Louie Bellson Has Left Us

Cosmic Closet · 17th February 2009

....the great drummer has gone to the Big Gig Elsewhere.

I was working hotel A/V work in the late 80es and one job that was both an honor and a pleasure for me was to do live sound for him and his lovely wife Pearl Bailey at a fundraiser one night.
I can see how they (her black and him white) dared marry at a time when that 'just wasn't done', because they were both incredibly warm, giving people, and they fit each other to a tee.

I hope he went easily, and I will think of him in the days to come (and put on my soundtrack album from '1941' where he kills on "Swing, swing, swing.")

Rest easy, Louie; you were one of the good ones. Bless you.

ElMosca · 17th February 2009

Louie will be missed. It's great that you actually got to work for/with him.

Most of us also knew Louie as the author of "Modern Reading Text in 4x4". In our school, Louie's book is the main textbook at the drum room.

(Despite its title, there is no "text" in the book, just a single note (E) repeated in just about every possible rhythmic combination in a 4x4 measure).

Rest in Peace, Louie,
++aldo

dambro2 · 18th February 2009

I got to do a few shows as a bassist wit him in college. It was a highlight!

dafe · 18th February 2009

Sad news. After starting drumming with 12 I got the "Matterhorn" Album (written by himself) and am still stunned. Big Band Swing w/ two double bass drum sets and single headed toms. "Time Check" from "live at Ronnie Scotts" is another one.
Really incredible stuff, grooving, bone tight, fast as sh*t and hot!
Talking Jazz here, but not the anemic academia erm, anals (aaa), this is the dance floor section. Oh, my, What am I talking here, let's have the real fellows' word:

YouTube - Louie Bellson

Have peace, Louie.

(louiebellson.com)

drumzealot · 19th February 2009

Sad indeed. He was a great person, generous, and passionate about music.
He was the reason I used a 22 inch zildjian swish (with rivets).

drumzealot · 19th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafe

Sad news. After starting drumming with 12 I got the "Matterhorn" Album (written by himself) and am still stunned. Big Band Swing w/ two double bass drum sets and single headed toms. "Time Check" from "live at Ronnie Scotts" is another one.
Really incredible stuff, grooving, bone tight, fast as sh*t and hot!
Talking Jazz here, but not the anemic academia erm, anals (aaa), this is the dance floor section. Oh, my, What am I talking here, let's have the real fellows' word:

YouTube - Louie Bellson

Have peace, Louie.

(louiebellson.com)

I bought "Drums Explosion" when I was 12. Two huge sets two drummers playing big band. and it sounded good.

17th February 2009	#1
Cosmic Closet Gear addict Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 386 Thread Starter	Louie Bellson Has Left Us ....the great drummer has gone to the Big Gig Elsewhere. I was working hotel A/V work in the late 80es and one job that was both an honor and a pleasure for me was to do live sound for him and his lovely wife Pearl Bailey at a fundraiser one night. I can see how they (her black and him white) dared marry at a time when that 'just wasn't done', because they were both incredibly warm, giving people, and they fit each other to a tee. I hope he went easily, and I will think of him in the days to come (and put on my soundtrack album from '1941' where he kills on "Swing, swing, swing.") Rest easy, Louie; you were one of the good ones. Bless you. __________________ CC

18th February 2009	#4
dafe Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Frumpburg Posts: 198	Sad news. After starting drumming with 12 I got the "Matterhorn" Album (written by himself) and am still stunned. Big Band Swing w/ two double bass drum sets and single headed toms. "Time Check" from "live at Ronnie Scotts" is another one. Really incredible stuff, grooving, bone tight, fast as sh*t and hot! Talking Jazz here, but not the anemic academia erm, anals (aaa), this is the dance floor section. Oh, my, What am I talking here, let's have the real fellows' word: YouTube - Louie Bellson Have peace, Louie. (louiebellson.com) __________________ This contribution was being morse coded with a torch into the chopped off end of a lightpipe ::

19th February 2009	#5
drumzealot Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 834	Sad indeed. He was a great person, generous, and passionate about music. He was the reason I used a 22 inch zildjian swish (with rivets). __________________ "The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion." -Henry Steele Commager

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17th February 2009	#2
ElMosca Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sonoma, California, USA Posts: 915	Louie will be missed. It's great that you actually got to work for/with him. Most of us also knew Louie as the author of "Modern Reading Text in 4x4". In our school, Louie's book is the main textbook at the drum room. (Despite its title, there is no "text" in the book, just a single note (E) repeated in just about every possible rhythmic combination in a 4x4 measure). Rest in Peace, Louie, ++aldo

18th February 2009	#3
dambro2 Lives for gear Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 520 1 Review written	I got to do a few shows as a bassist wit him in college. It was a highlight!