RARE!!! - Fred Astaire playing the drums in his bedroom
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- One of Fred Astaire's favorite things was to put on a jazz album, sit down on his beloved drums, and play along. The joy this brought him is palpable.
From "Person to Person", CBS, 1957
I do not own anything, no copyright infringement intended.
Since people have asked if he plays the drums in any of his movies. Yes!
- A Damsel in Distress (1937)
- Easter Parade (1948)
- Daddy Long Legs (1955)
And he also plays them in his TV show Another Evening with Fred Astaire (1959)
That's amazing, he plays drums just like he dances. The same rhythm, pauses, breaks, taps etc.
Indeed!
@@davidmartin9565 heqhqeheqheehqheeccvcscqs
when he dances, he's drumming with his feet.
Playing an instrument and dancing are just forms of expressing the soul. What you feel inside. Which is why for him they seem so closely alike. True expressions of an amazing artist. 🎶🥁🤍 The biggest performance you'll ever do is the one for yourself.
Not only dancing and drumming. He is a great singer as well. Multi-bohemian talent
Watching Fred Astaire do anything makes me smile.
You know, me too. I caught myself smiling away watching this video 😁
Then we're glad he can do most anything. Class all the way!
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Back then, an actor needed to know how to do many things: Dance, sing, play instruments, act etc., Astaire was amazing!
ride a horse too
But no one dance like him.
Today's actors by and large are multi talented (singing, dancing, music, juggling, you name it). For most, living job to job, the more talents you have, the greater number of possible roles are there. Even the brooding star types had to get there, playing for breaks. Many are very, very talented, but never get the break. Hard life.
@@Rich2241 And they are for to dance at his level.
The more you can do, the more you can do.
Dancing, drumming, living, Fred always looked like he was just having fun.
Yeah. He seemed like a great person!
Dancing, singing, acting, drumming
I didn't know Fred Astaire was a drummer. However, I'm not surprised, given the sense of rhythm one must have to be as great a dancer as he. He has a marvelous sense of rhythm. His approach (at least demonstrated here) reminds me alot of Gene Krupa. Thanks for sharing this video.
@@canadiangiant Gene Kelly could also dance.Not sure he played the drums though! Fred wasn’t in that film…..
Charlie Calas, Johnny Carson, Mel Torme, etc...
I can't dance. That must be why my drumming sub par. Lol
He also played piano & I believe the Accordian!
Any tap dancer is a drummer at heart
His "time" is great, and he's very interesting-more interesting than most drummers. He
also sang better than most singers. Simple, direct and IN TUNE!
Wow! Another fan of Fred's singing. I've heard so many people disparage his singing, but I also love it. I have a 12 inch vinyl album of Fred singing Gershwin, my favorite composer of that era. Gershwin especially enjoyed writing for Fred, because he appreciated the way he interpreted his songs.
lucyb35 Hi Lucy,
Not just me, many Jazz musicians are recognizing Fred Astaire for his singing ability these days.
It’s very nice to hear these songs interpreted closer to the composers intent and with a nice feeling. Funny how things come full circle! Enjoy those records!
@@turtlelucy i've been researching astaire for years and literally the only person i've ever heard say something negative about his singing was he himself. most people i know are crazy about his singing, and so were the great composers who were virtually begging to write for him; from gerswhin to berlin to porter to kern etc.
Apparently all his songwriter friends loved it when he sang their songs; he sang to the melody without trying to embellish, his delivery was very pure (he was a songwriter and composer with a few hits himself)
I agree about his voice. Not powerful yet full of warmth and character. Dancing Cheek to Cheek being a personal favourite.
Have been living on earth for 61 years and didn't even know this man could play drums as such. Oh my!
Same! I'm 61 as well and saw this! A couple weeks ago I saw a young Stevie Wonder playing the drums as well ... all of these older guys were multi-talented.
If you think this is impressive - look at him dancing, singing and playing the drums in his dance routines "Drum Crazy" from Easter Parade and "Nice work if you can Get it" from Damsel in Distress, both are available on TH-cam.
I am not surprised that he can play the drums. He had that magical timing as a dancer. His feet and hands were golden!
He drummed just like he danced. Amazing!
