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 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. 

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.