Roy Burns #47 / Woody Herman / Aquarian Drum Accessories
100 drummers I’ve seen and heard in my lifetime
Roy Burns (1935-2018)
I saw and heard Roy Burns at a drum clinic he performed in Orlando, it was the 70s. I was familiar with him and his connection to the Rogers Drum Company. His clinic was at Discount Music.
I knew he was a jazz swing drummer. I knew zero about his resume. He joined the bands of Woody Herman and Benny Goodman at a very young age. This was the 50s. In the 60s, Roy Burns became an educator and studio musician. From 1968-1980, he worked for the Rogers Drum Company.
In 1980, he started the Aquarian Drum Accessories company.
When I was a music manufactures representative, I always saw him at the NAMM Aquarian booth. There are several drummers in the industry that started companies from scratch. William F Ludwig was one of the first. Remo Belli created Remo. Vic Firth created his drumstick and mallet company, while he continued performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Roy Burns was a great player. His skills were extraordinary.
I was working at Discount Music, running the drum store, when his Aquarian drumhead line hit the market. Remo owned that market for decades. It shows that perseverance will pay off, if your product is good and you have the finances to survive the early years.
All respect to Roy Burns for his musicianship and entrepreneur spirit.