DRUMMER CAFE - Community Forum

William F. Ludwig II 1916-2008 It is with deep regret that we report the passing of the patriarch of the Ludwig Drum Company, William F. Ludwig II, respectfully known as “The Chief.” Bill was 91 years old and has been in declining health for a few years. The Chief passed from this Earth to his position as principal timpanist in heaven’s orchestra on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008. We can hear that thunderous roll now. Bill Ludwig lived a long and productive life and was a mentor to so many percussionists and the music industry. He was a true leader that developed so many percussion products and marketing concepts to promote music and percussion education and further along the advancement of percussion instruments and performance throughout the world. We are so blessed to have known and worked with this powerhouse of a man for his vision, dedication and passion for percussion. It is said that the greatest legacy that anyone can leave in this world is “making a difference.” Well, Bill Ludwig made a difference in our world of drums and percussion that is legendary and we are all the heirs to his accomplishments. Thank you Chief. You inspired us to carry on from here. You will be missed, but always remembered and honored. Respectfully, Jim Catalano - Ludwig

(http://www.drummercafe.com/images/forum/BillLudwigJr.jpg)

Click here (http://www.drummercafe.com/content/view/195/103/) to see a slide show In Memoriam.

 :'(   Sad news.  RIP.  My condolences to his friends and family.

I'll make it a point to play my Supra tonight.


Dan

Wow, 91...living to be that age is an accomplishment in itself. But being the leader of a huge musical instrument company at the same time is something even more special.

R.I.P.

I have many fond memories of my former boss. 

The Ludwig facility in Chicago was a combination of new factory space and old factory space.  The old space was a confusing maze of halls, stairs, and rooms that led to other rooms.  You never knew when or where Bill Jr might pop up on the shop floor.  Sometimes he'd just walk into meetings, listen for a bit, then walk out.  He seemed to be everywhere, enjoying the "Management by Walking Around" philosophy.

Always in good spirits, always a nice guy, I had many pleasant chats with him while employed by Ludwig/Musser.  He even came out to hear me play a couple of times.  He brought Buddy Rich, Gary Burton, Lionel Hampton, and Ruth Underwood into my office and personally introduced me to them.  I thought he might do cartwheels of pride & joy in the hall when Buddy and Ed Shaughnessy switched to Ludwig drums!  I'll never forget those moments.

You often hear it said of people who have passed that their spirit will remain with us, or that their work will carry on.  Truer words were never spoken of Bill Ludwig, Jr.  His legacy - and quite literally,  his name - are out there forever etched in the minds of countless drummers around the world.

I had the good fortune of meeting "Deuce" while visiting Chicago back in the later '70's.  I had arranged to visit the factory for a tour and was able to spend some time face to face with Mr. Ludwig in his office.  I remember him being very concerned that many schools were cutting music programs and he was trying to develop programs to insure that there would be future customers for the Ludwig Drum Company!  Well, that evening while attending a concert of the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia (the symphony's summer performance venue),  I spotted Ludwig at intermission where he invited me to join him for the remainder of the concert in his box seats and was quite concerned that I had transportation and even offered to have his limo take me back home!  I gracefully declined as I did have my car, but was just overwhelmed by his generosity.

the only full kit i've got these days is a 13/16/22 w/ a 5" supra from the early 70s.  i've had it for 21 years and it sounds GREAT; my folks bought it used in the neighborhood for $100 for me for my 10th birthday.  i've grown up w/ ludwig- my best to the family and employees.  Ludwig is a part of America!

It's hard to actually put a value on how big an impact that the Ludwig family and brand had on drumming history, nationally and internationally. Remembering that the first huge surge in drumming came after Ringo and the Beatles came to the U.S. - with Ludwig drums at the forefront. As important as the Beatles and Ringo were to this movement, the thread that seemed to permeate the drum community at that time was the Ludwig drum line.

In my early years of drumming I was always enamored, infatuated and excited by any of the 'Big 4' companies, Rogers, Slingerland, Gretsch and mostly - Ludwig. I remember the feeling I got from picking up a catalog at a local music store and then spending hours looking at all of the drum eye candy that was presented. In my area (suburban South Florida) there was one guy who became a celebrity by virtue of owning an Octa-Plus drum set. This was Ludwig's huge single headed tom-festival of a drum kit, way before the Pearts and Portnoy's arrived on the scene. The guy really didn't play that much but I felt privileged to be invited to his house to just sit for a couple of minutes behind this behemoth and try to play something ( I was 12 or 13 I think).

