I don't know how this got to be machine vrs. man, or why such negativity has to be brought in to this thread and others. It has nothing to do with any of us being able to play at Rich's level. None of us could.
We're just telling stories of his obnoxious behavior. BTW -the show where he fired the sax player for missing the bus-- Rich asked during the show that the spotlight on him be turned off. Being that it was a second rate Holiday Inn gig there was probably no one manning the lights so it stayed on. He did one more song, went into his solo and riffed into a buzz roll. Took it down to a whisper and then threw the sticks down and said "Thats it" and walked off. He was known for getting top college grads in his band cheaply with the promise of them being able to pad their resume's and then being very abusive to them.
I would hope if I were ever lucky enough to be in the position to run a great band like that I would be more respectful of the young people I was influencing.