Premier

Premier

Also known as: Premier Drums, Premier Percussion

Unclaimed

Premier is a British drum and percussion manufacturer founded in 1922 by Albert Della Porta and George Smith in a basement workshop on Berwick Street in London's Soho. The company grew from repairing and building drums for other firms into one of the UK's most significant drum makers, pioneering innovations such as plastic drumheads, the modern hi-hat stand design, and the Resonator "shell-with...

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Premier is a British drum and percussion manufacturer founded in 1922 by Albert Della Porta and George Smith in a basement workshop on Berwick Street in London's Soho. The company grew from repairing and building drums for other firms into one of the UK's most significant drum makers, pioneering innovations such as plastic drumheads, the modern hi-hat stand design, and the Resonator "shell-within-a-shell" construction. By the 1960s, Premier operated from a large factory in Leicester, employed over 450 staff, and exported to more than 120 countries.

Premier's product range spans drum kits, snare drums, hardware, orchestral percussion, and pipe band instruments. Notable kit lines include the flagship Elite and Genista series for professional players, the Artist range for intermediate drummers, and the Revolution series for beginners. The company's snare drums — particularly the Premier 2000, introduced in 1966 — have earned a strong reputation. Other historically significant lines include the Olympic budget kits, the Signia maple series, and the Heritage vintage-style drums.

Premier kits and snares have been played by some of the most recognizable drummers in popular music, including Keith Moon of The Who, Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Mitch Mitchell of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, Phil Collins of Genesis, Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden, Philip Selway of Radiohead, Brad Wilk of Rage Against the Machine, Clem Burke of Blondie, and Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys.

Premier has 64 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Drum Sets, Snare Drums, and Drum Set Accessories. Their gear is featured by 47 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Electronic. Notable users include Rick Buckler, Keith Moon, and Ringo Starr.

Artists Who Use Premier

Rick Buckler uses 7 Premier products

Rick Buckler

Drummer · The Jam

Keith Moon uses 5 Premier products

Keith Moon

Drummer · The Who

Ringo Starr uses 4 Premier products

Ringo Starr

Singer, Drummer · The Beatles

Ginger Fish uses 2 Premier products

Ginger Fish

Drummer · Marilyn Manson

Danny Gottlieb uses 2 Premier products

Danny Gottlieb

Drummer, Music Producer · Pat Metheny Group

Jonny Greenwood uses 1 Premier product

Jonny Greenwood

Guitarist · Radiohead

Thom Yorke uses 1 Premier product

Thom Yorke

Singer, Guitarist · Radiohead

Jimi Hendrix uses 1 Premier product

Jimi Hendrix

Guitarist · The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Link Wray uses 1 Premier product

Link Wray

Singer, Guitarist

Phil Collins uses 1 Premier product

Phil Collins

Singer, Drummer · Genesis

Mike Oldfield uses 1 Premier product

Mike Oldfield

Guitarist, Bassist · The Sallyangie

John Dyer Baizley uses 1 Premier product

John Dyer Baizley

Guitarist, Singer · Baroness

Roger Meddows Taylor uses 1 Premier product

Roger Meddows Taylor

Singer, Guitarist · Queen

Matt Helders uses 1 Premier product

Matt Helders

Singer, Drummer · Arctic Monkeys

Larry Mullen, Jr. uses 1 Premier product

Larry Mullen, Jr.

Drummer · U2

Philip Selway uses 1 Premier product

Philip Selway

Singer, Guitarist · Radiohead

Mitch Mitchell uses 1 Premier product

Mitch Mitchell

Drummer · The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Thomas Brenneck uses 1 Premier product

Thomas Brenneck

Guitarist, Music Producer · The Budos Band

Bill Bruford uses 1 Premier product

Bill Bruford

Drummer · King Crimson

Madonna Wayne Gacy uses 1 Premier product

Madonna Wayne Gacy

Keyboardist · Marilyn Manson

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