Louie Bellson

Louie Bellson (born Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni on July 6, 1924 – February 14, 2009), known by the stage name Louie Bellson (his own preferred spelling, although he is often seen in sources as Louis Bellson), was an American jazz drummer. He was also a composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator, and is credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums. Louie Bellson was married twice: first, to Pearl Bailey on November 19, 1952, in London. They were married until Pearl died in 1990 and had adopted two children, a son Tony Bellson and a daughter Dee Dee Jean Bellson. Louie then married Francine Wright in September of 1992. They remained married until Louie died in February of 2009. Bellson was an internationally acclaimed artist who performed in most of the major capitals around the world. Bellson and his wife, Pearl Bailey, had the second-highest number of appearances at the White House (only Bob Hope had more). See Louie Bellson: Obituary.