Age, Biography and Wiki

Bernard Purdie (Bernard Lee Purdie) was born on 11 June, 1941 in Elkton, Maryland, U.S., is an American R&B, soul and funk drummer. Discover Bernard Purdie's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 82 years old?

Popular As Bernard Lee Purdie
Occupation Musician
Age 82 years old
Zodiac Sign Gemini
Born 11 June, 1941
Birthday 11 June
Birthplace Elkton, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 11 June. He is a member of famous artist with the age 82 years old group.

Bernard Purdie Height, Weight & Measurements

At 82 years old, Bernard Purdie height not available right now. We will update Bernard Purdie's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Bernard Purdie Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Bernard Purdie worth at the age of 82 years old? Bernard Purdie’s income source is mostly from being a successful artist. He is from United States. We have estimated Bernard Purdie's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income artist

Bernard Purdie Social Network

Instagram
Linkedin
Twitter
Facebook
Wikipedia
Imdb

Timeline

1939

Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie (born June 11, 1939) is an American drummer, and an influential R&B, soul and funk musician.

He is known for his precise musical time-keeping and his signature use of triplets against a half-time backbeat: the "Purdie Shuffle."

Purdie was born on June 11, 1939, in Elkton, Maryland, US, the eleventh of fifteen children.

At an early age he began hitting cans with sticks and learned the elements of drumming techniques from overhearing lessons being given by Leonard Heywood.

He later took lessons from Heywood and played in Heywood's big band.

Purdie's other influences at that time were Papa Jo Jones, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Joe Marshall, Art Blakey, as well as Cozy Cole, Sticks Evans, Panama Francis, Louis Bellson, and Herbie Lovelle.

1950

There he played sessions with Mickey and Sylvia and regularly visited the Turf Club on 50th and Broadway, where musicians, agents, and promoters met and touted for business.

It was during this period that he played for the saxophonist Buddy Lucas, who nicknamed him 'Mississippi Bigfoot'.

Eventually Barney Richmond contracted him to play session work.

1961

In 1961, he moved from his home town of Elkton, Maryland, to New York City.

1965

Purdie was contracted by arranger Sammy Lowe to play a session with James Brown in 1965 and recording session records also show that Purdie played on "Ain't That A Groove" at the same session.

1968

Purdie recorded Soul Drums (1968) as a band leader and although he went on to record Alexander's Ragtime Band, the album remained unreleased until Soul Drums was reissued on CD in 2009 with the Alexander's Ragtime Band sessions.

1969

Purdie is credited on James Brown's albums Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud (1969) and Get on the Good Foot (1972).

1970

Purdie started working with Aretha Franklin as musical director in 1970 and held that position for five years, as well as drumming for Franklin's opening act, saxophonist King Curtis and the King Pins.

1971

Other solo albums include Purdie Good! (1971), Soul Is... Pretty Purdie (1972) and the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film Lialeh (1973).

From March 5 to March 7, 1971, he performed with both bands at the Fillmore West; the resulting live recordings were released as Aretha Live at Fillmore West (1971) and King Curtis's Live at Fillmore West (1971).

His best known track with Franklin was "Rock Steady", on which he played what he described as "a funky and low down beat".

Of his time with Franklin he once commented that "backing her was like floating in seventh heaven".

1973

Purdie founded Encounter Records in 1973 and released five albums:

Purdie is known as a groove drummer with immaculate timing who makes use of precision half note, backbeats, and grooves.

Purdie's signature sixteenth note hi-hat lick pish-ship, pish-ship, pish-ship is distinct.

He often employs a straight eight groove sometimes fusing several influences such as swing, blues and funk.

He created the now well-known drum pattern Purdie Half-Time Shuffle that is a blues shuffle variation with the addition of syncopated ghost notes on the snare drum.

Variations on this shuffle can be heard on songs such as Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain", the Police's "Walking on the Moon", and Toto's "Rosanna" (Rosanna shuffle).

Purdie plays the shuffle on Steely Dan's "Babylon Sisters" and "Home At Last".

1978

Purdie was credited on the soundtrack album for the film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) and later he was the drummer for the 2009 Broadway revival of Hair and appeared on the associated Broadway cast recording.

1990

In the mid-1990s he was a member of the 3B's, with Bross Townsend and Bob Cunningham.

2013

He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013.

2016

In 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by Five Towns College.

Purdie has been a resident of New Jersey, living in Edison, Teaneck and Springfield Township.

In 2023, he moved to New Bern, North Carolina.