Premier Drums

The company was founded in 1922 as the Premier Drum Company by London drummer Albert Della Porta and drum builder George Smith. At first, the company produced drum kits for wholesalers, who then would sell them as their own, but Premier soon began producing drums under its own name. Premier soon began producing symphonic percussion, marching percussion, and cymbals in addition to drum kits. The company's name was changed to Premier Percussion in 1984 following a management buyout. In 1989, Premier was bought by Yamaha, which owned the company until 1995. During this period, Limited was appended to the company name. Today, Premier continues to produce drum kits, marching percussion, and symphonic percussion (including timpani and mallet percussion).Notable artists:Keith Moon - The Who/ Mitch Mitchell - The Jimi Hendrix Experience/ Nick Mason - Pink Floyd (live 1966-69, studio 1966-75)/ Steve Barney - Annie Lennox and Sugababes/ John Panozzo - Styx (1970-early 1979)/ Phil Collins - Genesis and solo (1974-82)/ Chris Dangerous - The Hives/ Paul Doucette - matchbox twenty/ Ginger Fish - Marilyn Manson/ Martin Lopez - Opeth/ Nicko McBrain - Iron Maiden/ Scott Phillips - Alter Bridge/ Phil Selway - Radiohead/ Tommy Portimo - Sonata Arctica/ Chris Sharrock - Robbie Williams/ Matthew Slodowy - S-Control/ Thomas 'Thomen' Stauch - Blind Guardian/Savage Circus/ Clem Burke - Blondie/ Matthew "Matt" Helders - Arctic Monkeys