I first heard Louie playing 'Skin Deep' on the Ellington album when I was about 14 years old. My family was visiting friends and a brother was visiting them from out of town and was playing some jazz records on their stereo. When 'Skin Deep' came on I was mesmerized. I couldn't believe it. I asked if they would play that track again, and again..so finally after my 3rd request their brother took the record off the stereo and gave it to me. At 16 I took up the drums seriously and played with various bands for the next 5 years until 1970, when I was in art school and couldn't still do gigs and be in school full time. I had to choose between the two and chose art. That was when a friend found me on campus and said he was playing Bass in a band that was thinking of adding a 2nd drummer, that he had recommended me and would I come jam and see how it goes? I said no, I don't have time to jam, if they wanted to rehearse for a specific gig or record in the studio I might reconsider. He was really adamant but I still said no. He said if I changed my mind that I could easily find them, just come to the Doobie House. I had turned down the Doobie Brothers. A few years later I also turned down the drum seat in John Lee Hookers back-up band, as 2 of my ex-band mates were in that band. Hooker paid so poorly I didn't want to play and tour and make no money at all. I still practiced and kept the drums set-up wherever I lived. In 1980 I did record some tracks for a singer, a demo tape for Warner Bros Records. Finally I made it to a Louie Bellson drum seminar and got to meet 'The Man'. I brought that original Ellington album I'd got so many years before and had Louie sign the album cover. I also bought one of everything Mrs B had to sell. I went to at least 3 more Bellson events in San Jose and again bought one of everything. Mrs B you might remember me for that. Thank you for keeping Louie alive via the website. I'm so honored to have met him and heard and saw him play.
Skip Bailey
I first heard Louie playing 'Skin Deep' on the Ellington album when I was about 14 years old. My family was visiting friends and a brother was visiting them from out of town and was playing some jazz records on their stereo. When 'Skin Deep' came on I was mesmerized. I couldn't believe it. I asked if they would play that track again, and again..so finally after my 3rd request their brother took the record off the stereo and gave it to me. At 16 I took up the drums seriously and played with various bands for the next 5 years until 1970, when I was in art school and couldn't still do gigs and be in school full time. I had to choose between the two and chose art. That was when a friend found me on campus and said he was playing Bass in a band that was thinking of adding a 2nd drummer, that he had recommended me and would I come jam and see how it goes? I said no, I don't have time to jam, if they wanted to rehearse for a specific gig or record in the studio I might reconsider. He was really adamant but I still said no. He said if I changed my mind that I could easily find them, just come to the Doobie House. I had turned down the Doobie Brothers. A few years later I also turned down the drum seat in John Lee Hookers back-up band, as 2 of my ex-band mates were in that band. Hooker paid so poorly I didn't want to play and tour and make no money at all. I still practiced and kept the drums set-up wherever I lived. In 1980 I did record some tracks for a singer, a demo tape for Warner Bros Records. Finally I made it to a Louie Bellson drum seminar and got to meet 'The Man'. I brought that original Ellington album I'd got so many years before and had Louie sign the album cover. I also bought one of everything Mrs B had to sell. I went to at least 3 more Bellson events in San Jose and again bought one of everything. Mrs B you might remember me for that. Thank you for keeping Louie alive via the website. I'm so honored to have met him and heard and saw him play.
Skip Bailey
Hello Mrs "B", It is always a pleasure to receive emails from Louie's site...R.I.P. Louie Always To You Great Man..I have loved louie since Gene Krupa mentioned his name a very long time ago and said "Wow Now There Is A Guy That Cam Solo.....I have always believed a great solo is very different then the one in your head ...It's kinda Tuff...for Louie it was just another walk in the park...Love To You All.....Louie Louie Louie....Keep On Soloing
Hello Mrs "B", It is always a pleasure to receive emails from Louie's site...R.I.P. Louie Always To You Great Man..I have loved louie since Gene Krupa mentioned his name a very long time ago and said "Wow Now There Is A Guy That Cam Solo.....I have always believed a great solo is very different then the one in your head ...It's kinda Tuff...for Louie it was just another walk in the park...Love To You All.....Louie Louie Louie....Keep On Soloing
Hello Mrs. Bellson,
I finally signed up for the mailing list and visited the website.
It was a pleasure to meet and speak with you at your appointment with us.
Thank you for your card and website info! Was glad to share the fact that I was able to meet and drum at the same clinic Mr.Bellson performed at waaaay back when in 1985.
Best Regards,
Paul Medrano
Hello Mrs. Bellson,
I finally signed up for the mailing list and visited the website.
