This is the part of writing that sucks. When ya gotta get down and and say a few words about someone extraordinary. Today it'sLuigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni. We know him as Louie Bellson.
Born in Rock Falls, Illinois on July 6, 1924. Obviously of Italian heritage, he got behind the drum kit when he was 3. But boy , did this guy play with them. let's see. Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee in the 1943 movie The Powers Girl, and with Carmen Miranda in The Gangs All Here. Barely out of his teens he joined up with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Lionel Hampton and other jazz heavy weights in the 1948 classic A Song is Born.
Not one to be affected by stardom or the Hollywood lifestyle, even after marrying Pearl Baily in 1952. They remained married until she died in 1990.
I can't even list the major players he played with during his career. So good that Buddy Rich asked him to lead HIS band, when he was off sick. Now that's a gig. He was one of the first drummers to play a real big kit, 2 bass drums and all. That's scary with him behind it.
He continued to arrange and lead bands right up until his death. That's him up there with Carmen.
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