One of the most brilliant drummers ever, and also one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. I first encountered him at the Zildjian booth, at one of the 1972 or 1973 NAMM shows. I was a teenager, and when I shyly asked to speak with him, he turned around, read my name tag, and said, "Hi, Mike!", while shaking my hand in a most genuine way. We then chatted for several minutes, with me asking a bunch of typical drumming questions, and he gave the impression that he'd known you his whole life. It was a wonderful experience I'll never forget.
Absolutely agree with you here. Whenever he came to Seattle area my drummer friends and I we're always delighted to see him and he always never disappointed in meeting with us and talking music. He was absolutely amazing person along with being an incredible musician/drummer.
I had the pleasure of meeting Billy Cobham through a friend. He said that Louie was a mentor to him and an all around great person. He didn't have the same kind words for Buddy Rich. Billy was a rising star and Buddy didn't like that. No big surprise. This is an incredible piece of drumming. He basically invented DB and playing on a big kit. Never quite got the respect that he deserved. I put him right there with Buddy or anyone else for that matter. Chops to die for.
Might be the best performance I've ever seen him do. He was also a fine composer and arranger who wrote this song. When he was playing with Duke Ellington in the 50's Duke used to feature some of Louie's music. That's the ultimate compliment for a composer.
Typically great performance by Louie and it's his composition they're playing! I had dinner with Louie in the early 90's and a more humble and personable man never lived! More than a phenomenal drummer, a phenomenal musician and beautiful human! Blessings!
I met Louie a couple of times, great human being. His speed on the drums and drum transfer along with great feel and groove. In the top 10 for big band without a doubt. RIP Louie. Your should have gotten more respect in that top 10.
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing him at a drum clinic at The Drum Shop in Dearborn, Mich circa 1974. I got there early and was seated on the floor just a few feet in front of both bass drums. What a monster. I think one of my teeth is still a little loose.
The worlds greatest drummer. I met Louie at Wigan Jazz festival here in the Uk. He talked to me for some time,asked his wife, Francine to take some photographs of us together and he sent them to me when he returned home to the States,with a hand written letter,which I still have to this day.
I had the honor of meeting and interviewing LB when I was a kid in college writing for my school newspaper as an arts and entertainment writer. He and his wife couldn’t have been nicer. I will always cherish the memory of that night!
I remember Louie playing this tune with solo on the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon back in like '91 or so. He came on at like 1 in the morning and I had my vcr set up to record..........Almost. I fell asleep through half the performance but woke up to catch the last half. Awesome!
Whenever people discuss Louie Bellson, they can't help but compare him to Buddy Rich. Predictably, people end up arguing about who played faster, more powerfully, and so forth, as if these factors are the sole worth of a drummer. Of course, there is no end to these debates. However, I will say that Buddy flailed his arms a lot more than Louie when performing and also made much more dramatic faces and body motions as well. Louie, on the other hand, seemed to have a more economy of arm motion and less drama on his face and in his body when he played. Not to say it wasn't there, it just wasn't as extreme as Buddy. These sorts of antics definitely make subconscious impressions on the mind and thus give the impression that Buddy is playing with more intensity and passion than he actually is. Not to say that he isn't playing intensely; far from it. He is playing very intensely, but the antics definitely "amplify" the performance. After all, there comes a point after which hitting a drum harder will not make it sound louder, and thus putting any extra energy in doing so is simply wasted energy. To entertain audiences as much as possible, some element of drama must be employed. Food for thought.
Well here is some food for thought. Try just listening very closely to Buddy Rich playing several arrangements with his big band and then do the same with Louie. Forget all the crap about who makes the most dramatic faces and who has economy of motion, etc...maybe that will be more revealing as to who is an over all better musician. To me it comes down to a matter of taste but I clearly think one of them is notch above the rest and no I don't go by speed alone; taste, rhythmic variety, fire, passion and improvisational skills all come into play as well as dynamics.
Psychology thesis? Jeez. I saw them both and loved them both. Buddy's Band was better. Louie always had a pick up band with people dancing. It was a whole different deal at a Buddy show!
@@brianchisnell1548 In the end, it doesn't really matter who is better than who. Though you haven't come out and said so directly, you obviously think Buddy is "better" than Louie.
@@adityatyagi4009 And you obviously think Louie is better but did not come out and say so directly. I would hazzard a guess that you are probably not a drummer as your argument was seemingly based on whose arms were flailing more or who hit the drum harder. This concept of who is best is ridiculous and pointless - both are supreme Big Band drummers. As a technical drummer with a variety of experience, I am confident in saying Buddy in his prime could play patterns with such amazing fluidity, speed, and stamina that I am left speechless. Simply, there were things he could play that nobody else could replicate - that amazing left hand was the key. This, however, does not make him a 'better' drummer than Louie Bellson.
@@williamschubele2542 Shut the fuck up and stop putting words in my mouth and thoughts in my head. I am a drummer and know what I'm talking about. I have no patience for distorters and gaslighters like you. I met Louie many years ago and he had nothing but over the top respect for Buddy. So go fuck yourself and go practice your paradiddles.
Went to one of his drum seminars in the 60's. A wonderful percussionist, and better yet, a wonderful man. A pioneer of the double bass drum, and a marvelous performer. RIP.
Yeah man. What a tasty drummer, not just a noise maker. As a side note, I miss the old Johnny Carson show. Johnny was also a drummer. He had many great musicians on the old Tonight Show for the sake of presenting great artists/musicians for the American public to enjoy. Kudos to Louie Bellson (and Johnny Carson). I also saw Buddy Rich and Mel Torme on the show not to mention so many others. But, Louie Bellson is one of my faves. Thanks for posting.
Louie Bellson Number 1 Jazz Drummer - The Best ! Thumbs Up ! Enjoyed his performance. Awesome !!!!...Regards,Marc Jones..Los Angeles,U.S.A. (Australian Vocalist-Pop/Jazz/Swing/American songbook) -Sydney-Oz : )
Every thing this man does is class,may have helped more young drummers than anyone! That's what a mans made of, not just his talent but'what he does with it! I wish that the news of today would show some of this! People are so conditioned by hurtful crap they forget what's important,who that person really is!
Actually this aired in 1991 - I remember because it was around the time of the In Concert '91 series on ABC. I had an audio recording of this and have been waiting to see the video again since then. Thanks for posting.
Great big band swing drummer that paved the way for the rock genres. He played with his own style and set himself apart from the other great big band drummers.
As good or better than buddy easily. A better performance in my opinion. Neil peart is even more in my opinion . All amazing in their own way. Total respect for all three. Mind boggleling. Wow just wow
Truly great drummer. Buddy who?? Always liked Mr Bellson better. Used more of his set instead of snare solos and never looked mad the whole time playing! Looked like he was really enjoying himself
Incredible! The least know of the greats! But, as with all, how the hell can they play with a dress shirt, tie, and suit jacket????!!!!! I play with minimal clothes!
The debate is still out who was faster but buddy riches attitude sucked and he was very self centered this guy was more a people person and liked civilized talking with fans to me that means just as much as who is faster
