Krupa, Eugene Burtram “Gene”
(1909–1973)
KRUPA, EUGENE BURTRAM “GENE” (15 Jan 1909, Chicago, Illinois; 16 Oct 1973, Yonkers, New York). The first drumset player ever to acquire worldwide notoriety, Gene Krupa started playing drums at age 12 with a young group called the Frivolians. He bowed to his mother’s wishes and attended St. Joseph’s College (Indiana, 1924-25) in possible preparation for the priesthood. Partially because of the influence of his music teacher there, he withdrew after a year and landed a job with the Wolverines…