What do you think?
Rate this book
The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World
The first definitive biography of Gene Krupa, the most famous drummer on the planet, whose feverish rhythms leapt across genres to change music forever. From jazz to the Swing Era, to rock and roll, Elton John’s biographer, Elizabeth J. Rosenthal, recounts the pioneering drummer’s exploits, challenges, and accomplishments, while framing him against not just his fellow musicians and peers but the music industry and general culture as a whole.
From the early 1930s onward, Gene Krupa was a drum-centric rarity in the jazz world. Never before had a drummer been in the forefront as a solo artist. His galvanizing, unrestrained passion for percussion demanded it. Rocking the rafters, Gene thrilled audiences in ballrooms, nightclubs, and movies. He always knew he would. It was in his blood.
Seemingly born jazz-drum crazy in 1909 to a Polish-immigrant working-class family in South Chicago, Gene was a professional by the age of thirteen and soon made his first recordings. By the early 1930s, he was New York City’s most in-demand drummer, and in 1934, joined brilliant clarinetist Benny Goodman’s band, helped inaugurate the Swing Era, and played the first-ever swing concert at Carnegie Hall. It made history. So did Gene, whose celebrity spread with every ride cymbal beat and bass drum bomb drop. He formed his own band, hired such dazzlingly outsized personalities as singer Anita O’Day, and unconditionally shattered racial boundaries by sharing the spotlight with the blistering African-American trumpeter Roy Eldridge. But after a skyrocketing ride to the top, Gene experienced a rollercoaster ride of good and bad luck, emotional highs, and devastating depths.
In The Master of Drums, biographer Elizabeth J. Rosenthal crafts a celebratory, honest, and exhaustively researched portrait of a twentieth-century music legend whose acolytes would include such rock-era artists as Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, John Bonham, and Apollo 440. When he died, Gene Krupa may have left behind a world of grieving friends, colleagues, fans, students, and progeny, but as The Master of Drums proves, his dynamic musical and cultural influences live on.
From the early 1930s onward, Gene Krupa was a drum-centric rarity in the jazz world. Never before had a drummer been in the forefront as a solo artist. His galvanizing, unrestrained passion for percussion demanded it. Rocking the rafters, Gene thrilled audiences in ballrooms, nightclubs, and movies. He always knew he would. It was in his blood.
Seemingly born jazz-drum crazy in 1909 to a Polish-immigrant working-class family in South Chicago, Gene was a professional by the age of thirteen and soon made his first recordings. By the early 1930s, he was New York City’s most in-demand drummer, and in 1934, joined brilliant clarinetist Benny Goodman’s band, helped inaugurate the Swing Era, and played the first-ever swing concert at Carnegie Hall. It made history. So did Gene, whose celebrity spread with every ride cymbal beat and bass drum bomb drop. He formed his own band, hired such dazzlingly outsized personalities as singer Anita O’Day, and unconditionally shattered racial boundaries by sharing the spotlight with the blistering African-American trumpeter Roy Eldridge. But after a skyrocketing ride to the top, Gene experienced a rollercoaster ride of good and bad luck, emotional highs, and devastating depths.
In The Master of Drums, biographer Elizabeth J. Rosenthal crafts a celebratory, honest, and exhaustively researched portrait of a twentieth-century music legend whose acolytes would include such rock-era artists as Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, John Bonham, and Apollo 440. When he died, Gene Krupa may have left behind a world of grieving friends, colleagues, fans, students, and progeny, but as The Master of Drums proves, his dynamic musical and cultural influences live on.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2025
11 people are currently reading
1910 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 21, 2025
It would be hard to underestimate Gene Krupa's influence on jazz and rock drumming. For consistency and longevity, he ranks with Armstrong, Fitzgerald, and Ellington among those who survived jazz beyond the swing era to become multigenerational musical influencers and national treasures. His story reads like a who's who of 20th century American music, and he was a nice guy to boot. All in all, a very enjoyable biography.
June 28, 2025
I’ll be writing a more complete review, but for now I can say this is a remarkably complete chronology of the drummers life and career. It integrates jazz history, a bit of information on technique, on his influences and an accounting of those whom he influenced, and the many contemporary drummers who admired him - an extensive list of drummers in the 20th century.
Rosenthal doesn’t skimp on his personal life. By all indications, and as enthusiastically chronicled, Krupa was a real gentleman and an indefatigable lover of percussion. He was not without his extramarital affairs, but those are hardly dwelled on. Considering he on the road for long periods of time and was kind of an early version of a what might be known as a rockstar, that is understandable. .
But he was also a devoted husband and father who loved children, who always had Ty for his fans. He never gave his religious faith, and staunch commitment to his craft right to the very end.
I’ve been a professional drummer for 60 years and of course I was aware as a child of Gene Krupa. The book details how the Metropole Café in Times Square kept its doors open so people could watch Krupa perform from the outside. I was one of those kids who stood gawking at the great man.
Recently, I’ve read biographies of Levon Helm, Chick Webb, Jim Gordon, Alex Van Halen. This is perhaps the most vividly detailed.
The five star rating is in reaction to the extensive research done to provide a full accounting of his ups and downs, and of what Krupa really contributed to the art of the drum set.
Rosenthal doesn’t skimp on his personal life. By all indications, and as enthusiastically chronicled, Krupa was a real gentleman and an indefatigable lover of percussion. He was not without his extramarital affairs, but those are hardly dwelled on. Considering he on the road for long periods of time and was kind of an early version of a what might be known as a rockstar, that is understandable. .
But he was also a devoted husband and father who loved children, who always had Ty for his fans. He never gave his religious faith, and staunch commitment to his craft right to the very end.
I’ve been a professional drummer for 60 years and of course I was aware as a child of Gene Krupa. The book details how the Metropole Café in Times Square kept its doors open so people could watch Krupa perform from the outside. I was one of those kids who stood gawking at the great man.
Recently, I’ve read biographies of Levon Helm, Chick Webb, Jim Gordon, Alex Van Halen. This is perhaps the most vividly detailed.
The five star rating is in reaction to the extensive research done to provide a full accounting of his ups and downs, and of what Krupa really contributed to the art of the drum set.
