Louie Bellson- The Hawk Talks (1955)

[@terryah2136]

And thus Heavy Metal drumming was born. And he did it in a suit and tie as well. Brilliant

[@enniodimarcantoniod.g.8388]

Then Heavy Metal was created by an Italian 🇮🇹 🤘

[@roybeckerman7843]

@@enniodimarcantoniod.g.8388 I don’t know. The American Red Indians, hit those “ war drums “, pretty hard

[@enniodimarcantoniod.g.8388]

@@roybeckerman7843 yes, they also did played! 😂

[@drewrancid5257]

I would love to see a grindcore band play in suits and ties

[@paulgentile1024]

so much hipper back in the day

[@joecaroselli5858]

I did a drum clinic with Louie in 1976. I was 23 years old. He was such a nice, gentle, unassuming man. He was also very musical in that he was an excellent reader and composer. He co- composed this tune and "Skin Deep" for Duke, and many others later. He was an amazing technician, and wonderful, warm person.

[@gerarddelgrande]

You're a lucky guy Joe to have known and played with this great person ! Cheers from France !!

[@OliveMule]

Awesome

[@tubhair]

Beautiful

[@harrypalmer3481]

This is lovely to learn about, thank you.

[@robertcarli1969]

​@@harrypalmer3481 not co-composed - Louie wrote this and "Skin Deep" . Duke & Strayhorn might have contributed to the arrangement.

[@uglugl54]

He was far ahead of his time. Every Rockdrummer of the 70ies has learnt a lot from him...

[@fightfannerd2078]

he did funk & metal before it was thing

[@kevinobrien1259]

Most rock drummers in the u.k hadn't even heard of him in the 70s,

[@stevehinkley4112]

​@@kevinobrien1259 Louie was a huge influence on Ginger Baker.

[@kevinobrien1259]

@@stevehinkley4112 I've studied Gingers career since 1965 when I first saw him live and many times since, the only white drummer I've ever seen named in print that he paid homage to was Phil Seaman, who he admitted he learnt a lot from, he once referred to Gene Krupa as the 'great white hope' and kind of hinted that he didn't quite live up to that, but in general he felt more in tune with Black American drummers, I can hear Louis Bellson influences in Gingers playing especially with the two bass drums which Ginger didn't really feature until he was in Cream,

[@Riddim4]

@@kevinobrien1259: via Sam Woodyard.

[@steveapelman1488]

Nice Italian boy... not afraid to play in a all Black orchestra with the great Duke Ellingtion. At that time, he could stay in Hotels that the Duke couldn't go. He once walked out of a Chicago hotel saying, "If my boss can't stay here- niether can I". A true gentleman, and as professional as they ever came. Loved his lady Pearl Bailey till she passed in 1990 after 38 years of marraige. He was an Idol of mine.

[@eikbike]

I was working at Guitar Center San Jose CA in 1991, it was a Sunday and it was slowwww that day, hardly a customer in the entire store! We were watching the Buddy Rich Memorial Concerts and the Louie was a featured player on one of the tapes(VCR back then). Not long after the tape finished playing, the kid I was working with that day said "hey that's Louie Bellson"... I said "ya he was on our tv a few minute ago".... he said " No, THERE is Louie Bellson, right over there!". I turned around and my jaw hit the floor, Louie was checking out the drums just across the room from us!!! The Kid was not shy and walked right over and announced ,"hey you are Louie Bellson!".... he said he was in town with his new wife visiting her church that Sunday and figured after that they would go to GC! He was so nice to us to hang out and talk drums with a couple of 20 year old kids! I have not forgotten that day 30 years ago! He was the OG double bass drum player, as far as I know he was the first!

