Gene Krupa or Buddy Rich?
 

which one do you think is better at performing? songwriting? execution? improvisation? overall musicianship? or anything else you can think of.

I won't say my pick because it could sway your vote ;)

073863151,

Isn't this question as old as the hills? I'm not a drummer, so I don't feel qualified to answer it, (my critea could be wrong) but one of my favorite drummers is Mel Taylor and he mentions both as his influence, so my choice is for the one I think he tries to emulate the most. So, I've picked Gene Krupa, I'm more fimiliar with his stuff than Buddy Rich. I've seen Gene Krupa in The Benny Goodman Story, & The Glenn Miller Story. I've also seen The Gene Krupa Story with Sal Mineo, Sal was in that movie "Rebel Without a Pebble" with James Dean.

So even if someone isn't into Jazz but likes movies they probably heard of Gene Krupa with songs like Sing, Sing, Sing, and Tuxedo Junction and didn't realize it, so at least Gene Krupa is in the public sub-conscience.

my brother is a drummer & he said "Buddy is technical and Gene is innovative."