He was a fantastic dancer and a fine drummer.
It is amazing watching his mannerisms come out while he played. If he had put 10 hours a day into it like his dancing imagine how he could have performed. 🥁
I was about to say the SAME thing lol! And he is a good drummer, nay sayer below- great syncopation and perfect time
@@randalclarke5487 I was about to say exactly the same thing too! lol....
@@randalclarke5487 Really good jazz freestyle.
"I hit everything in sight" lol
"Sometimes it isn't too bad and sometimes it worse"
I absolutely love his thoughts on the drums.
Fred is forever alive.
Wow! His hand motions were like his feet motions. He is 100% rhythm. What a magical person Fred Astaire was. I wish there were great people like he was today.
I should say, that was a little more than banging away. Timing: good. Feel: real good. Chops: darn fine. Way to Go Freddie!
@Untrepid One Yeah, but who isn't being scrutinized. I used to be so self conscious and now I could mostly care less. David Hume, the philosopher, pretty well shows that the self is in large measure an illusion.
@Untrepid One Untrepid...yes, I have been through some shinola in my life, maybe not as much as a lot of younger people today (so maybe my perspective isn't as sharp as it needs to be or that it should be, but I am working on that). But, I turned myself into a bit of a small "monster" (a la Jordan Peterson...see talks on post-modern thought and his talks on "white privaledge"). My aim is to become a much bigger "monster"...something you need to have even a chance of making it into the coming years or decade. But, you are absolutely correct about your assessment of an individuals tenuous existence in the "digital age"...One can be merely clicked out of existence, or "decided" out of existence by an A.I. algorithm...or, if one isn't part of the global digital community in some "meaningful" way, shape, or form...well it's like you don't even exist anyway.
You ain't better. Shut up.
We have the movies, always.
Imagine the talent that has come and gone on this earth.
Even more amazing is the talent that’s yet to come.
@Akhenaton Lives: And if that’s correct it also means the people without great talents and the disgusting murderers and war-mongers, thieves and liars also come back...unless reincarnation is somehow selective? Just a thought.
Yeah, as the saying goes, there are more unfulfilled dreams and accomplishments in the graveyard than any place else. Ain't everyone is destined for glory.
Indeed, I wrote an essay years ago pointing out that the talents of yesteryear were indeed, MULTI- talented. They sang, danced, acted, played an instrument and could do comedy or drama. Astaire, included. He was a fine dramatic actor when needed.
@@randalclarke5487: After several decades of involvement in the entertainment fields I can assure anyone who’s listening that each generation just gets better and better, because each one learns from the previous. You simply need to visit any major theatre operation or concert hall to see for yourself. I’ve met, socialized with, and in some cases worked with many multi-skilled performers - singers, dancers, musicians, actors, choreographers, directors - who are astounding in their accomplishments.
In the movie, Daddy Long Legs, Astaire's first appearance in the film sees him exactly playing the drums to a jazz album!
His timing dancing is so great, no wonder he knows how to play the drums. Never knew he could play drums.
You should check out his "drum crazy" number from Easter Parade. It's quite amazing.
@@jamessmithe5490 I’ll look it up!
@@lindapryor3747 Also check out his drumming on the film Daddy Long Legs.
@@marciadiehl5733 Going to look this up too. I was very fond of Fred Astaire while growing up. His movies were a joy to watch.
@@lindapryor3747 I fell in love with Fred Astaire back in 1977. I have collected every recording he ever did...and that is including every 78 recording he made. I have every book written about him as well as his own autobiography he wrote back in the mid 1950's. I also have every film he ever made and even copied old shows that he starred in as well as his Emmy award winning specials.
I am a huge fan of his.
when i was a kid my friend had a set of drums and i would go over to his house and we would take turns playing along to records like the beatles, ventures etc. it was alot of fun. fred astaire sure liked it too.
I'm not a musician and this era of music is decades before my time, but watching many drummers from the 40's to the late 60's or so, a common trait I've picked up on is the better ones excel at subtlety ... knowing when to play and knowing when to sit back, when to be loud and when to dial it back. No unnecessary fills or cymbal work but throwing in neat little off time flairs that fit perfect. I like the rock drummers, but it all started here. It's easy to spot the influences that live on to this day.
