Buddy Rich

Almost everything I've done, I've done through my own creativity.

— Buddy Rich

They're simply following what was laid down in front and they play the same thing. So, there's no great challenge In being…

— Buddy Rich

I mean, I think I liked every band I ever played in because each band was different, each band had a different…

— Buddy Rich

You only get better by playing.

— Buddy Rich

If you can play, you can play anything. I don't like classifications.

— Buddy Rich

Every drummer that had a name, had a name because of his individual playing. He didn't sound like anybody else, So everybody…

— Buddy Rich

But I think that any young drummer starting out today should get himself a great teacher and learn all there is to…

— Buddy Rich

I think it's a fallacy that the harder you practice the better you get.

— Buddy Rich

I think at one time every drummer wanted to play like Krupa or wanted to win a Gene Krupa drum contest. This…

— Buddy Rich

But, when you have to resort to turntables, trick lights, flashing lights, fire and all that, you're actually saying, I need this…

— Buddy Rich

As far as music school goes, I walked through Berkelee one time.

— Buddy Rich

I can't sit down long enough to absorb any kind of learning.

— Buddy Rich

There are only two types of music.good and bad.

— Buddy Rich

Almost everything I've done, I've done through my own creativity. I don't think I ever had to listen to anyone else to…

— Buddy Rich

If you think you stink, you probably do.

— Buddy Rich

Well, I never really practiced because I never had the opportunity to practice.

— Buddy Rich

I never believed in a set routine. It should depend on how you feel, because you play what you feel.

— Buddy Rich

So, practice, particularly after you've attained a job, any kind of job, like playing with a four piece band, that's... an opportunity…

— Buddy Rich

I consider every drummer that ever played before me an influence, in every way.

— Buddy Rich

You either swing a band or don't swing a band and that's what's lacking today.. There aren't any guys who get back…

— Buddy Rich

I think the drummer should sit back there and play some drums, and never mind about the tunes. Just get up there…

— Buddy Rich

But primarily, the drummer's supposed to sit back there and swing the band.

— Buddy Rich

To have everything written for you It's not really creating. That's why I think symphony drummers are so limited. They 're limited…

— Buddy Rich

It takes us about four or five days to get an album out.

— Buddy Rich

I can think of a lot better things to do with my hands than to cut them up on the rim of…

— Buddy Rich