Most drummers would trade their kits for the chance to play with a big band star like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong or Benny Goodman.
Legendary jazz drummer Louis Bellson spent his career keeping the beat for those greats and countless others. With a career that spanned six decades and over 200 albums, the passing of this 84-year-old star is major loss to the music world.
Bellson reportedly passed away on Valentine’s Day at a Los Angeles hospital due to complications from a broken hip and Parkinson’s Disease.
Heavy metal fans should tip their hats to Bellson as well: As a teenager, Bellson pioneered the double-bass drum kit—a set-up that has since found great popularity among drummers of the heavy metal, hard rock and speed metal genres.
Bellson was previously married to renowned singing star of stage and musical films Pearl Bailey for nearly 40 years, until her passing in 1990. Bellson is survived by current wife, Francine.
