Gene Palma was the famous street drummer, who could do a mean “Gene Krupa” and entertained people for decades in midtown. He also had a cameo in “Taxi Driver” ©Matt Weber
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Published by Matt Weber
Photographing NYC for 25 years, six of them while driving a New York City taxi. Trying very hard to capture the city as life unfolds, meaning I never stage any of my photos! Also I am a close confidant of the immortal Dave Beckerman, (quintessential NYC photographer) and owner of the first photography blog in the known universe.
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I think that is Gene Palma, the street drummer who was an authority on Gene Krupa´s style.
Is Gene Palma (NYC Drummer) dead? I’m a native New Yorker and knew him as a famous New York attraction For many years. A really fun and grest all around guy. If he’s not dead in 2017. I’d imagine he’s quite old. If he passed away does anyone know of what? I’m seriously interested. He was certainly a piece of my formative yesrs in the 1970’s. Thank you for any assistance you can give me.
Sincerely,
Douglas
Is Gene Palma (NYC Drummer) dead? I’m a native New Yorker and knew him as a famous New York attraction For many years. A really fun and grest all around guy. If he’s not dead in 2017. I’d imagine he’s quite old. If he passed away does anyone know of what? I’m seriously interested. He was certainly a piece of my formative yesrs in the 1970’s. Thank you for any assistance you can give me.
Sincerely,
Douglas
Sadly not. Gene Palma was born on June 2, 1924. He died on October 17, 2005 at 81 years old. We know that Gene Palma had been residing in Holmes, Dutchess County, New York.
I lived in the Chelsea Hotel in 86′, and photographed Gene in my bathroom. He brought his resume written on an old piece of dirty card board. He was a sweet guy, and told me he did his hair with shoe polish, because Rudy Valentino did it that way. A true NYC character!