I had the honor of meeting and interviewing Louie Bellson while I worked for my college newspaper in 1995. He came to perform on campus. What I thought would be a 20-minute interview asking four or five powderpuff questions turned into an hour-long reminiscence of his career. He and his wife couldn’t have been nicer and I will always cherish that memory!
Louis Bellson was not only one of the greatest drummers of all time, he was a complete musician. He wrote, arranged and conducted. Duke Ellington considered him one of the finest musicians he’d ever met. Buddy Rich was a freak of nature with immeasurable, off the charts technique. That combined with his immense upper body strength made him overpowering in comparison to his peers.
he was very talented and is very famous. so, he`s not underrated. I always think of him, Buddy, Gene, Art, Papa, Max etc when I think of Jazz drummers.
What a treat. Two all-time masters have a great time and bringing to the fore an instrument which for too long made its living in the background of instrumental music. Back in the 30 s the wonderfully charismatic Gene Krupa brought the drums out of the shadows during the Big Band era. Buddy took it to another level and, frankly, set a standard of jazz/swing/pop drumming that is nonpareil; however, men like Louie B. and others, by dint of their excellence and innovation, made drumming an integral part of their bands' music. With men like these as paragons of creative percussion, the rock era saw Carl Palmer, John Bonham, Neil Peart et al make drumming a dynamic, influential and entertaining component of the music their bands produced. One could say that in many cases during the rock/prog era the drummer achieved equality as the face of many a rock band. We are all the better for it. Many thanks to Buddy and Louie!
Both great drummers, but Buddy has a level of mechanical dynamics and fierce speed that just doesn't quit. Again, as a drummer myself, both of these player are supreme!
I was blessed to see both of these guys perform in person, and they were both astounding drum talents. I attended a drum clinic by Louie B at Strait Music Company in Austin and watched him perform one of the best solos I have ever seen -- he was very musical and a great technician. He also demonstrated an open/close 3 stroke roll on a parade snare that I would not have believed if I hadn't seen it in person -- alternating 3 strokes, and at full speed you could not tell it was 3 strokes until the close when you could actually see he was doing 3 with each hand -- I still am in awe of that demonstration. On top of that Bellson was a genuinely nice person.
Buddy just had the God-given talent that made him shine in a drum solo more than others. He was just so unbelievably talented that damn near no one came close to competing with him especially in a drum battle. He moped the floor with Gene Krupa when battling him and Gene was a superb drummer for his time.
@@lucawade379 Buddy himself claimed that he never practiced. Whether it's true or not who knows, but if he really never practiced then his talent was mostly innate.
you cannot compare these two great drummers. its like trying to compare Picasso with da Vinici or Rembrandt with Michelangelo. they each have their unique and distinct talents
Thats exactly what you do ! comparison is the thing that creates the individuality - differences..The very reason they are on stage together in front of that enormous audience ?....thats right..for comparison.Shouldnt be.. but on this planet thats the way it is with everything..so we can all set up our little camps & hurl bombs at each other
Its very easy to compare. For God's sake they're both jazz drummers. They set out to do the same thing and in the same way. Some do it faster or flashier than the others. Technique isn't subjective. Every drum teacher on earth will agree with me. They don't have unique talents, they are talented in pretty much the same way. So what does it come down to? Joe Morello was the superior technician, Buddy had the speed and flair. Bellson and Krupa were great, but weren't superior to those two on either of those points. These aren't my opinions, its easy to see from any record. Now the music they play? That's a matter of taste. How they play it is not.
Raphael Johnson : I agree with 99.99% of what you say here, But I must depart with what you say insofar as Joe Morello having superior technical skills. After having “studied “ both BR AND JM’s styles and techniques for decades, the only logical conclusion I can come to is the “MASSIVENESS” of Buddy’s technique overshadows all others! Now this is just my own opinion of course and you do not have to agree at all with me but this works fo me at the end of the day! Though I know Joe Morello was (is) a wonderful technician in his own right! Just say’n!
