BUDDY SALTZMAN R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
May 3, 2012
THIS MORNING I WAS AWAKENED BY A FACEBOOK POST FROM MY FRIEND ARTIE KORNFELD, “THE FATHER OF WOODSTOCK, ” THAT OUR FRIEND BUDDY SALTZMAN HAD PASSED AWAY.
I USED BUDDY ON MY DEMOS WHEN I WAS A STAFF WRITER AT ALDON AND MASTERS WHEN I STARTED PRODUCING. (“MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT MARY”).
HE WAS ALWAYS MORE THAN HELPFUL IN FINDING THE “RIGHT THING TO PLAY” AND WAS WILLING TO SPEND WHATEVER TIME IT TOOK TO EXECUTE IT PROPERLY SOMETIMES WITHOUT CHARGING ME.
ARTIE KORNFELD WRITES…
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“Buddy Saltzman was, from 1955 through 1968 the most used studio drummer in recording history.You have in your collections many hits from “The Locomotion to”, “Any One who had a heart” and on and on. Buddy must have the most #1 records he played drums on.He did about 100 sessions with me.He even played on “The Rain,ThePark, and Other Things”.
John Cowsill now drummer for a long time with Mike Love and the Beach Boys , in gratitude has kept contact with Buddy and brought much happiness.A year ago, when the Boys played in Palm Beach John invited me and surprised me by putting me next to Buddy.His walker that he needed broke my heart .
Buddy died 3 days ago and was buried today.
I was going to go until I found out that his gravesite was within 30 yards of Linda Kornfeld,The Mother of Woodstock.
Buddy Rest In Peace.
Artie Kornfeld
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BUDDY…MAY YOU ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
RESPECTFULLY, ARTIE WAYNE
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Copyright 2012 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/celebrating-two-million-views-today-on-artie-wayne-on-the-web/
BUDDY SALTZMAN WEBSITE http://music.msn.com/music/artist-biography/buddy-saltzman/
ARTIE KORNFELD http://www.artiekornfeld-woodstock.com/
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THE CONDOLENCES ARE STARTING TO COME IN…
Dear Artie:
Buddy did quite a few hits with me, notably TIGHTER TIGHTER by Alive
and Kicking, and the Cowsills first and iconic hit, THE RAIN – THE PARK.
The Lord got a great drummer.
Best, Jimmy Wisner
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ARTIE..I WAS SAD TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF BUDDY SALTZMAN..WHEN I WORKED FOR BOB CREWE IN THE LATE 60’S I REMEMBER HE RARELY DID A SESSION WITHOUT BUDDY, WHO ACCENTED THOSE FRANKIE VALLI/FOURSEASONS HITS IN HIS UNIQUE STYLE..HE PLAYED ON MY EARLY DEMOS AND MANY OF MY FRIENDS..I HOPE HE I NOW AT PEACE PLAYING IN THE BEST BAND IN HEAVEN..
LARRY WEISS (“RHINESTONE COWBOY”)
AND HERE’S THE ANTHEM THAT WILL WELCOME BUDDY AT THE GATE… WRITTEN BY ALAN O’DAY AND JOHNNY STEVENSON “IF YOU BELIEVE IN FOREVER LIFE IS JUST A ONE NIGHT STAND…IF THERE’S A ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN”, YOU KNOW THEY’VE GOT A HELL OF A BAND!
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT PLEASE SCROLL DOWN AND A BOX WILL OPEN
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Artie Wayne On The Web 
May 3, 2012 at 8:43 pm
HE HAD A GAIT AND SWING AND THAT PARADIDDLE THING.
HE GAVE ME CONFIDENCE ON EVERY SESSION…
AND YES , HE WAS THERE ON ALMOST EVERY SESSION, AND EVERY ARTIST
THAT I PRODUCED IN NEW YORK….
WHAT A GREAT COLABORATOR …DEPENDIBLE…HIS PRESENCE WAS ALWAYS FELT..AND HE WILL MISSED !!!I
I REMEMBER HE USED TO LOVE TO FLY THAT SMALL 4 SEATER PROP…AND HE WOULD INVITE ME AND APRIL TO TRAVEL DOWN THE SEA SHORE IN HIS AIRPLANE…
A NICE MAN..A PLEASANT MAN…I AM SO GLAD HE TOUCHED MY LIFE. AND MY MUSIC .
