Hey - I am so saddened by this news. Louie was such a great man - such a gifted drummer! I am honored to have known him and experienced his love of drums and
people. My very first clinic was a Louie Bellson clinic (as a nine year old) and it riveted me to drumming - to rudiments and even better, to graciousness.
Louie defined class. Such grace! He had superb skills on the drums and was a true giver. He expanded the abilities of the drum set with his double bass kit -
his exploring... He was very important in race relations to many as an Italian who married an African American woman (Pearl Bailey). But all of his
achievements dim in view of who he was as a person. Heaven just got a kick-ass drummer. Bye-bye, Louie.
Louie Bellson has passed away
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 billy ward |
Louie Bellson has passed away |
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Posts: 7218 (02/15/09 21:28:56) |
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frozendiddle |
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Posts: 197 (02/16/09 00:01:43) Senior Member |
+1 on sad.
I was 14 when my drum teacher took me to a Bellson clinic, at a college, and Bellson had other players with him! Ray Brown! I don't recall the other players... but it fired me up so much... my teacher-- he was an OLD guy (24!!) and he had a date, was running late, so he dropped me off about a mile from home... I RAN all the way, no sweat, just so pumped up from seeing what was POSSIBLE on a snare drum. i mean, I knew it was IMPOSSIBLE, except that I'd just seen Mr. Bellson do it, so my Universe was... changed. Forever. R.I.P., Mr. Bellson. |
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ambadextro |
I loved Louie | ||
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Posts: 1531 (02/16/09 00:10:56) Senior Member |
One the sharpest cats on skins...and yes, I got to meet him...very gracious and generous...a true seasoned gentleman...what a drummer!
Rest now, Louie...rest... |
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Smoke N Drums |
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Posts: 176 (02/16/09 00:36:21) Senior Member |
Godspeed Louie.
The heavenly chorus has just been stepped up a notch. |
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Sea Jolly |
Sad... | ||
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Posts: 226 (02/16/09 04:06:13) Senior Member |
What a giant of a drummer he was! I could watch Louie play all day. He just killed it! And with such joy, even in his later days. Always used to look forward
to his appearances on Carson when I was younger. I have always been struck by the fact that everyone who knew or met him used the same terms to describe him; a
real gentelman, gracious, wonderful, sweet, classy guy. I only wish I could have met him.
Our loss, Heaven's gain.... |
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bbunks |
Totally bummed | ||
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Posts: 1094 (02/16/09 04:42:07) |
I have been a big Louie fan -- of his playing and as Billy stated, of the man. My university's jazz band had him as a featured soloist for a performance
and I was the recording engineer and got to meet him. He was a role model for class and grace. I have a recording of his where he's playing a kit made
completely of Roto-Toms -- really wild!
A few years back he was playing at The Jazz Showcase and I took my kids to see him. Even though he was well us in years, he played beautifully. I'm happy they had the chance to see him.
happy to be playing drums
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RickK |
very sad | ||
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Posts: 366 (02/16/09 05:35:45) |
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (Louie Bellson).
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Mainely Drummer |
What Can I Say? | ||
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Posts: 2383 (02/16/09 07:15:41) Senior Member |
Except I am sad that another great, unique talent has passed, I really feel bummed lately that artists like Louie aren't going to be around to kick butt
anymore.
Louie has a wonderful website, leave your speakers up and listen to the composition Louie is playing on.. Great quotes half way down the page. |
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Jaaye |
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Posts: 248 (02/16/09 07:33:54) |
I was lucky enough to see him play in person a few years ago in Chicago. It was amazing to me how he could be this quiet, kindly, semi-stooped gentleman, but
as soon as he sat down it was like he was possessed by a demon. He was gracious enough to give me an autograph, it's the prize of my collection. He signed
one guy's sticks and it was like he saw God. We won't ever see another one like him, that's fer damn sure.
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Jeff Halpern |
Very sad news | ||
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Posts: 561 (02/16/09 07:40:38) Senior Member |
What a superb drummer he was, and he did it to a ripe old age too. I was one of the unfortunate ones to never see him play live (only vids for me).
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Willy Bard |
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Posts: 114 (02/16/09 07:50:29) |
Sad for us but I think we can celebrate someone who lived a very full life and managed to retain his sense of humanity and grace in a very difficult industry.
