Who loves Louie´s playing still in 2019? Thumbs up!

I attended a two day drum clinic at Cal State Northridge in the late 70s starring Louie Bellson and Billy Cobham. It was really thrilling!! It ended with a big concert featuring the CSUN jazz band along with Billy and Louie, as I remember. Of course both drummers were amazing. I sent a comment to Louie Bellson‘s website when he was still alive and only a few years before he died. In the comment I stated that I really loved the clinic. One of the things he said in response (yes, he actually wrote me back about it!) was, “That clinic with Billy Cobham is still in my heart.”

As a Metal drummer, I've a lot to be grateful for, from this man...

Louie Bellson the greatest jazz drummer of all time IMO. Listen to his solo at the Live at the Philharmonic 1967. It's unreal!!

Simply amazing. I always enjoyed his playing. He was a true master. Rest In Peace. Thank you for the great music.

As a man who was 21 years of age, and all I wanted at that time was to be a heavy meatal, hard rock drummer, boy did I get a lesson when I saw this man perform at a drum clionic in Dayton Ohio in 1983. this man opened up a whole new world of music to play besides hard rock and heavy metal. I started listening more and more to Louie and begging to open up to new possibilities of other forms of music to play . Thank you Louie Belson, and May God have you in Heaven Playing, I expect to see him there myself knowing that not only I am a Christian, But Louie was to. What a talent that I will always treasure seeing him play. and even at the age that he was at then he in my book was the most awsome Drummer that ever lived.. May his legacy remain forever by Gods Will.. From Benjamin L Smith.

Lois Bellson, one of the top three drummers of all time. Always an education and great pleasure to hear play. Way dah go kid!

Not a competition. Louie Bellson was one of the greatest ever. I loved the way he played.

Louie Bellson..one of the best all time jazz drummers of all time. He has to be great....He's Italian. His first wife was Pearl Bailey. started playing drums at three years of age. At age 15, he pioneered the double-bass drum set-up. At age 17, he triumphed over 40,000 drummers to win the Slingerland National Gene Krupa contest. They adopted a little boy, Tony, in the mid-1950s, and a little girl, Dee Dee J. Bellson, who was born on April 20, 1960. Son Tony Bellson died in 2004, and DeeDee Bellson died on July 4, 2009 at age 49, just 5 months after her father, who died on Valentine's Day 2009. After Pearl Bailey's death in 1990, he married his second wife, Francine, in September 1992. Trained as a physicist and engineer at MIT, Francine Bellson (née Wright) became his manager. The union lasted until his death in 2009. At the 2004 event celebrating his 80th birthday, Bellson said, "I'm not that old; I'm 40 in this leg, and 40 in the other leg." Bellson maintained a tight schedule of clinics and performances of both big bands and small bands in colleges, clubs and concert halls. In between, he continued to record and compose, resulting in more than 100 albums and more than 300 compositions. Bellson's Telarc debut recording, Louie Bellson And His Big Band: Live From New York, was released in June 1994. He also created new drum technology for Remo, Inc., of which he was vice-president. On February 14, 2009, Bellson died at age 84 from complications of a broken hip in December 2008 and Parkinson's disease. He is buried next to his father in Riverside Cemetery in Moline, Illinois.

So...he would have been close to 70 years old here. Still damn tight! For all you double bass drum people....this guy invented it.

I can’t believe how lucky I was to have seen BOTH Louie Bellson AND Buddy Rich at the relatively small but excellent Berklee Performance Center back in 1986 or 87, shortly before Buddy’s passing. Each band played their sets, then they came together onstage for the encore. I felt like that guy in the Memorex ads with the music blasting my hair back. I never really appreciated drumming virtuosity until that night. Just incredible.

Double bass drums and brushes. Only Louie. Awesome drummer!!

Simply a class act across the board!! Thankfully these performances were recorded for us to revisit at any time. It is always spectacular to see Louie in such great shape doing what he did best. Of course that would be playing his heart out for all of us to enjoy.

