Blaemire drum shells have been around for more than 50 years, and they have a story to tell……..
Allen Blaemire never branded and marketed his own series of drums, instead he was focused specifically on the shells. Allen sold his shells to local drum shops who then built them into customized kits, often for very high profile artists. Originally, almost all drums built with Blaemire shells were covered with the pearl, glitter, ripple, oyster and other wraps that we so easily associate with vintage drums today. Because of the wrap on the drums it was almost impossible to know who was using Blaemire shells.
Throughout the 1960’s, 70’s and into the 80s, Blaemire shells ended up on countless recordings, took part in huge world tours and made numerous TV appearances, all the while their participation obscured by wrap.
Throughout the 1960’s, 70’s and into the 80s, Blaemire shells ended up on countless recordings, took part in huge world tours and made numerous TV appearances, all the while their participation obscured by wrap. Over the years many of the associations and connections players had with Blaemire shells have been lost and all but forgotten.
We hope to “uncover” this Blaemire heritage and revive the essence of those early shells by providing a forum for artists and players to tell their Blaemire story. This page is dedicated to documenting those lost connections and finally giving Blaemire shells their well deserved spotlight.
We want to hear your Blaemire story! If you have a Blaemire story to tell, or know of artists who used Blaemire shells please send us an email so we can include it on this page.
Rhys Clark came to know Blaemire shells in the early 1970s, at just about the same time he started playing and touring with Billy Joel. His original Blaemire shells had such an effect on him that Rhys tracked us down and inspired us to start this page.