March 8, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Citadel for an advance copy of this biography about a true pioneer of percussion, a man who changed the way listeners and performers view the drums, and whose influence carries on even today
I have always been drawn to drumming and percussion in music, and wish if I had it to do again, would have loved to have taken musical lessons. My only foray was a brief attempt at school band, a way for schools to make money fooling kids into paying exorbitant fees of instruments that everyone knows they aren't going to play. Drums though always held my interest. When I went to Grateful Dead shows I was probably the only one enjoying the Drum Space sections. I have read numerous books by drummer, Mickey Hart, Neil Peart and I have noticed a consistency in the names that appear the most. The one that many seem to cite as the most influential was always Gene Krupa. I had heard the name on the Simpsons, but was unaware of his playing, or the shadow he cast on many drummers. Listening first to Benny Goodman records, and than his solos, one could see why people would be impressed, though outside of the movie made about him, I knew little. Which is why I loved this book. The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal is not only a biography but a look at a percussionist par excellence, who transformed the way we listen, the way music was played, and even the instruments themselves, an influence that continues to the present day.
Gene Krupa was born in 1909, the youngest of nine children in Chicago. The family was doing well, but this was not to last. Gene's brother was murdered by suspects unknown going to the store. After the early death of his father, Gene's mother pulled away leaving the family to be raised by the oldest daughter. Krupa showed kill at an early age for the drums, and while not even a teen was in bands and acquired his musician union card. School was something Gene avoided, but he made a promise to his sister, one year at a Catholic seminary school to get a little education, after that he could chase his dream in music. Gene agreed and soon was on the road, but instead of settling that time in school showed him that there was much to learn about his instrument of choice the drums. Gene took lessons on the side, learning to read music, and about the different styles of drumming, incorporating them in his style. Gene was soon in demand, even with the specter of the Depression, recording sides, and moving his way up. Benny Goodman needed a drummer and soon Gene was playing with one of the hottest swing bands out there, broadcasted on radio, and traveling the country. Gene's playing was a little loud for Goodman, and soon Krupa was fronting his own band, and making his own way.
Elizabeth J. Rosenthal has done a wonderful job of capturing not only the man, but the way that he played, and his influences. The book is a straight ahead biography, filled with highs and quite a few lows. However, Rosenthal looks at Krupa's style, his way of playing, of adapting and learning, and explains this in such a way that even non-drummers and even non-musicians can understand. Rosenthal discusses how Krupa designed cymbals and tom drums that still continue to be used to this day. Rosenthal looks at his influence on many of the big drummers of the day, the different things they borrowed, and how different music would be. There is a lot of research, one can tell, but the writing is quite good, very informative and interesting without sounding like a lecture, more a conversation. One of my favorite books on jazz and drumming.
Fans of percussion and jazz will find a lot to like. As this is the first real biography on Krupa most of this will probably be new to people. A very comprehensive biography that covers quite a lot of information, and does it well. This is the first book I have read by Rosenthal, but I look forward to her next work.
I have always been drawn to drumming and percussion in music, and wish if I had it to do again, would have loved to have taken musical lessons. My only foray was a brief attempt at school band, a way for schools to make money fooling kids into paying exorbitant fees of instruments that everyone knows they aren't going to play. Drums though always held my interest. When I went to Grateful Dead shows I was probably the only one enjoying the Drum Space sections. I have read numerous books by drummer, Mickey Hart, Neil Peart and I have noticed a consistency in the names that appear the most. The one that many seem to cite as the most influential was always Gene Krupa. I had heard the name on the Simpsons, but was unaware of his playing, or the shadow he cast on many drummers. Listening first to Benny Goodman records, and than his solos, one could see why people would be impressed, though outside of the movie made about him, I knew little. Which is why I loved this book. The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal is not only a biography but a look at a percussionist par excellence, who transformed the way we listen, the way music was played, and even the instruments themselves, an influence that continues to the present day.
Gene Krupa was born in 1909, the youngest of nine children in Chicago. The family was doing well, but this was not to last. Gene's brother was murdered by suspects unknown going to the store. After the early death of his father, Gene's mother pulled away leaving the family to be raised by the oldest daughter. Krupa showed kill at an early age for the drums, and while not even a teen was in bands and acquired his musician union card. School was something Gene avoided, but he made a promise to his sister, one year at a Catholic seminary school to get a little education, after that he could chase his dream in music. Gene agreed and soon was on the road, but instead of settling that time in school showed him that there was much to learn about his instrument of choice the drums. Gene took lessons on the side, learning to read music, and about the different styles of drumming, incorporating them in his style. Gene was soon in demand, even with the specter of the Depression, recording sides, and moving his way up. Benny Goodman needed a drummer and soon Gene was playing with one of the hottest swing bands out there, broadcasted on radio, and traveling the country. Gene's playing was a little loud for Goodman, and soon Krupa was fronting his own band, and making his own way.
Elizabeth J. Rosenthal has done a wonderful job of capturing not only the man, but the way that he played, and his influences. The book is a straight ahead biography, filled with highs and quite a few lows. However, Rosenthal looks at Krupa's style, his way of playing, of adapting and learning, and explains this in such a way that even non-drummers and even non-musicians can understand. Rosenthal discusses how Krupa designed cymbals and tom drums that still continue to be used to this day. Rosenthal looks at his influence on many of the big drummers of the day, the different things they borrowed, and how different music would be. There is a lot of research, one can tell, but the writing is quite good, very informative and interesting without sounding like a lecture, more a conversation. One of my favorite books on jazz and drumming.
Fans of percussion and jazz will find a lot to like. As this is the first real biography on Krupa most of this will probably be new to people. A very comprehensive biography that covers quite a lot of information, and does it well. This is the first book I have read by Rosenthal, but I look forward to her next work.
January 18, 2026
Elizabeth J. Rosenthal’s The Master of Drums is an absorbing and deeply engaging portrait of Gene Krupa. The book opens on a strong note with a thoughtful foreword by Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, which immediately signals the level of care and respect given to its subject. From the outset, Rosenthal conveys the extraordinary energy and excitement that surrounded Krupa throughout his life, and her appreciation for his contribution to the music canon is unmistakable.
