Krupa was "a dazzling blitzkrieg of cymbal and snare drum violence", and one of the most influential drummers ever ...

"Krupa represents a turning point for drums," he said. "He developed the hi-hat cymbal and the drum set, as we know it today, is credited to Gene Krupa. He influenced a whole generation of drummers." ...

Gene Krupa was a remarkable musician and a remarkable man. He had his flaws, obviously, but a lack of sense of what his playing, music and even presence could do for others was not one of them. Krupa ...

In the ’50s Gene joined Norman Granz’s Jazz At The Philharmonic touring troupe. He was featured with a quartet and often engaged in drum battles with Buddy Rich.

Krupa was instrumental in developing the modern drum kit, the drummer as solo instrumentalist—and of swing music itself. Krupa’s percussive assertiveness also helped lead to the development of early ...