So true . Some drummers " play the kit". Others play like they re running in a marathon . Less is always more , IMHO. I m still playing/ learning since 1964 ( the Beatles - Ed Sullivan show did it). Take Care
Yup, for sure, and when I've thought about it over the years, it seemed like everything was already invented on the kit by the late seventies
My mom was a dancer in vaudeville started in 1926 with her parents, and she said the same thing about dancing. It’s not only about moving & the complexities of movement it’s also about knowing when to not move so to speak
@@cre8lite11That reminds me of that one part about halfway into the “Slap that Bass” number from “Shall We Dance” where Fred bends to the right, facing almost totally away from the camera, and moves very slowly for a moment. It’s such pleasing punctuation, and a total contrast to the rest of the dance.
@@holyspacemonkey yes you got it. Perfect example and I just saw that scene yesterday on TCM again one of my favorites! And her husband my dad was a bass player who played with Kenny Burrell so I gravitate towards bass, I love it! Thank you so much♿️🙏🏻☮️💜
It makes sense that a great dancer would have the rhythm to play the drums.
Sammy Davis Jr. is another great example of that.
@@HamptonGuitars Sammy was actually pro level ability. Drums and Piano.
I don't agree. I am quite a decent drummer but I can't dance for shit.
Exactly what I believe. The contrary doesn't seem to be so obvious ...
@@johnalex4391 Same, but dancing to drumming is a different thing.
I understand that he and Hermes Pan would actually work with a drummer while perfecting their movie dance numbers. Plus he could play piano. And hit golf balls flawlessly while tap dancing. Or dance with a hat rack. The guy was simply magical and that's all there is to it.
And skateboard. When he retired from show business he took up skateboarding and became at it until he fell and his doctor told him to quit.
Class act all the way...what a talent...No one could equal Fred Astair.
Notice the left foot on the high-hats keeping time independent of the hands and right foot - that is the sign of a good drummer and many modern drummers struggle to do that.
Hi hat independence !! 💥👍
You can sit a dancer behind a drum set, but PLEASE dont put a drummer in a dance act!...Elaine dancing on Seinfeld ring a bell?
It's crazy how many drummers I meet that have decent chops and otherwise play great yet can't do that. I'm not the best at it, I'm not gonna sit here and act like i can play a 150bpm tom groove with paraddiddles, hitting constant quarter or eighth notes on the hats with my left foot, and at the same time do a syncopated bass drum pattern with the right foot- but it's something that any good drummer should be comfortable doing at a basic level. Unfortunately developing the left foot is something that's super neglected by a lot of guys.
@@joelglanton6531 Little trick that sits big !!! 😉
As a kid I was listening to Wheels of Fire GB was all over the place on Toad but that hi hat 4/4!
I figured it was part of his magical powers 😆😆😆😎
Wow! What a wonderful rare clip! thanks for sharing this.
Fascinating! It’s all dancing to him. Even the drums. Impressive.
That man is a genius.
The man was a genius.
and so modest. He knew he was great, but you’ll never hear him say it.
Learned something new about Fred Astaire, what an incredible talent
"joy" is the operative word! How little of that we give ourselves. What the hell is wrong with humans???
Don't worry about humans worry about the person in the mirror.
Find joy and spread it rather than complaining there ain't enough out there.
Put it out there.
Well said. Joy is what life should be all about. Sadly materialism holds sway.
@Nastro Adhesivo What you say is very sad and I'm afraid I must agree with it! It kind of goes hand-in-hand with something I've always believed; interesting people are INTERESTED people....
When movie stars truly had talents. God givenly blessed.
You should see him play piano! Shit..that Cat was super talented.
He had rhythm, who could ask for anything more.
He got music..
He got his girl.. 🎶🎵
Fred’s entire body melded with a stage to become a beautiful instrument of motion. No one will ever be as good as Fred Astaire.
You can see and hear Gene Krupa in his playing, both in the way he leans into the drums, as Gene did, and in his clever fills and constant use of the toms.
And his use of rhythm as well.
@@wbertie2604 Absolutely!
Gene Krupa danced with his drums and Fred Astaire danced with everything.