Buddy and Louie have two completely different styles and feels. Buddy is not only fast as all heck but his musicality is phenomenal. he puts fills and beats in places where no man dare walk.
Raphael Johnson it means knowing when and where to place certain notes, fills, patterns etc. in a very tasteful way that compliments all of the other elements of the song or rhythm.
Buddy had so much energy and forward motion when he played, whether he was soloing or driving the band or kicking the brass. He understood phrasing and how to make a set of drums sound musical. His punch was second to none. His fast hands kept everyone trying to measure up and keep up.
I don`t know how old you are, but around at that time was another fabulous drummer, Gene Krupa, and he could hold his head up high amongst these drummers. This was in what we now know as "The Big Band Era" and they used to draw hundreds of admirers to the dance halls. I remember those nights vividly. Now I am coming up to my 90th birthday, and todays band musicians cannot hold a candle to those of my generation.
I became a Buddy Rich fan the first time I saw his band play on the Tonight Show, when he and they played Midnight Cowboy Medley, off the same KTCS album. And, yes you can see that Buddy never seemed to play a song, or a solo the same way twice. Yet he played to near-impossible perfection every time. Buddy advanced the art of drumming, for all players and styles, IMHO. Buddy Rich will forever remain an Icon of the Drumming craft and art.
This song is on Keep the Customer Satisfied from 1970, done faster here than the album. I first saw Buddy on my little B/W TV in 1970, and I was starting drum lessons with Ludwig Drums clinician Ron Falter, at UNR in Reno. Buddy was on the Tonight Show, probably a Friday night, so I was up late. I was 13. I just watched with my mouth open, and grabbed my cassette recorder to try to record Buddy as he blazed through the Midnight Cowboy Medley. My God, what a Talent Buddy was! How on earth can anyone play like that? I've been awed and amazed ever since. And Louie--same thing! Louie Bellson had his own style, with the Double Bass sets he played, and he, too did stuff I still can't fathom. I got to see him live up close at Disneyland in spring of 1974, I sat maybe 20 ft. away in front, and just smiled and shook my head in wonder. Plus Louie was the nicest guy! Both Buddy and Louie were towering Greats of Drumming. I miss Johnny Carson and the old Tonight Show too...don't forget Ed Shaughnessy, he was another monster player!
The tune is Groovin' Hard. Buddy recorded ON his album titled Keep the Customer Satisfied. Yes, the Simon & Garfunkle song is on the album. You've never heard of the album????
This tune is "Groovin' Hard," but was first released by Rich's band on his album "Keep the Customer Satisfied," on which they indeed did a cover version of the Simon & Garfunkle song.
Both of these drummers are superb and always have been. But, what always gave Buddy Rich an edge in professional circles was his miraculous left hand. The speed, accuracy, control in that single jazz-held stick (traditional grip) -- few of the pros commanded. And contrary to belief, many rock drummers DO play with the traditional grip. There is no rock drummer using the matched grip that could play what Buddy Rich did in most of his classic solos. The bounce would not be there, accents would not come as fast and accurate. Buddy Rich has played solo with his single left hand coordinated to his bass drum and sounded like two drummers at play simultaneously. You would have to squint to see the stick as it moved. The fact that he could maintain this speed and provide accents in-between over long periods is natural talent. Bellson was the king of the double bass drum, but the way Buddy used his foot work a double bass would not serve Buddy. He didn't need it. That's how incredible his foot speed was. In one drum solo years ago when Bellson surrendered his double bass drum kit to Buddy, Buddy discovered the foot pedals were independent and not one unit. He proceeded to break out into parradiddles and double-parradiddles with his feet and even Bellson applauded. The only drummer I heard come close (speed wise) -- was rock / jazz drummer Bartholomew "Frosty" Smith who played with rock organist Lee Michaels. On Michaels' solo blue LP -- there is one long cut on side two that features a drum solo. At the conclusion starting slowly and building the foot coordination between Frost's snare and feet was astonishing. It is rumored that Rich complimented this very solo on a TV talk show at the time and he didn't compliment drummers often. Though he was friends with many. (He was known to have complimented young drummers such as: Chicago's Danny Seraphine & Procol Harum's B.J. Wilson). There are many great drummers -- style has a lot to do with it. But, for having done some things on the drums that Rich could not teach someone else to do -- I usually give the edge to Buddy. Now -- for inventiveness, creativeness and consistent rhythmic prowess -- I would still suggest Gene Krupa. He is still the man of ideas and he often got up and played his drums feverishly as he walked around the drum kit. This is decades before Keith Moon. The solo "Toad," by Ginger Baker of Cream and the drum solo in "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," by Iron Butterfly -- are basically Krupa "toss-offs" from the 1940's that were embellished very well by these more modern drummers. You could go back even further to 1938 drummer / orchestra leader Chick Webb (who discovered Ella Fitzgerald) who predates Krupa -- and listen to his dynamic "Liza." Great discovery, one hell of a little solo that rides the melody and he was a drummer who was handicapped -- he was born a hunchback and had special drums manufactured. He did not have the luxury of today's drum technology in his hands. (Song is on RU-vid if interested).