I was fortunate to see Louis perform a few times many years ago. When I did get a chance to speak with him he kept telling me about his new set of drums that was coming out. It was the gold remos. His exact words to me were, the color is real severe!! I believe they were built to match his playing which was real severe!! A class act always. A tremendous human being always. Not only a great drummer but he could write , read and play both the treble and bass clef. With honor and Grace, thank you for all that you have given us. We are still learning from you to this day in 2022!! 🙏🥁❤️

I am going to put Louie Bellson way above everyone else on the same pedestal I put Buddy Rich and Carl Palmer on now. Just mind-blowing. Speed, dexterity, originality, feel, explosiveness, just the entire package. Exactly my kind of drummer too!

Fantastic player and a great performer..a true showman....i always shed a tear for Loius when watching him at work..the master!...god bless Loius Bellson

Louie was IMO the *only* drummer who could keep up with Buddy Rich. It’s a shame that Remo drums didn’t really catch on, because these Acousticon shells sounded fantastic. Louie was one of my favorite drummers of all time, and from everything I’ve ever heard about him, he was a really nice guy, too.

Simply stunning! The subtle dynamics of his cymbal and brush work are just breathtaking. The double bass pioneer playing with 4 sticks!!!! Wholey Shizz!!! Louie you are legendary (not was). Consummate professional and gentleman. LB is certainly in the top 5 all-star drummers of the modern age. Goosebumps, shivers and even a few tears. Thank you so much for this download. 💚💚

Holy shit, definatley one of the best drummers EVER

Thee Epitome of the Professional Drummer,LOUIE BELLSON!

I played 4th trumpet on his band once... at Rochester High School... think it was 1989 or 90. Great experience. He was a gentleman and very professional.

1976 (?) LB was doing a clinic at Drums Unlimited in Bethesda Maryland. I was 22ish and I was sent by the head of our small music department ( St Mary’s College of Md) to deliver to him an invitation to be a quest musician with our college band. After a quick hello … a few minutes … turned into at least a thirty minute conversation … he was so easy and welcoming. Great player ? Absolutely. Nice as hell person ?…. Far nicer than that other guy.

A stellar performance from the great Louis Bellson.

Louie didn't smoke, drink,or do drugs...He wouldn't allow alcohol to be served at his drum clinics....I was fortunate to be called to do a drum battle with him in 1995.........A shining moment for me...I miss this guy....Class all the way..........Ralph Onofrio.

A genius at the drums. And 2 of the nicest people you ever want to meet are Louie and Pearlie Mae.

Love this version of caravan.... And with Louie Bellson as drummer...!!! Awesome....

Many say that Buddy was the greatest jazz drummer in history - who's to argue? He was phenomenal. Many others has wonderful techniques, also. But Louise Bellson was also unique, a great driving force of versatile expression.

One of the best!!!

One of the greats drummer artist he had it all rest in peace

Louie Bellson inspired Paice, Bonham, Mitchell, Moon, Ward, et al. Where and what would Heavy Metal be without those drummers emulating the great L.B.?

Yeah - absolutely one of the best who EVER lived...

Louie Bellson is tremendously underrated. The names you hear are, of course, Rich, Krupa, Morello, perhaps Weckl in a more modern reference. This is a beautifully musical and sharply executed bit of drumming. On a side note, it's a miracle that hi-hat didn't fall over, as closed as the feet were.

oh my God 68 years old..!!! Incredible your energy

And dig that strong G above a High C nailed twice by the lead trumpet player at the end. He hits it, drops out to get another breath to nail it like a laser over the finishing drum kick. Awesome.

In my opinion he was the best in his era. His hands just as fast as Buddys. He was the 1st to play 2 base drums and had that down. Super musical and tasty. I love you LOUIE.

Without any doubt, in my heart and soul opinion, the greatest drummer that's ever lived. Beyond genius.

Holly shit, I was born this year

Why am I crying? Oh, Louie, you personified the word *nonpareil*. ❤

Man that bass is comin thru so good!!!!

Absolutely fantastic solo!!

Excellent Drummer....Thanks for posting !

My drummer has a 24" Remo Powerstroke bass drum head on his kit hes been playing[hard and often] for 20 years now and still unbroken it was given to him by Louie Bellson.Louie had only played on it a few times and gave it to him after his tech swapped it out.He said it makes him want to play to a higher standard.

Louie was quite amazing seeing that he was in his 60's when he played this. I would have loved to hear this live when he was a bit younger.

lol he looks like a very talented kid just messing around on the drums i love it!!

