Introduced in late 70's as a budget drum kit replacing the Standard, and the first drums made in the, then new, Monroe, NC plant. The Chicago factory was closed around 1985 and all US Ludwig production then went to NC. They were 4 ply shells, 6 or 7 mm thick and made of poplar and birch. The same shell was eventually used on the higher priced Super Classics. There were also two versions...Rocker and Rocker II. Rocker had the same lugs as the Classic line along with good solid bass drum spurs and tom holder. Rocker II used the standard 1969 lug and cheaper thinner hardware. It also had a grey flecked paint finish inside the drum so that less visually appealing pieces of wood could be used there.

Timeline as follows.....

The Rocker Series from 1984 - 1994 had 4ply shells with clear laquer inside.
The Rocker-II-Series from 1984 - 1994 had 4ply shells with coated grey laquer inside.
The Rocker Series from 1994 - 1998 was taiwan-made and inferior with pearl-type tom holders.
From 1996 on the Rocker Series was updated. The drums had mini-classic lugs and had new shells made of poplar, birch and maple. The series was divided in rocker, rocker elite.... to todays rocker birch series.

The clear lacquer interior is also the better drum by far.