To celebrate Pearl's 80th Anniversary, we invited drummers around the world to share their personal stories and memories with Pearl.Here are some of the wonderful stories shared by our Pearl community. [Lior Levy]Before Pearl, the only thing creaking worse than my bass pedal was my aching back.My son is autistic and non-verbal, and he has demand avoidance, so he doesn't respond well to teachers. But he's been drawn to drums since he was four.So I made it my mission to learn, hoping to help him find a way in.Somewhere on our journey, I fell in love with drumming myself.However, I'm over 40, and I soon found that no matter how I adjusted my position, sitting behind the kit hurt after just 20-30 minutes.Then I got my Pearl Roadster D-1500TGL. Now I spend TWO HOURS behind the kit without discomfort.Next came the pedal.I'd spent quite a while debating shortboard vs. longboard before choosing the Pearl Demon Chain P-3000C, partly because its modularity meant I didn't have to commit to either.Suddenly, advice I'd heard from great drummers ("It should feel like dribbling a basketball," "Let the pedal do the work for you") made sense.The pedal carried the weight of my leg rather than fight it, and the unintended doubles disappeared.Today my son joins me in his own way: sometimes he sits at the kit, sometimes he uses my practice pad, and sometimes he just sits in the room while I practice. Drums give us a language that doesn't need words.I'm now slowly building my dream hybrid acoustic/electronic kit, with two separate kick drums. A second Demon Chain for my left foot was already on the shopping list. Winning the Pearl Eliminator Mono Pro Chain would bring that kit closer, and give my left foot its own Pearl moment. [Mike D.]My very first pair of Pearl drumsticks. These were the first drumsticks I ever owned. I got them when I joined my school's concert band in junior high. My family took me to a music store, and my dad bought them for me.After trying out so many different pairs, the Pearl sticks just felt right the moment I picked them up.That was 15 years ago, and I've been playing Pearl sticks ever since.

I officially started playing drums at the age of 4, but even before that, around 1994–95, I was already hitting my uncle’s old black Pearl Export kit. SO PEARL WERE THE FIRST DRUMS I EVER PLAYED IN MY LIFE. I still remember when my parents used to take me to his place… I always wanted to go straight to his studio and spend the whole day playing. Then, at the age of 6, I went to my first music school and did my first live performance. The drum kit was another Pearl Export, this time in maroon. The toms were bigger than me (12”, 13”, 16”), and you could barely see me behind the kit, BUT I REMEMBER BEING THE HAPPIEST KID IN THE WHOLE WORLD.   I also remember watching VHS tapes of Dennis Chambers playing those amazing big Pearl kits. Then the yellow kit came out, and it completely blew me away. The beauty and the sound of those drums, man! At school, I barely paid attention to the teacher because I was always dreaming about that kit and drawing it in my maths books… I OFFICIALLY SIGNED WITH PEARL IN 2015, and my first performance as a Pearl endorser was at TamTam DrumFest in Seville, Spain. I was doing my performance, enjoying a beautiful red Reference Series kit, and when I came off stage, Dennis Chambers was there! He was also playing at the festival, but I hadn’t even realized it until that moment. We spent the whole night talking about life and drums, and I still remember it as one of the best moments of my life. Today, I have the joy and privilege of playing Pearl every single day, and I still enjoy it just as much as I did when I was a kid. WHEN YOU GO TO A CONCERT AND SEE A PEARL KIT ON STAGE, YOU JUST KNOW EVERYTHING IS GOING TO WORK!   Nowadays, I use different Pearl series, and every one of them works perfectly across all kinds of styles and situations. One of my favorite things is traveling around the world and getting the chance to play different Pearl kits that have been exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, humidity, temperatures… and somehow, they always sound great and have something special about them!IT’S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY TOGETHER WITH THE BEST BRAND IN THE WORLD, AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF PAGES LEFT TO WRITE TOGETHER.HAPPY 80TH ANNIVERSARY, PEARL!THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE PART OF YOUR HISTORY.   

WHY PEARL?WHEN I WAS A YOUNG KID, I DIDN’T OWN A DRUMKIT.At that time, the Guitar Center’s drum departments were like a dream. There was a Pearl Drumkit on a riser, sitting in the window.  At night when they’d close, you could drive past that store, and the see the drums all lit up through the glass window. I dreamed and dreamed about playing those drums. I got a chance to play that kit - it was an MMX. I always said whenever I get a big gig,I’M GONNA SAVE MY MONEY AND BUY MYSELF A PEARL MMX.   FIRST PEARL KIT?As fate would have it, my parents went to that same Guitar Center, when they decided to purchase me a kit. It was 1986, and i was 8yrs old. My dad knew I loved that Pearl kit in the window, so he decided on the Pearl Export. I played that kit everyday, for years.I RECORDED MY FIRST ALBUM ON THAT KIT AS WELL. FAVORITE PEARL GEAR?I love EVERYTHING Pearl makes…I love the fact that I don’t have to seek out different brands for snares, and hardware, and percussion...That being said, if i had to say there was one piece of gear that was my favorite, I’d probably have to say the SENSITONE HERITAGE ALLOY BLACK/BRASS SNARE DRUM.  

