Irv Cottler
February 13th, 1918 - August 8th, 1989
72 years old

Irv Cottler was one of the most respected and prolific session drummers of the big-band era. No less an authority than Frank Sinatra called him "the best in the business." Born February 13, 1918, in New York City, Cottler grew up in the same neighborhood as pioneering bandleader Raymond Scott. At 14, he falsified his age to acquire a musician's union card, and honed his chops playing the Catskills resort circuit. After stints with Red Norvo and Mildred Bailey, Cottler toured Calif ... more»

Buddy Rich
September 29th, 1917 - April 2nd, 1987
70 years old

Buddy Rich (September 30, 1917 - April 2, 1987)     Buddy Rich was arguably the greatest drummer to ever live. 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." Arguably the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the legendary Buddy Rich exhibited his love fo ... more»

Papa Jo Jones
October 7th, 1911 - September 3rd, 1985
74 years old

Jo Jones (October 7, 1911–September 3, 1985) (later known as Papa Jo Jones) was an American drummer, one of the most influential in the history of jazz. Born Jonathan David Samuel Jones in Chicago, Illinois, he moved to Alabama where he learned to play several instruments, including saxophone, piano, and drums. He worked as a drummer and tap-dancer at carnival shows until joining Walter Page's band, the Blue Devils in Oklahoma City in the late 1920s. He recorded with trumpeter Lloyd Hunt ... more»

Sonny Greer
December 13th, 1901 - March 23rd, 1982
81 years old

He was never the greatest timekeeper, but Sonny Greer was perfect for Duke Ellington's Orchestra, adding color and class to the rhythm section. Born Dec 13, 1895 in Long Beach, NJ, Sonny Greer was with Duke Ellington's Orchestra during 1924-51. With the Ellington orchestra, Sonny formed one of the most powerful rhythm sections of all time with bass player Jimmy Blanton. Every jazz drummer and bass player has at one time or another referenced their beats. He met Ellington in 1919 when ... more»

John Bonham
May 31st, 1948 - September 25th, 1980
32 years old

John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham was an English drummer and songwriter, best known as the drummer of the band Led Zeppelin. Bonham was born in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, to Joan and Jack Bonham.  He had two siblings; his younger brother, Mick Bonham (1951-2000), was a disc jockey, author and photographer and his younger sister, Deborah Bonham (born in 1962), who is a singer-songwriter. John was married to Pat Phillips, and the couple had two childr ... more»

Keith Moon
August 23rd, 1946 - July 9th, 1978
31 years old

Keith Moon (August 23, 1947 - September 7, 1978)     Keith John Moon lived in Wembley, London as a boy. He was hyperactive and had a restless imagination. As a youth, the one thing that could hold his attention was music. A report from his secondary modern school was not encouraging – his art teacher commented: 'Retarded artistically. Idiotic in other respects.' Teacher Aaron Sofocleous praised his music skills and encouraged his c ... more»