Rather than relying on a sanitized or romanticized version of the past, Rosenthal immerses the reader in the rough-and-tumble world of Chicago as it actually existed during Krupa’s formative years. She captures the dangerous environment in which he and his fellow musicians worked, while also highlighting Krupa’s famously affable nature, an attribute that likely played a significant role in his ability to thrive.
The book is populated with a wide range of musicians and vocalists, both famous and obscure, who helped shape Krupa and the early jazz scene, offering a detailed and textured view of the music’s evolution. Drummers and musicians in particular will appreciate the precise explanations of technique and the origins of the modern drum kit, which, I learned from this book, Krupa himself pioneered. Rosenthal’s thorough research, including interviews with musicians, people who knew him, and devoted Krupa followers, is evident throughout.
The sections covering Krupa’s years in New York City were especially compelling, vividly evoking the city's atmosphere during that period. Rosenthal underscores Krupa’s charisma and dramatic flair, qualities that made him a true standout. Her exploration of his years in Hollywood and L.A. and the Palomar Ballroom’s role in launching the swing era, along with the impact of national radio broadcasts, is both enlightening and convincing. The book’s careful attention to detail, timeline, and thoughtful assessment of contemporary press coverage and critics adds depth and credibility.
By the end, it becomes clear that Krupa foreshadowed the kind of celebrity later embodied by figures such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and many modern performers. Readers would do well to seek out recordings of the pieces discussed, particularly the legendary Carnegie Hall performance of “Sing, Sing, Sing,” to fully appreciate his impact.
Equally striking is Rosenthal’s account of how progressive Krupa was on racial matters. She documents his role in integrating bands, his early experiences learning from African American drummers in Black clubs, and his enduring friendships within that community.
This biography feels long overdue. Although many artists from that era are widely celebrated, Krupa’s full significance has often been overlooked, despite the fact that he was once used as a benchmark across disciplines: people all over the country would say, “the Gene Krupa of” whatever field was being discussed.
The book also explores the irony that while Benny Goodman and some critics felt Krupa played too loudly, Krupa himself later viewed rock and roll drumming the same way. Even so, his influence on the genre is undeniable. I came away from this book better informed and deeply appreciative of Krupa’s legacy. The Master of Drums is a valuable and overdue contribution to music history.
Rather than relying on a sanitized or romanticized version of the past, Rosenthal immerses the reader in the rough-and-tumble world of Chicago as it actually existed during Krupa’s formative years. She captures the dangerous environment in which he and his fellow musicians worked, while also highlighting Krupa’s famously affable nature, an attribute that likely played a significant role in his ability to thrive.
The book is populated with a wide range of musicians and vocalists, both famous and obscure, who helped shape Krupa and the early jazz scene, offering a detailed and textured view of the music’s evolution. Drummers and musicians in particular will appreciate the precise explanations of technique and the origins of the modern drum kit, which, I learned from this book, Krupa himself pioneered. Rosenthal’s thorough research, including interviews with musicians, people who knew him, and devoted Krupa followers, is evident throughout.
The sections covering Krupa’s years in New York City were especially compelling, vividly evoking the city's atmosphere during that period. Rosenthal underscores Krupa’s charisma and dramatic flair, qualities that made him a true standout. Her exploration of his years in Hollywood and L.A. and the Palomar Ballroom’s role in launching the swing era, along with the impact of national radio broadcasts, is both enlightening and convincing. The book’s careful attention to detail, timeline, and thoughtful assessment of contemporary press coverage and critics adds depth and credibility.
By the end, it becomes clear that Krupa foreshadowed the kind of celebrity later embodied by figures such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and many modern performers. Readers would do well to seek out recordings of the pieces discussed, particularly the legendary Carnegie Hall performance of “Sing, Sing, Sing,” to fully appreciate his impact.
Equally striking is Rosenthal’s account of how progressive Krupa was on racial matters. She documents his role in integrating bands, his early experiences learning from African American drummers in Black clubs, and his enduring friendships within that community.
This biography feels long overdue. Although many artists from that era are widely celebrated, Krupa’s full significance has often been overlooked, despite the fact that he was once used as a benchmark across disciplines: people all over the country would say, “the Gene Krupa of” whatever field was being discussed.
The book also explores the irony that while Benny Goodman and some critics felt Krupa played too loudly, Krupa himself later viewed rock and roll drumming the same way. Even so, his influence on the genre is undeniable. I came away from this book better informed and deeply appreciative of Krupa’s legacy. The Master of Drums is a valuable and overdue contribution to music history.
September 25, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
🥁 Elizabeth J. Rosenthal’s The Master of Drums is a rhythmic resurrection of one of jazz’s most electrifying pioneers. With journalistic precision and a deep reverence for swing-era culture, Rosenthal charts the life of Gene Krupa, the man who turned the drum kit into a solo instrument and the drummer into a star.
Krupa’s story unfolds like one of his solos: explosive, unpredictable, and deeply human. From his early days in Chicago’s Polish-American neighborhoods to his meteoric rise with Benny Goodman’s orchestra, Rosenthal captures the pulse of a man who didn’t just keep time—he redefined it. The book dives into Krupa’s technical innovations (hello, tom-toms and high-hat swagger), but it never loses sight of the emotional cadence behind the beats: his Catholic upbringing, his brushes with scandal, and his relentless pursuit of musical expression.
Rosenthal’s prose is crisp and propulsive, echoing the energy of Krupa’s performances. She doesn’t romanticize his flaws (his drug arrest, his volatile relationships) she contextualizes them within the pressures of fame, racial dynamics in jazz, and the shifting tides of American music.
What makes The Master of Drums stand out is its exploration of Krupa’s dual identity: the showman and the craftsman. Rosenthal argues convincingly that Krupa’s theatricality—his sweat-soaked solos, his wild-eyed charisma—wasn’t just spectacle; it was a form of liberation. In a genre dominated by horn players and bandleaders, Krupa carved out space for percussion as poetry.