[@myroncohen7619]

Met Louie when I was maybe 14 years old...He shared and showed me so much and helped me in so many selfless ways..He truly was a mensch of the First Order!!I recall Mike Clark and Steve Schneider and i picking up Dave Black in Alameda to drive to see Louie perform in San Jose..After the concert we were honored to listen to Dave and Louie together talk of their lives playing with Ellington..Louie was responsible for Dave getting an audition to follow him..Dave beat out Art and Philly Joe to get the Ellington gig!!DAVE BLACK was by far the greatest Double Bass drum player I ever saw in person ..He honored me by giving me a wonderful Cymbal that he used while working for Duke..Miss both These Extraordinary Gentleman of Jazz Who always enjoyed the sound of a great snare drum!!Clark and I would visit Dave on occasion bringing a few Snare Drums to be blessed by Dave!!We always enjoyed his sense of humor and joy in sharing his many flurries of musical offerings while we watched in awe..

[@holygeneration7]

@eikbike Man great story thanks for sharing !

[@chrishultgren777]

1990s were the end of the road for his generation. I miss those guys.

[@muslimwillingandunwilling7576]

He was not the first. He got the credit though. The first to play Jazz (and two bass drums) were those who had INVENTED it in a State of Racial Segregation. If you like Jazz (and playing two bass drums in a Trap Set) Black Life Matters!

[@willg54]

That is totally cool, I would have shit my pants if I had seen him! And on another slightly different note, I was taking drum lessons in the mid-sixties at a music store up in Menlo Park, where Jerry Garcia was teaching guitar lessons. Never did get to talk to him though. In fact, I didn't even know who he was at the time. Okay, thanks again for sharing that great story! Oh yeah, I forgot, I did get to meet Ginger Baker, back in the early nineties I believe, at a music store in Denver Colorado where he was doing a drum clinic. Actually got to ask him a question and chat for a little bit. He was my idol, that's why I started playing double bass. Okie dokie then, have a great day😊

[@timarnold7239]

My big brother took lessons from a local San Diego Jazz Drummer and Jazz Flautist, John (Giovanni) DiSimone. He had a music studio in Normal Heights. On one occasion as my brother was dropped off for his drum lesson, his teacher was in the lobby talking and laughing with an old pal who stopped by for a visit. It was Louie Bellson. My brother was so star-struck, he already had recognized his second favorite drum hero (Gene Krupa being his first). He gave my brother the thrill of his life-getting on the bright shiny Demo Gretch kit in the front lobby and went to work. I wish I was there. Meeting greats like Bellson are a rare thrill. I got the opportunity to shake Cab Calloway's hand and compliment his halftime entertainment after the end of a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition at San Diego Southwestern College in the mid-1960s. He was getting up in years, and I think he was touched that (while all my peers were busy getting their basketballs signed by the Globetrotters) I was more interested in the musical talent. He played the old standard, "Minnie The Moocher." Most the crowd probably had no idea of that man's contributions to jazz and popular music.

[@rayszymarek2920]

Duke knew exactly what he was doing when he hired Louie bellson for the drum chair. Not only was Louie a superb drummer but he was a gentleman completely. He treated his musicians with respect and dignity

[@joeday4293]

And also such a talented composer and arranger, Duke would play HIS charts. One of the greatest composers America has ever birthed liked Louie Bellson's compositions enough to play them in his orchestra. Now how about that.

[@brucejay1409]

Unlike....someone else....perhaps?

[@lucguenette7534]

@@brucejay1409 yes indeed that someone else!

[@Nugtroen]

The all father of extreme metal drumming...respect

[@fightfannerd2078]

funk also

[@toma.4808]

Id also advocate for gene krupa.both guys were incredible

[@giannigunn5247]

Every heavy-metal drummer in the world should appreciate this guy, because without him, we would’ve never known about it….. and the amazing fact is this was done long before chain driven pedals…. I started drumming and 1977. I was seven my first pedal was a leather strap pedal. In 87 I went to DW chain driven.. just a little nostalgia, for anybody can understand that era… or underestimates the advantages of today’s gear…

[@rancelumsden1609]

Also, unless I'm mistaken, he was first drummer to use double bass.

