1500’s
1539 - Parade at Westminster of “Droumes and Fyffes”.
1542 - Henry VIII introduces large ‘kettledrums’.

1600’s
1610 - First drum march performed for Prince Harry.
1660 - Kettledrums in general use by the English Army.

1700’s
1742 - References to side or snare drums made in the Regiment of Footguards.

1800’s
1817 - Henry Potter & Co established by Samuel Potter in King Street, Westminster.
1838 - Samuel Potter dies, his son Henry takes over the business and relocates to Bridge Street, Westminster.
c.1852 – Hawkes & Sons (London) Limited formed.
1859 - George Potter, son of Henry Potter establishes George Potter & Co in Aldershot.
1872 - Barnet Samuel & Sons established on Worship Street, London.
1876 - Henry Potter dies.

1900’s
1905 – John Grey & Sons Drums launched by Barnet Samuel & Sons.
Deans & Son makers of Beverley Drums begin operations.

1910’s
1918 - Henry Potter & Co bought by George Potter & Co.
1919 - Rose, Morris & Co. Ltd established on Denmark Street, London.

1920’s
1922 – Premier Drums founded on 22nd October by Albert Della-Porta and George Smith. Production begins in a basement in Berwick Street, London making drums for JE Dallas & Sons.
Jedson Drums launched by JE Dallas & Sons in Drury Lane, London.
1924 – Fred Della-Porta joins Premier.
1925 – Premier cease supplying JE Dallas with Drums and market products under their own name. JE Dallas transfer production to AF Matthews.
1927 – Hawkes & Sons begin making Ajax drums.
1928 – Premier move to new premises on Silex Street, London.
First edition of ‘The Drummer’ magazine published by Premier in December.
John Grey & Sons sold to Rose-Morris.

1930’s
1930 – Hawkes & Sons merge with Boosey & Co on 30th September to become Boosey & Hawkes.
1932 – Barnet Samuel bought by Rose-Morris.
1933 – Premier move production to Standard Road, Park Royal and open a new office in Golden Square, London on 2nd October.
1935 – Carlton Drums launched in November replacing Jedson Drums.
1936 – JE Dallas moves to Ridgemount Street, London.
1937 – Olympic Drums introduced by Premier.
1939 - Publication of ‘The Drummer’ magazine ceases at issue #36.
Late-30’s – George Potter & Co ceases production.

1940’s
1940 – Premier factory in Park Royal, London is burnt down during an air raid in September. Premier are relocated to Pullman Road, Wigston, Leicestershire to continue essential wartime manufacturing work.
Mid-40’s – production of Reno Drums begins in Atlantic Street, Altrincham.
1946 - Clifford Della-Porta joins Premier.
1947 – JE Dallas now located on Clifton Street, London.
1949 – Beverley launch the Genius mounting system following the demise of their Console production.

1950’s
1955 – Beverley introduce New Standard and International Series lines.
Production of Reno Drums ceases in Altrincham, assembling transfers to Reno’s Music Shop on Oxford Street, Manchester.
mid-50’s – Boosey & Hawkes market Edgware and Stratford Drums, budget versions of Ajax
Drums.
1956 – George Smith (Premier) retires.
1958 – Beverley Drums purchased by Albert Della-Porta. Production moved to the Premier factory.
Premier launch Everplay Extra plastic heads.
Eddie Ryan starts work at Boosey & Hawkes making drums.
Late-50’s – JE Dallas introduced mid-range brand; President Drums and entry level; Gigster
Drums.

1960’s
early 60’s – Premier resumes ad-hoc magazine publication, now called ‘Talking Drums’ (#37).
1960 - Rose-Morris sold to Grampian Holdings.
1961 – Boosey & Hawkes begin production of ‘English’ Rogers Drums.
1965 – Albert Della-Porta (Premier) dies.
mid-60’s – Boosey & Hawkes cease Production of Edgware and Stratford Drums.
1966 - Premier receives the Queens Award to Industry in recognition of it’s ‘outstanding achievements’.
‘Talking Drums’ published (#38).
1967 – Boosey & Hawkes introduce Ajax Nu-Sound Drums
Production of John Grey Drums ceases and Rose-Morris revert to marketing their drums under the RM brand.
1968 – Production of ‘English’ Rogers Drums ceases.
Carlton, President and Gigster Drums cease production after JE Dallas merges with Arbiter to form Dallas-Arbiter.
Premier’s expansion plans estimated to cost £300,000.
‘Talking Drums’ published (#39).
1969 – George Hayman Drums made by Dallas-Arbiter introduced in February.
#40 ‘Talking Drums’.