The book also touches on Krupa’s quiet activism: his collaborations with Black musicians, his resistance to segregationist norms, and his role in integrating jazz audiences. These moments are handled with nuance, showing how rhythm can be both rebellion and reconciliation.
Rosenthal populates the narrative with vivid portraits of Krupa’s contemporaries—Goodman, Buddy Rich, Anita O’Day—and the smoky clubs and cavernous concert halls they inhabited. The cultural texture is rich: you feel the tension of the swing wars, the thrill of Carnegie Hall, the heartbreak of fading stardom. Krupa emerges not just as a drummer, but as a cultural catalyst.
The Master of Drums is a triumphant tribute to a man who gave percussion its pulse and personality. Rosenthal’s biography is both scholarly and soulful, a must-read for jazz aficionados and anyone curious about how one man’s beat could change the rhythm of the world. It’s not just a life story—it’s a symphony of sound, struggle, and enduring influence.
🥁 Elizabeth J. Rosenthal’s The Master of Drums is a rhythmic resurrection of one of jazz’s most electrifying pioneers. With journalistic precision and a deep reverence for swing-era culture, Rosenthal charts the life of Gene Krupa, the man who turned the drum kit into a solo instrument and the drummer into a star.
Krupa’s story unfolds like one of his solos: explosive, unpredictable, and deeply human. From his early days in Chicago’s Polish-American neighborhoods to his meteoric rise with Benny Goodman’s orchestra, Rosenthal captures the pulse of a man who didn’t just keep time—he redefined it. The book dives into Krupa’s technical innovations (hello, tom-toms and high-hat swagger), but it never loses sight of the emotional cadence behind the beats: his Catholic upbringing, his brushes with scandal, and his relentless pursuit of musical expression.
Rosenthal’s prose is crisp and propulsive, echoing the energy of Krupa’s performances. She doesn’t romanticize his flaws (his drug arrest, his volatile relationships) she contextualizes them within the pressures of fame, racial dynamics in jazz, and the shifting tides of American music.
What makes The Master of Drums stand out is its exploration of Krupa’s dual identity: the showman and the craftsman. Rosenthal argues convincingly that Krupa’s theatricality—his sweat-soaked solos, his wild-eyed charisma—wasn’t just spectacle; it was a form of liberation. In a genre dominated by horn players and bandleaders, Krupa carved out space for percussion as poetry.
The book also touches on Krupa’s quiet activism: his collaborations with Black musicians, his resistance to segregationist norms, and his role in integrating jazz audiences. These moments are handled with nuance, showing how rhythm can be both rebellion and reconciliation.
Rosenthal populates the narrative with vivid portraits of Krupa’s contemporaries—Goodman, Buddy Rich, Anita O’Day—and the smoky clubs and cavernous concert halls they inhabited. The cultural texture is rich: you feel the tension of the swing wars, the thrill of Carnegie Hall, the heartbreak of fading stardom. Krupa emerges not just as a drummer, but as a cultural catalyst.
The Master of Drums is a triumphant tribute to a man who gave percussion its pulse and personality. Rosenthal’s biography is both scholarly and soulful, a must-read for jazz aficionados and anyone curious about how one man’s beat could change the rhythm of the world. It’s not just a life story—it’s a symphony of sound, struggle, and enduring influence.
August 5, 2025
I first became aware of Krupa as a teenager who had taken up drumming, and playing in the band my brother and I started. I watched 'The Gene Krupa Story,' a 1959 film starring Sal Mineo, which is a biographical film about Krupa's life and career. Up to that time, the only drummer I knew of was Ringo Starr, and he did not impress me as a drummer. As my study of percussion became more serious, Krupa faded as a role model, and other, more current drummers piqued my interest.
I did not enjoy the writing, but Rosenthal has done her research, and I have learned a lot about Krupa and his influence on today's jazz scene. His impact on the current trap set-up was a surprise to me, as was his development using the drums as a solo instrument. I was impressed with his obsession with studying the trade and developing the art of drumming. As an experienced drummer, I take pride in continually exploring, learning, and reading everything I can find about drumming. It is a passion for me, as it was for Krupa.
I found the chapter related to Krupa's arrest and persecution by Harry J. Anslinger fascinating. I read about Anslinger in "Chasing the Scream" by Johann Hari, and I find Anslinger to be a reprehensible human being. I think of addiction as a sickness, not a character flaw. Unfortunately, those days and his ilk are not far behind us.
It isn't often that I find an irritating word in a book. The author uses the word 'duende' throughout the book. I looked up the etymology of the word, and it's related to Spanish folklore. I guess the author is trying to tell us that Krupa had a lot of soul, and his approach to drumming encompassed both spiritual and physical characteristics. That aside, there is a lot of fascinating jazz history covered, including Krupa's collaborations with other jazz legends and his influence on the evolution of jazz drumming. I was not aware of his involvement in engineering the modern trap set with the Slingerland drum company. If you're a drummer, it is an interesting read.
I did not enjoy the writing, but Rosenthal has done her research, and I have learned a lot about Krupa and his influence on today's jazz scene. His impact on the current trap set-up was a surprise to me, as was his development using the drums as a solo instrument. I was impressed with his obsession with studying the trade and developing the art of drumming. As an experienced drummer, I take pride in continually exploring, learning, and reading everything I can find about drumming. It is a passion for me, as it was for Krupa.
I found the chapter related to Krupa's arrest and persecution by Harry J. Anslinger fascinating. I read about Anslinger in "Chasing the Scream" by Johann Hari, and I find Anslinger to be a reprehensible human being. I think of addiction as a sickness, not a character flaw. Unfortunately, those days and his ilk are not far behind us.
It isn't often that I find an irritating word in a book. The author uses the word 'duende' throughout the book. I looked up the etymology of the word, and it's related to Spanish folklore. I guess the author is trying to tell us that Krupa had a lot of soul, and his approach to drumming encompassed both spiritual and physical characteristics. That aside, there is a lot of fascinating jazz history covered, including Krupa's collaborations with other jazz legends and his influence on the evolution of jazz drumming. I was not aware of his involvement in engineering the modern trap set with the Slingerland drum company. If you're a drummer, it is an interesting read.
