One of the greatest and most successful drummers to come from the Baltimore area. Bernard Purdie, later nicknamed ‘Pretty Purdie,’ was born and raised in Elkton, Maryland. He attended Morgan State College and played in several Baltimore and D.C. area R&B bands including the Imperals, and the Show Stoppers in D.C…
After a trip to New York City, his band returned to Baltimore but Purdie elected to stay in the big apple, eventually becoming a highly sought after studio drummer. He became the drummer for Lonnie Youngblood’s Orchestra, toured with Les Cooper’s band, King Curtis’s King Pins… all the while becoming more in demand for studio work. By the ‘70s he became Aretha Franklin’s drummer.
Purdie has also performed in concert or on recordings by artists such as Miles Davis, Jimmy McGriff, Gil Scott-Heron, Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Larry Coryell, James Brown, B. B. King, Cat Stevens, Isaac Hayes, Roberta Flack, and many others. Bernard has performed on virtually thousands of recordings adapting to many diverse musical styles. In addition to his work with other artists Purdie also recorded many solo albums and singles including a couple of nationally charted hits on the Date label.
Partial Bernard Purdie discography – Singles:
1967 Date 2-1568 Funky Donkey / Caravan
1968 Date 2-1587 Modern Jive / Soul Bossa Nova
Date 2-1606 Blow Your Lid (But Watch Your Cool) / Soul Clappin’
1972 Mega 615-0065 Funky Mozart
1973 Flying Dutchman 26021 Song for Aretha
1973 Flying Dutchman 26011 The Revolution will Not Be Televised / Home Is Where the Hatred Is
Partial Bernard Purdie discography – Albums (LP’s and CD’s):
1967 Date 3006 Soul Drums
1968 Camden 2170 Soul Fingers
1971 Mega 51-5001 Stand By Me (Whatcha see is Whatcha Get)
1971 Prestige 10013 Purdie Good
1972 Flying Dutchman 10154 Soul Is…Pretty Purdie
1974 Prestige 10034 Shaft
1974 Casablanca 7051 Delights of The Garden
1997 Act 9242 Soul to Jazz
1998 Act 9244 Soul to Jazz II
1998 P.Vine 5901 In the Pocket
1999 3B00 4 Get It While You Can (Hudson River Rats)
2001 3B00 5 King of The Beat
2003 3B00 6 Purdie Good Cookin’
