Premier Percussion

Premier Percussion, South Wigston (2005)

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Premier Percussion (2005)

]]In the 1920s and 1930s, Premier developed a full range of percussion instruments, including snare drums, timpani, xylophones and drum kits for dance bands and theatres. The company also entered the military market with side and bass drums for pipe and regimental bands. Premier was known for its distinctive finishes and trap console hardware, and its early adoption of chromium plating. By 1937, it had launched its Olympic line as a budget alternative.[3]

During the Second World War, Premier’s factory in Park Royal was destroyed in the Blitz. The company pivoted to war production, making parts for radar and anti-tank weaponry, and relocated to Wigston, near Leicester, where it remained post-war.[3]

The post-war period

Early Drum Kits and Outfits (1920s – 1930s)

Premier's early drum kits, referred to as "Combination Outfits," were developed during the 1920s for use in dance halls, theaters, and cinemas. These sets typically featured a bass drum outfitted with traps, a snare drum, temple blocks, and cymbals mounted on a rolling console. Early Premier kits often included telescopic bass drum pedals and hand-tuned tom-toms, designed for the needs of silent film accompanists and vaudeville performers.[3]

By the mid-1920s, the company was producing fully branded kits under the Premier name, having transitioned from supplying other firms. Premier’s catalogues from this era show an increasing standardisation of configurations, including features like factory-painted bass drum heads and matching snares. These were marketed toward both professional drummers and export buyers, reflecting the company's early ambition to reach global markets.[3]

Premier's aesthetic designs became distinctive during this period, offering decorative finishes such as ebony or ivory veneers and the use of

Early Professional Snare Drums (1920s–1930s)

Premier’s earliest professional snare drums were developed for theatre and orchestral players. By the mid-1920s, the company was producing its own branded models, including the Premier Deluxe and Popular lines, which featured metal or wooden shells with internal dampening systems and engraved finishes. Snares from this era were available in ebony, ivory, and porcelain coatings, and were equipped with hand-tensioned hoops and throw-offs.[3]

Regimental and Military Snares (1920s–1940s)

Premier also produced a wide range of rope-tension and rod-tension military snares, used by school cadet bands and British regiments. These drums featured decorative regimental crest art, deep wooden shells, and traditional leather-tensioned ropework. They were designed for durability and ceremonial use, forming part of Premier’s broader military and orchestral offerings.[3]

Royal Ace & Super Ace (1950s)

Early Pedal and Trap Designs (1920s–1930s)

Premier’s earliest hardware innovations were developed during the silent film and vaudeville era. Drum kits from the 1920s often included trap trays, temple blocks, and telescopic bass drum pedals. These were designed for theatre percussionists and featured collapsible mechanisms for portability. Early models like the Swingster and Gigster trap consoles offered mobile, steel-framed platforms for mounting multiple percussion accessories.[3]

Swingster and Gigster Consoles (1930s)

The Swingster and Gigster consoles were mobile trap setups that allowed drummers to mount temple blocks, cymbals, toms, and snares on a single frame. Constructed from stainless steel, these were among the first integrated percussion racks in British drum manufacturing. American bandleader Chick Webb was famously photographed with a Premier Swingster, showcasing its use in jazz big bands.[3]

Wonder Finishes and Crystalflash Wraps (1930s)

Family Ownership (1922–1983)

Premier was founded in 1922 by Albert Della Porta and George Smith. Albert’s brother Fred Della Porta joined shortly thereafter, establishing what would become a family-led company for over six decades. By the 1960s and 70s, Premier operated from a 100,000 sq ft facility in South Wigston, employing more than 450 staff and exporting to over 120 countries. The company earned the Queen’s Award to Industry in 1966.[7]

However, financial pressures mounted in the early 1980s. In 1984, Premier entered receivership. The company was subsequently rescued by a consortium led by the Royal Bank of Scotland.[7]

Management Buyout (1984–1987)

In the wake of the family’s exit, Premier underwent a management buyout and was restructured as Premier Percussion Ltd. This period marked efforts to modernise and stabilise the company’s finances, but challenges from global competition persisted.