April 27, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing – Citadel and Tantor Audio for the digital copy of this book and audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I knew the name Gene Krupa while growing up because my dad was a big swing music fan. When I got older and began compiling my own music collection, Benny Goodman was always a favorite. Gene Krupa most famously played with Goodman for a few years before striking out on his own with his own band.
This is the first real biography of Gene Krupa that I’ve seen, and the author put a lot of research into his life. You don’t have to necessarily be a fan of jazz music because Krupa’s drumming transcended labeling. Indeed, many famous rock ‘n roll drummers credit Krupa for getting them interested in playing the instrument. Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, and John Bonham are just a few of the great rock drummers who credit Krupa for their love of the drums. Surprisingly enough, Krupa did not like rock ‘n roll music, despite the fact that the music was heavily influenced by his style of playing.
I liked this biography because the author did not just focus on Gene Krupa’s professional life. She wove in many stories about his personal life, giving a more well-rounded picture of the man behind the music. I appreciated that. Krupa suffered some serious tragedies in his life, but there were also many moments of joy, too.
I thought the narrator of the audiobook did a great job with the text. I would listen to other books narrated by Samantha Desz.
I’d recommend this biography to fans of jazz or rock ‘n roll music and its history.
I knew the name Gene Krupa while growing up because my dad was a big swing music fan. When I got older and began compiling my own music collection, Benny Goodman was always a favorite. Gene Krupa most famously played with Goodman for a few years before striking out on his own with his own band.
This is the first real biography of Gene Krupa that I’ve seen, and the author put a lot of research into his life. You don’t have to necessarily be a fan of jazz music because Krupa’s drumming transcended labeling. Indeed, many famous rock ‘n roll drummers credit Krupa for getting them interested in playing the instrument. Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, and John Bonham are just a few of the great rock drummers who credit Krupa for their love of the drums. Surprisingly enough, Krupa did not like rock ‘n roll music, despite the fact that the music was heavily influenced by his style of playing.
I liked this biography because the author did not just focus on Gene Krupa’s professional life. She wove in many stories about his personal life, giving a more well-rounded picture of the man behind the music. I appreciated that. Krupa suffered some serious tragedies in his life, but there were also many moments of joy, too.
I thought the narrator of the audiobook did a great job with the text. I would listen to other books narrated by Samantha Desz.
I’d recommend this biography to fans of jazz or rock ‘n roll music and its history.
January 17, 2026
This book is a definitive biography of the great drummer Gene Krupa.
As a young man, he developed himself to become a drummer of note in Chicago, and was playing and recording the new music named Jazz in the early 1920s. In the late 1920's he established himself as a drummer in great demand in New York City, and also in the shows of the great George Gershwin with Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey. Gershwin liked him so much that insisted Gene play in every one of his shows. All of them then went on to establish their own bands and became the giants of "The Swing Era" music which was the first generation of popular American music.
In 1938, Gene played with Benny Goodman in the first ever Jazz and Swing music concert at Carnegie Hall. It was in that concert when Gene played his famous drum solo in a song named "Sing Sing Sing" that catapulted him to being the first and only drummer to have a major band. He became a world renowned star who made movies with great film stars including Bob Hope, Barbara Stanwyck, and Gary Cooper to name a few.
He was also the major influence on millions of drummers in playing music up to now. He is "alive" and can be "heard" in their music. The impact of his solo from "Sing Sing Sing" can also be heard now in popular music and TV commercials. And recently, he was a clue on the popular game show "Jeopardy".
In short, if you want to know about American music and history, even right up to now, this is a book to read.
As a young man, he developed himself to become a drummer of note in Chicago, and was playing and recording the new music named Jazz in the early 1920s. In the late 1920's he established himself as a drummer in great demand in New York City, and also in the shows of the great George Gershwin with Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey. Gershwin liked him so much that insisted Gene play in every one of his shows. All of them then went on to establish their own bands and became the giants of "The Swing Era" music which was the first generation of popular American music.
In 1938, Gene played with Benny Goodman in the first ever Jazz and Swing music concert at Carnegie Hall. It was in that concert when Gene played his famous drum solo in a song named "Sing Sing Sing" that catapulted him to being the first and only drummer to have a major band. He became a world renowned star who made movies with great film stars including Bob Hope, Barbara Stanwyck, and Gary Cooper to name a few.
He was also the major influence on millions of drummers in playing music up to now. He is "alive" and can be "heard" in their music. The impact of his solo from "Sing Sing Sing" can also be heard now in popular music and TV commercials. And recently, he was a clue on the popular game show "Jeopardy".
In short, if you want to know about American music and history, even right up to now, this is a book to read.
February 15, 2026
Elizabeth Rosenthal has written a superb book about the life of the most famous drummer in the world THE MASTER OF DRUMS - the life of GENE KRUPA.
This biography of Gene Krupa is long overdue
I don't often write reviews, but I feel compelled to write this one. Born into a Polish family living in Chicago in January 1909, Gene Krupa arrived on planet Earth and his jouney to become the most famous drummer in the world had begun.
You may say that in 2026 why publish a biography of a drummer? Gene Krupa changed everything - his influence on drumming, the drums themselves, jazz, swing, big bands, popular music of all kinds is truly massive. Todays drumming heroes such as Ringo Star, John Bonham, Steve Gadd, Ginger Baker, Chad Smith, Steve Jordan and a host of big time drumming names, too many to list here - have been influenced by Gene Krupa.
Gene's thundering tom toms, rocking Carnegie Hall on Sing, Sing, Sing with the mighty Benny Goodman Big Band at the height of its powers, can be heard today on films, TV programs, YouTube, often played by todays drummers, they all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Gene.
I am not a writer, nor prifessional reviewer, but the excitement generated by Elizabeth Rosenthal's book has awakend the whole drumming world and all those of you who loved rhe sound of big bands and Gene Krupa's raging drums as the dancers went wild on the dance floors of America and around the world.
This book is a remarkable story of an era of the 1920's, 30's 40's, 50's, 60's up until Gene passed away in October 1973. It is incredible that so many people remember his name - and drummers today play drums that he originally created. It is a wonderful book and a must read for anyone who not only loved those years and the music - but any drummer playing today, and students of drumming should read thia book.
