Buddy Rich Quotes

I'm a rhythm player. I need to set people up, I need to be in the flow of the game.

When I'm drumming, I'm not thinking about much.

I look up to a lot of old school drummers from the '70s, '80s, and '90s.

How can you not love a man banging on the drums? He knows how to keep a rhythm.

I love drums and still play frequently.

He comes in on the beat and plays on top of the beat. I think when Prince makes love, he hears drums instead of Ravel.

I've played the drums for so long, I can't imagine saying goodbye to it.

It's about knowing how to make a groove happen and keep it going so others can play off it.

It's as if my left heel is my bass drum and my right heel is the floor tom-tom. I can get snare out of my right toe by not putting it down on the floor hard, and, if I want cymbals, I land flat on both feet, full strength on the floor.

Playing drums, for me, is like breathing. It's like thinking. It's like eating. It's like walking.

If there was a wrong note, it didn't matter as long as it was rocking.

I find that drummers are the coolest people in the world. I play a little bit of drums.

My solo music - I get up onstage, I improvise and it's my improvisation. When I get up onstage with Fred Frith and Mike Patton, then we're improvising together. Then it's not my music; it's our music.

I mean, in the course of an evening, people will take a solo here and there, but generally it's all about the rhythm of that music. Dealing with the rhythm with everything. That's essentially at least my concept of what that group is.

I like to be one of those drummers who actually add to the music, not one of those guys who sit in a room 24/7 trying to outwit or outplay another drummer.

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

Drums just always sounded like the most fun part of that good music for me.

I started out as a drummer, and now play with a back-to-basics rock band called the 'Luddites.' I'm happiest when I'm behind the kit.

I play Orange County drums. I love those guys. I've got a four piece kit.

The golden rule of drums is hands clapping and feet tapping, and when you are in and out of consciousness, you can't do that to best of your ability.

Drums were my first instrument, my first love. I need rhythm, something that moves.

An important part of being in a band is the rhythm section.

I listen to Bill Stewart play the drums and when I have finished doing that, I listen to Bill Stewart.

Any talk of 'craft' makes me laugh. My music looks outward; it does not gaze upon itself in admiration. Artisanal is for cheesemakers. I don't know anything about music theory. Every time I approach my guitar, it's like the first time. There's no craft in that.

Drums were my first instrument.