Gene Krupa was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 15, 1909. He was the youngest son of Bartley and Ann Krupa's nine children. His father died when Gene was very young and his mother worked as a milliner to support the family. All of the children had to start working while still young, Gene was only eleven. His brother Pete worked at Brown's Music Company, and secured Gene a job there as a chore boy. Gene started …showed first 75 words of 1766 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1766 total…made drums a solo instrument. He single-handedly made the Slingerland Drum Company a success and inspired millions to become drummers. He also demonstrated a level of showmanship which has not been equaled. Buddy Rich once said that Gene was the "beginning and the end of all jazz drummers." Louie Bellson said of Gene, "He was a wonderful, kind man and a great player. He brought drums to the foreground. He is still a household name."