM FOCUS] - YouTube[/ame]

Tommyp

Thank you TommyP. I knew you would be the person to ask. I did some searching and reading after I had posted this question. the reading only lead me to more questioning. Some said this incident did not happen, some said it was after the solo while he was in the dressing room. thats the media for ya though, half the time they, themselves don't even know what is going on. Anyway, thanks again for the info. Buddy is my all time favorite drummer/musician. I could sit and watch him for hours (which i do) and listen to stories about him. Even though he is my favorite, I really dont know alot about him, however I do know enough to know he is the greatest drummer who ever lived.

I watched the video you provided and realized i had seen it before quite a few times. There is another one that is as good of quality but actually shows Buddy bowing then starting to run off stage. I've always kind of wondered about it, then just figured it was excitement from such an amazing solo.

You are definitely missed in this heart Mr. Rich. Rest in Peace Sir.

Thank you TommyP.

Robyn64!

Cathy, Buddy's daughter, has written and spoken of this incident many times! The real deal is a little more complicated, but I'll describe it here for you as I think you will be interested! I was on my mobile device for my initial reply, but now I can flesh it out for you as I'm on my PC! Anyway, Buddy's heart attack proper, happened after he got back into the dressing room .. but .. it all STARTED during this particular solo. So ... tight chest, shortness of breath, angina, sweating extra heavily, was all happening while he played this arrangement and then subsequent solo. He was able to finish! .. ( amazing in itself! ) .. feebly walk to the front of the stage and take a bow, and then he ran into the dressing room where it all kicked in, and he collapsed.

As you well know, I am a HUGE Buddy freak, and one of my biggest thrills outside of meeting with Buddy one on one in his dressing room back in 1973, was when Cathy Rich and Gregg Potter came out to the Chicago Drum Show last year to see my Buddy Rich Snare Drum History/Collection that was prominently featured. I chatted with Cathy and Gregg for quite a while, and they both shared some great BR stories! The fact that she really liked the display/history and told me Buddy would have loved it, blew me away! Anyway, AGREED! The BEST on any all time list! There was only ONE Buddy Rich, and we are all fortunate that so much of his career and legacy has been preserved for others to enjoy!

Tommyp

Tommyp!

Thanks for the video. I've watched this numerous times and never realized what was going on. Greatly appreciate all the information about Buddy that you have supplied over the years. I'm really glad I mustered up the nerve to approach Buddy for an autograph at Disneyland decades ago. He signed my $1 bill and it is now framed and part of my collection in my Drum Room...with my Slingerland 1968 BR 80N taking center stage!

-Mark

TommyP...again thank you for the info and your time to provide it.

Can you imagine feeling a heart attack coming on and still be able to keep your cool like that? let alone finish a performance, of any kind. i believe he pushed it there at the ending of the song, he knew 1 of 2 things were going to happen and he gave it his all no matter the outcome.

you are a lucky man to have been able to spend time with Buddy as you did. i wish i would of been able to see Buddy live, but never had the opportunity.

I had plans to visit your Buddy display at the drum show last year, but had to cancel my trip. I kick myself every time i think of it. Im hoping maybe you'll set it up again sometime. fingers crossed.

Not to get too personal or anything but i bet you were sweating your undies there in Mr Rich's dressing room. i know i would have. Do you have any post of stories about your visit with Buddy here on the forum? Would love to read them. with that....didnt you wright a book about Buddy....or maybe you were thinking of it. seems like there was a conversation with you saying something about writing a Buddy book. and if you do....i want one.

Tommy

I think I recall that at one time you were considering writing the ultimate Buddy Rich book

do you still have plans for it

I for one would certainly buy it

Kev

Isn't there an old saying that "If I'm going to die I'm going to die with my boots on". Well I wonder If Buddy was thinking If this is it then I'm going to go out in a blaze of glory.