Every month it seems I receive letters at Modern Drummer or e-mails at the Drum Center with pictures or descriptions of Leedy drums. That makes me feel really good because players and collectors are discovering and rediscovering what had been the first successful American drum manufacturer.

Leedy became overshadowed by Ludwig and Slingerland after U.G. Leedy sold the company, but for a 30 year period, Leedy was definitely the "King of Drums".

In fact, had it not been for two key events, there may never have been a Ludwig Drum Company. Bill Ludwig, Sr. was a Leedy dealer and he built a practical bass drum pedal because his Leedy over the top model couldn't move fast enough. But secondly, Bill was impressed with a brass Sonor snare that he got from a pawnshop where Tom Mills had sent it. Mills had been with Sousa's band.

Bill took the drum to U.G. Leedy and asked him to make a Leedy version, but U.G. believed in solid wood shelled snares and said no. Bill went back to Chicago and had a copy made. I bet that was the last time Ulysses Leedy told Bill Ludwig no.

Leedy drums were state of the art, and except for fragile strainers in the Indianapolis period, they look and sound great today.

It's nice to see Leedy triumphant. Their drums are worth discovering. So, get one before they're all gone.

Your can learn more about Leedy Drums by ordering my book The Great American Drums ! E-mail us today or call our order line at (888) 594-3786 and we'll make arrangements to send you an autographed copy.