For a five year period (1964-69), I think Rogers arguably, built the finest drums in the world. Their raw materials were as good as those from their major competitors but Rogers engineering and inventiveness made the Ohio company a real champion.

When CBS bought the company in the spring of 1966, I suppose the seeds of doom were planted. It was the height of the Beatle craze and top management at CBS wanted a drum company to go with Fender, another acquisition. Luckily for guitarists, that company was saved and lives today.

The Rogers Manufacturing was moved in 1969 to Fullerton, California, home of Fender. And for the next dozen or so years, drums were made using the now traditional Rogers look. The holders changed, the logo was replaced by a big R and the lugs became very lightweight. Shells went from five to eight and sometimes three plies before the two final insults.

Sales were falling, so Rogers executives hired Yamaha to bring out the R-360 and R-380 sets in the early 80's. They didn't look like Rogers, the didn't sound like Rogers and they mostly didn't sell either. It was as if Mercedes built an inferior car and still put their name on it. The Rogers management was incensed that Yamaha then released clones of the 360 and 380 for less money.

The last insult occurred in the late 80's when Fender leased the name to Island Music in New York. They had 9 ply drums built in Taiwan that looked like real Rogers. They weren't and the company folded. Fender then sold the name Rogers to Spitzer Music in California.

As is said in the musical Camelot, "there was a shining moment" and it was called Rogers.

You can learn more about Rogers in my book for Modern Drummer entitled The Great American Drums ! You can order the book through any music store or you can e-mail me and I'll send you an autographed copy.