[@orkycathcart6397]

LOUIS BELLSON WAS ONE OF THE BEST DRUMMERS EVER TO HOLD A PAIR OF DRUM STICKS , AND DEFINITELY WITHOUT A DOUBT , THE CLASSIEST AND MOST HUMBLE !!!!!!!!!! LUV YA LOUIS AND I MISS YA !!!!

[@jumpinjojo]

Turn off the cap lock, dude.

[@morbidmanmusic]

"Humble". So, he wouldn't use all caps!

[@michaeljanice37]

Not better than Buddy..by a long shot..

[@krissv3ctor512]

@@michaeljanice37 Maybe not in terms of pure skill on the drums, but if we're talking about innovation and importance, Buddy is but a footnote in comparison.

[@drumdude68]

1:56 Blast beats waaay before modern metal.

[@ken-in-KY]

1955 double bass drum set? I'm 71 years old, and never in my life saw a double bass drum set used until the 70's. I'm blown away. Mr. Bellson was a bad ass.

[@SeamusMcGillicuddy0]

Actually, he was Czechoslovakian !

[@kevinobrien1259]

Eric Delaney ( British drummer ) was using two bass drums late 1950s. Keith Moon and Ginger Baker used two bass drums in the 1960s as did many other British drummers in rock.

[@ken-in-KY]

@@kevinobrien1259 I did see Ginger Baker & Keith Moon in videos only once with DB sets. The video with Delaney is from 1955. I was 3 years old so I hadn't a clue. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw this video. It just blew me away.

[@kevinobrien1259]

Absolutely understandable, Louis was an amazing drummer. I had the good fortune to see him do a drum clinic in London in the 1960s,

[@rakeshadhin]

As a matter of fact, Louie Bellson invented the double bass drum. It started when he, as a musical school kid of 15 in 1939, sketched out a double bass drum kit for an art class. The sketch earned him an “A” grade, and served as a vision of what he would become: The most famous, and arguably the first, double bass drummer.

[@woodysdrums8083]

As a young student of the late great Jimmy Brown I met Louie a number of times. I remember a time he was giving a concert and my father had jumped passed away and my Mom and me were broke. Louie gave us free tickets after the show came up to me and Mom to talk and let me sit behind his kit. Louie was a great drummer and a wonderful kind man. His impression on a young kid starting out will always be with me.

[@harrypalmer3481]

Wonderful story to share!

[@zenos.5315]

Bellson was one the best!!! And let’s hear it for the Duke Ellington Band

[@michaelgreen5206]

Force of nature here folks. Miss & love you Louie, Edward Kennedy Ellington and all these phenomenal musicians!

[@adityatyagi4009]

The original blast beat!

[@lupussignatus8131]

@William Fotiou That's bovine droppings, Milennials were in the kindergarten the first time I heard the word and identifies one of the most distinct drum beats in music, just in case you don't like heavy metal.

[@lupussignatus8131]

@William Fotiou Hey, detective, millennials were born between 1981 and 1996. I was born in the 70s and I first learned what was a blast beat in 1992. The term has been around since the late 1980's referring to the 16-note figure that Napalm Death, Carcass, Sarcófago constantly used back then. Suffocation was one of the most popular bands doing it since 1991, go listen to Effigy Of the Forgotten. People mentioned it at the time and rest assured that millennials were in the kindergarten, not coming up with new words for drumming in metal, you dense boomer.

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

These guys were the real deal, top musicians in every sense. Blast beat is nothing but a technique, just one way to hit a drum. Fuckin hell, Buddy, Bellson, Joe Morello etc, these guys would just look at blast beat and say " Great kid, you are just doing kinda fast single strokes there. What else you've got ? " :D

[@kampfkustomer2343]

@@lupussignatus8131 except Sepultura did it earlier than those bands

[@jimihendrixx11]

@@MeAndTheBoys_ exactly Blast beats are overatted. Louie, Gene, Mitch, Grohl etc…Musicians who can create a sound and not just accompany

[@gregm6894]

Met Louie at one of his drum clinics back in the late 70's at Strait Music Company in Austin, TX. He was such a nice guy and an unbelievable technician on the drums. He told me that he originally thought of the double bass as using the second bass as a sort of Conga Drum. He also told me that his footwork came pretty naturally, as he had taken tap dancing lessons as a kid. If you have not seen it, watch the video of his drum battle with Vern Spevak. If that doesn't blow your mind, nothing will. Spevak is ridiculously good and Louie was unreal.

