Died On This Date (May 24, 2014) Ed Shaughnessy / Drummer In Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band
themusicsover Ed Shaughnessy
January 29, 1929 – May 24, 2013
As a driving force of the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson band, Ed Shaughnessy was one of the most famous drummer in America, if not the world, for the better part of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Specializing in swing and bebop, Shaughnessy cut his teeth in New York City during the 40s playing with the likes of Jack Teagarden and George Shearing. He then went on to play behind Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Count Basie before being hired by the Tonight Show Band with whom he played for 29 years. In between, he played on recordings by a list of who’s who of jazz greats. Ed Shaughnessy was 84 when he died of a heart attack on May 24, 2013.
For more on Ed Shaughnessy, please watch this clip from namm.org. Thanks to Dan Del Fiorentino for its usage.
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