I was privileged to work with Buddy in the UK and at times in Europe. My first concert with Buddy was at the Fairfield Hall in Croydon (South London) in (I recall) 1978. Later Brian Theobald and I joined forces and we worked togethewr for some woderful years producing Buddy's concerts and other major artists such as Tony Bennett, Miles, Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass, Dizzy and others - Brian and I stayed dear friends until he passed away, bless him - and this was after Buddy had passed - wonderful memories.
Buddy was a force of nature - undoubtedly a genius of the drums and as millions would say "the greatest drummer ever". I have always disliked titles such as the greatest - because as Buddy himself said, I learned from every drummer I ever saw - every drummer who picked up a pair of sticks learned from Buddy - he was a phenomenom - acerbic, tough, demanding the very best from his musicians, not always easy - but I loved you Buddy. You were funny, and could be incredibly kind - I miss you Buddy very much and I give thanks and deep gratitude for the incredible times we all had during those years - Buddy called me "fast hands" - I take that as one hell of a compliment - but for me and millions of others you were and are the greatest.
