Premier (drum manufacturer)
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| Premier (drum manufacturer) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Premier |
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1922 |
| Founder | Albert Della Porta; George Smith |
| Headquarters | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England |
| Products | Drum kits, snare drums, marching percussion, hardware |
Premier (drum manufacturer)
Premier is a British percussion instrument maker founded in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in 1922. The company became known for drum kits, snare drums, marching percussion and hardware used in popular music, jazz, rock and military bands. Over decades Premier supplied instruments to recording studios, concert halls and marching units, contributing to developments adopted by manufacturers such as Ludwig Drum Company, Gretsch, Yamaha and Pearl.
History
Premier was established in 1922 by Albert Della Porta and George Smith in Huddersfield, following post‑World War I demand for manufactured musical instruments. During the interwar years the firm expanded production of drum kits for dance bands and broadcasting orchestras linked to BBC programming and West End theatres such as Palace Theatre and London Coliseum. In World War II Premier adapted to wartime shortages similar to Vickers-Armstrongs and other manufacturers, supplying marching drums and military side drums to units comparable to the Coldstream Guards and coastal defence bands. Postwar, Premier grew alongside British popular music scenes including the British Invasion, supplying instruments to clubs on Cavern Club and recording sessions at studios like Abbey Road Studios. The company weathered competition from American and Japanese firms during the 1960s–1980s and underwent ownership changes in the late 20th century paralleling consolidations seen at Fender and Roland.
Products and Innovations
Premier produced a broad range of percussion offerings: orchestral timpani for venues such as Royal Albert Hall, marching snare drums used by pipe bands affiliated with Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, and drum kits tailored for jazz artists performing with ensembles like Count Basie Orchestra or rock groups influenced by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Premier introduced shell construction variations including maple, birch and ply laminates reflecting practices at Gretsch and Ludwig, and developed hoop, lug and mounting hardware innovations akin to those from DW Drums and Sonor. The company produced signature snares and limited series reflecting trends from artists comparable to Buddy Rich, Ringo Starr, John Bonham and Ginger Baker, and created marching lines used in competitions governed by organizations like World Drum Corps and national associations similar to Royal Marines Band Service.
Manufacturing and Facilities
Premier’s primary workshops were historically located in Huddersfield and at times in nearby factories reflecting regional manufacturing clusters in West Yorkshire similar to textile and engineering firms in Bradford and Leeds. The Huddersfield facility incorporated woodworking, metalwork and plating shops staffed by skilled tradespeople with backgrounds comparable to artisans who worked for Singer Corporation and BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Company). Supply chains linked Premier to timber sources from regions like Scandinavia and hardware vendors operating in industrial hubs similar to Sheffield. Over time, production techniques integrated CNC machining, lacquer finishing and plating processes used across the musical instrument industry by companies such as Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing.
Artist Endorsements and Notable Users
Premier instruments were endorsed and played by artists across genres. Early jazz and big band drummers performing with bands like Duke Ellington and Count Basie used Premier and comparable kit makers. In British rock, drummers associated with scenes around Liverpool and Manchester have been photographed with Premier sets in venues like The Cavern Club and recording facilities such as Trident Studios. Marching and pipe band communities, including competitors in the World Pipe Band Championships, have used Premier marching drums. Session drummers recording at studios like Abbey Road Studios and performers on television programs comparable to Top of the Pops have included Premier users. Educational partnerships extended to institutions akin to Royal Northern College of Music and regional youth music organizations.
Corporate Ownership and Business Development
Throughout its history Premier underwent ownership transitions and strategic partnerships similar to trends at Yamaha and Fender. Corporate restructuring and licensing agreements reflected the broader musical instrument sector’s responses to globalization, competition from manufacturers in Japan and consolidation seen with conglomerates like Yamaha and Kawai. Business development included export strategies targeting markets in United States, Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations, and product diversification paralleling moves by companies such as Roland into electronic percussion.
Legacy and Influence on Percussion Music
Premier’s legacy lies in instrument designs, artist relationships and contributions to British popular music, marching traditions and studio recording practices. Its drums appear in photographic archives alongside musicians from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and jazz figures linked to New York City and London. Pedagogical influence extends through drumlines and educational programs echoing curricula at conservatoires like Royal Academy of Music and community ensembles tied to municipal arts initiatives. Premier’s historic models are sought by collectors and museums documenting 20th‑century musical instrument manufacturing, comparable to collections at institutions such as Victoria and Albert Museum and Museum of Making, Barmouth.
Category:Percussion instrument manufacturers Category:Manufacturing companies of England