DRUMMER CAFE

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

Click here to see a slide show In Memoriam.

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 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.

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

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

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

R.I.P.

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'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. 

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.

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.