March 23, 2008 | 3 Comments

William F. Ludwig II Has Died

The guy that put the Ludwig drum company on the map died yesterday at the age of 91. From the press release:

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.

[via drummercafe.com]

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3 Responses to “William F. Ludwig II Has Died”

  1. Reply
    Jim Lackey
    March 27, 2008 at 12:55 pm #

    From 1960 to 1963 and a half, I was the drummer with the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Ray McKinley. The Miller estate was an endorser of Ludwig drums and when the band was in Chicago and we needed drum equipment, it was part of my “job” to go to the Ludwig factory on North Damen Avenue and pick up what we needed in the way of Ludwig drum equipment. For that period of time, I got to know Bill Ludwig through my visits to the company and only now that he is no longer with us, I think back and remember what a grand human being Mr. Ludwig was. Not only to me, but to the many Ludwig endorsers throughout the world. I live now just 14 miles from the Ludwig factory in Monroe, North Carolina, and I think of Mr. Ludwig each and every time I pass the company.

    “Bill” will be missed. God bless.

    Jim Lackey
    Charlotte, North Carolina

    • Reply
      Bekah Lundin
      October 14, 2010 at 7:02 am #

      Sorry to hear of this loss, Jim–in your “line of work,” Bill, it seems, should be GREATLY missed!
      –In my prayers–God Bless!
      –Bekah

  2. Reply
    SFL
    March 27, 2008 at 5:56 pm #

    <p>Thanks for sharing your story, Jim. It’s one of many we’ve heard during the last few days about the great man. For some others, BDT readers should also see this thread on Drummerworld: http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36803#post422122</p&gt;

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