What an amazing talented man!
Fred was a rare talent. Rhythm was in his DNA; he spoke with rhythm, moved in rhythm and even gestured with rhythm.
And unlike Gene Kelly, he respected his female co-stars.
@@jody024 They loved his rhythm!
98 people don’t know crap!! I have always loved Fred Astaire!!! The man could act and dance! Also dress with class!!!
He played drums like he was dancing. Talented man he was.
Fred Astaire, was a Great Dancer,and a Good Drummer. Buddy Rich,was a Great Drummer,and a Good Dancer.
When someone can do something and do it well, they don't have to strike a match alight or fire a cannon ball shot. No wonder he was one of the greatest male dancers ever lived. Those hits and rolls are directly in step with his graceful nimble moves on the dance floor!
That was adorable
He plays drums with the same feel as his dancing. Excellent.
Incredibly relaxed, and his timing was amazing - clearly from his dancing skills. That was superb.
"I'm drum crazy, yes
I'm drum crazy, yes
I'm plumb crazy for drums..." (see: Easter Parade)
I always wondered if he could play the drums after seeing that scene
Tap Dancing and Drumming go hand in hand Just remember the drum legend Buddy Rich was tap dancing with his parents vaudeville act. and all that experience with dancing and drumming paid off
Fred is the living incantation cool, suave, debonair, sexy and charming. He's got more Swagger and his pinky then Cary Grant, Errol Flynn, Sean Connery all put together. As a drummer we all know that if you can't dance you shouldn't play the drums. All good drummers are good dancers they go hand-in-hand. So seeing this is not surprising except that we actually get to see it. I have never been star struck by anybody but it must have been nice to be friends with Fred Astaire seems like it would always have been a good time. No wonder all the actresses who worked with him all fell in love with him. Thank you for this post can never get enough Fred.
Hell, i'm a guy, and I just fell in love with him after that routine. I liked Fred in movies when I was a little kid, but I really wasn't into the dancing (But, I liked watching the beautiful girls dance). I never knew he played the tubs
@@stevedriscoll2539 He could do anything!
The man had immaculate rhythm and flare, to be able to just pick up the sticks and adlib along with some fairly complex jazz and look so relaxed and at ease, so good to watch and listen.
He was the very best and no one will ever fill his shoes when it comes to his dancing skills. That was great.
Fred adored Michal Jackson who he called the greatest dancer ever.
Just saying.
@@musamusashi he was being humble, just saying.
I cannot watch this without a smile on my face. Such joy.
I barely even know who Fred Astaire was but I absolutely loved this!
When you search for the definition of "dancing" on the dictionary, there must be a picture of him there. Trust me
Wach the musicals he was in, especially with Ginger Rogers, and the clip of him dancing with a hat rack, a chair, walking up a wall and on a "ceiling." Terrific big band music too.
such an awesome kit, great drumming too. Amazing. It was pretty rare to see a 5 piece setup like that back then!
Wow, his talent for rhythm and grace flows through his feet and to his fingertips. That was a real joy to watch and listen to.
I couldn't have coped with the past year without my stack of Fred and Ginger dvds.
Even his drum set could dance. Truly a rare talent
Grew up watching Fred Astaire movies. Loved every dance step and every song. He always chose great dance partners too. To this day I've never seen another performer dress as well and carry himself as classy as Fred Astaire. ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘
Little did he know in a few short years he would star in the most accoladed TV program in history.
Fred was sure a multitalented superstar, and a very decent person...the like of which we will never see again.
Talented genius & a very nice man.
Fred had a sense of rhythm like no one else, he was astonishing!
Fred was dripping with talent! Never going to be anyone close to him again!!
How bout Sammy Davis and I know you'll disagree but Michael Jackson.
@@maakeklein4073 I just watched a clip where Robert Crane played the drums. My goodness, the things you learn on TH-cam!
That man had swagger. Respect.
Like a great magician
Oh man this is brilliant! How much joy he's having! Now it makes sense where he got that hot timing as a dancer, that cunning little cheeky beats, same as his dance steps, heck, he's dancing when he's drumming. What a great talent and what a joy to see him enjoy the simple things in life. Thanks for the upload. L.