Even though the OctaPlus set was an embarassment of riches, any Ludwig set was one I enjoyed looking at, thinking about and eventually playing. In high school my folks bought me a used silver sparkle Ludwig set w/ 12, 16, 20 config and a garden variety Supraphonic snare. It was my first pro set and I spent hours on it. Later in high school for graduation, my folks bought me a Ludwig double bass kit with 22,24, 13,14,18 config. This was to be my 'hard rock kit' since that's what I had gravitated to. I played on that set for several years before going to a Slingerland 4 pc when I started playing jazz quite a bit.

I remember Ludwig because it was woven into so many of my experiences as a young drummer. I even remember seeing pics of William Ludwig senior standing next to Bill Ludwig II. I remember when the Speed King pedal ruled.

Thank you Chief. May the legacy continue.

Jim

Great post Dave and Adam's Dad.

Yes, the first real kit I ever sat behind was a ludwig octaplus in yellow vistalite.  It was like being taken into an alien spaceship, a Borg ship as it were and I was "assimilated" right there.

Ludwig is an American Icon.  It seems they are more coveted abroad than here although my best friend has always been crazy for them and just got a beatle's reissue kit.

RIP..

My dad played some gigs in NYC on his Ludwig Kit back in '30s.. I broke the head on the snare as a kid decades later (peak of my drumming career). I still have that head (gig dates and comments written on it), wish I had saved the kit instead.

John Roberts

I played on Ludwig drums through my school days, my Army band days, then while in the Army I bought my own Ludwig set. I had that set about 8-10 years. Mod Orange, wish I would have never sold them. I loved that set....All of us old guys knew of him a long time ago.... RIP 

Although its unfortunate he has passed, he lived a great long life.  We all know how well he did for the company when the torch was passed to him.  And now the torch goes to his successor.  I celebrate his life rather than his death and his passion for the Ludwig legacy and name.  Ive been a faithful Ludwig user for nearly 35 years.  From day one.  And Ill always be a Ludwig lover until its my turn to pass on.  I have in my Will to be buried with my favorite Supraphonic.  Although I never met Mr. Deuce, but I will on the other side 8)

R.I.P.

Read this article (http://www.pas.org/About/HOF/ludwig.cfm) by J. J. Rusch who quotes Bill Ludwig Jr. regarding his 1993 PAS Hall of Fame induction. I think Mr. Ludwig definitely felt that he had lived a full life.

I have fond memories of William F. Ludwig II, starting back in 1981 when I attended The Tenth International Percussion Symposium, presented by Ludwig Industries. I met Mr. Ludwig for the first time ... and it was here where I made contact with Alan Dawson and other great drummers and percussionists.

AS A YOUNG BOY STARTING OUT DRUMMING I WAS ABLE TO BORROW A LUDWIG SNARE STUDENT KIT (IN 1968) AND I SAID, "COOL MAN...."  I HAVE NEVER CHANGED THAT EMOTION WHEN IT COMES TO THE "CHIEF'S PRODUCTS AND HIS LEGACY. I"LL HAVE A SHEEPISH GRIN THIS SUMMER WHEN I HEAR THE THUNDER RUMBLE A WONDERFULL TYMPANIC TONE...NO DOUBT MR.LUDWIG CALLING TO ASSEMBLY GODS DRUMLINE. MISSING YOU SIR. R.I.P.

I am sorry to hear the loss of any Ludwig family member, including the one that is holding the Ludwig name proud, William. My thoughts go to his family and friends, gods speed to you all. I still own my Vistalite set and no matter when I've thought about selling it, something stopped me. I think it's because I've met no other set that made that sound or commanded that kind of attention. Hell, I didn't even bother to mike them in most situations. Okay so I hit harder than most, but what other set takes the beating? Ludwig drums are my number 1, and I thank William, his ancestors, and future heirs for keeping the art of drumming alive. R.I.P.  Sincerely, Edward Rowedda

I'm currently working on an In Memoriam for William F. Ludwig II ... scheduled for the next episode of Drummer Cafe TV.

I was literally just working on the segment when the Drummer Cafe phone line rang. I looked at the caller ID and it read: Bill Ludwig.  :o

I froze for a few seconds. My brain had a hard time wrapping around what was going on, especially since I was just working on the tribute. Anyway, I answered the phone and had a nice conversation with Bill Ludwig III. He was calling to thank everyone for the kind words about his dad. He's going to write something for me to post here at the Drummer Cafe.

