Ludwig's Use of Paper Labels in 1971/1972 - Date Stamps and Date Codes - Rick Gier sheds light on this mystery.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
Pearls of wisdom and other worthless jewelry from the editor of this magazine.
Read moreThe History of Famous Drum Company
It all started at George’s Drum Shop, my retail store in Jackson Mississippi from 1985 - 1987. Joe Partridge was my right hand man there, doing minor repair and refurbishing jobs like taking the old wrap off of drums and re-wrapping them (actually burning the wrap off of the old volatile pre-OSHA drums - the more sadistic customers wanted to be called when we did that so they could come watch!) Joe would also drill holes to put new hardware on some of the customers’ drums. We didn’t actually build any drums at that store, per se, just sold typical name brand drums and repaired then. Joe and I would start building drums separately in the years after that first shop .closed. But, I had some foil stickers made that looked like drum badges with the name of the store and a cool looking drum. So that was as far as we got with the drum building in those first years - badges!
Read moreFrankie Banali dead at 68
Not being a “metal guy”, I am not very familiar with Frankie’s drumming. As I search around the internet for some insight into Frankie Banali’s drumming and history - something more than the Rolling Stone or Billboard obituaries -I ran across this quote on DrummerWorld.com. “I remember him telling me that his day wasn't complete if he didn't listen to Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes or Tony Williams. He was a huge jazz fan, which many people may not know.” Frankie
Read moreRIP Charli Persip
Charli Persip, whose career as a leading jazz drummer included close associations with Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston and many others — along with nearly 40 years at the helm of his own big band, SuperSound — died at Mt. Sinai Morningside in New York City on Sunday.He was 91. His daughter, Jean Elliott, confirmed his death.
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs' Back In Time - Sound Effects, Episode 5 - Railroad Imitation with Bill Ludwig III
As a drum historian, Kelli has been collecting vintage and antique drum equipment, method books, photographs, and literature, creating a fine collection of resource material for a deeper understanding of the role her peers from 100 years ago played in the development of the drum set and how those innovations shaped the music we all listen to today. To help document her research, she has created a series of videos that address specific historical drum equipment.
Drum History Podcast: Episode 5 - Long Live The Speed King with Vincent Leef
Vincent Leef of Vitalizer Drums (formerly Polyphonic) is keeping the legacy alive by restoring Speed Kings and making them play like new. He shares the whole story of the pedal with us in this episode - from the journey through world war 2 through the 60's and 70's with Bonham and Ringo to its decline in the 2000's, and finally the current revitalization
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
So, I just received an email notice from Reverb.com about their selling fee increase from 3.5% to 5% on August 4, 2020. If you weren’t aware of it, Reverb was sold to Etsy for 275 million a year ago.
Read moreSung and Unsung Heroes: Meytal Cohen
n 2015, with the help of a crowdfunding campaign, Meytal was able to release her first album, “Alchemy” which peaked at number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.
Read more1929-30 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5 x 14 DeLUXE ENGRAVED STANDARD-SENSITIVE MODEL
--For those of you that are not familiar with 1920s-30s “Sensitive” models, all that you have to remember is that the “Sensitive” mechanism is the set of snares that are internal and under the top head with the exception of the New Era-Sensitive that has two sets of internal Sensitive mechanisms.
Read more1940-41 Super Gene Krupa Radio King [1st Clamshell strainer] 8 x14
This is an 8“ x 14“ Slingerland Model 156 Super Gene Krupa Radio King snare drum in Black Diamond Pearl. Very special thanks to Brooks Tegler for his wonderful document explaining everything about this drum! Also, thanks to Mark Cooper of coopersvintagedrums.com; a great, educational vintage drum site.
Read moreThe Latin Clave* Demystified
It's difficult these days (maybe even impossible) to turn on a music station and not hear a Latin clave pattern. Dig deeper and you'll find clave rhythms or some derivative just about everywhere: the clave 'clap' of hip-hop, the bossa bass drum in Rosanna, the venerable Bo Diddly beat … it's all clave.
Read moreJoe Corsello: Remembering Tony Williams
In September of 1964, I was admitted to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where I began my musical studies with some amazing teachers, one being Alan Dawson.
Read moreOne of the Rarest Stands at Studio 3T
I never saw one of these in person and I never imagined I would ever own one, I’ve been looking for years.
Well, one popped up online and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Mike Clark: Words of Wisdom - chapter 22
“I went to a Steve Gadd clinic at The Drum Hang the other day and found him to be a very open and nice cat… Not defiled like yours truly - but hey, I'm workin' on it!”
Read more1960s Gretsch Progressive Jazz Set
“I like the smaller bass drums, although I look better behind a larger one. It's all bout the look, you know. Ringo looked good behind a 20" bass drum, but Abe Laboriel Jr. would not look good behind a 20" bass drum.”
Read moreJoe Porcaro passes away at age 90.
“The Porcaro Family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Patriarch, Joe Porcaro. Surrounded by his wife Eileen and his family, Joe passed peacefully in his sleep on July 6 at 11:37 PM. Please allow a few days before reaching out with phone calls and texts. Given the enormous amount of people who Joe considered family and whose lives Joe has impacted, it would be overwhelming to respond just now. Please know that we so appreciate your love, thoughts, friendship and can’t wait to celebrate his amazing life with all of you."
Read moreFamous Steam Bent Single Ply Shells and Builds
These steam bent single ply shells are built by Evan Thomas. They are used in our LaScala and other models. They are also for sale to drum builders as raw shells with or without drilling and cutting of edges, hardware holes and snare beds. They are built in the one ply tradition of Slingerland Radio Kings and other modern high end one ply brands like Craviotto, Noble & Cooley, etc. We keep a good supply of curly maple shells. Many other woods can be used. Call us for available woods.
Read moreStudy drums with George Lawrence
I teach at at Memphis Drum Shop and at my home in East Memphis. Lessons cost $30 per half hour, and $60 per hour. Grade school and college students usually take half hour lessons. Pros and working drummers usually take hour lessons. I teach remotely via skype, zoom, face time, etc.
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs' Early Drum Set Video Series, Episode 4 - Horse and Livery Sound Effects with Bill Ludwig III
A series about the sound effect instruments used in silent films 100 years ago, at that time known as "moving pictures," with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs and special guest, William F Ludwig III. The
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