R I P. YOUR FRIEND
JERRY ROSS
May 3, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Buddy and I shared many hours in the studio when I was a recording engineer….He always made the sessions work even when working was not happening….The producers when problems happened always turned to Buddy and asked for help and within minutes the sessions came back to life. He was great to work with and also gave me some really fine idea’s on recording drums. I’m sure heaven is now turning to Buddy asking for some help with a song or two….RIP Buddy, you made my job so much easier….
Barry Oslander
May 4, 2012 at 1:26 am
When I read Roy Markowitz’s posting on Facebook and got the call from Artie Kaplan my mind went into a mix of sadness and old warm feelings. I shared a long history with Buddy.
I was 11 years old when I started working working as a delivery boy at Associated Recording. Buddy was basically there all day doing non-stop demos for publishers. When I was 13 I made my first single as a singer under the name of Ritchie Dean on Sol Winkler’s Swirl label. Buddy was the drummer.
I made about 75 sides with him on numbers of labels under numbers of names not to mention demos for songs I wrote, and while I was an engineer there he played on 100’s of sessions I engineered.
He was always smiling and kind and when I didn’t know what I was doing he’d sort it all out for me. He had the most controlled and musical style. I am honored to have known him. He made such a difference on my life and I am forever grateful.
I know we’ll all miss him. I certainly will.
Warren Schatz
May 4, 2012 at 1:33 am
Buddy Saltzman, Gary Chester, Jimmy Johnson, Al Rogers…all the drummers I always looked up to, and had the privilege to work with. Buddy, was the “big beat” guy. I feel honored to have known him and the other giants of beat. Buddy, played with everyone from the Four Seasons, to the Monkees. How cool is that! Life is precious, and the people that we meet in this journey is what makes it so…..RIP Buddy.
Don Oriolo
May 4, 2012 at 4:00 am
Losing Buddy was like losing a little piece of history that most people did not even know existed.
The diversity of his style to fit in without taking away was or drawing attention was his biggest attribute aside
from being a tasteful and inspired drummer and musician.
May 4, 2012 at 4:34 am
Buddy was a big part of some of the best records I heard on oldies radio growing up in the 90’s, but he was a name that was largely unfamiliar to me until the past few years. Artie, if it weren’t for your blog, the passing of people like Buddy might have gone largely unnoticed. Every time I hear of a musician passing, even if it was just a studio musician who performed on the hits, it saddens me because they were such a big part of some great music. Thankfully the music will live on forever and so will the memory of people like Buddy, every time a song they performed on gets played.
May 4, 2012 at 11:20 am
What Hits didn’t Buddy play on ! He was the easiest guy to work with. We spent many hours in the studio together.. A consummate musician. Better than a “Drum Machine”.. Jay Siegel
May 5, 2012 at 9:06 am
Transcribed from emails…
Buddy played on many demos for me and along with Al Rogers was the only drummer I used as part of a core group of musicians that included Frank Owen s and Leroy Glover on keyboards, Charlie Macy on guitar and bass for over one hundred demos and records of songs I wrote. He was a lot of fun along with being a wonderful drummer. It’s too sad that he’s no longer with us.
MARK BARKAN “PRETTY FLAMINGO”
Tom Diehl…Buddy was a big part of some of the best music EVER created.
Kingsley Abbott…One of the very best – I wonder just how many records in my collection he played on – many more than I ever realised at the time.
May 6, 2012 at 4:09 am
This is such sad news. Buddy played on so many sessions that I’m sure even he lost count. It was always such a pleasure to be greeted by that happy face when you walked in the studio. He made everything fun. I feel very lucky to have been able to work with him on so many occasions and I will miss him.
Jean (Thomas) Fox
May 7, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Buddy and Charles Macy everyday at Associated.
May 14, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Hey Artie, Buddy was just the coolest guy. I am so lucky to have hooked up with him later on as an adult. I use to sit behind him in the studio and watch him play the songs I would be playing live. I was kinda mad at him because I thought that I should be able to play the drums. What did I know, I was an 8yr old kid. When I told him that one he had a good laugh!!! I will miss talking to him but I’ll always be able to listen to him…Love, John Cowsill
June 1, 2012 at 6:28 am
I just found out this news this evening. I am absolutely amazed at everything that I have read about him.
