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Ed Shaughnessy
Ed Shaughnessy
Obituary
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Ed Shaughnessy Obituary
William Selditz, a close family friend, tells the Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/1albfp7 ) that Shaughnessy had a heart attack Friday at his home in Calabasas, outside Los Angeles.
The New Jersey native began his jazz career as a teenager, playing with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and Count Basie. He replaced Buddy Rich in Tommy Dorsey's band.
In the mid-1950s Shaughnessy became a staff musician at CBS. From 1963 to 1992, Shaughnessy was a late-night television fixture as part of the house band on NBC's "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.
He is survived by a son and three grandchildren.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
70 Entries
Ame
July 17, 2023
The people in Rillton loved you!
January 17, 2021
You were so proud of the Pittsburgh area talent & diversity. You really admired Fred Rogers! Now you are with Jesus and all of your family in Heaven!
January 17, 2021
Love and prayers,
Ame Caline
Michel Polnareff
How you can show support
Harry Simpson
May 24, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. Godspeed.
Robert Ozn - Rosen
June 5, 2013
At the age of 19 in 1973, I was a member of Today's Children, a singing group that toured with Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band under the moniker The Now Generation Brass. Ed was of course our super star drummer. Always the consummate professional, he was absolutely dazzling on stage.
I continued with a music career for 20 years after and worked with lots of drummers as a result, but Ed was always the man - the one I would never forget.
Ed knew when to take the spotlight and be the focus of attention, but also knew how to play as a member of the band. He wasn't run by his ego. It was a valuable lesson for a kid like me, who was just getting started.
It was an honor and a privilege to have worked with him.
My sympathies and best wishes to his family and friends.
My God smile on his soul for all the joy he brought into this world.
Robert M. Rosen a/k/a Robert Ozn
June 5, 2013
I-I myself am the One that is comforting you people."isah.51:12..sorry for your loss...~nc.~
Andrew Parraco
June 5, 2013
You were a master of your craft Ed - Vaya Con Dios ...
Keith Edwards
June 3, 2013
I played tenor saxophone in HS band in 1975 and we all wanted to be like him. He left a lasting mark on us all. We prayed for him at church yesterday. Grant him rest eternal.
May 31, 2013
May God be with you and your family during this difficult time.
Richard Forest
May 30, 2013
I was at a jazz concert in Heckscher Park Long Island in 1969. I went backstage afterward and told Mr. Shaughnessy that I had come all the way from Lake Charles, La. He got a napkin and wrote on it to let me in at the Tonight Show rehearsals the next day. He told me to meet him at Rockefeler Center. I presented my nakin to the guard in the lobby and the guard laughed at me. Mr. Shaugnsessy and some band members were coming out of the elevator, he grabbed me by the neck and told the guard to let me in. I saw the Carpenter's, Karen & Richard rehearse. I went on stage and met them. They were so kind. I also met Jaye P. Morgan and Johnny Carson. Thank you Mr. Shaughnessy for the time of my life. God Bless you!
C.D.
May 30, 2013
My sincere condolences to the Shaughnessy family. May the God of Peace give you comfort during this time of sorrow. 2 Cor. 1:3
Ted Casher
May 29, 2013
I remember playing with Ed at the Lenox School of Jazz back in 1959! He was a friend, and was always encouraging! RIP, man!
Margaret
May 29, 2013
May the God who gives peace be with all of YOU. Amen.-Roman 15:33. May the God of all comfort be with the family and friends of Ed Shaughnessy. He will be dearly missed.
May 29, 2013
Please accept my condolences and may the peace of God that excels all thought comfort the family members during this time of sorrow.
May 29, 2013
RIP. We were fortunate to watch Ed every night. The younger drummers never had the chance to see greatness so often.
Rich Paskash
May 29, 2013
You were one of my idols..........a master percussionist. My prayers go out to your family and friends. Give Buddy our best!
May 29, 2013
To the Shaughnessy Family: Ed was a fantastic drummer. His drumming talents added alot of comedy when Carson's jokes failed!! May you be surrounded by love & peace at this very sorrowful time. JM, Austerlitz, NY
RJF
May 29, 2013
Salvaged many of Johnny's jokes with a timely "rim shot!"
May 29, 2013
Our prayers are with you.
