The making of a drum company : the autobiography of William F. Ludwig II / edited by Rob Cook.
| Author/creator | Ludwig, William F. |
| Other author | Cook, Rob, editor. |
| Format | Book |
| Publication Info | Alma, MI : Rebeats Publications, ©2001. |
| Description | 113 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm |
| Subjects |
| Portion of title | Autobiography of William F. Ludwig II |
| Contents | Family heritage -- Childhood -- Culver Military Academy -- Conn acquires Ludwig & Ludwig -- Interlochen Music Academy -- International Marimba Symphony Orchestra -- WFL. Beginnings ; First year results ; Engineering & sales ; Financial results, 1939-1941 ; Clinic tours ; Shell construction in the 1930s and 1940s ; Wood shop ; Machine shop ; Final assembly -- World War II. Military service ; Wartime production ; Postwar rebuilding -- Midwest band clinic -- Buddy Rich -- Government timpani contracts -- Plant expansion -- Marriage -- Buying the Ludwig name back -- Dick Schory -- Joe Morello -- Plastic drum heads -- Export market exploration -- Beatles -- Bill Crowden -- Growth and expansion in the 1960s -- N.A.R.D. (National Association of Rudimental Drummers) -- Vistalite -- Union negotiations, sabotage -- Economic and endorser changes of the 1970s -- Thoughts of the company's future -- The Selmer years -- Lecture presentation: A History of American Drumming -- Family photos. |
| Abstract | The Ludwig Drum Company was the world's largest drum company in the 1920s under founder William F. Ludwig, and again in the 1960s under his son. This autobiography by William F. Ludwig II begins with his childhood recollections of home life and his father's drum factory. As a teenager, Mr. Ludwig became the national rudimental champion and member of the famous International Marimba Symphony Orchestra. Taking time out for distinguished wartime military service, the author helped his father start a second drum company, W.F.L. Restoration of the family name to the business, Total Percussion, The Beatles, N.A.R.D., selling the company to Selmer, and his active lecture career since all these topics are addressed here in captivating detail, in the words of William F. Ludwig II. |
| General note | Includes index. |
| ISBN | 1888408057 |