The news of his passing has certainly not gotten the wide coverage on the Internet that it deserves. I just posted a message about it on Ron Smith’s Oldies Music website bulletin board (home page is http://www.oldiesmusic.com) and will shortly post a similar message on Mike Riccio’s Oldies Music Board (http://www.oldiesboard.com).
Though he may not have been a household name to the general public, he was truly a legend to the biggest names in the business and unquestionably he was one of my musical heroes even though I was unaware of who he was!
Those who worked with him were truly blessed and those who have enjoyed his enormous contributions to hundreds of hits have truly had their lives enriched as a resul of them.
March 4, 2015 at 12:55 am
Please read my reply to Doug below. I wrote my above comment one and three-quarter years ago, shortly after Buddy’s passing. He was on of my musical heroes but I must admit that I was unaware of the sheer magnitude of his work. A Wikipedia article on the man is long, long, long overdue, and hopefully my post to Doug and this post will inspire someone to create one as soon as possible.
March 4, 2015 at 12:57 am
Actually my math isn’t too hot. My original post was written TWO and three-quarter years. Subconsciously his passing was not quite as recent as I thought.,
June 1, 2012 at 8:17 am
Now I know who to thank for all the wonderful drum work on the Four Seasons hits. I would have loved to have sat in a coffee shop with Buddy and just listened to stories. Thank you Buddy for the music and the memories. Jim Southern. radio DJ 1961- 1976
June 2, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Buddy played on a majority of Bob Crewe’s records, ie. Diane Renay, Oliver, Music to Watch Girls By, The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore, and, oh yeah, the Four Seasons. Jay and the Americans used him most of the time as did Jeff Barry and Shadow Morton (Society’s Child). I remember Artie Butler telling him to move to L.A. because the recording scene was leaving N.Y. That was right after he recorded “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. Buddy, instead ended up playing drums for an off Broadway show, something called Grease, if that sounds familiar.
June 24, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Ron Katz says:
June 24, 2:06
I just read today about the passing of truly one of th great drummers and more importantly great men I ever had the pleasure to know. Buddy was my next door neighbor Iin Little Neck, NY when I was a kid. It was because of him I learned to play the drums. It was because of him I listened every Sunday to Frank Sinatra when kids my age really had no idea who that was. The intense pool volley ball games was something that I looked so forward to. I will mis callimng him on his birthday in Oct and just talking to him for a few minutes. To have had a chance to know him and and to call him an idiol and friend is truly obe of the greatest treasures in my life. To Ceil, Craig, Freddie, Mindy My deepest sorrow for your loss. I know that heaven just got much better having him there.
May 28, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Buddy had the best ‘tuned tom toms’ in the industry ! As a young teenager, I would play various 4 Seasons songs nearly wearing them out to repeatedly listen and learn from Buddy’s masterful drumming… God did I dig it !!!!! Hope your now enjoying a well deserved place in Rock’n’Roll Heaven Buddy! Thanks for leaving us some groovy tunes to still hear you doing your thing !
October 17, 2013 at 10:39 am
Ron Katz: today is Buddy’s birthday. I called Buddy every birthday to talk and just tell him how much he meant to me and that he was being thought of and about. Since I can’t call anymore I still wanted him and Ceil, Craig, Freddy, and Mindy to know that he was still missed and being thought of. I will do as I do every Oct 17th listen to some of Buddys great songs that he was a part of. He continues to touch all our lives and is missed very much. So Happy Birthday to my idiol, and truly one of the greatest caring men I have ever known.
March 3, 2015 at 10:10 pm
Too bad the Jersey Boys movie didn’t include an honorable mention for Buddy ! And only a first name mention for Joey Long and he is in good standing with Guido and Valli. Don’t know if it was something like they couldn’t get together on or if money was involved or permission or what ? What a shame, If the auto/bios ever come out by the 4/Seasons Guido and Frankie maybe they will ? On the track Dawn I heard that he hit the TOM alittle to hard but im glad he did!