True. Traditional grip you use your hands and fingers to move the sticks. NOT your arms. That's Hollywood. Art Scaltrito Drummer For Hire Since 1966... NO MATCH GRIP.
What flipped people out about Buddy's left hand was that he mastered a "Push-Pull" technique before anyone else even knew it could be done... If you want to see a one-handed push-pull roll that is much faster than Buddy could ever pull off, watch some of Jojo Majer's videos on hand techniques!!!
2 gifted drummers like comparing 2 gifted athletes. With all do respect to Buddy, Bellson could read,write & arrange.With more due respect to Buddy,Louie was a more complete musician & I think Buddy would agree.
I prefer Buddy Rich : what a beatiful sound , beautiful melody he's able to pull out from the instrument... It seems to me Buddy is the only drummer in the jazz history who played better and better as the years went by ... he plays better in the last decade of his life than in the fifties ot the seventies ... smooth sound, great class and stunning elegance ... he has everything a jazz drummer needs to have
Louie and Buddy, two of the best players in the business at that time period. Buddy always takes the cake though and not many drummers could hold their own against Buddy in a drum battle but Ed Shaughnessy and Bellson took a great shot at it and held their own fairly well!
Two great human beings. Two great musicians and great drummers. As I heard Louie once say, if you can play up to buddy fine but no one does anything better than buddy!! Never forget that buddy and Louie are a few of the many battle horses. They paved the way and made it possible for us to become better musicians and better drummers because of the Divine spark they were both given at birth. I've also heard it said drummers are born not made. But with all respect that doesn't mean one cannot pick up a pair of sticks at age 10 and have more talent than I could ever think of having!! Everyone has something to offer so share and keep your chops up my brothers
I did drum exhibitions with both of them. I am a student of Joe Morello. This video did not show Louie well at all. The sound volume was not great for Louie, and the camera angles only caught him head on. Also, Louie did not play as well as he could here. I am NOT saying that he was holding back. We have also heard Buddy play better, but this is still a great video for historic purposes. They were both fantastic. I loved them both for different reasons.
So tired of the "who's best" squabbles. I thought only trumpet players did this! Every musician brings their own unique musicianship to the table. I was fortunate enough to hear both live back in the 80's. Just sit back and enjoy these two masters.
Thank you for saying that. Look at them both, having fun up there making memorable music backed by a superb band. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer, but that's me being greedy.
Huh? Only trumpet players??? Rock guitarists have been at it for decades! It can be seen in any sphere of life where ego rules equal to, or greater than, skill.
Nobody was ever allowed to do even a tiny bit more than Buddy. There was a story of one night when Buddy and Ed Shaughnessy were going to duel on The Tonight Show and Ed said "Buddy please don't crush me out there and play all that crossover stuff". Buddy said "okay I won't, but don't you go into the Indian Rhythm stuff to make me look bad either" . Ed agreed. That night Buddy did crossovers. When Ed asked "hey what happened to our agreement?" Buddy shrugged and said "Sorry I got carried away".
