History of Premier Drums

A set of Premier drums is considered by many touring drummers to be essential.

Since being founded in 1922 in the Soho region of London by George Smith and Albert Della Porta, Premier has manufactured a wide variety of drums for international musicians, in genres ranging from classical music to heavy metal.

Early Years

The Premier percussion factory on Berwick Street in London opened during the height of the jazz age, and adapted their lines in the 1930s to include products for musical theater and recording studios. The "Console" system, which was similar to the drum racks used today, was popularized by American musicians like Chick Webb. In the 1940s and 50s, the company moved to Leicester, where it continued to produce products for big band and small group jazz musicians.

Innovation

In the 1960s and 70s, Premier began producing drums in a wider variety of colors, in addition to their trademark chrome, to account for the flair and musicianship of artists like Keith Moon of The Who and Ringo Starr of the Beatles. Premier drums were also embraced by artists from the punk and new wave movements, including the drummers from the Sex Pistols, The Jam, Blondie, Roxy Music and The Damned.

Endorsements

A wide variety of artists endorse Premier products today, ranging from Arnold Riedhammer, the snare drum player of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, to Julien Brown of Massive Attack. Other celebrity drummers who endorse the Premier lines are Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden, Philip Selway of Radiohead, and Joe Nunez of Soulfly.

References

• Premier Music International Limited: An Unrivaled History
• Vintage Drum Guide: Vintage Premier Drum History