I'm a drummer, and I used to think Fred Astaire may be the coolest cat ever, now I'm sure of it.
It's amazing he could do that to a record, without headphones. I tried playing to records as a kid but the vibration would make the record skip...and I couldn't keep time without headphones--something I didn't have in 1970.
Idk, people used to and still dance to record players. He could probably dance all over the room without the record skipping. Solid construction those days, but I think it's just good finesse techniques. Or something like grasshopper and the rice paper.
Ive been in love with Fred ! sense grade school . I'm 62 now and still in love. Look at his beautiful smile while hes playing. Makes him even more handsome. Thats a real smile, not the Hollywood one. Gonna watch this 2 more times and go to bed Happy :)).
He had the most beautiful smile I've ever seen! He was so full of light.
Some of you will get this, and fellow drummers especially will. Carter Beauford, drummer with the Dave Matthew's Band, says in an interview, that dancers make great drummers, foot-wise. He tells of a story where he saw B. Rich playing live (viewing him side-on) and his bass pedal strap broke during playing. Without missing a beat, Rich dropped a hand down, pulled back the bass pedal, and then used the balance of his foot, to keep the bass pedal moving. Rich is now playing the bass drum with NO return action on the bass pedal. With no return action or spring, the pedal essentially can only sit flat against the bass drum head after you kick it down once. Beauford explains that Rich studied tap dancing, and because of that, he was able to strike the right weight, speed, and balance to keep the bass pedal in constant action because of his foot sensitivities, action, and muscle development. While I am not a huge fan of Rich's ego, I do admire THAT, with genuine awe!
Yeh Steve had was a tap dancer.says it all!
I remember a reputable article (Percussive Notes?) that asserted the jazz snare drum solo has its roots in tap dance. Not the other way around. I cannot back this up with a link but watching this it is plausible.
I like his singing and his dancing…and I had no idea that he was so passionate about playing the drums! Truly inspiring man he was, and the inspiration goes on long after his earthly life!
Not bad at all. Actually his "off" time fills were in sync with the hihat. Obviously using older techniques like the cross stick thing and hitting the hihat rod, but it works well in the context of the music.
Ya what you said, and he's really good to...
It's all that jazz in his soul. Wonderful performance. Super talent
I express my thanks for sharing. I hope more amazing episodes from Person to Person will be found, I have interest to se Mae West and Tyrone Power's episode.
I found Tyrone's at one point, but it was without sound. Argh! So frustrating.
Crisp and smooth with a touch of flair... just like his dancing.
If you haven’t seen him in Holiday Inn, you are missing an example of his true genius. His 4th of July dance is classic.
Super smooth Fred Astaire was a badass
He was so talented.
I'm fascinated with how he walks.. it's like he's even dancing when he does that.
Are you Fred's family? I'm a fan since I was a child. I'm from Spain. I love it. He was a genius and a wonderful man. 💖💖💖💖💖😘😘😘😘
he's my imaginary husband ;)
also mine 😘
Love this!! Man has Rhythm and not just dancing but I loved how happy it made him while he played … pure joy
Dude has more swing than 99% of rock drummers.
Rock drummers plays rock. Rock is supposed to rock. Jazz is supposed to swing. Jazz drummers suck at rock. That's generalization for you! ; )
PinkPonyOfPrey The roll in rock n’ roll is the swing. Example - Charlie Watts
@@peacemonger1967
th-cam.com/video/5Rb1tGqEHwQ/w-d-xo.html
@@pinkponyofprey1965 Many of the greatest rock drummers started off playing jazz. Ginger Baker, Jim Keltner, Mitch Mitchell, and many others come to mind.
@@bholaoates1542 Yeah, And I know that. The key workds from my first post are "That's generalization for you!", not that jazz drummers all suck at rock. The issue is the opening statement with an upity attidute common among jazz aficionados proclaming Fred Astaire has more swing than 99% of rock drummers. You can't compare music and musicians. Either the music speaks to you or it doesn't. I've been playing a great number of instruments and listened to more styles of music most people can shake a batton at and I know how to record and mix it so I'm too deep into the manure to be able to take this lightly haha. And you can't disect my half tongue in cheek comment and use it against me like it's part of a peer reviewed paper. It's just a freakin' youtube comment, right? :D
He has fun and enjoys it and it's wonderful
He was so talented I wish I would have been able to meet him but I was born in the wrong Era lol
Sameeee
I would give my right arm to meet him
@@Anomalocarisloverr i'd give my left arm to meet him, and my right arm to marry him.