Was so excited to see that you had posted this. I saw this the night it happened watching the Tonight Show. Some of the most hellacious drumming ever by two of the best. In fact I believe that had you had about 10 more seconds before Buddy sat down at the kit he said "Well, I see you've got about the second best drummer in the world here tonight too......." This was fabulous.
I think that bellson should have went to the couch as well to talk and interact with johnny. I know he wasn't quite the star buddy was but at least out of respect but maybe that's not how the show went. I remember some of these shows as a young teen and after seeing buddy he raised the bar so high it must have been pretty depressing to have to face him in a drum battle knowing you would get creamed no matter how good you played that day. but in a way maybe that took some of the pressure off because nobody expected anyone else to win so really the pressure was all on buddy in a way because of the feat that maybe sooner or later...nah, what am I thinking that would have been
+Laurena Marszalek impossible but Louie definitely held his own as did ed in another battle but really they are all great in their own way and are all legends but buddy is definitely the guy that most of us fantasize about being able to play like because of his all around extraordinary genius chops and naturally gifted facility to execute those chops...he really had it all! he could even sing really well when he tried. just listen to the song being green off the album stick it...to me he sounds kinda like sinatra and it's really hard to pull off singing like that in that style without sounding like a lounge lizard and he did it very well imho.
Something about Buddy's drumming that does not go for me. My favourite jazz drummer of al time is Louis Bellson.... especially when he played with Oscar Peteron !!
Buddy would cover popular tunes via arrangements of those tunes, scored for his Big Band. He had another album out before Keep the customer Satisfied, titled Mercy Mercy Mercy, featuring a cover of the Beatles song. Actually both Buddy and Louie played many different genres of music, not just Big Band Swing. These two Monsters simply cooked all the time!
Louie pushed Buddy harder than anyone else I have ever seen! This was a very close drum battle, usually Buddy runs away with it, but Louise hung in there and maybe even nearly matched speed with Rich! Very impressive, Louie!!!
Right, This song, Groovin' Hard- is on Buddy's 1970 album Keep the Customer Satisfied. Keep The Customer Satisfied is of course a Simon and Garfunkle song. KTCS, the title track of this album is an arrangement for Buddy's band, and is a done as a Jazz swing style. I believe Buddy's next album was A Different Drummer, from 1971. He did an arrangement of 2 songs from the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar--"Superstar" as well as "Heaven On their Minds" All just awesome stuff, 45 and 46 years on now...!
Louie Bellson the only drummer who could truly stand up against the Almighjty Buddy Rich and live, Gen Krupa tried to battle the monster several times and got crucified every time lol
***** Ed Shaugnessy played up against Buddy very well and was no pushover, unfortunately Louie Bellson out ranks him ten to one and i'm sure that even Eddy himself would agree with that. Buddy Rich has 4 drum battles on you tube with Gene Krupa, Louie Bellson Ed Shaugnessy amd Ronnie Verrall (the Muppet Drummer) however and out of all 4 Eddy comes in second which is very impressive and has earned him lots of respect. If you have ever seen a full Louie Bellson solo you will understand this.
I have seen a full Louie Bellson solo, and I don't think it matches just a little percentage of Buddy's playing. Everytime I see Louie it's like he's struggling with the playing, more than Ed. Ed had some of Buddy's power and speed. But hey, that is just my opinion :)
+BigBill Lucas: Gene Krupa was a true gentleman, and probably accepted the challenges out of courtesy more than anything. The Rich vs Krupa battles were based on the fact that Gene gave the drummer a face bringing him to the front, and Rich was arguably the best in the world. Even Gene Krupa claimed "No Contest".
@@peteryoung4974 Morello had better musicality and with rolls than Buddy but I asked Morello at a clinic in NJ who is the overall best drummer and he said "Buddy." I heard that again and again about Morello and Buddy. Modest? Could be......but unlikely as Morello made it clear even in the 1960s that Buddy reigned supreme.