It was a pleasure to meet and speak with you at your appointment with us.
Thank you for your card and website info! Was glad to share the fact that I was able to meet and drum at the same clinic Mr.Bellson performed at waaaay back when in 1985.
Best Regards,
Paul Medrano
Dear Patricia Barbee,
I was quite moved by your inspiring note. Louie often spoke of this. Although his initial desire was to fly in combat, he was assigned to play for the servicemen. When he mentioned his desire to the guys (WWII Heroes convalescing) at Walter Reed Hospital, they told him “No! You stay here and play for us – we need you!”
As I don’t see you on our subscriber list, may I invite you to signup (purple button at bottom of this page).
Thanks,
Francine Bellson, aka Mrs. B
Dear Patricia Barbee,
I was quite moved by your inspiring note. Louie often spoke of this. Although his initial desire was to fly in combat, he was assigned to play for the servicemen. When he mentioned his desire to the guys (WWII Heroes convalescing) at Walter Reed Hospital, they told him “No! You stay here and play for us – we need you!”
As I don’t see you on our subscriber list, may I invite you to signup (purple button at bottom of this page).
Thanks,
Francine Bellson, aka Mrs. B
I was an, on call, teen volunteer for the West Roxbury VA Residential Hospital, Boston. We girls assisted the Heroes of WWII and Korea to the auditorium for concerts. My first concert was Louis Bellson who we understood was at Blinstrub's Village for a week or so. The concerts at the WRVAH were never advertised before or after a concert. All the performers that gave their time to the Heroes will forever be in our hearts.
I was an, on call, teen volunteer for the West Roxbury VA Residential Hospital, Boston. We girls assisted the Heroes of WWII and Korea to the auditorium for concerts. My first concert was Louis Bellson who we understood was at Blinstrub's Village for a week or so. The concerts at the WRVAH were never advertised before or after a concert. All the performers that gave their time to the Heroes will forever be in our hearts.
Hi Francine, Mrs. B! Good spotting on that DB cover.
EXCELLENT reminder of what a gem Downbeat was for making that cover!!! And $.35 ???
Herman is def a hip dude, always in my mind!
Been listening to LB's Concord ouvre lately (with Shew, and others)! Wonderful memories.
Keep this flame going!
ox Alex in NZ
Hi Francine, Mrs. B! Good spotting on that DB cover.
EXCELLENT reminder of what a gem Downbeat was for making that cover!!! And $.35 ???
Herman is def a hip dude, always in my mind!
Been listening to LB's Concord ouvre lately (with Shew, and others)! Wonderful memories.
Keep this flame going!
ox Alex in NZ
I met Mr. and Mrs. Bellson at San Jose Jazz Festival many years ago. Mrs. Bellson enthusiasm was infectious. We crossed paths many times during my time in San Jose via community and church related events. She managet to have the same grace each time. Over those years, I began to recognize Mr. Bellson's contribution to music and his talents as a drummer. I recently purchased James Brown' Soul on Top after a suggestion from a friend. That was really a very nice synergy of both artists. I have since moved from San Jose but that one encounter opened my world up to so much more music. Thank you and continued blessings to the Bellson family. God Bless.
I met Mr. and Mrs. Bellson at San Jose Jazz Festival many years ago. Mrs. Bellson enthusiasm was infectious. We crossed paths many times during my time in San Jose via community and church related events. She managet to have the same grace each time. Over those years, I began to recognize Mr. Bellson's contribution to music and his talents as a drummer. I recently purchased James Brown' Soul on Top after a suggestion from a friend. That was really a very nice synergy of both artists. I have since moved from San Jose but that one encounter opened my world up to so much more music. Thank you and continued blessings to the Bellson family. God Bless.
Francine - I'm going to start calling you "Eagle Eyes"! How in the world did you spot Louie's magazine cover on the Munsters? That's fantastic (and I still like that TV show too ;-D)
Francine - I'm going to start calling you "Eagle Eyes"! How in the world did you spot Louie's magazine cover on the Munsters? That's fantastic (and I still like that TV show too ;-D)
Great website for a great man – and his wonderful wife Mrs. B.
Great website for a great man – and his wonderful wife Mrs. B.
Mrs. B.....Thank you very, very much for your devotion and energy in keeping Louis's timeless legacy alive and well! Hats off to YOU!
Lee Ruff
Mrs. B.....Thank you very, very much for your devotion and energy in keeping Louis's timeless legacy alive and well! Hats off to YOU!
