The drummer for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" has died. Ed Shaughnessy was 84, Robyn Flans, a close friend and his co-writer of his memoir "Lucky Drummer," said on Friday.The cause of death was a heart attack, which he suffered at his home in Calabasas, California on Friday morning, CNN reported.
Shaughnessy's drum battles with frequent guest Buddy Rich became iconic on the evening show. He played with jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett and Tommy Dorsey. He also played with Jimi Hendrix on "The Tonight Show."
Shaughnessy was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on January 29, 1929, and grew up in the New York City area. In the 1950s he worked in the Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey bands. By the 1960s, he played or Count Basie before joining "The Tonight Show Band."
"Every drummer has his story to tell of how kind and generous of spirit he was," Flans said. "He influenced so many people. He was the guy. He was on television every night reaching all those people. You always saw the smile behind the kit. That was my Eddie."
His late wife Ilene was the voice of Disney's "Cinderella,' and is survived by his son.
Flans said his fatal heart attack "took everyone by surprise."