Very cool of the Godfathers of Drums, Love it all ,thank you for sharing the video...The tonight Show was awesome ,I remember I saw Lot's of show's ,The Tonight show changed my life, Doc Servenson usedto come to our High School ,(Robert E. Lee High School, Baytown Texas) and teach, Through the years seeing Doc made a profound change in my life, the way I saw Music, and what it could lead up to. I new I was on to something big. Thanks Johnny Carson, Doc S. Ed S. Drums for Johnny. All made me want to play drums and be part of this awesome drum world. And it made me what I am today. Drummer Singer ,And Teach student's, I am able to share and pass it on down the line... Keep Making Sawdust!L. Del ToroDrum instructorSchool of Rock , Katy TX.
Growing up as a kid in Wales back in the 50's and 60's, one of my neighbours had a 78 of Louie Bellson and Gene Krupa but he wouldn't let me borrow it to listen to it under any circumstances. Wonder what it's worth today?
Both phenomenal drummers. What I don't think gets mentioned is the amazing power that rich combined with his extraordinary chops. I saw both play several times, but to be close to Buddy and feel the immense power when he played a was life changing experience for me. Unfortunately, that power can't be appreciated fully on video.
Yes I believe that's what that kind of primeval aggression and drive playing drums with the accents , purely driving out of his body and soul , dynamically and so in control. It's purely natural with Buddy . Louis was up there but holding back a bit in respect maybe . I believe also that the Late Tony Williams is one of the great natural talents of the drumming world too.
If you listen carefully you can clearly tell who can keep a higher speed more fluidly, and you can even tell who preformed the fastest. Even at 1:56 when things start popping off you can tell if the crowd was silent you could hear those rolls.
I was lucky enough to see both Buddy and Louie live several times each. While Buddy was known for his fiery temper, and outspokeness, Louie was unfailingly kind. Once a friend, with his girlfriend, and I, saw Louie play at the Nugget showroom in Sparks, (Reno) Nevada, as he backed his wife Pearl Bailey. They were wonderful together, and after the show we ducked backstage to give our compliments to Louie. It was the last performance of their two- week engagement, and they were having a party for the whole band and stage crew. Louie brought we three teens along as his personal guests to the party. Louie was a wonderful human being, and a true Monster drummer as well. Just try to decode his playing.....
Yeah, thanks John! Both Buddy and Louie were indescribably great players. To me, though, I can decipher more of Buddy's stuff than Louie's. Not that I could ever play anywhere in the same galaxy as them! They both had individual styles, both greatly expanded Drumming's horizons. We were and are fortunate that so much of their work was recorded for posterity!
I too met both Louie and Pearl, they were two of the most wonderful people. True consummate professionals. Spent so much time with this young drummer that I was changed. I wanted to be like that. The world needs people like them. Sadly missed
@@donovanjones4175 it's so wonderful to hear how nice Louis was.Im from Sterling Illinois a mile from where Louis gew up.There is a drum ceremony in Rock Falls in honor of Louis coming up soon.😁
Johnny Carson loved him some drumming and he encouraged guests like Rich and Bellson to sit in with the Tonight Show Band and solo. It looks like Bellson was filling in for Ed Shaunessy that night because his kit was in the place that Shaunessy normally played (or possibly that was the only space available since they both played double bass drum sets). Thanks for sharing this cool video! PS. David Letterman carried that drum appreciation tradition on with his "Drum Solo Week" showcases on his Late Show program. He was truly Carson's heir IMHO.
Louie was in love with drums sometimes with 5 bass,5snares.and charts galore dig slides and hides with buddy who kills it but Louie Bells on wrote it!!
Totally; and not just on speed but the color spectrum Louie could spell in rythm, timbre and dynamics. Yet, I believe they were both just delivering TV firework performance here.
One name: Ginger Baker. He's the guy who introduced that kind of drumming into a rock format, he's one who created heavy metal drumming as we know it today.
