Little Camco- So Good...
The beautiful Leedy shells and hoops found new life with
George Way Drums in little Elkhart, Indiana, before the company was taken over
by a Chicago-area machine shop known as Camco.
Camco made a number of
what were then called accessories- pedals, snare stands, cymbal stands. Their
products were sold by Way and by Rogers and through dealers.
By 1961,
control of George Way's manufacturing went to Camco in Oaklawn, Illinois. John
Rochon, their president, had the drum making equipment sent over. And user the
watchful eye of longtime Leedy employee George Lewan, Camco became a world-class
drum builder.
Using the Leedy and Way designs and heritage, some
Walberg tom holders and finishes that were like those from other companies (as
well as one proprietary plastic wrap called 3D Moire), Camco built drums that
are still revered.
If you'd like to learn more about Camco and other
vintage drum companies, I invite you to order my book from Modern Drummer called
"The Great American Drums". It's only $19.95
plus shipping and I'll send you an autographed copy. |
|