March 4, 2015 at 12:50 am
This reply is to Doug and everyone else here. Considering what Buddy meant to the music industry (and that is putting it mildly) I think it is a TRAVESTY that there is no Wikipedia article on this man! He is so VERY DESERVING of one. I realize that Wikipedia is not the be-all and end-all of information, but it is very widely-read and there are many excellent articles. I assume that there are many (including myself) who, upon Buddy’s passing, was flabbergasted at the lack of such an article. Another excellent studio drummer, Gary Chester, has a fine Wiki article and Buddy most assuredly should have one as well. My hope is that you, Doug, or someone else here who has a lot more knowledge of Buddy than I do will read this and create such a long-overdue article for the great Buddy Saltzman.
March 7, 2015 at 4:28 am
Hey Ron are you the same Ronnie Allen The singer ??
March 7, 2015 at 4:34 am
Well the answer to your question, Doug, is “Yes or No.” It depends on which Ronnie Allen you are thinking about. There’s a Ronnie Allen who recorded “Juvenile Delinquent” for San Records around 1961; that is NOT me, though I have interviewed him! I recorded “Flip Over You” for Dapt Records in 1961. The two of us often get confused, even though I am a piano player and singer and he is a guitarist and singer. There are some compilation albums that have tracks by both of us without any indication that we are different artists.
March 8, 2015 at 7:27 am
Yeah I think your the one I heard of – kinda looks like Kenny Rodgers ? anyway its good to talk to you, the song Juvenile Delinquent that was the one almost written by Morris Levy for Frankie Lymon ? Also saw Artie Kornfeld’s intro to this page and I can remember watching the Woodstock documentary and thinking how cool he and Mike Lang were! Boy id sure like to have one of there autograph books!! Was also reading somewhere that said Buddy was the James Burton of Percussion! Don’t forget about Tommy Tedesco though, Maybe it was Tommy that was the most used studio guitarist not Sure? Speaking of the Wrecking crew there is a documentary out about them now or I think it’s been released? Saw Burton on the PBS special about John Denver the other night, he’s really starting to show his age! — Later
April 14, 2015 at 1:25 am
is anyone out there? your talking to the – check that- there is nothing that the 4/S that I cant play Im only 56 I play only Fender BASS, along with my 1972 Kustom – tuck-pleated Bass amp – the real THING. Nicky Massi doesent have nothing on me !!. REPLY or you will miss me
April 14, 2015 at 1:30 am
Wrong, Doug. I am NOT the Kenny Rogers impersonator and look nothing like him.
April 14, 2015 at 1:44 am
WHAT DO YOU MEAN WRONG?
April 14, 2015 at 1:45 am
I AM MOST RIGHT..
April 14, 2015 at 1:53 am
Doug, this will be my last comment out of respect to the main focus of this page. The Kenny Rogers impersonator at http://www.ronnieallen.com is NOT me. The guy who recorded “Juvenile Delinquent” is NOT me (I interviewed him by the way). I had a single out called “Flip Over You,” worked for Casey Kasem and presently do interview shows for a website called Jersey Girls Sing. Again, Doug, I will not reply to any more comments from you except if they are about the great Buddy Saltzman.
April 14, 2015 at 1:49 am
dUH I ALREADY KNOW THAT/
April 14, 2015 at 1:54 am
This website is dead?
April 14, 2015 at 1:57 am
Well I guess your right? anyway ???
April 14, 2015 at 2:02 am
Your nont gonna shut me down I Know drummers like Hal Blane..
April 14, 2015 at 2:05 am
A bunch of amatures
April 14, 2015 at 2:07 am
Do you know hard it is to play A bASS GUITAR ?
April 14, 2015 at 2:18 am
Im not saying Hal Blane was better!!
April 14, 2015 at 2:21 am
Talk to ME..
April 14, 2015 at 2:27 am
A bunch o f wanna beee-s
April 14, 2015 at 2:31 am
I am THE LAST of the “old guys>>
April 14, 2015 at 3:02 am
Well the ol lady is on my ass– shes got me and im not free so- ??. BYE BYE Baby
August 16, 2016 at 7:18 pm
My dad, Buddy Saltzman, was a great drummer, but more importantly was a great person. Everyone loved him but none more than me. We will miss him dearly, but his music will never die.
Craig Saltzman