Not to change the direction of the post back to it's original intent, but... [BLATANT SARCASM INTENDED]
Other than Yamaha's lack of advertising, why do you think RC's are not popular anymore?
The ancillary fact that Rogers drums died and Yamaha let them die (that's all, they didn't kill them) is superfulous to any impression that RC's are not popular anymore. The perception that Yamaha fell from grace because of this is ludicrous. Business is business. There are alot more manufacturers and models to choose from now then there were in the eighties. God I hate the eighties!
Recording Customs are still popular with me. I bought eight individual RC's in 2009 for the first time. It took me years to budget for them. Yamaha drums have had a solid reputation in design and quality for a long time dating back to the eighties. Cascio/Interstate had immediate access to availability in standard kit sizes and in addition, a couple add-ons like 8x8, 13x11 and 24x18. I waited for three days to ship and five to seven days for delivery. Far better than two and three fiscal quarters to build.
Well ..like you said,business is business,and RC's are not the cash cow for Yamaha.Their lower end kits are what keeps the lights on.That's true of ANY large mass production drum company.Ludwig isn't being kept afloat by thier Legacy line.It was sales of Accent,Epic,and Element that keeps the books in the black...not the USA made drum sales alone.Import sales bring in the majority of profit.
The Same with Yamaha.Their Stage Custom,Gigmaker,Rock tour and Club Custom lines also account for the majority of sales and income.So why not RC's?
They are top of the line and the line that really put Yamaha on the heap.Times and tastes change.Young players don't want dads drums.Everybody else just can't afford them.So why would you push a line that you have a very narrow target audience for?You said it yourself....you saved for years,and FINALLY bought a kit in 2009.The truth is..Yamaha would rather you buy two or three Stage Customs instead.
Most drummers ,even pro's hear RC's..thats yesterdays news.While the'll acknowledge the quality,the sound is usually associated with Steve Gadd,and his highly muffled 80's sound.Younger players wanted crazy finishes,and square bass drums.RC's don't fit the profile.
So it's simple...Ludwig,Gretsch,Sonor,Maoex,Tama,Yamaha,Pearl,even DW push their lower end drums all for the same reason......business is business.
I disagree with your acessment of the Rogers situation.They STILL could have been a pro quality recognizable American drum company,owned by Yamaha.They instead chose to squander a still reconizeable brand name...the same as Gibson has done with Slingerland,who WAS making a comeback.They had lots of young drummers endorcing their pruducts,and then,they were aquired by Gibson.Say good by to a once..and could STILL have been iconic name.
But I guess,BAD business is still,BAD business.
Steve B