Still Making Music

Legend Louie Bellson and Gretsch created the first-ever double-bass drum kit.

The Gretsch company started in 1883 by an immigrant who lived in Brooklyn. His name was Friedrich Gretsch. The company would become world renowned for its musical instruments. By 1915 his son who now was the company head opened a ten story factory to better serve the demand for the company’s work. Less than forty years after Friedrich Gretsch started the company, Gretsch was being recognized as the “largest musical instruments manufacturer in the United States”.
The company would develop the multi-ply drum lamination process. This led to the creation of the world’s first “warp-free” drum hoop. But the ability to attract the stars of the music world to their instruments would be the ticket to their phenomenal success. Country music icon Chet Atkins became the first signature Gretsch artist. George Harrison played a Gretsch Country Gentleman on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” and sales of the iconic guitar model surged. Gretsch supplied the guitars and drums for “The Monkees” television program. Their instruments were everywhere.
When Fred Gretsch, Jr. decided to retire he sold the family-owned business to Baldwin Piano Company. Seventeen years after the company was sold, Fred W. Gretsch, the founder’s great-grandson, bought back the company. The company under his leadership attained the status once again of fine workmanship and leadership.
Fred has lived locally since 1978 and met Dinah here. They raised their children here and consider Savannah “home.”In 1989 the offices of Gretsch were moved to Savannah. A drum factory was established in Ridgeland, South Carolina thirty minutes from Savannah. Fred and his wife have served on the advisory board for the Salvation Army, Savannah Corps.  Dinah devotes much of her spare time to board work UGA Music Business Program, Sacred Heart Church in Savannah, Ga. Savannah Country Day School & the Georgia Musical Hall of Fame Foundation. They have established the Gretsch Foundation which launched GuitarArt, an initiative to repurpose used guitars as artwork that schools and other non-profits can auction off at fundraisers.
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum had an exhibit called the American Sound & Beauty exhibit, showcasing 75 vintage Gretsch guitars. This was the largest collection of stringed instruments ever displayed by the museum. The Gretsch company stands alongside of Benedetto Guitars as Savannah is a music making city.
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George Harrison plays a Gretsch Country Gentleman on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”