We Invented the Twin Pedal
Don Sleishman - Professional drummer, inventor and drum building pioneer
was the first person to apply and commercially market the concept of two
pedals on one drum.
The year was 1968, Louie Bellson was the
‘King of Swing’ and Ginger Baker (Cream) was an emerging rock icon. Both
had made double bass drumming famous, however the use of two bass drums
was still treated as a novelty.
Whilst at home in Sydney, Australia, Don
was hanging out with fellow drummer Evan Biddle trading licks and
swapping stories when Don noticed Evan’s left foot doing an incredibly
fast nerve roll with the hi-hat pedal. Don suggested he should utilize
his foot more and play with two bass drums. Evan was against the idea as
this would mean lugging more gear around to gigs.
Don had an epiphany - “Why can’t you have
two pedals on one drum?” He commenced work immediatelty on initial
design, the essence of which are still the basis of our latest model.
Upon showing an early version to local and international drummers ( even
the great Louie Bellson was consulted), Don was encouraged to patent and
produce
his unique invention.
1971 saw the very first production model
and many were sold. There was nothing else like them. The early version
attracted plenty of attention and created a whole new awareness to the
type of rhythms achievable with only one bass drum. Unfortunately, like
many new inventions, the Original Sleishman Twin Pedal was ahead of its
time and mainstream music had yet to develop double bass drum
patterns.
By the mid 1970’s Don was producing drums
incorporating our patented suspension system. This became the company’s
main focus.
Through the years, enquiries kept coming
about the Original Twin Pedal so we finally decided to re-develop them.
Here we are, full circle and proud to
announce the release of the new and very much improved SLEISHMAN TWIN
PEDAL |
