Leedy- Indianapolis
Ulysses G. Leedy was not a big man. He wore a size 6-1/2
shoe, but cast a giant shadow. One hundred and one years ago, he opened the
Leedy Manufacturing Company in my hometown- Indianapolis.
From then
until 1929 when he sold the company, Leedy and his employees built some of the
finest and most enduring percussion products in our history.
Leedy was
a pioneer in solid shell snare drums and built bass drums that were also one
piece. That alone is unheard of today.
The Ludwig & Ludwig Drum
Company started off marketing their own pedals and the complete Leedy line
before the Ludwigs built their own snare drum.
 Bill Ludwig
tried to convince U.G. that Leedy should have a metal snare. So he took a 6-1/2
X 13 German made drum, formerly owned by Tom Mills of Sousa fame, to the
Indianapolis factory to demonstrate it. Leedy said no, so the Ludwigs built one
themselves.
The rest is history. Ludwig went on to become world famous,
bigger than Leedy and incredibly well known for their metal shell snares.
If
you'd like to learn more about Leedy drums, 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. |
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