At the end of March 2022, I received a call for a proposal to be the musical director and drummer for a major production. I was surprised to learn that this production would take place on the Pacific Island of Guam.
Read moreA Brief, Mostly Factual History Of The Bass Drum
The trend toward smaller bass drums was driven as much by portability as sound. Elvin Jones settled on an 18" bass drum because it fit into a cab nicely (so I’ve heard).
Read moreEarly Apollo Snare Drum
In an effort to show what is less seen, I offer you another one of my favorites. This gold sparkle Apollo, which was made by Star in the early 1960’s
Read moreBenny Barth's Slingerland Radio King Drum Set
This is the story of a Slingerland Radio King drum kit that I spent many years piecing back together. It originally belonged to Benny Barth, a renowned jazz drummer from Indianapolis and one of the most influential drummers of his time.
Read moreSpotlight- Veteran jazz drummer Rich Thompson retires from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester
Drummer Rich Thompson recently announced his retirement from his 30 year career at Eastman School of Music. Rich has been in demand as a top call drummer in Rochester for the past 25 years.
Read more1933-34 Slingerland NOB Radio Model DuAlls
Slingerland purchased the patent from C. G. Conn in 1933. Ludwig & Ludwig sued Slingerland for patent infringement and Slingerland was forced to cease and desist any further manufacturing of the DuAll model along with having to pay for any DuAll models that were previously sold.
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
This is a game changer – the most obvious advancement being the drastically reduced weight.
Read moreJust a Small Town Doc
So you pack your bags, load up the drums and head for the big city -- just as countless other aspiring players have done. And you’re immediately faced with the more established players, the ones who really are the big fish in this bigger pond.
Read moreEdward Tucker’s Catalog Corner 1909 Leedy Insert: “Some More Good Things”
The insert highlighted in my column this month is one of the earliest known examples. It was actually in the 1909 Leedy edition as well as their 1910.
Read morePristine 1970 Ludwig "Hollywood" Drum Set - No Serial Number WMP
This set was born together and still with the one and only original owner whose parents purchased it for him brand spanking new in 1970. He played it for about a year with his cousin in a little band in his basement and never again after that. The set NEVER left his house and was NEVER played out. He also immaculately cared for it keeping it under cover.
Read more1938-40- SLINGERLAND 5x14 SEA GREEN PEARL RADIO KING MODEL
I got this *Clamshell Sea Green Pearl Radio King a few Chicago Shows ago from my good friend and fellow collector Joe Luoma.
Read moreLawrence Drums/Famous Drums
My second George’s Drum Shop was located in Copley Ohio starting in 2002 then moved to Cuyahoga Falls Ohio in 2006. I made and sold a lot of drum sets and snare drums during those years.
Read moreWhite Pearls of Japan
In the MIJ world there is a tendency to lump all the drums together. Some of it is from the old myths of them being made in the same factory or a shared factory, but in reality the connections between companies was very small, even the smallest common screw seem to be a little different. This even extends to the wraps, where similar, but not the same, seems to be the rule.
Read moreRick Drumm: Remembering Tony Williams
Between 1969 and 1971 my teacher Ed Shaughnessy introduced me to the music of drummer Tony Williams.
Read moreRaising The Bar
my life, apparently. It turned out to be a lick that I’ve been using for years. Useful, but hardly life changing ... and after such a great build-up.
Read moreSlingerland NOB Broadcaster and NOB Radio King
These two drums came from my good friend and fellow collector Mark Cooper. Mark passed away last year and I miss his friendship, sense of humor and the great drum deals that we did over the last 15+ years. I was able to get some great snare drums from Mark. Rest in peace my friend.
Read more10+ Years Waiting, 100+ Years in the Making, 1923 Harry Bower Snare
The drum is only one of two (one is in the drum museum in the Midwest) known in this style, and even these two are both different.
Read more100 Year Old Snare Drum Reclaims It’s Rightful Heritage!
I had purchased a 1920’s Ludwig & Ludwig White Enamel Professional model 5X14 snare drum from a US seller several months previous. From the photos provided before the time of sale, I knew this drum had seen better days
Read moreSonor announces 150th Anniversary Signature and Sonorlite drum sets
150 years of SONOR craftsmanship and innovation. To celebrate this milestone, we proudly present the 150th Anniversary SIGNATURE and SONORLITE Shell Sets
Read moreMystery Drum
I wonder if you can review the attached pictures. I will be sending a second email with more. I have a 26" Bass, 13, 14, and 16 toms and snare. I am trying to confirm the vintage and, in the case of the 13" small tom, determine if it is really a Radio King drum.
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