Louie Bellson Drum Solo 2008 

The best parts are 1) He still plays the song in time with a great swing 2) He applauds the band first rather than taking the credit himself 3) He still plays the same licks he played 50 years before...just slower. Watch some of his solos from the 60s through 90s and you can see the same great drumming just with a younger and faster Louie. Mr. Bellson never failed to impress.

Guys bashing, consider this: His physical condition was horrendous. He clearly has trouble even holding on to his sticks at times. Now I'd like to see your brains inside of that body and have a go at it. He had at this point such an enourmous amount of experience and knowledge that he could drive the band with what little "physical skill" he had left. Now that is a goddeamn Lifetime achievement!

I hope if I make it to 83, that I know what a drumstick is let alone still be able to play. God Bless Louie!

A totally amazing drummer forever!! He passed away in Feb of this year on St. Valentine Day. He'll truly be missed.

Believe it or not, Louie's been playing for 81 years.

I feel honored to have on of Louie's drum heads on my bass drum.A 24" Remo Powerstroke 3.He gave it to me many years ago as it came off after minor use.I've been playing it for 15 years now and its still holding up. Louie was always the one guy that could give Buddy a scare,IMHO !!!

I read somewhere that he had Parkinson's Disease at this point in this life. Still watching him, the muscle memory is phenomenal. Amazing.

He will always be on my Mt Rushmore of drummers. A true gentleman and a legend. RIP.

louie the drummer till the very end,r.i.p. louie ,you won,t be forgotten,your new audience awaits you in heaven my teacher

Amazing how Louie could make that kit sound so good, even at age 83. There was just something about the way his sticks stuck the cymbals and drum skins that made a distinct sound. Men like him are sorely missed.

Bless his sweet heart he's like 83 here. I so love him FOR REAL!!!!

RIP Louie, you were an inspiration and still much better than i ever played.

I did a drum clinic together with Louie Bellson where I got to actually play his drum set. He was so warm and kind, and such a phenomenal player! We have to keep in mind that Louie had Parkinson's here. Also remember that Louie was a great reader and composer. This is like watching Fred Astaire do a little tap dance--a few months before he passed away. The way that Rocky Marciano felt right after he beat his idol Joe Louis, who was way passed his prime! Yes, it hurt me to watch this, but I accept and embrace it simply as a tribute to a fantastic musician at that time of his life.

This is hard to watch for me. Yes he's clearly having problems. I still have a pair of Rogers drum sticks that he gave me when he was at Disneyland in Anaheim with the Harry James band and I was just a kid in high school. I remember him as the neatest kindest friendliest guy you could ever talk to and a killer drummer with chops that just wouldn't quit. I've seen him at Dante's with his big band kicking the heck out of that band and reading the chart just as easy as I would sittting down and reading a copy of downbeat magazine. Effortless. Rest in peace Mr Louie bellson.

The loveliest thing about this is that he plays so gently under the band so that the dynamics don't get lost. And still swings like a true cat. Those kids must have felt pretty lucky that day.

My grandfather just turned 80 recently. I look to men and women of this generation with the utmost respect and admiration. Louie was one in a million. Rest well Jazz Man and God speed.

at the end of his life. he still could do it. rest in peace Louie.

Even after playing some fifty years, he still delivers a solid performance. Louie has always been a favorite of mine.

i just found out that his funeral is being held at my church in rock island, IL I never got the chance to meet the guy but i am happy to pay my respects to him, he was such a great man.

i lived in rock island until a couple years ago and have never heard of him. a fellow drummer will be missed!

He is what 83 here? WOW! He played for almost 70 years. Nice Job Mr. Bellson, God Bless, you are a class act, RIP.

hands down, one of the best drummers ever?? i think so

What a great drummer he was.

I saw Louis in London at a Drum Clinic in the 80's. He *jumped* on his drum kit, and I can ONLY describe it like he 'slipped on a glove', he'd jumped on that kit a million times. And he started his drum solo waaaaaaay toooo fast, and the first thing I thought was 'this man has made a mistake, there is NO way he can go anywhere from this start"...... Erm, WRONG!!! He got faster, and faster and faster !!! It was SO amazing. And what clearly came across was his WARMTH Man. R.I.P. Louis.

RIP....A man of great character and style....

Man thanks for posting this ! I have been hunting for a clip that was him playing towards the latest part of his career. Even at 83 ol' Louie was still swingin' !!

If we all as drummers and musicians can accomplish what Louie has in his lifetime it would be nothing short of a miracle. He is a great musician, composer, arranger, and teacher. To still be playing at his age should be applauded, not scrutinized. God Bless you Louie. Thank you for the years of great playing and inspiration.

Absolutely the nicest man,whoever picked up a drumstick.If you ever met him.He made you feel like,you were special.I will never forget him.Thanks for posting.Love Ya Louie!