Both are outstanding in a class of their own. They play differently and have a different take on their instrument. I heard both in person and also got to talk to Louie after his performance at my small college and got to know a former member of Buddy's band. Louie did things on the drums that Buddy couldn't or didn't do. He pioneered a double bass drum kit and have more to his drum kit than anyone I have ever seen and he used all of his kit with skill and taste. Buddy played with great speed and power. He could bang out more music on the snare than anyone. I agree that he did have a miraculous left hand. Each approached music differently making comparisons more about the listener's taste rather than either drummers skill. Both were exceptional, Buddy Rich was better known by the general public, because he toured extensively with the "Buddy RIch" band. Duke Ellington, and a host of other band leaders and others including Buddy himself chose Louie (Buddy couldn't perform due to a back issue and asked Louie to lead his band).
Groove'n hard or Gigs with Wigs? Louie's own words. "Nobody could play any better than Buddy Rich. If you can play up to him, fine. But nobody could play any better." Very humble way to say he was just as good. Louie was holding back on this one.
Buddy Rich (Nueva York, 30 de septiembre de 1917 - Los Ángeles, 2 de abril de 1987) fue un baterista estadounidense de jazz, representante del swing, bop y, en general, del jazz de las big bands.
I loved both of these drummers, still do. For me, Louis had a little more joy and played melodies on the toms-Are used his chops and flawless technique in a different way. Buddy had killer instinct and straight up old Brooklyn fire, unbelievable power, far beyond normal human potential. Both these guys were a gift to humanity and to the world of Jazz.
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (Illinois, 6 de julio de 1924 - Los Ángeles, 14 de febrero de 2009), más conocido como Louie Bellson, fue un músico estadounidense de jazz, baterista, considerado uno de los mejores del mundo, y reconocido como pionero en el uso de dos bombos.
If buddy ever needed a day off, you know who buddy would've called. I think bellson was actually a better drummer although not quite as fast because bellson maintained a back beat steadier rhythm along with highly versatile extreme speed. Buddy totally deserved all his years of fame. His title as the worlds best drummer that ever lived was because of his unmatched stamina along with unmatched speed over the most years starting in 1917 as a child wonder. For me Louie bellson was more of a pleasure to watch and listen to along with a little smaller band. Louie was the only drummer Buddy ever gave high praise.
+pac401 Was that after they both got a Ludwig endorsement? Bellson wipes the floor with Shaughnessy (I know, a stupid thing to say about two great drummers, but Bellson is class on a stick).
In my high school the drummers could barely play a 4/4 "foot tap hand tap" disco beat, weaving in and out of time and after 29 seconds were completely exhausted and dripping sweat, and always said they learned from watching Buddy Rich and I was like ok dude, whatever you say
Many drummers say that Bellson was actually better than Rich. Those drummers have a point. As far as people go Bellson beats Rich hands down. Louis Bellson respected others around him. Rich was ego driven, and an absolute arsehole to others. He was a great drummer, but lost many fans due to his big mouth and ridiculing others. Bellson was a true gentleman. I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him. Pity that Rich couldn't take some lessons from Bellson on how to respect others.
@@HankFinkle11 I have never even heard the bus tapes. I have heard it from past members. It is not about peer drummers but other musicians. And the way he said anyone can play country music was being a bit arrogant. I am not a country music "fan" by any means, but he was very critical when it was better to just keep quiet. Maybe he didn't like country music because some who were involved in it commented that it could almost be predicted what Buddy Rich would do in a solo. Maybe they had a point. There is no doubt Rich was a great drummer in his own right, but not necessarily the greatest of all.
If he's "The Best" drummer, then who is "The Best" saxophonist, guitarist, or pianist? If we can't determine who is "the best" for other instruments, what is it about drummers that enables us to know who is the best with such absolute precision? Also, if it's possible to determine who the #1 drummer is, then who is #2, #3, and so on? If we can know who number one is, why can't determine who number two is with the same degree of accuracy?