Wonderful memories! I had Buddy autograph a dollar bill back around 1977 at Disneyland. I was scared enough to ask for the autograph!

Mark

I saw him live 3 times and never even thought to ask him for an autograph. As to timing, he had a heart attack in '83 and was gone by '87. Is that pic in that time range??

I did get Louie Bellson's signature across the page showing the double bass blue sparkle kit in the '67/68 catalog that has his and Buddy's pictures on the rear cover. He was a real gentleman.

Indeed! Saw BR LIVE 5 times between 1973 and 1978. Met with him one on one in his dressing room in 1973, and what a story that is too! I was 17 at the time, and well... at that age, we all had balls made of titanium! Buddy was a little put off at first, but then warmed, and we had a nice conversation. I did get his autograph of course! I'll have to take a shot of my BR walls, as there are two of them covered with prints, a couple original David Redfern shots, matted/framed. Large too: 20X28! I also have a BR autographed Ludwig coated medium drum head back from the tail end of his FINAL Ludwig endorsement in 1980/1982. He signed it upside down, but who was going to tell him?!

Regarding your pic: I would imagine that you do know how old you were in that pic? That would of course dial in the date exactly, but that said.. yes .. I would say within the last 5 years or so of his life based on his appearance. 1983 was the last heart attack and which required bypass surgery. Buddy was BACK playing in approx. two months! The guy was just unbelievable!

Tommyp