Gene Krupa

Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential Polish-American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.

Legacy

Many consider Krupa to be the most influential drummer of the 20th century, particularly with regard to the development of the drum kit.

Related Topics:
Drummer - Drum kit

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Krupa's main influence began in the 1930s with his collaboration with the Slingerland drum company, but he had already made history in 1927 as the first kit drummer ever to record using a bass drum pedal. His drum method was published in 1938 and immediately became the standard text.

Related Topics:
Slingerland - Bass drum

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Krupa established the 8 x 12" and 9 x 13" hanging toms mounted on the bass drum, and he developed and popularised many of the cymbal techniques that became standards. His collaboration with Armand Zildjian of the Avedis Zildjian Company developed the hi-hat stand and standardized the names and uses of the ride cymbal, the crash cymbal, the splash cymbal, the pang cymbal and the swish cymbal. Later innovations included the floor tom and toms with tunable bottom heads. At first he placed this between his two bass drums, another technique he was pioneering at the time, before moving it to its now standard position.

Related Topics:
Hanging toms - Cymbal - Armand Zildjian - Avedis Zildjian Company - Hi-hat - Ride cymbal - Crash cymbal - Splash cymbal - Pang cymbal - Swish cymbal - Bass drum

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Krupa has been cited as an influence by 1960s rock drummers such as John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Keith Moon of The Who, and Paul Whaley of Blue Cheer. The British techno-rock group Apollo 440 had a hit with "Krupa" which featured the phrase "Now back to Gene Krupa's syncopated style", sampled from Martin Scorcese's 1976 film, Taxi Driver. The song itself is an electronic dance track written in the style of Gene Krupa, giving the impression of Krupa's style in the form of a 1990's dance track, blending his musical idioms with a modern song using samples and synthesised basslines.

Related Topics:
John Bonham - Led Zeppelin - Keith Moon - The Who - Paul Whaley - Blue Cheer - Apollo 440 - Martin Scorcese - Taxi Driver

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