Even Buddy Rich couldn't beat that. One of the top 2-3 drummers of all time.

Louis was born in 1924 so that makes him 68 years old when he did this. I've seen him many times and especially when he played at Disneyland in Anaheim .He was one of a kind and the likes of which we won't see again.

Great!!! Fantastic person I met him in Chicago He invented double base drum.Great technic He study whit Murray Spiewak best Teacher!!!

A past master if ever there was one . Sadly missed , but his genius lives on . Thanks for posting

Someday he will be recalled as a pioneer of Djazz

The 90th Anniversary of Jazz Great LOUIE BELLSON Join the Celebration! Starting Today

Guy at 15:37 looking at his watch. "Is this over yet?" " I hope the bar is still open!"

has to be the purest solo iv'e seen in my life

Right back at you Whity !! When I was a kid I was either going to play single or double. Then I saw LB on the tonight show. Him and Ed had double. Great video Whity get beet up Dennis Stone drumming, Late.

Lovely man , great solo as always 😊 , sadly missed , a genuine nice guy also , R.I.P.

Thanks so much for sharing!...What a joy to watch and listen to!!!...Incidentally, I met Mr. Bellson around this time at a clinic...He was kind enough to talk with me, sign my poster, and when I asked him why he played his China cymbal upside down, he didn't even laugh at me...A true gentleman on and off the stage!

Not just drumming but also music!❤

Met him at a big band jazz festival in Reno around '69. Then saw him perform one of his last appearances when he had lost his edge.

go louie go man!!!

Louie-great drummer, wonderful man. RIP!

Very well said, thank you. Btw, I went to the shoemaker 10 years ago and asked him to add some higher heels to my drumming shoes, Louie once mentioned it gives him perfect control of the bass pedals, he was right. :) Watch 12:55...

The two “ benchmarks” that could nail the year… he was playing the Remo PTS system ( pre tuned/ pre-tensioned heads… and the original REMO Roto-toms)…

Damn you can hear the heavy metal in the double bass drum.

flat flippin amazing! no stick marks on the drum heads or cymbals,and he doesn't even break a sweat!

Все современные метал-барабанщики обязаны ему в игре на двух бас барабанах/двойных педалях. Именно он это придумал! Гений, других слов не подобрать!

that was huge!!!!!!!!!!! Louie=LEGEND

i really like how long his hi-hat clutch is, the space between the clamp and the top felt is massive, and that spiral stem is cool as hell

one of a kind.. how or why would anyone dislike this! shame on you!

Now this is how Caravan sounds...:)...They made a good effort and it was an excellent homage in the movie Whiplash...Louie is a monster!

Amazing Band and Piano player! Wow!

Never have seen a picture of Louie without the wig. Buddy appeared a few times without his.

my Idol ....R.I.P.

When soloing with just two sticks gets old, try four! HA-HA! AWESOME!

I hope I'm still playing like this when I'm that age :-p J/K!

Louie+

My Favorite Album of his was "NO'TE' SMOKING" Awesome drummer!!!!

Thank God for Rock 'n' Roll.

incredible......!!!!!

Huge respect for this man! The father od duble kick drums!

Always preferred Bellson’s quick agility to Buddy Rich’s thunderous fast playing. This is wonderful.

The joint is jumpin"!!!!

Yes Love It, It's So Energetic!!!

He was one of the great rest in peace Lewis

Super Louie la pèche a mort, quel talent, avec Buddy c les meilleurs !

WONDERFULL....

How could u thumbs down this great stuff!!!!!!!!

Louie ... You earned the part.

As close to perfect as God will ever allow !!!! How is this possible !?!?!

Thanks for the upload.

bone chilling amazing

He also had a very unorthodox way of playing and it worked really Musical and that's what it's all about the music

Great Scot Robinson!

I used shoes like that when they were in style in the 70's. It's true, it worked well fro me.

Wayyyyyyy awesome!!!

Awesome!!

He's somewhere around 67 years old on this VID. FOR REAL!!!!

True Master......

The great tenor saxophonist Don Menza is there too.

yes, yes, and YES!

Perfect

HE STARTED HIS MUSIKAL TRAINING WHEN HE WAS 4 YEARS OLD.