Joseph Mullin
May 29, 2013
I always like Eds busy drummer style,replacing Buddy Rich spoke volumes of his skill, and Tommy Dorsey too. WOW !
May 29, 2013
I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who is 'binding up the broken hearted and comforting those mourning' sustain you during this most difficult time. (Isa.61:1,2) Again, my deepest sympathies.
paul cohen
May 29, 2013
i knew ed in my ''20''s .we did many 'gigs ' together. a great feel for music as well keeping a steady beat.a great guy to be with. pauly cohen
Jeff
May 29, 2013
R.I.P. Ed you are an inspiration to all musicians.
Brian Mixon
May 29, 2013
You will be missed
Tom Gorton
May 29, 2013
As a kid I stayed up late many a night when I should have been asleep to watch the Tonight Show. Mr. Shaughnessy graced my TV with his drumming ability, still my favorite instrument. My sympathies to his family. The great ones in my life are all leaving us. ES was one of them.
Barbara
May 29, 2013
I was privileged to have taken part in Skidmore's jazz camp when Ed was there. He was an inspiration to all the musicians in attendance and a generous and enthusiastic teacher of all things jazz. Ed, many musical lives were enriched by your sharing the beat of life with us. Gabriel can blow his horn all he wants but the best sound will be your drums!
M S
May 29, 2013
Rest in Peace Ed. Say hello to Johnny and see if he wants to jam.
May 29, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Marie
May 29, 2013
Please find comfort in Psalm 65:2.
Don
May 29, 2013
First saw Mr. S. when he did his thing for Charlie Ventura in late 40's; met again many years later at a clinic he was part of w/ Ted Curzon, etc. We had a cool conversation. What a kind, unegotistical, down-to-earth guy, one of the best I ever met. RIP, Mr. S.
May 29, 2013
Sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the Hearer of prayer at this time. Psalm 65:2
May 29, 2013
My sympathy for the family for their loss.May you find comfort from your creator. Psaumed 65:2
Maryellen
May 29, 2013
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ed Shaughnessy. It was a privilege to watch you play on The Tonight Show. R.I.P. Ed.
May 29, 2013
Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
Chantal
May 29, 2013
What an amazing talent that will be truly missed. May you find comfort from fond memories and our God of comfort.
Ed
May 29, 2013
Ed is resting peacefully. May God's word and prayer give you solace at this sorrowful time. 1 Peter 5:6, 7
SAM MIHAILOFF
May 29, 2013
a fine musician...rest in peace
Bobby Bailey
May 29, 2013
Sadden Hearts & Prayers To Eds Family & Friends, He is a Great Drummer, I watched Ed and Buddy Rich Have a Drum Battle, Great Show, R. I.P. Eddy
Betty Box
May 29, 2013
Prayer and sympathy to the family of Ed Shaughnessy who lived a long life of mightiness from God.Psalm.90:10 and let the comfort from God be with you in this time of grief.
Mike McIntyre
May 29, 2013
I loved that guy !!
Kathy J
May 28, 2013
My condolences to the family of such a talented legend. May "the peace of God that excels all thought" bring you comfort. (Phil. 4:7)
May 28, 2013
Remember him well from the Johnny Carson Show - sympathy to his family members.
In venue of masters and classical music!
Victoria&Andrew
May 28, 2013
Our sentiments of condolences to
a great person of talent..
Legends stay inside ones thought
upon true admired humor of wit and jazz
in tune of the wonderful mind of a
music man with classical and be said a great Drummer~thank you~ Ed ~
Steve A
May 28, 2013
To the Ed Shaughnessy family ->
I had the privilege of viewing Ed Shaughnessy on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for the entire duration of that show. What a thrill.
More thrilled was seeing, watching and hearing Ed Shaughnessy perform in person, the first time I saw him was in 1974 in Montana, the second time in the Chicago area in the 1990s.
He was the consummate professional. He taught me a nifty Latin beat in 1974, taking time to demonstrate the nuances of his technique.
Ed Shaughnessy made a distinct and unique contribution to jazz drumming, one that will remain with us courtesy of YouTube and other media that will allow future drummers to learn from him for decades to come.