One thing I forgot to mention from my phone conversation with Bill Ludwig III is that he now owns Not So Modern Drummer Magazine. He purchased the magazine from John Aldridge (who has stayed on as editor), two years ago. I didn't know all of this until just today.

I spent this past week creating a 7-minute video IN MEMORIAM for Mr. Ludwig. I'll be showing it all this week on DCTV (http://www.drummercafe.tv).

Thanks to Rob Cook for supplying a number of the photos and content for my documentary.

I'm dedicating this week's episode of DCTV (http://www.drummercafe.tv) to William F. Ludwig II and Stu Nevitt.

Great job on the CafeTV, Bart. I thought last week's Billy Ward show couldn't be topped, but it just keeps getting better!

What a great tribute to a great man.

Bart, I commend you on the DrummerCafe TV special on William F. Ludwig II...the way his life story was told was especially brilliant and captivating, and the whole presentation was very organized.

I'm sure if William F. Ludwig II himself watched it, he'd love it.

And though this is off topic, the episode involving Billy Ward's performance and lesson on drum shells was nothing short of amazing. I was glued throughout that entire episode as well as the tribute to William F. Ludwig II.

Great Job! :)

As a kid i grew very familiar with the face of William F. Ludwig II gracing the pages of my cherished Ludwig catalogs. Ludwig drums will always be a special part of my life!. EVERY drumming favorite as a kid played Ludwig drums and when i got my first Ludwig kit i thought i had arrived. To be honest, when i see Ludwig kits today it takes me back to my younger days and i STILL feel that joy. Buddy, Carmine, Bonzo, Ringo, Caldwell, Ginger, etc etc Thank You William for some of the fondest moments and memories in my life. At the Gates of Heaven im positive William was tickled that God himself is a Ludwig player.

Just a final update ...

I've archived and created an In Memoriam page for William F. Ludwig II; view it HERE (http://www.drummercafe.com/content/view/195/103/).

Details regarding the upcoming memorial service:

I'll be airing my tribute video on DCTV one final time next week in conjunction with Mr. Ludwig's memorial. This same video is no archived permanently here at the Drummer Cafe | William F. Ludwig II - In Memoriam (http://www.drummercafe.com/content/view/195/103/).

Just one last reminder about the memorial service tomorrow at 11am CST.

I have a jazz gig tomorrow around that time here in Nashville, so I think I'll swap out my Gretsch snare for my Ludwig Acrolite.  8)

I'm planning to attend.

I attended the memorial service for William F. Ludwig II today.

The service was held at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, Il, a suburb just west of Chicago. The church was selected because it was where Mr. Ludwig and his wife Marguerite were married; it is where his children (son William F. Ludwig III, and daughter Brooke) were baptized and confirmed.  The Chief enjoyed playing tympani here on Easter Sunday.

The vestibule of the church contained a display of photos and many of the amazing rope-tensioned marching drums from Mr. Ludwig's collection.

Upon entering the church - which was quite filled - I was handed a program of the service, a  book of some of the remembrances friends and family sent to Bill III and Brooke, a copy of the obituary, and a 'prayer card' featuring a photo of The Chief and the following poem:


In a small loft above and left of the altar were the musicians: Organist, two trumpets, two trombones, and tympani.

Emotional remembrances were given by Brooke, Bill III, and Bill's young daughter Maggie Mae (The Chief's grand daughter).  Bill III got a laugh when he asked: "Are there any drummers in the room?"

Brooke told us her father was very patriotic (he served in the Navy).  He flew an American flag every day at their home.  And when new neighbors moved into the area, her dad would give them an American flag as a welcome gift and encourage them to erect a flag pole (she said many of them did exactly that).

The sending hymn Abide by Me featured the brass, tympani, and organist.  When that hymn ended, several drummers, led by Bill III, took up places at the front of the church with the rope drums we all saw when we entered, and paraded down the aisle single file playing the snare drum piece Three Camps.  The drummers arrived at the back of the church and took up positions across the back while continuing to play.

At the conclusion of Three Camps, with those in attendance facing the rear of the church, the trumpeters performed Taps from the loft at the front of the church.

This was quite an emotional, and at times, humorous service.  Very well planned, very well executed.  Fitting for The Chief.  I'm honored to have worked for him for the many years I was employed by Ludwig Drum Company, and I am equally honored to have had the opportunity to attend this memorial service.