I listened to Gene Krupa in the late 50s when he was with Benny Goodman and their recording of the hit, 'Sing, Sing, Sing' (1937)*. It is legend that this piece gave birth to swing and it remains my favourite to this day. He also appeared as himself in a movie, 'The Glen Miller Story' (1954), played beside Louis Armstrong and 'Basin Street Blues' became cult classic.Krupa was the man behind the drum kit setup as it became standard equipment for most drummers after him. Zildjian, the drum company, learnt a lot from Krupa.
His compositions include, 'Some Like It Hot', 'Drummin' Man', 'Drum Boogie' the enthusiast's ultimate drum dream.
He has a movie to his name, 'The Gene Krupa Story' starring Sal Mineo (who recorded, 'Mack The Knife'), a street after his name in New York and was the first drummer to be in the corridors of the Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame.
He shaped my love for drums. Danny Boy (Silver Strings drummer) reveres Krupa. Was Krupa better than Brian Bennett, Tony Meehan, Howie Johnson and Mel Taylor of guitar groups fame?
Gene Krupa was their biggest influence. Oh yes, and Buddy Rich...
Video: http://www.youtube.com/ key in: gene krupa sing sing sing
Gene Krupa: 1909 -1973
*100 most important American musical works of the 20th Century.
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