Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30 1917 Brooklyn, New York – April 2 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer"Yanow, Scott. "Buddy Rich", All Music Guide ( link) Accessed 2007 August 31 and was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed.
Early life
Rich was born to vaudevillian Robert and Bess Rich.Harrison, Joyce. "Buddy Rich Biography", musicianguide.com, link Accessed 2007 December 3 His talent for rhythm was first noted by his father, who saw that Buddy could keep a steady beat with spoons at the age of one. He began playing drums in vaudeville when he was 18 months old, billed as "Traps the Drum Wonder". At the peak of Rich's childhood career, he was reportedly the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world (after Jackie Coogan). At 11 he was performing as a bandleader. He received no formal drum instruction, and went so far as to claim that instruction would only degrade his musical talent. He
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy Rich