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Jazz Drummer Louis Bellson Dies at 84

Jazz drummer Louis Bellson, who appeared on more than 200 albums over 60 years, including those by Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, died Saturday from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was 84.

Born in 1924, Bellson learned to play drums as a child after first hearing the instrument at a parade. Taught by his father, he pioneered the use of a second bass drum in his kit and won the Slingerland National Gene Krupa drumming contest at the age of 17.

As a professional, Bellson wrote over 1,000 songs and arrangements, wrote over a dozen books and played on albums with the aforementioned artists, as well as Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, among others. On top of that, he led many of his own big bands over his career, occasionally having one on each coast simultaneously.

He met his late wife, famed singer Pearl Bailey, through Duke Ellington, and married her in 1952. The couple had one child, a daughter, Deedee, before Bailey died in 1990 at 72.

Bellson has been inducted into both the Modern Drummer and Percussive Arts Society Halls of Fame. In 1994, the National Endowment for the Arts named him a "master of jazz," calling him one of "the foremost big-band drummers of the swing and post-swing eras." His last recording was an album with Clark Terry and his big band, called 'Louie & Clark Expedition 2.'

More About Louis Bellson | Download Louis Belson Songs | Buy Louis Bellson CDs

Dearly Departed Musicians

    Estelle Bennett, Feb. 11: With her sister Ronnie, left, and cousin Nedra Talley, right, Bennett sang '60s classics like 'Baby, I Love You' and 'Be My Baby' with the legendary Ronettes. She was found dead in her New Jersey home of undetermined causes. She was 67.

    Hulton Archive / Getty Images

    Molly Bee, Feb. 7: The yodeling country singer shot to fame with the 1952 novelty hit 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' and later became a familiar face on TV's 'Hometown Jamboree' and 'The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show.' Bee died in California from complications following a stroke at age 69.

    AP

    Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, Feb. 9: The "heartbeat" of Cuba's legendary Buena Vista Social Club, a group of semi-retired musicians living in Havana made famous thanks to the work of producer Ry Cooder, died of complications from prostate surgery. He was 76.

    Jose Luis Magana, AP

    Lux Interior, Feb. 4: The frontman of the legendary punk band the Cramps passed away due to a pre-existing heart condition.

    Dave Allocca, Getty Images

    Dewey Martin, Jan. 31: The drummer for the short-lived country rock pioneers Buffalo Springfield was found dead in Van Nuys, Calif. The cause of death is unknown. Martin added the backdrop to early hits penned by bandmates Neil Young ('Mr. Soul') and Stephen Stills ('For What It's Worth'). He was 68.

    Getty Images

    Hank Crawford, Jan. 29: The prolific saxophonist, who led Ray Charles' band, played with Jimmy McGriff and had a successful career in his own right, died at his home in Memphis. He was 74.

    Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    John Martyn, Jan. 29: The acclaimed British singer-songwriter, who worked alongside the likes of Eric Clapton and Phil Collins and released 20 albums throughout a 40-year career, died at a hospital in Ireland. He was 60.

    Samir Hussein, Getty Images

    Billy Powell, Jan. 27: The longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, who survived the beloved band's deadly plane crash in 1977, died at his home in Florida of undisclosed causes. He was 56.

    Michael Bush, WireImage

    Charlie Cooper, Jan. 22: The Telefon Tel Aviv star, left, was 31. The cause of death is currently unknown.

    Bpitch Control

    David 'Fathead' Newman, Jan. 20: The tenor sax player not only played with Ray Charles and other legends, but also had a successful solo career. He died of pancreatic cancer at 75.

    Getty Images

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Mogens

One of the biggest drummer has gone, You and Gene Krupa,
Buddy Rich, rest inpeace.

February 24 2010 at 4:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J.

He was one of the Greats. I was fortunate enough to see him a few times and met him at a club in Cambridge in the '80s. He actually came up to me as I approached him, broke the ice and proceeded to treat me like a long, lost drumming brother. It was as in a dream. The sound he got; the sound that any of the Greats get - you had to be there live. Recordings and videos are wonderful, but no substitute for the real thing. Go and see a live show and you'll keep Louie alive forever.

February 20 2009 at 11:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
soldiercleveland

You are what legends are made of! You will fit in great in Haven

February 18 2009 at 5:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jimmy Hall


These early greats rarely get their due... If only they had been born a half-century later. It is a shame that we live in a world that makes Britneys and Jonas Bros and Justin's rich beyond belief, but TRUE ARTISTS are hardly even paid RESPECT..... Today we have Timberlake, Spears, and rappers. Yesteryear we had Armstrong, Presley, Beatles, Supremes, Sinatras, Arnold, and Crosby... What is wrong with this picture???????

February 18 2009 at 5:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gwjazz

It's also important to know that Louis was a strong believer in the Lord. He had a faith that was inspiring

February 18 2009 at 12:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
barra

duke ellington was greatest hit musical jazz group that he was involved nigthclub doing welling group of jazz as he was playing jazz drummer with group whoa he rip he was famous musical of jazz.

February 17 2009 at 11:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jdpistol

I saw Louie and his Big Band Explosion several times in Summer Concerts. One time, I brought a 1959 LP of his to autograph. He looked at the cover and the back and pointed to one of thge numbers and said, "Hey, we haven't played this one in a long time. I think I'll add it to the second set today." And he did!

February 17 2009 at 11:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rvibes22

much love louie

February 17 2009 at 11:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chet McCracken

Rest In Peace...L.B. You were awesome!!!!

February 17 2009 at 10:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hairballs10

What a HUGE loss for drumming, and music as a whole. His importance and contribution just cannot be over-stated. His technique and ability to swing were about flawless and unmatched. Got the chance to meet him and see him play, what an honor and a privledge it truly was. With Louie gone, I think Roy Haynes is the only old school Jazz drummer left. And Roy came around after Louie had already left his mark. God bless you Sir and rest in peace.

February 17 2009 at 10:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply