drums

Henry Adler helped define the percussion industry with his music publishing company, drum shop and method books.  His amazing life in music began as a drummer during the big band era.  His many gigs and one nighters gained the attention of a friend who encouraged Henry to open a drum studio and music studio in the heart of New York City.  The Henry Adler Music Store near Time Square was an important resource for drummers, both those playing in town and those traveling.  He est

 John Aldridge has become one of the leading experts on the history of drums, percussion companies, and their products.  As a publisher and editor, John established the magazine “Not So Modern Drummer” and dedicated its pages to the vintage drum, the history of which otherwise might have been lost.  John has been instrumental in preserving important percussive collections and documentation to ensure the material could be accessed by those interested.  John’s NAMM Oral History interview was

Billy Ashbaugh remembers with a smile his first drum kit as a kid and the desire to play professionally almost from the very beginning. He learned the ropes as a sub drummer and studio player before landing the gig as drummer for the boy super-group N’Sync. The explosive popularity of the group’s tours and recordings provided Billy with the opportunity to present clinics and classes to inspiring drummers around the world.
 

Robert Beals was just a young man when he first met Chick Evans. The two worked to perfect and promote Mr. Evan’s idea of a synthetic drumhead in the 1950s. Up until that time, drumheads were made from cow skin, which presented several problems. With the skin drumheads, any change in temperature could greatly affect the sound and they would often fade out of tune. Soon after the Evan’s Company was formed, a young Remo Belli, who at the time was a jazz drummer in Los Angeles, purchased several of the early products.

John H. Beck has an amazing talent for explaining the art of music making, not just teaching music, but providing meaning to the student in ways that fuel their passion.  As the principal timpanist for the Rochester Philharmonic and a well-respected professor at the Eastman School of Music, John H. Beck has made a lasting contribution to the music industry during his long career.  As a promoter of school programs, he oversaw important changes as president of the Percussive Arts Society that lead to more hands-on programs and demonstrations for students.

Remo Belli revolutionized the music products industry by introducing the Weather King, the single most popular drumhead in the world! As a jazz drummer, Remo was looking for ways to improve the percussive products he was using. Once his team of chemists found the perfect formula, Remo took it around to his many drummer friends to test the product out. Remo has also pioneered the use of music and wellness with his dear friend Karl Bruhn and a wave of instruments aimed at getting all ages involved with music and music making.

Louie Bellson was one of the World's premier drummers and listed in every jazz encyclopedia. Even with great success, he remained humble and one of the true gentlemen of American popular music. With his noted double bass drum kit, a series of method books, and respected clinics, Louie made a major impact on the music products industry. Over the decades Louie has been an endorsee and performer at the NAMM show and served as vice president at REMO, Inc.

Rob Birenbaum has always had a love for percussion. As a drummer he enjoyed playing the instrument and found equal satisfaction in selling percussion instruments and related accessories when he formed Drum Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. The store became a hub for percussionists and created a strong customer base from around the world long before email and the Internet. Rob played a vital role within the industry and for decades has been a strong supporter and contributor to the Percussive Arts Society’s annual conference known as PASIC.  

Brady Blade was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to the pastor of the Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Brady Blade Sr. and his wife Dorothy. At an early age Brady Jr. began playing music in the church and at community events, developing a passion for a wide range of musical styles. He worked for several recording labels before touring with Emmylou Harris in 1995 with the Spyboy Band. The group released a self-titled album three years later and toured around the world.

Hal Blaine is perhaps the most recorded drummer from the California recording studios of the 1950s-'70s.  His influential style can be heard on more than 170 number one hit songs and 450 tunes that made the top 40 on the charts during those decades.  His beat can be heard on hundreds of albums by artists ranging from the Beach Boys and Elvis Presley to the Carpenters and Barbra Streisand.  As a creative performer, Hal became one of the early studio players to gain such notoriety that he was asked to endorse drum kits, heads and sticks.