One of the best big band jazz drummers of all time...but he was always in Buddy's shadow...but a great drummer non the less ...his longevity and creativity and pure knowledge of drums made him a hall of fame drummer..one of the greatest without doubt!....RIP : (

..I saw him a few times in the 70's, an 90's.Very nice man..talked w/him foe a few minutes after each gig. Awesome player too.I've seen Buddy about 15 times....WOW.

Love ya LOUIE!

Louie Bellson...a humble example of ellegance, taste, finesse, and showmanship to be observed and followed by all.

I know it is a terrible to say but i would have loved to remember bellson as i remember rich:still playing at the top of his game.Ah well,He's still one of the greatest ever.Thanks Louie for inspiring me to play better.Long Live Louie!

Exactly - these types of people I admire / envy. When Buddy Rich passed away, I remember reading in Drummer's World magazine Louie's comments - it was something like he 'wanted to die playing drums, hit some drums, then that's it, light's out, gone'. These people are in 'heaven' when they're doing what they love, and can not conceive retiring / lying on a beach ! It's as though everyone in that video knew the score and was letting the ol' man have his fun! Any why not !!!! R.I.P. Louie

Louie, you might of had departed from this world ,but your outstanding work and great showman ship stays here with us, to admire .From the hearts of a nations drummers "Long live Louie Bellson!'

I'm sure he didn't have to do this gig. He did it because he loved it I'm sure. He was a drummer not a 9 to fiver who played drums. A lifer.

RIP Louie. There must be some jam session going on up there! I love his snare sound....

my double bass inspiration..........thx Louie ! wb

I was saddened to hear that another great drummer has left us..Louie Bellson paved the way for rock drummers with his invention of incorporating two bass drums..He had such passion,creative flair and could swing a band hard! He will be missed in the drumming community...R.I.P. Mr. Bellson!!

1 of the greatest drummer alive!!...he has been a big influences for a lot of drummers...i wana give my last respect to Louie Bellson!...Louie,you Swing!!!...God bless Louie!

I like the way Louie tunes his drums a lot better than Buddy did. Amazing drummer at 84 or 85! Thanks for the video...really enjoyed it!

Classy gentleman til the end. Don't get too much of that anymore.

Rest in Peace Louie! We miss you!!

Louie was a great human being and a great drummer. I still have a letter he wrote to me more than twenty years ago

the godfather of ALL double bass drummers. enough said

Thanks for posting this - really great to see Louie playing right up almost to the very end. Obviously at 83 & with Parkinson's disease his solos were restrained, but he still sneaked in a little glimps of magic with the double bass drums :-) But really great to see him swinging along with the band - nothing was diminished in his musicality. I never understood why Louie was overshadowed by Buddy. Buddy had incredibly fast hand technique, but Louie was the greater musican & innovator IMHO

Thanks Louie for all the inspiration....a big fan in Texas..

8:35〜 It's nice that the student drummer behind Louie leans forward and gets excited when Louie does double bass solo.

84, the age has got to him, yet he still displays the style of a master. Remember kids, when you get old and break a hip, usually you do not survive. R.I.P. Louie!!!

You will be missed Louis.

Love ya Louie,always have and always will. Master player,master musician, and above all else, an absolute master human being. We met once,and It will be something I will treasure until the end of my time.

Mr.Belson will always an inspration to me.I just hope I can keep time at 81.

I was there:?) It was an amazing show and such a blessing to see Louie, not long before we lost him. It was my first time out of my house after my dad died and it helped me feel human again:?) Louie loved my little boy (6 at the time) and asked specifically to see him, to encourage him in his drumming:?) I have a wonderful picture of them together, signed by Louie. You are missed, Mr. Bellson.

-tear-.....this man was the drums..

One of my idols growing up & a great inspiration.Very sad though. Like watching Nolan Ryan pitch with a 20 mile an hour fastball.

rip louie great artist

wow this man is a god. still playing at his age. he's one of the very greatest of all time.

The guy was pure class

I remember seeing Louis at the Varsity Stadium in Toronto with his big band in the seventies.What a humble musician and played to the end. A great drummer.Thanks for the post.

He was closed to be an angel, at this moment. Now I hope is a real one. God bless Louie B.

Great to see him swing in the gove with the band at 84 years of age. One year before his passing. Eaten up with Parkinson's Disease. He also said in his teaching that it doesn't matter if you can beat around the kit and do solos, but can you get in the groove and play with the band and he certainly did it on this video. In his day Buddy Rich didn't have anything on Louie Bellson. One of the top all time class drummers.

What a thrill it must have been to play with this incredible jazz great. Thanks for posting.

Early 70s (Robin Hood Dell East in Philly), he did a phenomenal single/double roll combo. Both hands & sticks were a steady blur for over 5 minutes. His double-bass also sounded like a big choochoo train or rapid cannon shots whizzing by. The audience was spellbound! Naturally, by 2008 at age 83, he lost a lot of his skills, tho I still can see the blazing sight & sound of him up on that stage.

Geez, dude was like 83 when this video was recorded. The family I have that made it that long were in assisted living homes long before then. The precision and quality of his playing is even more amazing when you consider that. RIP Pearl and Louie

Louis Bellson One Of The Last of The Great Drummers From The Greatest Jazz Eras! 1924-2009 Last One Left Of The Big Drummers Is The Great Chico Hamilton.

Miss him.

am i the only one almost in tears watching how sickly he looked playing...it was sad. But still could play in time

Wow.. this is incredible. Thank for sharing one last glimpse of this drumming legend. I had no idea he did a show at this age. Just awesome... I hope to be doing this in my 80's....

Cod bless his soul ... he was the greatest ....

sorry that was a slip ,meant to give a thumbs up! for sure , will fix it.. Yes ,been to clinics and LOUIEwas there reaching out to Drummers ,and helping where He could , He started early Drum competitions back in the 70s.way before the stores doing it now [which,are not at that level ,sorry] a particular clinic was louie / lenny white; just GREAT ..

Damn what a great sound Louie has got here!! His drums sound so sweet, like any where he hits the drum it's just sweet!! There you go all you bashes and crashes, look what touch and feel can do to the drums!

Thanks for that,..Gone but not forgotten,..

it really pisses me off when i read these comments and there is always one moron that compares travis barker and joey jordison to these legendary drummers. educate yourselves

Wow. Obviously not Louie in his prime, but he's still great, and tell me this video doesn't show heart! It actually made me want to cry. Thanks for posting this.

No question Louie and Buddy some of the best drummers of all time

Those drums sound grat for my taste, for an actual Rock gig i would absolutely use it, that hughe open sound is awesome!

Thank you for posting this. I didn't get to see him much in his last few years and it was great to see him doing what he loved best.

My first snare drum was a14" Remo PTS, that Louie created.. Thanks Loiue!

True to form..and a sense of humor..god bless the best !!

he was one of the best ever .he allways be my idol .one day in tacoma was. he did a performens .and i never for get he came to me and talkt to me on his intermision .something i will allways remember .a fantastic person .louie we all mis you . o yes i wanted to play just like him .and so did every other drummer.and yes i did have a fwew lessons from him in chicaco in 1963 and some of his fills i got from my friend louie .i m on .you tube .my name is .fon morcus .

Thanks for passing this along, great that you got one of his last performances.

RIP Louie Bellson...the man who inspired John Bonham = thus the man who inspired us all (drummers)

Early 70s, he and his band gave a unforgettably high sticking command performance at Dell Music Ctr. in Philly. Class Act !!

Wow at 83 he could still hammer em... Amazing...

I saw him in his younger years in Reno NV during a daytime rehearsal. during a break, he came over to me and a fellow musician and talked "drumming" with us for a few minutes. Then saw him in his last years at Delta College in Stockton CA. He was married to a much younger wife who was selling his CD's at the back table. It was rather sad to me to see his diminishing abilities. A friend of mine, drummer from the band "The Electric Prunes", a personal friend of Louie's, attended his funeral.

Mom was friends with him...went to school with...his family owned a music store in Moline...

Thanx Mr Louie, giant of drums... goodbye! :o)

its funny he almost starts off his solo as if he's never played drums before hehe then he lets it rip... what an absolute champ I hope I still play drums when I get really old

Yes thats the line that NO ONE should cross....but Louie crossed it. :) I was at a clinic back in the early 90's and Louie has always been one of my favorite drummers. It always baffled me that Buddy Rich was more notorious....but Louise was EVERY BIT as talented a drummer as Buddy Rich. They could hand ANY DAY of the week.

R.I.P.

he was always about finesse.smooooooooooooooooooth!

Que som maravilhoso da bateria do Louie!!!! um som forte,limpo e primitivo! hoje os sons das baterias são tão artificiais...

Poor guy, you can see in this clip how physically weak he was. Louie was a fantastically talented human being; it makes me sad to see him this way.

Considering hes not young anymore. Great solo, the man who gave us double base.

That Remo kits sounds incredible

MTOO BOm esse video! For us (drummers), its very important be inspired in "old school" drummers, 'cuz they are responsible 4 the most of grooves that we use 2day! Great video!

He played to the end God Bless .

How great was he... .sheer pleasure to listen to, trouble s everyone seems to give the credit for Woody Herma's Golden Wedding to Gene Krupa, when it was louie all the way..

R.I.P

the master