[@ghostnotes5667]

Louie learned how to play drums, piano and brass as a child. Louie pioneered the double bass drum and composed with the legendary Duke Ellington.

[@brucep9729]

These cats had talent back then in so many ways! Great musicians but also great characters!

[@EleanorPeterson]

Yep! And isn't it great that they'll live forever thanks to the internet and videos like this! 😁

[@stixxnstonerz3450]

Wow. I never knew the double bass set up existed back then. Not to mention it being used by a big band drummer. I thought the metal guys came up with it. Boy was I wrong.

[@VegetabIeMan]

Stixx and Stonerz the metal dudes (extreme/death metal) simplified it with speed and technique instead of swing and dynamics. The double bass is more than just show and it's been proven since 1952.

[@D_2387]

Anyone tells you a metal guy from the 80's "invented" anything, they're 99% of the time wrong. Unlike the guitar, drums had already reached arguably the most advanced techniques anyone had seen by the 70's. Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Mr Bellson here, Keith Moon, Bonham, Baker, Ward, Paice, Appice, Peart was a little later but still, the list goes on and on. Sure, guys from the 80's, and even of today have taken those techniques further, but they didn't invent anything. The techniques they use had already been done. Guitar is the instrument that evolved to roughly it's full potential in the 80's when guys like Malmsteen came around.

[@spacegarnaal]

The only real thing you can say and know tis truth is that Phil Taylor was the first to use them in a thrash like way. Giving birth to the modern double kicks

[@lukethedrifter3363]

Metal is one of least original music types.

[@hmo6726]

Louie Bellson also won a drum competition that Gene Krupa had set up in the early forties.

[@Hummas-N-Tea]

Me when the modern era makes something 50 years ago hilarious 😆

[@David-vu7zy]

Wow. What a precious clip! I met Louie several times over the years and he was always so kind and he was the consummate professional. Watching this I realized how much his playing evolved. He kept changing. I miss him greatly

[@David-vu7zy]

Ditto. Such wonderful person

[@jumpingjacks5558]

One of the all time greats He was never afraid to create music on the drumset. A true master. RIP

[@timallbritton7329]

Bellson was ahead of his time. What an awesome talent and the definition of cool.

[@markurgero9397]

My ex-wife was adopted by his cousin in CA. We got to see him perform in-person in the 90s in Chicago. Got pics with him afterwards. Great guy!

[@dannywoody5497]

I’ve had many conversations with Louie what a prince. For a while, his big band played Dantes in the valley. He was also on many occasions in professional drum shop Vine Street there wasn’t a sweeter guy on the planet, and he was very hip to all the rock players also.

[@pipper70]

I remember as a kid seeing him play at an outdoor pavilion at Venice Beach when I was about 12 years old. Up until then I always thought Gene Krupa was the greatest drummer in the world. My opinion changed that day as he was unbelievable.

[@benjiarehart2878]

Great drummer. I could listen to him play all day, man he could make those drums sing. An enormous talent.

[@MARKMANIATT]

Not only a genius drummer but a superb composer and arranger.This great number was composed by Louie.

[@stevenwilson9865]

Thank You. Mr. Bellson.. for kicking it with both feet..👣 he's one of my favorite drummers.

[@RC-gf8cs]

I got his autograph..i still playn 2day .b 67 now..started wit beatles ed sullivan .in 2nd grade..him .n buddy .a great era .shelly manne 1 also

[@jimvild8357]

Saw Louie a number of times in clubs & clinics. Great drummer as well as a fine gentleman.During those clinics, invariably some idiot would ask him what he does with the hi hat when playing the two bass drums & usually that would be the first question asked.