Bravo Elizabeth - you have written a book to treasure.
Thanks
Peter Brightman
This biography of Gene Krupa is long overdue
I don't often write reviews, but I feel compelled to write this one. Born into a Polish family living in Chicago in January 1909, Gene Krupa arrived on planet Earth and his jouney to become the most famous drummer in the world had begun.
You may say that in 2026 why publish a biography of a drummer? Gene Krupa changed everything - his influence on drumming, the drums themselves, jazz, swing, big bands, popular music of all kinds is truly massive. Todays drumming heroes such as Ringo Star, John Bonham, Steve Gadd, Ginger Baker, Chad Smith, Steve Jordan and a host of big time drumming names, too many to list here - have been influenced by Gene Krupa.
Gene's thundering tom toms, rocking Carnegie Hall on Sing, Sing, Sing with the mighty Benny Goodman Big Band at the height of its powers, can be heard today on films, TV programs, YouTube, often played by todays drummers, they all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Gene.
I am not a writer, nor prifessional reviewer, but the excitement generated by Elizabeth Rosenthal's book has awakend the whole drumming world and all those of you who loved rhe sound of big bands and Gene Krupa's raging drums as the dancers went wild on the dance floors of America and around the world.
This book is a remarkable story of an era of the 1920's, 30's 40's, 50's, 60's up until Gene passed away in October 1973. It is incredible that so many people remember his name - and drummers today play drums that he originally created. It is a wonderful book and a must read for anyone who not only loved those years and the music - but any drummer playing today, and students of drumming should read thia book.
Bravo Elizabeth - you have written a book to treasure.
Thanks
Peter Brightman
May 8, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I am glad I did. I had no knowledge of Gene Krupa going into this book and ever since I have started it (and now finished it,) I have been looking up and blasting his music as much as I can! And his music is EXCELLENT!
I can see why he is considered one of - if not the - greatest drummer of all time.
His life was full of wild ups and wild downs, professionally and personally. To the tumultuous but endearing relationship with his first wife, the personal/professional relationship with Benny Goodman, his arrest and conviction for narcotics and the fallout, and much more. A wonderful life and career in a wonderful book.
The reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is just because the writing style was a little (only a little) all over the place for me. I only mean that in this way - the chapters are not chronological; instead they focus on different parts of Krupa's life. So you would finish one chapter in the 50's and the next one would go back to the 30's to talk about another aspect of Krupa's life. I got used to it after a while but it was just a little off for me. Now, that is 100% a personal opinion - overall, Ms. Rosenthal did a wonderful job of detailing Mr. Krupa's life and getting me absolutely hooked on his music!
I can see why he is considered one of - if not the - greatest drummer of all time.
His life was full of wild ups and wild downs, professionally and personally. To the tumultuous but endearing relationship with his first wife, the personal/professional relationship with Benny Goodman, his arrest and conviction for narcotics and the fallout, and much more. A wonderful life and career in a wonderful book.
The reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is just because the writing style was a little (only a little) all over the place for me. I only mean that in this way - the chapters are not chronological; instead they focus on different parts of Krupa's life. So you would finish one chapter in the 50's and the next one would go back to the 30's to talk about another aspect of Krupa's life. I got used to it after a while but it was just a little off for me. Now, that is 100% a personal opinion - overall, Ms. Rosenthal did a wonderful job of detailing Mr. Krupa's life and getting me absolutely hooked on his music!
January 23, 2026
This biography of Gene Krupa, who was called "the beginning and the end of all drummers" is essential to understanding modern jazz and rock music. The first definitive biography of Gene Krupa, the book explains how this fabulous performer influenced musicians with his heavy, feverish drumbeats and his inventive technique. Krupa made drumming a solo art and he influenced musicians like Buddy Rich and Benny Goodman, initiating the age of swing. He also inspired Keith Moon of "The Who", Ringo Starr and famous drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, who called Krupa "a god". Dancing as he drummed, Krupa was a huge hit in his time, becoming a band leader and establishing the drum kit used by drummers to this day. He also overcame racial prejudices of his day, including Black musicians in his bands throughout his career, like Roy Eldridge, his dearest friend, and Papa Jo Jones. Author Liz Rosenthal overcomes obstacles like the loss of Krupa's papers and records, caused by a fire in his home, by interviewing relatives and friends all over the country and doing in-depth research on the musician's life. New photographs of the drummer and his friends, family and fellow musicians are revealed for the first time in this biography. I highly recommend this seminal book.
March 14, 2026
This book is the definitive biography of Gene Krupa. Elizabeth Rosenthal presents a well researched and documented book that tells us about Krupa's contribution to Jazz, swing, and popular music. She also writes about his contribution to civil rights, and his Roman Catholic faith. She shows us a very complex and complicated man, yet still a man of integrity. His kindness, love of music, and love all people shaped him and the world around him. All Krupa fans are aware of his friendship with Roy Eldridge and the way that it shaped their music and the development of jazz and swing. She goes much deeper into Krupa's like to help us better understand all that his life and work meant and continue to mean.
She writes about Krupa's continuing impact on our culture through music and other parts of our culture. Through interviews and music she shows us how he continues to influence drummers and music through rock, rhythm and blues, and punk. She explains how "Sing Sing Sing" and the Bo Didley beat have influenced drummers and music around the world.
Reading the book was a joyful experience for me. I finished the book was a deep sense of gratitude for Krupa and for Elizabeth. She has given all of us a great gift through this wonderful book.
She writes about Krupa's continuing impact on our culture through music and other parts of our culture. Through interviews and music she shows us how he continues to influence drummers and music through rock, rhythm and blues, and punk. She explains how "Sing Sing Sing" and the Bo Didley beat have influenced drummers and music around the world.
Reading the book was a joyful experience for me. I finished the book was a deep sense of gratitude for Krupa and for Elizabeth. She has given all of us a great gift through this wonderful book.
January 29, 2026
This is a book which needed writing. Gene Krupa was a major figure in the development of jazz drumming as well as being a popular music idol and a film star.
