A "Veteran Voices" piece from Fred W. Gretsch — It’s said that every picture tells a story. Well, there are a multitude of stories connected with the historic picture that accompanies this article. The occasion, the setting, and many of the individuals depicted in the photo all have fascinating histories associated with them.Let’s start with the occasion. The photo was taken December 29, 1945 — just a few months after the end of the Second World War. The management team of the Fred Gretsch Musical Instrument Company had gathered in Brooklyn to set a course for the second half of the 20th century. Their decision: Go full speed ahead with professional instruments.
To commemorate their decision, the team traveled across the East River to Manhattan. There they planned to join with some of the leading drummers and percussionists of the day for a photo to be taken with a selection of Gretsch drums.
Of course, such a historic photo called for an equally historic location, which brings us to the setting. The sheer number of people to be included in the photo called for a sizeable area. The fact that notable musicians were to be involved called for a musical venue. So it made sense to hold the photo session on the stage of a concert hall. And what New York City concert hall could be more famous — or more respected — than Carnegie Hall?
Aside from its own legendary musical history, Carnegie Hall had a special attraction for the Gretsch team. Directly across the street was Steinway Hall, which was the headquarters of another venerable family-owned music business, and the two companies had much in common. In 1853, German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway founded Steinway & Sons in Manhattan. In 1883 German immigrant Friedrich Gretsch founded the Gretsch Company in Brooklyn. (Both companies are celebrating major anniversaries this year.)
That brings us to the people in the photo.
Saul Goodman was a legendary timpanist, teacher, and inventor. His career with the New York Philharmonic began on that very Carnegie Hall stage in 1926 and ended with his retirement some 46 years later.
James “Jimmy” Crawford was the drummer of the popular Jimmie Lunceford Big Band from 1928 to 1942. He was known for playing in a shuffle style based on keeping the beat in two, which became a key factor in establishing the unique Lunceford sound.
Mary McClanahan was one of the first, if not the first, successful female drummers of the 1930s and ‘40s. She was certainly the first female drummer to be featured in an advertisement for Gretsch drums.
Frank Kutak was a noted New York City percussionist who played regularly in the orchestras for Broadway shows.
John Phillip Sousa’s famous band employed only three percussion players at any time during its entire existence: a snare drummer, a timpanist who also played bells and triangle, and a drummer who played bass drum and cymbals simultaneously. August “Gus” Helmecke, Jr. was Sousa’s favorite bass drummer, and he played with Sousa from 1915 to 1931.
Art Neu was part of the Gretsch team, working as a salesman covering the Midwest region.
Viola Smith was another pioneering female drummer. From 1938 to 1941 Viola drummed in an all-female band called The Coquettes, appearing on the cover of Billboard magazine in 1940. On November 29, 2012, Viola celebrated her 100th birthday, and as of this writing she’s alive and well and happy to talk about drums with anyone who’s interested. Several clips of her are currently on YouTube.
Another member of the Gretsch team, Bernie Benson handled sales in the New York City area.
Fred Gretsch Jr. became president of the Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Company when his father Fred Sr. retired in 1942. But shortly thereafter he turned the reins over to his younger brother, William Walter “Bill” Gretsch, and left to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy during the war. He accomplished that task with distinction, and he had only been home a short time when this photo was taken.
Duke Kramer was the only person not actually named “Gretsch” who was indelibly identified with the brand within the music industry. He was an integral part of Gretsch business operations for nearly 70 years.
In 1945 Bill Gretsch hired drum endorser Phil Grant to head the promotions and sales of the drum department, and to handle artist relations. From that time until he left the company in 1972, Phil’s contributions to Gretsch were varied and extensive.
Richard Dickson was a drum builder employed at the Gretsch factory in Brooklyn. (Special thanks go to his family for providing this photo.)
When his father retired in 1942, William Walter “Bill” Gretsch was running the company’s sizeable and important Chicago office. He left that position and moved to Brooklyn to take over as president of the company when Fred Gretsch Jr. entered military service. The two brothers jointly guided the business until Bill’s untimely death in 1948 at the age of 44.
Al Moffat Sr. was yet another member of the Gretsch sales team, covering the New England region.
Gretsch Then and Now
The unique photograph presented here — and all the back-story that goes with it — depicts just a single moment within the 130-year history of the company that bears my family name. Along with my wife, Dinah, I’m proud to represent the fourth generation of that family (I’m the son of “Bill” Gretsch and the nephew of Fred Gretsch Jr.). Our daughter Lena, who represents the fifth generation, has been an essential part of the business for almost 20 years. And I’m pleased to report that many sixth-generation family members are pursuing educational tracks that will help them continue the family legacy for years to come.
For those interested in the complete history of the Gretsch Company and the Gretsch Family, be sure to check out Rob Cook’s forthcoming book on the subject.
