Remo D. Belli, founder and CEO of Remo, Inc., is a staunch supporter of recreational music and its benefits. He says, “Music is not only essential for its beauty; it is essential to human health.”
Belli began playing drums professionally at age 16, and after serving in the Navy during World War II, moved to Holly-wood, California, where he performed with many leading musicians of the day. He was also co-owner of the shop Drum City and even gave drum lessons to Mae West and Little Ricky.
Belli’s relentless pursuit of excellence drove him and chemist Sam Muchnick to develop an innovative synthetic drumhead made of DuPont Mylar, which became Weatherking. The material provided uniform pitch, tone, consistency, endurance, and weather resistance, and eventually was adopted by every leading drum manufacturer. This invention led to the founding of Remo, Inc.
Through the years, Belli has been involved with many music-related nonprofit organizations. In 1963, he founded the Percussive Arts Society with several like-minded musicians to promote percussion education, research, performance, and appreciation throughout the world. He’s also worked with the International Association for Jazz Education, the National Association for Music Education, Youth in the Arts, and many other causes.
A passionate believer in the health benefits of drumming, Belli’s Remo Recreational Music Center in North Hollywood promotes music education, health, and community through free drum circles, workshops, and concerts. Through his work with the American Music Therapy Association, he established HealthRHYTHMS at Remo in 2000 to promote and research therapeutic drumming.
Belli’s dedication to music has been honored by many organizations, including recognition by the Smithsonian Institute’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History.