[@jdisgood00]

First double bass drummer

[@Palestina.non.grata86]

Now that is a pioneer. Changed drumming forever.

[@leonherinx129]

Louie Bellson the inventor of the double bass drum.

[@pjreynoldsa1]

Louis is my favorite..............I have been in awe of him for 65 years...... the timeline of my playing drums.

[@bungeechord1]

I studied with Gil Breines (Guy Lombardo) in the late 60s, early 70s and he and Louie wrote a couple of drum books togeter. I got to meet Louie and he gave Gil all the credit for the book. Such a nice guy, I was in awe of him.

[@bb57365]

Amazing, not a hair out of place.🥁

[@MrAnimal1971]

So glad Duke, his band, and Louie are still amazing people long after they are gone!!

[@dakat0450]

Say that again….

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Duke Ellington, always so generous in his acknowledgment of the band and everyone’s efforts

[@bobbyborg]

Thank you for sending me this link Francine (AKA Mrs Belson). As you know, I am a big fan of Belson (especially the Count Basie Jams). Keep the links and materials coming and I hope to see you soon in another of my music industry chats online. Peace and love. BB

[@joebrdr]

This was the time drumming truly existed!

[@orfeo793]

huh? it still does haha

[@SgtBilko-uk5hh]

"Soul on Top" - James Brown with The Louie Bellson Orchestra - 1970 - WELL worth checking out.

[@boinknook]

1:44 double bass in 55'? This was ahead of it's time!!

[@harriairaksinen5694]

Louie and Ray McKinley played double-bass sets allready in the Forties.

[@ROCCO_PANUCCI]

Absolutely

[@SuperQdaddy]

Louie s the man saw him many times with my Dad...his favorite 💓

[@oldskolacura9798]

Same here my father went to school with him at rock island high school. Tony his brother dated my aunt Mary back in high school.

[@Twentythousandlps]

Ray Nance's amazing singing, blowing and fiddling are found on many Ellington records and here we see the dancing and clowning Duke's audiences enjoyed as well.

[@paulsartorello836]

I’d seen a photo of Louie Bellson on a double bass drum kit from 1946! He was a tap dancer, so I would guess double bass playing came a bit easier for him. Awesome drummer!

[@Poeme340]

Louis pushing the boundaries-audacious and precise!

[@BmakinFilm]

This is great! I met Louis Bellson in 1985 at a concert in Denver. On the set break I introduced myself to him as a drummer in high school and the first thing he says is, "I just picked up this new Ping Ride for my ride cymbal. How does it sound out there?" I was stunned that this drumming god was asking my opinion about one of his cymbals! He was an amazing gentleman who taught us much just by the way he carried himself.

[@brolfe7524]

My good friend Mr. Louie Bellson. R.I.P Louis

[@patrickyoung3503]

Take it away Louie. Thanks for posting

[@lightmarker3146]

Louie was married to Pearl Bailey when interacial marriage was out lawed in many states. My mom saw them at a theater in New Bedford, Ma.

[@Noone765]

I enjoyed listening to Louie Bellson play while attending CSUN in the 1970’s

[@DeloresLandeis-kx5fu]

What a generation! Superb ..

[@rickfeld7995]

10/11/2023 & this clip showed up on my KZbin. Thank you for posting. Bellson was a power house, as this clip shows. Knew him by rep. but he is highly regarded by my older jazz friends. Did alot of drummers in that day go doubl-baass? My favorite drummers are Cobham, Steve Gadd & Bill Bruford

[@yellowquantum4240]

A master ! A pioneer of two bass drums.

[@salviadivinorum1762]

I met Louie at the Clearwater Jazz Fest a few years before he passed.

[@batouttahell454]

Super nice Man.Super Drummer. Excellent reader,tempo, the works!CLASS IN EVERY WAY!!!!!!

[@boinknook]

1955?!😳 That drumset was well ahead of it's time! Even in the mid 60's the 4 piece was still the standard. It wasn’t till the early 70's that double bass became popular!🥁

[@robertmanley3472]

Quite different than anything I've heard before....really enjoyed it.

