Bernard “pretty” Purdie

BERNARD PURDIE, the eleventh child of fifteen, was born in Elkton on June 11, 1939. Purdie started as a six year old to play improvised instruments and create rhythms. He bought his first drum set at 14 and was the main provider of the family, earning his wages with carnival and country bands. Purdie said that this “schooling” allowed him to “feel his way into almost every type of music because I had to be able to understand all styles and wasn’t afraid to try something different.” Purdie, who had just finished high school, moved to New York in 1960. He played with Lonnie Youngblood and then landed his first hit with King Curtis. It was this engagement that led to his marriage with Aretha Franklin, in 1970. This was the start of a remarkable career. Purdie has been a frequent guest in the studios with the stars of Jazz, Soul, Rock, including Paul Butterfield, Larry Coryell, Miles Davis, Hall, and many others.

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