He was the man who put the drums on the map as a solo instument. His recording of Sing, Sing, Sing, with Benny Goodman is an anthem of the swing era.
Elizabeth J Rosenthal succeeds in telling the Krupa story from his early days in Chicago, listening to the African American drummers from New Orleans, such as Warren Baby Dodds, Tubby Hall and Zutty Singleton. Along with fellow young, white perscussionists, Dave Tough and George Wettling, Gene developed a style based on the New Orleans beat - Chicago style. His first recordings with Eddie Condon and the transition into the swing era with Benny Goodman are all brought to life in this affectionately told story.
The drug bust in 1943 and the climb back to acceptance are all recalled by those who knew him. His later decline and failing health and early death are covered in never before published detail as is his legacy.
Gene Krupa for me, is still the Ace Drummin' Man and he comes to life in this wonderful book. Highly recommended.
He was the man who put the drums on the map as a solo instument. His recording of Sing, Sing, Sing, with Benny Goodman is an anthem of the swing era.
Elizabeth J Rosenthal succeeds in telling the Krupa story from his early days in Chicago, listening to the African American drummers from New Orleans, such as Warren Baby Dodds, Tubby Hall and Zutty Singleton. Along with fellow young, white perscussionists, Dave Tough and George Wettling, Gene developed a style based on the New Orleans beat - Chicago style. His first recordings with Eddie Condon and the transition into the swing era with Benny Goodman are all brought to life in this affectionately told story.
The drug bust in 1943 and the climb back to acceptance are all recalled by those who knew him. His later decline and failing health and early death are covered in never before published detail as is his legacy.
Gene Krupa for me, is still the Ace Drummin' Man and he comes to life in this wonderful book. Highly recommended.
February 23, 2026
A very enjoyable read. Gene Krupa represents a time in the history of the U.S. before TV or the Internet when Radio was the nations source of home entertainment and every teen sat ears poised to catch the live air dates of their favorite big bands. In the top band was a remarkable drummer who drove crowds crazy with his solos so much so that he left that top band (Benny Goodman Orchestra.) to form his own band.
As a young boy starting out on drums Gene was my hero and I not only collected his recordings but searched every book I could find related to the subject of jazz and swing in particular to find out more about my hero.
With this book Elizabeth Rosenthal not only captured the time and Mr Krupa nicely but she brought insight into what made the man tick. Ms. Rosenthal has gathered lots of thing I hadn't known about Gene Krupa's life that show very clearly the man he was. Yes a very enjoyable read. If they ever want to make another movie based on Gene's life (The bio pic made in the 50's is a fantasy with the only saving grace being Gene's playing) this is the perfect starting point.
As a young boy starting out on drums Gene was my hero and I not only collected his recordings but searched every book I could find related to the subject of jazz and swing in particular to find out more about my hero.
With this book Elizabeth Rosenthal not only captured the time and Mr Krupa nicely but she brought insight into what made the man tick. Ms. Rosenthal has gathered lots of thing I hadn't known about Gene Krupa's life that show very clearly the man he was. Yes a very enjoyable read. If they ever want to make another movie based on Gene's life (The bio pic made in the 50's is a fantasy with the only saving grace being Gene's playing) this is the perfect starting point.
February 18, 2026
With drummer Gene Krupa’s rise in the firmament of jazz greats about to reach the century mark in 2027, one historian called drummer Gene Krupa “the first Elvis” by projecting sex and sensuousness. That statement might seem hyperbolic at first, however it is anything but. Particularly after his megahit “Sing, Sing, Sing” with the Benny Goodman Orchestra in the late thirties, Elizabeth Rosenthal puts to rest any doubts whether he influenced generations of drummers in modern jazz, popular music, blues, rock, rock and even punk. For such a ferocious musical hurricane who was successful artistically and commercially, he was generous, modest and approachable. As a member of the Goodman Quartet, Krupa was on the vanguard of racial integration in jazz. Ms. Rosenthal’s exquisitely-researched and eminently readable biography of Krupa is a wonderful bookend to Stephanie Stein Crease’s 2023 biography of drummer/bandleader Chick Webb.
Tad Hershorn, Author of Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz for Justice
Tad Hershorn, Author of Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz for Justice
February 24, 2026
The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World
By Elizabeth J. Rosenthal
Although I love listening to a wide variety of music, I would not describe myself as an expert of any particular genre, and that would be especially true of jazz. In fact the only thing I could have told you about Gene Krupa before reading this book was that he played the drums. Now while my knowledge of music is rudimentary, I do know my way around a good biography when I come across one and Liz Rosenthal’s book on Krupa is a great example.
She does an excellent job describing not only Krupa and his life but also the time in which he lived. You come away from reading it with the feeling that you lived through Krupa’s time and visited the iconic venues where he established his greatness and made his comebacks. I even found myself unconsciously humming some of the tunes referenced in the story for no reason other than the feeling that I had just heard them. Finally, she accomplishes what every good biographer hopes to do, she has you coming away knowing what her subject was like.
By Elizabeth J. Rosenthal
Although I love listening to a wide variety of music, I would not describe myself as an expert of any particular genre, and that would be especially true of jazz. In fact the only thing I could have told you about Gene Krupa before reading this book was that he played the drums. Now while my knowledge of music is rudimentary, I do know my way around a good biography when I come across one and Liz Rosenthal’s book on Krupa is a great example.
She does an excellent job describing not only Krupa and his life but also the time in which he lived. You come away from reading it with the feeling that you lived through Krupa’s time and visited the iconic venues where he established his greatness and made his comebacks. I even found myself unconsciously humming some of the tunes referenced in the story for no reason other than the feeling that I had just heard them. Finally, she accomplishes what every good biographer hopes to do, she has you coming away knowing what her subject was like.
July 5, 2025
the Master of Drums is a well written and researched biography of Gene Krupa. Many consider him the foremost drummer in music history. His rhythms defined the Swing Era. In the early 1930s he became a drumming sensation and became a drum-centric rarity in the world of jazz. His passion for the percussion thrilled audiences every time he entered the stage. He is considered a 20th century music legend. He left behind after his death dynamic musical and cultural influence that continues on today in the world of music. I personally enjoy this biography and would recommend for all music history and general reading. I learned lots of things that I did not know about this era in American culture. Not all biographies speak to its readers as Elizabeth Rosenthal's Master of Drums.