To celebrate Pearl’s 80th anniversary, we’re launching our special giveaway campaign, “My Pearl Story.” Share your story with Pearl—whether it’s a special memory, an unforgettable performance, or a story about the Pearl drums that have been part of your musical journey. Special prizes and Pearl 80th anniversary items are waiting for selected participants. For full campaign details and how to enter, please visit the campaign page below.▶ Learn More About “My Pearl Story”https://pearldrum.com/en/80th-stories

Pearl Artist El Estepario Siberiano is hosting a special giveaway campaign! Four lucky winners will each receive a Primal Snare Collective Copper snare drum personally signed by El Estepario Siberiano.For full giveaway details and entry instructions, check out the video on Estepario's YouTube channel. Don’t miss your chance to enter! Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW4fNgeevAAEntry Form:https://pearlprimalsweeps.com/

At Pearl, sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. We are taking meaningful steps to rethink traditional manufacturing by giving new purpose to reclaimed wood and embracing emerging technologies like eco-friendly 3D printing in drum set development. https://pearldrum.com/sustainability By combining 80 years of trusted craftsmanship with modern engineering and sustainable practices, Pearl is shaping a future where responsible manufacturing and world-class instruments coexist. Project ReGen:Developed in partnership with Inoue Kikaku Co., Ltd., our eco-friendly 3D-printed drums (Project ReGen) feature innovative shells made from recycled materials using advanced additive manufacturing. By streamlining the production process, we reduce environmental impact without compromise. Pearl’s pioneering shell technology proves that sustainability and innovation can move forward together—delivering unprecedented tonal expression and playability.’ Pearl Chopsticks:Pearl Chopsticks give new life to drumsticks - helping protect our precious wood resources. Discontinued models, sticks with minor printing irregularities, and others that couldn't be sold despite having no quality issues. They're transformed into beautiful chopsticks by the skilled artisans at Hyozaemon, a time-honored chopstick maker in Japan. *****Pearl believes that music should be accessible to everyone. As an instrument maker, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities - ensuring that the joy of making music is available to all. TRAP:The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing life skills through percussion. Its inclusive programs serve participants of all ages, including individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, through multisensory musical engagement. Pearl has proudly supported TRAP for many years. The Hammer:After losing his right leg in a tour bus accident, Pearl artist Andrew Tkaczyk of the band The Ghost Inside was determined to return to the stage. Inspired by an idea from his father, Pearl developed a new bass drum pedal - dubbed "The Hammer" - designed to be played without a prosthetic leg for a more comfortable and nimble playing experience. It reflects our belief that the desire to play music has no limits. Pearl & Permobil x Jeff Elwood:Jeff Elwood is an aspiring professional drummer from Canada whose path has included significant challenges around accessibility. After a life-changing motocross accident in his youth, Jeff continued pursuing his passion for drumming as a paraplegic—performing in a wheelchair with multiple bands and creating content for his Wheelchair Drummer YouTube channel. Pearl partnered with Permobil, an innovative leader in wheelchair and mobility solutions, to develop a custom chair - along with a new matching drum rack setup. The result enhances Jeff’s comfort and accessibility while preserving the technique, control, and musical ability he’s worked so hard to build. *****Pearl is deeply committed to music education at every level, recognizing its essential role in shaping the next generation of musicians, educators, and innovators. Through our Educational Advisory Board (EAB), we collaborate with respected educators to help guide product development, curriculum support, and meaningful industry dialogue. Our internship program provides students with hands-on experience and real-world insight into instrument design, manufacturing, and the music industry, while our ongoing engagements with students and teachers - from elementary programs to higher education - strengthen learning communities nationwide. Together, these efforts reflect Pearl’s long-standing dedication to nurturing musical growth, supporting educators, and ensuring that percussion education remains accessible, relevant, and inspiring. Educational Advisory Board (EAB):The Pearl Educational Advisory Board (EAB) is an educational support team made up of leading professionals in the marching and orchestral fields. From curriculum development and program support to free tutorials and content, the EAB is dedicated to music education. They also contribute to the development of Band & Orchestra instruments designed for the next generation, supporting the growth of future musicians.Stay up-to-date on all happenings within the Educational Advisory Board athttps://pearl-educational.com/ Internship Program:Pearl values opportunities for students to learn by engaging directly with the world of music and craftsmanship. Through internship programs conducted in the United States, students gain hands-on experience by participating in real projects and day-to-day operations

Pearl Drums President & CEO Max Iishi has been featured in an interview in the latest issue of the U.S. music industry magazine, Music Inc.In the interview, Max reflects on Pearl's 80-year history, the company's philosophy, its global vision, commitment to quality, and future outlook. We invite you to read the full interview.https://archive.maherpublications.com/view/282580412/26/

 We have recently been made aware of fraudulent emails from individuals impersonating our company. These emails typically offer free products or financial compensation in exchange for social media reviews, promotional posts, or other collaboration opportunities.Please be advised that these communications are not authorized by or affiliated with our company. We believe they are phishing or fraud attempts by unauthorized third parties.If you receive such suspicious communication, we strongly recommend that you:• Do not respond to the email• Do not click any links in the message• Do not open any attachments• Delete the email immediatelyWe are committed to protecting our customers and partners and are actively investigating this matter. Thank you for your vigilance. We apologize for any inconvenience or concern this may cause.