Going through my CDs and putting them in my iTunes library for transfer to my i-thingie. Ran across two from Louie Bellson, famous drummer from the past. If you are into jazz, then the names Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson should ring some bells (beat your drums).
Both CDs had been autographed by Louie several years ago when he was in his 70's (Ok, I know the feeling since that's where I am now). First saw him, playing with college kids at Cal State Hayward and also at some high school concerts. The real "kicker" was when he announced that he was playing at a church (at that time) in San Jose and talked about his faith. Wow!
Running across the CDs prompted me to check on the status and whereabouts of the man.
Amazing that at age 84, he is still playing, mentoring and composing. Seems that in November, he fell and broke his hip. He is presently in rehab, but looking to getting back to "his sticks". At the age of 15, he invented the double bass drum set-up (yes, two bass drums on stage), and at age 17 had beat out 40,000 competitors to win the Gene Krupa Drum Contest.
Truly amazing man with amazing skills. Check him out – especially some of his video clips, like the Louie Bellson-Buddy Rich thing on the Johnny Carson Show.