January 19, 2026
The Master of Drums by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal is a fascinating deep dive into the life and times of the inimitable Gene Krupa. Meticulously researched and entertainingly written, the book provides everything you ever wanted to know about the drummer and more. I learned so much not only about Krupa the man and the drummer but also about the music and musicians of the Swing and Big Band Era and his important influence on drumming to this day. Like many geniuses consumed by their calling he was no saint but the book makes the argument that the music world has been a better place because of him. I especially liked the chapter on his influences in the worlds of rock, punk, surf and heavy metal music. This book is the definitive bible on Gene Krupa and his world and is well worth reading.
July 30, 2025
(2 1/2). As a 12 year old in New York City (1959) just taking my first drum lessons, my hero was Gene Krupa. I went on to revere Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Jo Jones, Cozy Cole, Art Blakey and too many rock and roll drummers to even start naming, but Krupa was the blueprint. This book is hard to get through a lot of the time. So many lists of gigs, the sidemen, the dates and places and boring stuff makes it a dense read. When Rosenthal gets into the personal side of Gene Krupa, everything is grand. He comes off as a wonderful man, an unbelievable musician and definitely, an American musical icon. Forever intertwined with Benny Goodman, it was nice to see Krupa get his due. Good stuff.
January 19, 2026
As a longtime professional drummer, particularly with extensive experience as a big band drummer, this book was fabulous to read. It not only offers exceptional detail of Gene's years as a performer, but also his personality. To a person, he was considered a true gentleman by his peers. Of course, I knew that Gene became the first drummer of real notoriety, but I didn't realize that he was such a big draw with the bands he led. Often, the post-World War II years are given short shrift in the annals of music history; this book brings those years to life. For a fully-detailed understanding of Gene, his music, and his times, this is the definitive book!
Read
February 16, 2026'The Master of Drums' by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal is a great testament to a musician who changed the world. Krupa's incredible body of work influenced how the world saw the guy behind the drums for all time. Krupa brought the drums to the spotlight, center stage with his intense drumming and wild persona, similar to what Elvis did decades later with the rock 'n roll lead singer identity. The book takes you step by step through Krupa's incredible journey as a band member, to featured performer, to band-leader, and jazz legend. If you dig American music adventures, this is a must-read. 'Go Gene Go'!
June 11, 2025
Good for insight into Gene's personality and the influence he had on other drummers. unknown, by the younger people of today, for the most part, they don't realize Gene was a superstar in his time and a great drummer. it would have helped if the author knew more about music. the most glaring mistake she makes throughout the book. She refers to Gene being one of the earliest users of what she calls the Bo Diddley beat of the 1950s. She doesn't realize that it is a Latin-American clave
that predates Gene and predates the twentieth century. The clave is integral to all South American music
that predates Gene and predates the twentieth century. The clave is integral to all South American music
January 19, 2026
Ms Rosenthals book about the life and career of Gene Krupa is absolutely unbelievable. I have been a professional musician/drummer for 60+ years. Needless to say Gene Krupa had an unbelievable affect on my life and career. Having met Mr Krupa and seen him play live over the years I always believed made me an expert on his life. I was wrong. I have learned so much from this book, and Ms Rosenthal wrote it in such an encouraging and entertaining way that I again became the student. I have both the book and audio CD. Don’t let this one pass you by. You won’t be disappointed.
January 22, 2026
This is a well-written, exhaustively researched account of the great drummer's life and times. It goes into his personal history (by all accounts he was a great guy) and his drumming technique and development.
It also explodes the tired myths about his drug use. Krupa was not an addict, but he did get into trouble for a bit of weed. Today, it wouldn't even make the news. It's quite a story and Rosenthal tells it well.
This book is a must for anyone who loves jazz, the art of drumming, or is interested in the popular culture of the 20th century.
It also explodes the tired myths about his drug use. Krupa was not an addict, but he did get into trouble for a bit of weed. Today, it wouldn't even make the news. It's quite a story and Rosenthal tells it well.
This book is a must for anyone who loves jazz, the art of drumming, or is interested in the popular culture of the 20th century.
March 9, 2026
Elizabeth Rosenthal does an excellent job in portraying this renowned innovator of jazz drumming. This meticulously researched biography also gives the reader insight into Krupa’s contributions to racial equality in the music business and his generous, non-diva personality. Like any book about a musician, it’s almost impossible to convey through the written word what is great about the performer. However, with what I’ve learned from this book, I’ll know what to listen for when I look up Gene Krupa’s performances on YouTube.
January 16, 2026
This is the definitive biography of the man who made the drums a solo instrument. Elizabeth Rosenthal has meticulously researched the life and music of this extraordinary talent and has brilliantly detailed how Gene Krupa has influenced contemporary music and the way it's played. I've written two books on Gene Krupa, and truth be told, I wish I wrote this one!
January 17, 2026
If you’re interested in jazz this is a must read. The author describes Krupa’s life and music with original source materials from numerous documents and interviews. The detail is incredible.
The writing is energetic and engaging and captures the amazing influence this man had on drumming, jazz and dozens of musicians over many years. Very enjoyable!
The writing is energetic and engaging and captures the amazing influence this man had on drumming, jazz and dozens of musicians over many years. Very enjoyable!
Want to read
February 18, 2026Besides his influence on Jazz, it would be hard to imagine Rock drumming without Krupa. Not just for what he played but how he played! With that said, he also helped to transcend musical boundaries. Elizabeth Rosenthal’s “The Master of Drums” does an excellent job of depicting Gene and how he changed the music we listen to every day.
May 29, 2025
The MAster of Drums is a beautiful and insightful look into a very specific era of time! If you are a fan of jazz, swing, or just music in general, you will be able to find something to appreciate about this book.
January 16, 2026
I liked this book a lot. It is obvious that the author researched Krupa's past diligently and thoughtfully and with a lot of love. I can't think of anyone else who could have done such a good job. I am a new fan of Gene Krupa thanks to Ms. Rosenthal!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews