Louie Bellson R.I.P.

[zmccullum]

Metal kids only wish they could play like that

[TheFalconracer]

Thanks for the Post! Louie and Pearl came aboard our Navy ship USS EMORY LAND, while we were off the coast of Oman many years ago. The put on a great show, he played the drums Pearl sang a few song. The best remembered part was afterwards, they sat around and talked with every crewmember that wanted to chat! Big time stars just don't do that! Louie and Pearl Bailey were exceptional people. A night that crewmembers of that ship will not forget.

[giosmrbig]

buddy and louie are the best drummer ever lived

[pooperscoopr69]

Louie's primary influence was the incomparable Jo Jones.

The joy that each of them exuded in their playing was positively infectious...and rare.

[pooperscoopr69]

Ellington's favorite drummer.

Enough said.

[tariksba]

thanx for sharing this ....

[drex48239]

his drums always sounded waaaay too good

[frnndogoal]

The best Label for this is LEGENDARY.. , and No dubt it is a MASTER PIECE VIDEO.

[taylor1212eminem]

He was my dads uncle. I never got to meet him but my grandma said he was great

[Nibbz23]

Louie also had a fantastic personality. Very optimistic and super easy to get along with. Incredible drummer and a fantastic human being. Im just glad that there were all these superb drummers who came way before us with unprecedented talent.

[MrBerenstain]

this gives me inspiration every time i see it. i only wish i could have met him and talked to him. got advice from him and seen him play. one day!!! one day ill be as good as him :) just gotta keep practicing

[DanLetts97]

@MrBerenstain ....actually probably not, but keep playing anyway.

[MrBerenstain]

@DanLetts97 you've motivated me even more. thanks ;]

[pachopavan]

the snare sounds pretty cool

[davegleedrummer]

What a great loss to the drumming world. I was a great Rich fan and then I heard Louis playing Caravan with Phil Woods. Wow, the stick definition and articulation was just amazing. The musicality of the man was and still is an inspiration to me.

[113anger]

what a drummer,

a tribute to the drum kit louie bellson.

[woverby1963]

I cant even imagine being able to play like that, wow!

[sx600]

Tear it up!!!!!!!!! That is how it's done kidies, keep practicing.

[StradMan37]

What a drummer - I always liked the 2 bass drums sound of Louie.

And what a band too! Steve Marcus was wailin' (as usual!).

Thanks!

[swr112261]

The only man, in my opinion, worthy of sitting in Buddy's drum seat with his big band. RIP Louie.

[SteveFallon1]

The "job" of any drummer is to --brace yourselves--keep time. And no one "kicked" a "straight ahead" jazz chart better than the phenonmenal Louie Bellson. He was also a great businessman, being one of the founding partners in the "Remo" drum company.

[XxExoNine]

Louis is good but that music isnt my cup of tea

[speedoflite1]

Saw him in person (Robin Hood Dell East in Philly- Bellson vs. Buddy) in late 70s, and he was nothing short of PHENOMENAL. Buddy got sick and they didn't battle as billed, but Bellson was brilliant all by himself. He told the audience that Buddy was even better tho.

[ramitupursnout]

That is simply outstanding!

[JLRappa]

I never knew he died. RIP

[comradjpr]

Great musician.

=)

[MrTimmyPopkins]

We'll I would say that if he didn't exist someone would have invented the double pedal, but he was a great. RIP.

P.S. keep in mind, as i am saying this I LOVE Metal not a jazz fan.

[johninis]

i love to hear this guy play swing. check out his albums!

[acfinney]

I didn't know that he died. All of this crap about Jackson, any quality people die in obsurity. He was a really nice guy. I'm sure he is in Heaven.

[zildj1an]

I just love how Louie switches from the traditional left hand grip to an over-hand grip and then back again with such ease. Truly was a phenomenal drummer and very dearly missed!!!

[Lumberman84]

"Wind Machine "is a great tune and they performed this very well.

[sussexcounty]

What a great sounding song! R.I.P. Louie. He was one of the all-time greats for sure.

[AshMoDoMarSafYas]

i met him

[grousserr]

Man, what a shame he's gone! He'll be sorely missed by me, and millions i'm sure. See-ya there Louie....

PS - Don't Forget youngins, he pionered the double bass setup!

[Gfour16]

He was the double bass king. God bless his soul

[fantomseed]

would have loved to have been able to meet him, RIP Louie Bellson.