When I posted my reply in the "who's for dinner" thread, I hadn't heard about Louie's passing but I added him and Pearl because I would have loved to get the story behind their relationship in the context of the times. |
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bryanmeyers |
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Posts: 219 (02/16/09 07:59:20) |
Ditto to Willy Bard. He will be missed.
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kenjit |
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Posts: 179 (02/16/09 08:13:34) Senior Member |
I'll always remember that big smile behind massive 2 kick drum set-up. Rest in Peace, Louie.
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yogidrummer |
sad | ||
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Posts: 201 (02/16/09 10:21:49) Senior Member |
I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Bellson in a clinic many years ago with Steve Smith and Dom Famularo. Even then, I knew I was seeing something really special
as not many people could have been sure how much longer he'd be around. He made it another twelve years after that, and I could tell at that clinic how
much spirit and life he had just by his presence. He'll be truly missed.
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aaroncushing |
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Posts: 772 (02/16/09 11:25:21) |
here's what Hudson Music has put together:
http://www.hudsonmusic.co...tid=45:features&Itemid=57 |
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goodness |
listening and remembering | ||
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Posts: 148 (02/16/09 11:33:57) Senior Member |
Sad news indeed. I am remembering both Louie Bellson and James Brown by listening to Soul On Top.
Billy G. |
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kenjit |
any recommendations? | ||
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Posts: 180 (02/16/09 11:43:02) Senior Member |
Just watched old VHS recording of his performance with the Gil Evans orchestra. During his extended solo, he would take off the top head of snare and move with
a big grin of seventeen year old to the smaller set right next to his massive kit with Roto Toms etc,. Amazing.
Just realized though this is only recorded performance I have of Louie, what are your favorites that I should check out? |
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Mainely Drummer |
Aaron: | ||
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Posts: 2384 (02/16/09 11:47:28) Senior Member |
Thanks for that link, anyone notice how precise and clean the notes are in his solos?
Just amazing, graceful playing, perfect symmetry and balance. |
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purple sparkle ludwig |
I'm Sad and Happy at the same time! | ||
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Posts: 17 (02/16/09 16:25:34) |
I've had the honor for the last 5 years of putting on the Louie Bellson Heritage Days event in Rock Falls,IL (with a lot of help of course). It has been
unbelievable to get to know this man! To go from being a kid,waiting up to see him on Johnny Carson to being a friend is, well, unbelievable to say the least!
Have you ever heard an unkind word spoken about him? I haven't, and with good reason! He was simply a Great human being. This past Oct. at the festival
we witnessed what I think was probably Louie's last performance with a big band and even though he did not posess his speed and power any longer, he still
played beautifully musically with grace and finesse and even a little flash! Louie's health was not the best in Oct. (when we hugged I was afraid of
crushing him!) and we all thought this might be the last time we see him though we didn't want to admit it. Nonetheless, Louie was a man who had it
together Spiritually and he told me (in so many words) that his kindness and joy came directly from his Faith. He's one of those people that you KNOW
,with no worries or doubts,are in heaven! I'm really saddened for his wife,family and friends but with his ailling health, it's a blessing. Plus, he
played and performed until the end just like he wanted!! Thanks, Mr. Bellson, for everything!
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billy ward |
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Posts: 7225 (02/16/09 16:35:53) |
That's lovely, purple! I just gave this quote to Zildjian:
"My teacher in Cincinnati, Jack Volk, was a fellow Rogers artist in the early sixties and knew Louie Bellson well. My very first clinic was a Rogers' clinic featuring Louie Bellson and Roy Burns. After seeing Louie play, I couldn't WAIT to get two bass drums - and did within a few years! Louie's performance was, of course, detailed and awe-inspiring, but I remember his humanity almost more than his drumming. It was overwhelmingly clear that this was a great man. A principled man, with his pride in the right place. I am thrilled that Zildjian included me as a dinner guest with Louie and his wife a few years ago. These few memories of him, simply enjoying the hang with his peers at the dinner table and the fine gentleman that he was, will always be with me. dude could play too. -Billy Ward" |
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llabarge |
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Posts: 369 (02/16/09 19:43:39) Senior Member |
from the Bellson website
We regret to announce the unexpected passing of Louie Bellson on Feb 14, 2009. Tenative plans are for an L.A. area funeral, followed by funeral and burial in Moline, Illinois, his boyhood home. Details forthcoming. Condolences and cards to: c/o Remo, Inc. 28101 Industry Drive Valencia, CA 91355 Rest in peace Mr. Bellson |
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