Probably one of the most famous drummers (and not only), is William Thomas Ward of Black Sabbath.
No special recommendations are needed, obviously, but where did our favorite drummer has been influenced?
One of the names he has mentioned from time to time in interviews is the drummer Louie Bellson.
And I wonder, how many of us know who Bellson is?
Probably a few…
Louie Bellson (born Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni) was an American jazz drummer.
Now, someone will tell me, how can someone who plays jazz influence you and you end up playing in the most famous Heavy metal band?
Things are simpler than we think…
Music, in whatever genre we classify it, does not cease to unite people, cultures, and knowledge!
Αs in the case of Ward.
Bellson was a pioneer in drums, as he was the first to use two bass drums at the same time when he was just 15 years old.
A technique he discovered during the art classes he attended at his school.
During his life, he collaborated with big names in Jazz, such as:
Ray Brown, Pete and Conte Candoli, Chuck Findley, John Heard, Roger Ingram, Don Menza, Blue Mitchell, Larry Novak, Nat Pierce, Frank Rosolino, Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Snooky Young, Count Basie, James Brown, Benny Carter, Buddy Collette, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Stephane Grappelli, Johnny Hodges, Harry James, Oscar Peterson, Mel Powell, Sonny Stitt, The Trumpet Kings, Sarah Vaughan, Ben Webster, Buddy Rich, Kenny Clare, and many more!
It is worth noting that he is the second artist in the series to appear most often in the White House (the first remains Bob Hope).
When we admire an artist, it is good to look at where they were influenced, because you never know what you will discover!