[elvischevy]

one of the all time top drummers ever,,,,,god bless louis bellson,,,,from irish fan,,,,

[DustinDrums1]

i had the honor of seeing him once a few years ago, it was unbelievable! may he RIP... I sat silently for about 30 seconds when i heard the tragedy...

[fizzlebug]

Goodbye, Louie. I think I speak for all drummers when i say this: Rest in Peace, and keep on drumming up in heaven with Rich, Krupa and the guys! I'll see you again somewhere, someday...

[leoymela]

My friend... like you said: "He and Buddy are jamming in heaven, now".

Thank you very much for this beautiful treasure.

[Retardis]

Terrific drummer. R.I.P

[DrummerDude61]

Louie Bellson was why I started playing drums 30 years ago. He was my idol growing up. That's why today, jazz is my favorite music. I played in the national Slingerland/Louie Bellson drum contest in high school and later was able to meet Louie and ask him questions and took pics of his drum kit up close and personal. What a thrill for a new, young drummer. The drumming world is a sadder place today at the passing of such a great man. God bless Louie Bellson.

[saltaeb99]

Thanks for posting this.Did not know he passed away.

[lacarra]

Is he died???!!! I'm really sorry. He was a master. Rest in peace.

[jxxybxxy2002]

a true gentleman and such talent bourne from true humilty, thank you for posting this!!! RIP Louie!

[060660Aaron]

Rest In Peace Louis . I met him a few years ago and showed him a letter that was a reply from him to my father . He was so pleased that the letter had been kept by me . He was a gentleman and of course a fantastic drummer. He was the was the last of the big three , which included Krupa and Rich. He wont be forgotten by any dedicated drummers.

[BognarRegis]

The biggest head fuck is how easy he makes it look. He's barely breaking a sweat and tossing off licks that take some drummers years to perfect.

RIP Louie. You will be missed.

[LoveIsADarkPlace]

Yes' that is totally amazing to watch. And at hi's age as well.

[floppymcfly]

Never had the opportunity to meet him, or even see him play live, yet when I heard of his passing, it almost brought tears to my eyes. . . Another great has left us. The most amazing thing. . . he played for so long, so well, yet in every video I've seen, he's still smiling as if he was a kid at his first drum set.

[Phtoman]

The first time I ever saw Louie was in Hartford, CT when I was a teen ager and he played with Tommy Dorsey. I had the pleasure and honor of meeting him and he introduced me to Tommy. Louie was one of the real genuinely nice people.

[JazzzDrummer]

Very Good post also ! But please lets not forget BigNick ...... What Buddy Rich did for drumming . He was and still is an Idol to drummers all over the world . Buddy was one of a kind when it came to drumming .

[BigNickontheDrum]

listen, we all know what a super talent buddy rich was. please don't denigrate my tribute to this man who was also a major talent, and who clearly left a huge impression on all the great people commenting here. in the video, Louie is playing in the BR Memorial band, I think that says plenty about both men. :)

[instantbrother]

Thanks BigNick (no disrepect to JazzzDrummer) for keeping the focus on what is great here. Like you mention, there are plenty of platforms for other drummers to receive deserved praise but this this case, let's take a moment to honor this amazing musician & beautiful person. Like "floppymcfly" states:"he still smiling as if he was a kid".

I am more than certain he's in the studio right now in the sky burning up the skins for the BigMan up there who let us enjoy Louie on Earth for a great while.

[JazzzDrummer]

RIP Louie . A Super drummer . Total class and the nicest guy to everyone .

[mikeylee68]

I'm 58 years old. When I was 14 I wrote Louie a letter. He not only sent back a signed photo but also a hand written letter which still hangs on my wall. Of all the drummers I have heard through the years Louie is the only one I could pick out within 4 beats. He had a style like no other. At 14 or 58 he is still my idol.

Idol's live forever.

[techathens]

Nice video - thanks for posting! A great drummer. composer, person!

[BigNickontheDrum]

Wow, I never got to see him perform live. I'd give anything to go back and have a chat with him!

[sdhinote]

Louis was a class act onstage and off. I was privileged to work with him twice in L.A., but it seemed like I knew him forever because I'd been having chats with him whenever I saw him since high school. I'll be doing a lot of listening to Louis this week. RIP Drummerman!

[JoeJonasRocksForev12]

Thanks for posting this. I saw Loiue many times, going back to the mid 70's. He was (and still is) a major influence for me and many others. A class act!