@@MyLovelyDeadFriends i would give everything i have even all my body parts
@@MyLovelyDeadFriends GOOD ONE ! Lol !!
Amazing - he drums just like he tap dances! Priceless, this is a whole new Astaire number for this life-long fan
When you can dance with your feet, you can dance with your hands!!
SO MULTITALENTED!!!AMAZING!
Long ago I saw a video of Fred dancing with drumsticks bouncing them off the floor and catching them with no mistakes...it was incredible! Great man!
Yes in Easter Parade!
@@christinaotoole7392 Silk Stockings, actually.
@@MyLovelyDeadFriends He does it in Easter Parade as well In the number "Drum Crazy" check it out!
Love Silk stockings🤗
Oh! and He does that drumstick bounce in Daddy Longlegs as well.
Both the Easter Parade clip and
The Daddy Longlegs clip can be found on TH-cam. Enjoy!
@@christinaotoole7392 Sorry, I meant Daddy Long Legs, not Silk Stockings. He doesn't play the drums in Silk Stockings. He does a small mini-bouncing of the floor in Easter Parade, but the number the original poster was talking about was clearly Daddy Long Legs.
dancing on the drums.....on the floor......in the world.....some people are born in time.
Master of timing; dance & 'kit'. Thanks for sharing.
I love you Fred
Fred Astaire is incredibly talented when it comes to dancing 🕺 however he certainly knows his way around a drum kit well done 🥁👍
Amazing
The master of rhythm . He plays the way he dances : Cooool !!!
Have you people seen Fred play drums while he dances, hands and feet flying ? It's in one of his movies .
That was great! Another dancer/singer who was a good drummer was Sammy Davis Jr. 🤘❗
Sammy Davis Jr could play just about anything. He did a film with Basie in which he did just that.
hahah, he is great! joy for wathing and listening!
This man was the COOLEST & BEST DRESSED dude in history...and then there's the TALENT!! Dean Martin was pretty cool, but he had nowhere near the versatility of Fred. With regard to the performing arts, Fred Astaire, the Marx Brothers, Elvis, Barbara Streisand (politics aside), Lennon & McCartney, and (maybe) Elton John are/were the rare few who have come drastically close to actually being literally perfect in their fields of endeavor. Man oh man. Maranatha!
Sammy davis jr!
@@richardweller5935 LOVE SAMMY TOO!! I saw him LIVE not long before he passed. Got him to sign an album! I pray he was saved! Maranatha!
@@richardweller5935 Another good drummer!!! "Ringers" 👍💪
pfft! Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury....and others.
This is pure gold!
Come on. So sick. And that swagger he walks with at the beginning. come on.
Fred Astaire was a great performer whether, stage, film and more recently on TV. His “swagger” was not of arrogance but like any performer he makes his entrance. See Mohammed Ali, Barrack Obama and Frank Sinatra to name a few. Fred is a genius of his craft. Never replicated.
As Sammy Davis Jr said, 'I'd rather watch Fred Astaire walk across a room than watch any other dancer do a 5 minute routine'
@@stixkubwa How could you possibly compare Barack Obama with those legends? A phony-baloney, Chicago politican versus Sinatra, Astaire, and Ali? Surely you made that comparison in jest.
@@joelglanton6531 Read it again my friend. Nothing about comparison of performance but just about how the entrance made by the individuals named exudes their confidence.
I learned something new today.
That was COOL! thanks.
Love it!
Rhythm in his bones, blood, and DNA. What grace!
This man has talent oozing from his pores
How humble and skilled
Love seeing people playing the drums
Dancers know rhythm, look's like vintage Slingerland kit......
Rogers drums.The “bread and butter lugs” are a give away...
@@stanbarrington9698 They do not look like B & B, if they were, they would be more rectangular, there not beavertail either, it's a cheap ass kit, whatever they are, beginner set....