What was it about Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich that made them stand out to you as drummers?
CP: Well, first of all you have to understand that when I saw Gene Krupa, it was in the film Drum Crazy – that was the title used in Europe. The actual film here in America was called The Gene Krupa Story. That was the first real sort of drummer I saw on the big screen, playing with a big band doing all the necessary things that you needed to do. That was extremely influential he was incredibly impressionistic as a player. I was only 11 years old and didn’t know any better, didn’t know any different. When I saw that I was totally enthralled by what I saw. It was when I left the movie theatre on that particular afternoon with my father I remember saying to him That’s what I would like to do. That’s what I want to be. How can you help me do that? He helped me, and I’ve walked down that path ever since. PS: And as far as Buddy? CP: Buddy was just an absolute fluke. I actually had an album at home called Buddy Rich Sings Tony Mercer. Tony Mercer was a well known singer at the time . I don’
