Did you know Buddy Rich didn't read music? He also couldn't play odd time signatures, but his chops were outrageous. He was super fast and his time was impeccable. He definitely had an ego, but I don't believe he was as bad as many people say.
As far as I know, Buddy never took a drum lesson in his life either.
First time I seen Buddy, was at age 11, at a Frank's Drum Shop Clinic, and sat right on the Drum Stage to his right. Close enough, that he could've popped me in the head with his Stick. He was an inspiration for me, and seen him 3 more times after that in concerts, one which he made a tribute to the now late great Roy C. Knapp, (Known as the "Dean Of Drums") where Buddy called Roy up on Stage, and made the comment that he wished he had taken lessons from Roy.
Not only were his drums chops literally unhuman, but his Cymbal, and Hi-Hat Playing were beyond compare.
Was Buddy a bastard? You better believe he was, a sharp tongued, premadonna who had to have his way, or there was no way. We were pre-warned back in 1967 at that Drum Clinic by Maurie Lishon, the owner of Frank's NOT to ask Buddy any dumb questions.
Buddy was an hour late, showed up at 1pm, I was lucky, as I had a drum lesson 10:00am that unforgettable saturday morning, that insured myself a spot close up. I parked my ass on that Stage, and didn't budge! Was he worth the wait? You all know that answer!
I heard the tapes many years ago, and for the first 2 minutes didn't believe it was Buddy, then did recognize his voice, that there was no doubting who it was, it was definitely him!
I especially took note how he wanted to throw the Sax Player off the Bus, as the Sax Player refused Buddy's demands to shave his Beard. Buddy said something akin to "This isn't the Star of David Band", and kept going on about his band members playing like high school kids, and playing "Clams" all night!
Funny though, that I once seen Buddy many years ago, on a "Playboy Late At Night", where he was sporting a Nehru Jacket, and Goatee. Guess it was OK for him though!? Mark