- Birth name: Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni
- AKA: Louis Bellson
- Born: July 6, 1924 Rock Falls, IL USA
- Died: February 14, 2009 (Age 84) Los Angeles, CA
- Genres: Jazz, big band, swing
- Occupation: Musician, composer, arranger, bandleader
- Instruments: Drums
- Years Active: 1931-2009
- Labels: Roulette, Concord, Pablo, Musicmasters
- Associated Acts: Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald
- Influences: Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich
- Authored:
- On the Web: LouieBellson.info
Tiger Bill’s Personal Recollections:
I first met Louie in 1977 when he endorsed my first drum book, DoubleDrum: A Double Bass Drum Text. We were friends ever since and I treasure the times we had working our drum chops together. Louie was not only a great drummer but a great person and I will always miss him.
