Born in England in the early ’60s, Richard LeRoy grew up immersed in the
thunderous rhythms of legends like Keith Moon, John Bonham, and Bill Ward. That
early exposure sparked a lifelong love for drumming. At age 9, his family moved
to the U.S., where he discovered a new wave of musical inspiration—Rush, Led
Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath.

In 1976, Richard received his first drum kit: a red sparkle Pearl 4-piece.
He played in school marching bands and concert ensembles, even picking up the
trumpet along the way. After graduating high school in 1982 and playing a few
local gigs, life pulled him in a different direction—and the drums faded into
the background.

Fast forward 35 years. Amid the isolation of COVID-19, Richard—then
president of a major hydraulic supply company in Ohio—rediscovered his passion
for drumming. He built a custom kit inspired by Neil Peart, but was
dissatisfied with the sound of store-bought octobans. So he made his own. That
DIY spark ignited a new venture: RL Drums.

Today, RL Drums specializes in custom acrylic Octobans, complete acrylic and
wood drum kits, a wide array of snare drums (acrylic, wood, brass, bronze,
stainless steel, and steel), and high-quality hardware including double tom
stands and weighted boom stands. RL Drums also offers Omete Cymbals,
available in 16 distinct series, each crafted for unique tone,
character, and performance. Whether you're chasing tone, power, or pure visual
impact, RL Drums delivers gear that performs and inspires.

RL Drums is proud to be the exclusive North American distributor
for both Omete Cymbals and Soundwave Master Drums,
bringing world-class craftsmanship and sonic innovation to drummers across the
continent.

From a red sparkle kit to a full-fledged drum company,
Richard’s journey is proof that passion never fades—it just waits for the right
moment to roar back to life.