My sympathies to the Ed Shaughnessy family with is passing.
judy munn
May 28, 2013
ilived in pgh pa iknew radio station kdka Mr. s as i look back as a kid iremember something lovely about him he was an announcer for kdka in pittsburgh --may 28.2013 imoved from from pgh in 1983 then to florida he knew the pgh pirate s like r.clemente-----why did he die of a heart diseassss ----------to his family read the 23rd psalm .---------------------afromer pgh r [email protected]
Mike
May 28, 2013
Loved to watch him play. He was always so graceful and relaxed at his instrument. I and thousands of others will miss him. Thankfully, there are lots or recording. Rest in Peace. Ed,
Dwayne Bickham
May 28, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
Ray Allen
May 28, 2013
Sympathy & kindest regards to the Shaughnessy family & friends wherever they may be. Also, a moot point but exceptionally special memory of the mellow voice of Edwin Lester Schaughnessey, a. k. a., "Uncle Ed" & wife Gertrude, a special part of KDKA radio & TV going back many years. The mystery sandwich, the flying fraction, Ed & wife Gertrude were so special. "1020" folks remembering them?
Shonuf for starters. God bless 1 & all who share these memories & so many others. Take care.
May 28, 2013
One of my all time heroes of rhythm sections. He was one of a kind a hero to all drummers.
Kathleen
May 28, 2013
Thanks for all the great music
Tom Smith
May 28, 2013
May the God of peace and all comfort, be with Ed Shaughnessy's family, fans, and friends during this difficult time. He was a great talent and will be missed.
hughes family
May 28, 2013
May God bless the family at this difficult time and bring you comfort as you recall the many happy memories that you shared. I look forward to a better life for all of us at a better time. (Matthew 6:10)
May 28, 2013
(Salmos 65:2) Oh Oidor de la oracion, aun a ti vendra gente de toda carne.
McGrew University Park, Illinois
Betty
May 28, 2013
Will be missed by everyone.
Mitchell Golonsky
May 28, 2013
Mr. Shaughnessy personified all the right things about jazz virtuosity in that he had total command of his instrument and led an exemplary life away from it. He will be missed as a world class player, educator and human being.
John Herbert
May 28, 2013
Amazing guy. Thats all.
May 28, 2013
May the family find comfort in the love of famly wnd friends during this difficult time.
Jeff Conrad
May 28, 2013
To the Shaughnessy Family,
My deepest sympathy! Mr Shaughnessy was one of my favorite drummers and I'm saddened by his passing. I enjoyed his Big Band Drumming teaching DVD and will cherish it. May God Bless your family. You're in my prayers.
Peace be with you Ed!
Michael Baskins
May 28, 2013
Ed was a great man who showed me a lot of techniques on Saturday mornings at the rehearsal hall in Reseda!
May 28, 2013
MY SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF ED. MAY THE GOD OF COMFORT BE WITH THE FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF NEED. 2ND COR.1:3,4.
May 28, 2013
So glad we got "Lucky Drummer" out last year and he was able to see it so well received. Rob Cook, Rebeats
May 28, 2013
A name is better than good oil,and the day of death than the day of one's being born.-Ecc.7:1
Randy Lovvorn
May 28, 2013
Ed inspired me to pursue jazz studies and I can honestly say he helped me become a better drummer. Thank you, Ed! I look forward to tapping in to your great energy as it now flows through everything. May your family find peace in knowing you are at peace and your life was an inspiration to many.
May 28, 2013
One of the great drummers of all time. Rest well Mr. Shaughnessy.
Bankston
May 28, 2013
Dear Shaughnessy family I am sorry for your loss.May the God of all comfort be with you.
louise wisinski
May 28, 2013
Your talent was amazing. Rest in Peace.
May 28, 2013
Rip
Prof. Milburn Cleaver, OPA
May 28, 2013
A wonderful musician from a simpler time. Even Letterman and Leno admit that Carson was King. And Mr. Carson was saavy enough to have only the best around him. I'm sure You are up there laughing it up with Johnny and good ol' Ed. And drumming away with greats like Krupa. Rest in Peace, Sir.
Peter Lemongello
May 28, 2013
I had the pleasure of working with Ed on my many Tonight Show appearances. He was one of the best musicians, and nicest person one could work with. Peter Lemongello plemongello.com
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