Indeed, a showbiz legend.
Watching Buddy being interviewed on TV was always good for a laugh, with all his musician stories and antics. And of course, the Bus tapes are legendary.
His driving, hard swinging Big Band playing was pretty spectacular in a showbiz way. Certainly put bums on seats.
Not my favourite drummer, but certainly deserves his place as a respected, top musician. I only watched him play once (Lewisham Theatre in South East London), the evening was great, totally amazed by the level of musicianship from his young band. There are still a lot of his ex players who talk fondly of him, and there were some terrific, well known musos who passed through his bands.
Steve Marcus (RIP) was playing Tenor with him for years and gives a great radio interview about him below (worth a listen - some good music in there as well).