Buddy Rich

AKA:

Mr. Drums

Birth Name:

Bernard Rich

Birth Date:

September 30, 1917

Birth Place:

New York, New York

Death Date:

April 2, 1987

Place of Death:

UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California

Age:

Cause of Death:

Respiratory and cardiac failure related to a malignant brain tumor

Cemetery Name:

Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park

Claim to Fame:

Music

Beyond his flamboyant, sometimes volatile character, beyond his classic wardrobe and his status as the preferred guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson Buddy Rich was a magnificent drummer. His recording and performing resume - Bunny Berigan, Harry James, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Tatum - is unparalleled by any other drummer living or dead.

It is no surprise to anyone with even a passing knowledge of music that Buddy Rich was a flamboyant, arrogant, insufferable narcissist who believed he was superior to all other human beings because of his talent on the drums. So I love this joke at Buddy’s expense that made the rounds shortly after he died:

A former Buddy Rich Band member calls up to Buddy’s house one day asking to talk to Buddy,
“I’m sorry,” said the person answering the phone. “But Buddy has died.”
“Ok.” replies the bandmember. So he hangs up.

A few days later the same bandmember calls up Buddy’s house again asking to talk to Buddy.
“I’m sorry,” said the person answering the phone. “But Buddy has died.”
“Ok. replied the bandmember and hangs up again.

A few days later he calls Buddy’s house again asking to speak to Buddy.
The person answering the phone recognizes him, “Look, I’ve told you already that Buddy has died. There is no way he can talk to you.”
” I know.” said the bandmember, “I just enjoy hearing you say he’s dead.”

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park

1218 Glendon Avenue

Los Angeles, California, 90024

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2020 Jeannette M. Hartman.

Grave Location:

Sanctuary of Tranquility

Grave Location Description

Walk along the perimeter of the cemetery until you come to the Sanctuary of Tranquility. As you enter the alcove look to the right, second tomb on the bottom row. You will usually find drumsticks in the flower vase.