Buddy Rich DVD Set For Release

By I Jun. 16, 2003

On June 24, Lightyear Entertainment will release restored footage of Buddy Rich’s last recorded performance on an enhanced DVD.

Buddy Rich And His Band: The Channel One Suite features a 60 minute performance of Rich and the band, interviews with the drummer, behind-the-scenes footage of the concert, and special features with Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, and Jerry Lewis.

Recorded in April 1985, the session took place at One Pass Production’s King Street Studio in San Francisco in front of a makeshift nightclub—Rich didn’t like to play alone and preferred a live audience. He hadn’t recorded anything for more than five years, and with his death in 1987, it proved to be the last time for an engagement like this.

In 1990, a fire broke out which nearly destroyed the classic footage. Original concert producer and, now, DVD producer Steve Michelson, with some help from production companies Scabeba Entertainment, Reber Productions, and Lobitos Creek Ranch, has been able to recover the full concert. A documentary of the restoration process will be included in the DVD.

“During the Rich engagement, 22 drummers were in the audience,” according to Frank Sinatra in a past interview. “At the conclusion of the Channel One Suite, half of them were openly crying. Let the audience forever be amazed and in wonderment of your art.”

For more info, go to www.lightyear.com.