Pearl Bailey and 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.

Pearl Mae Bailey was born to the Reverend Joseph James Bailey and Ella Mae (Ricks) Bailey. She was an American actress and singer. After appearing in vaudeville, she made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. In 1968, she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! Pearl married drummer Louie Bellson (m. 1952–1990). She was married two or three times by the age of 30 and her third, or fourth - reports vary - husband was John Randolph Pinkett (m. 1948–1952). They divorced, due to what Pearl claimed was physical abuse, by John. Pearl Bailey had adopted children Dee Dee Jean Bellson and Tony Bellson with final husband Louie Belson.