1970’s
1970 – George Hayman Drums become Hayman Drums.
Rose-Morris launch Shaftsbury Drums.
George Smith (Premier) dies.
Selmer appointed Premier distributors in USA.
Boosey & Hawkes cease production of Ajax Drums and begin marketing and distributing Beverley Drums still made by Premier.
#41 ‘Talking Drums’.
1971 – Eddie Ryan Custom Drums opens for business in Archer Street, London.
1972 – Fred Della-Porta (Premier) retires.
#42 ‘Talking Drums’.
1973 – Fred Della-Porta receives OBE at Buckingham Palace.
Premier launch the ‘Kenny Clare’ Resonator range.
#43 & #44 ‘Talking Drums’.
1974 – Dallas-Arbiter partnership ends.
First monthly issue of ‘Drums & Percussion’ published in April.
Premier’s expansion plans now estimated to be £950,000. Work begins on the new
Blaby Road complex.
Rose-Morris launch Shaftsbury acrylic kits.
Promuco Drums begin production.
#45 ‘Talking Drums’.
1975 – Drums & Percussion’ reverts to quarterly publication in January.
Hayman Drums cease production,
JE Dallas closes.
Arbiter Autotune Drums launched
Last issue of ‘Drums & Percussion’ published Autumn/Winter.
#46 & #47 ‘Talking Drums’,
1976 – Hamma Drums launched.
Super Olympic Drums introduced by Premier and the ‘Kenny Clare’ sets become simply Resonator.
Production of Shaftsbury Drums ceases.
#48 & #49 ‘Talking Drums’.
1977 – Beverley 8000 Series drums introduced.
Staccato Drums launched.
Premier move production to purpose built facility on Blaby Road, Wigston.
#50 & #51 ‘Talking Drums’.
1978 – Premier Soundwave Drums replace Super-Olympic, Premier rename their core range; Elite.
#52 & #53 ‘Talking Drums’.
Simmons drum synthesizer launched.
c.1979 – Hamma Drums cease production.
1979 – Beverley Drums cease production.
#54 ‘Talking Drums’.
Late-70’s – Reno’s Music Shop closed and demolished.
Eddie Ryan Custom Drums moves to Covent Garden, London.
Arbiter Autotune cease production.

1980’s
1980 – Olympic Drums rebranded as Premier Club.
#55 & #56 ‘Talking Drums’.
1981 – Simmons SDSV e-kit launched.
#57 ‘Talking Drums’.
1982 – Premier launch Royale range to replace Club. MTI appointed as distributors for Premier in the USA.
Melanie Fantoms launched.
#58 ‘Talking Drums’.
1983 – Premier launch Crown range and Black Shadow Resonators.
#59 ‘Talking Drums’.
Premier board of directors resign in October and company goes into receivership ending over 60 years of family ownership.
1984 – Production in UK of Staccato Drums ceases.
New management team form Premier Percussion in April.
Premier launch the Projector range and Royale APK range.
1985 - Premier Royale APK becomes Premier APK.
1986 – Premier Crown cease production.
Andante Drums established in November.
1987 – Premier merges with Yamaha in October.
Eddie Ryan Custom Drums moves to Hornchurch, Essex.
Hayman Drums relaunched by Arbiter, only a handful of kits are made and sold.
#60 ‘Talking Drums’.
1988 - #61 ‘Talking Drums’.
c.1988 – Premier Royale line ends.
1989 - ‘Talking Drums’ (#62).

1990’s
Early 90’s - Noonan Drums established
1990 - Premier replace ‘Talking Drums’ with ‘News from Premier’ newsletter.
1991 – Premier relaunches Olympic brand.
1992 – Premier/Yamaha partnership ends in November.
Premier launch the Signia range.
Premier replace ‘News from Premier’ with ‘Rebound Extra’.
1993 – Premier Resonator and Projector production ends.
1994 – Premier launch Genista range.
1997 - Premier sold to the Verity Group of Companies.
Issue #1of ‘Premier – News in Percussion’ magazine is published.
1998 – Premier launch Astria, Vitria and Cabria ranges, APK production ends.
Arbiter ATS Drums launched.
1999 - ‘Talking Drums’ reappears for one issue.

2000’s
2001 - Production of Arbiter ATS Drums ends.
2004 - DM Drums founded in February.
Highwood Drums formed in July.
2005 - Ivor Arbiter dies on 26th July.
2006 - Staccato Drums relaunched.
2007 - Premier Music International Limited (PMIL) acquires Premier Percussion Limited in September.

Compiled by Mike Ellis September 2007
With thanks to; Tam Rankin, Dave McCready, Geoff Nicholls, Dave Seville, Mick Conway, John Kaywood and Eddie Ryan.