[@grandeur9581]

I could listen to Louie all damn day and more.

[@luisbenitez4448]

Awesome brilliant . A master piece Louie bellson big horse

[@LibuttiG]

RILLIANT,LIKE BRASSSTARS ON THE BLACK AND WHITE SUNS DRUMMING AROUND MAGIC IN THE AIR,A MOMENT OF FRIENDSHIP WITH THE MUSIC,A PIECE OF HUMAN ART

[@titolivio6832]

Che suono, che tiro! Orchestra fantastica!

[@andywjackson1135]

wow,my weekend is going to be good 🎙️🎵🎙️🎵🎙️🎵

[@fabienlamour3644]

Wow!!! Double bass drums in 1955!!!

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Totally brilliant ❤❤❤

[@paulcanton9827]

Sometimes you see something and it’s too good to believe.

[@Mynamesalexa]

😮 Father of the double bass set. Was married to Pearl Bailey And played on CALF HEADS

[@BmakinFilm]

Father of the double bass drums was Ray McKinley, before Bellson.

[@danielmiller210]

That's badass my brother got a picture of my father after he came back from world war II in a zoot suit got to love that picture he was so cool

[@alexscott730]

You can hear where Bonham got his bass drum sound and footwork inspiration from.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Then Purdie and Carmine

[@ACDZ123]

Yes luigi was the master

[@michaelpegoda7482]

Are most awesome display of talent excellent show

[@JohnnyTorontoEh]

Think of how unorthodox a double kick and 2 floor toms were in the 50's! Ground breaking

[@IvanOliv]

This is absolutely mind blowing

[@jefferypitts343]

louis bellson is another one of the greats of all time, the double bass kit was a glimpse into what would be standard in any metal band.

[@shahedtaghiandehaghani2061]

Legend!

[@stringbender57]

Total bad-ass Drummer! I love it!

[@analogman9697]

That was awesome! From the year of my birth.

[@sanoa124]

What a happy amazing playing!

[@treetrain]

Legendary!! Gave me chills

[@sergiopericles7496]

Esse cara estava muito tempo a frente daquela época eim ! Sensacional!

[@ata1811]

Sensational drumming!!!

[@lex3729]

I love when Louie gets on a roll, his face develops a mind of its own.😮😂

[@mickblack3291]

The great ones always make it look easy🥁

[@thierrypetitjean]

Excellent !! ❤😂

[@dagostinoification]

Fabuleux ! MERCI !

[@MD-zo7cl]

The FIRST ONE TO ROLL THOSE BASE DRUMS ......👍💪🙏❤🇺🇸AWESOME💥

[@RichardMullin-u8w]

Man those were the rock stars back then. So fun to watch!

[@alexkije]

This was the theme song for a record show on KSDN, Aberdeen, SD in the Nifty 50s!

[@aaronreeves8376]

Total class act!!❤

[@Foxrock321]

What a machine…the crowd loves him..Duke too..is that Cat Anderson on lead trumpet..?

[@PatrickSherman-dg6co]

One of the greatest nothing but class

[@stephenmorse7709]

Amazing ❤

[@rogerpr364]

how can you not sway swing, twist your hips to this!🙏 great drummer and orchestra!! I'm a garage band drummer I'm ok doing my thing,,but, I'm a billion Lights years away of his drumming!! after all my years of practicing I never was able to sustain à drumroll, ex: I can play "hey Joe (Jimmy Hendrix)" or many songs from pop bands alike Pink Floyd! the Stones, the Beatles, but I'm still having sooo much fun playing with my band, still and at 67yo☺️ cheer's to all musicians outthere as well to groupies😊

[@petermastronardi6641]

Great stuff from the year I was born

[@jukesjointOG]

Freaking Fantastic.

[@HankFinkle11]

What a master.

[@sandraharris6393]

Sheer magic - beats from the womb of the world 🌍

[@luytondriman6236]

Outstanding