I was prized when Ringo picked up the sticks and started playing the kit. I was standing a few feet in front of him with an astonished look on my face. He began playing the beginning of Come Together and Ringo laughed when he saw me smiling and said “You caught that.” to which I said “Yes I did.” The last time Ringo played that kit as a Beatle was 51 years and nine months ago, truly a magical and historical moment.
Read more1960s Ludwig Downbeat Set
The drum set from my collection that I want to feature this month is a 1960s Ludwig Downbeat Set in sparkling pink champagne pearl. Downbeat sets began in 1959. It is one of my all time favorite kits. I really love these drums for many reasons. Their sizes are one reason I love them. These are the size drums Ringo Starr played on the earlier Ed Sullivan shows. The Bass drum is 20"X14", the floor tom is 14"X14" and the mounted tom is 12''X8". Ringo referred to the Downbeat sets he owned as the "mini" kits. I used to have a hard time telling if a kit was a Downbeat set in photos, but I learned to count the bass drum T- rods. The Downbeat set has 8 lugs and the 22"X14" Super Classics have 10 lugs. Another way to tell is to look at the lugs on the mounted tom. The space is greater between the top and bottom lugs on the 12'' tom than the space on the 13" tom. The 13" tom used on the Super Classics has larger lugs, so the space between them is smaller.
Read moreThe Levon Helm Snare Drum
So the drum was given to Levon by Ringo, clearly played and signed by Levon to the son of another tremendously influential drummer, Richie Hayward. Four degrees of separation, perhaps? I was happy to win the auction, securing both drum for its history and the ability to help Seve in my own small way.
Read moreI Stole Ringo's Drums - and Bonzo's and...
Hello, George. We met briefly in Indianapolis at a vintage drum show. I was a guest of Bill Ludwig at the show. B3 and I have been friends since the 70s when I endorsed the company. Anyway, the case can be closed. I have Ringo's drums. Photo attached.
Sincerely, Robin Reuter-Steele Indianapolis
P.S. - I have Bonzo's set too! P.P.S. - I have Neil's set too. Last one. Anyway, I want to dump this one...it won't fit in the Prius.
Bob Henrit Releases New Book
Bob Henrit's book, "Banging On!" is a hugely entertaining memoir of the legendary British drummer whose unerring sense of timing and rhythmic flair provided the rock solid base for Adam Faith, The Roulettes, The Kinks, Argent, The Zombies, Don McLean, Richie Havens, Ringo Starr, Colin Blunstone, Unit 4 + 2, Honeybus, Richard Anthony, Roger Daltrey, Leo Sayer and Ian Mathews.
"Banging On!" is illustrated with a wealth of photos and personal recollections of Keith Moon, Cliff Richard, David Bowie, The Shadows, Queen, The Hollies, Sandy Shaw, Genesis and many more whose music will forever echo throughout the airwaves and digits of the world.
Born in 1944, Bob Henrit grew up in Hertfordshire and was educated at a Catholic college. Having mastered the washboard by the age of twelve, within a short time he was playing drums for Adam Faith. A founder member of Argent, he went on to play with (among others) Don McLean and Richie Havens, before joining Ray and Dave Davies in The Kinks.
He’s had a diverse career in music as player, writer, film-maker, broadcaster, drum store owner and inventor. Bob is happily married with three children and two granddaughters, and he lives with some of them in Enfield. His time is spent writing, reading, public-speaking, travelling, indulging in various sports and, of course, drumming.
For more information and to purchase his book, click here.
Dangerous Illusions: Who Stole Ringo’s Drums?
Q: What do Ringo’s drums – the iconic Ludwig Downbeat made famous on the Ed Sullivan Show, a set of Zildjians – straight from the depths of the family fault, murder, mystery, sex and betrayal have in common?
A: Dangerous Illusions, the new literary crime novel by Joseph J. Gabriele.
Percussionist and novelist Joseph J. Gabriele paints an incredibly rich and vibrant picture in his 268-page murder mystery thriller. While hosting a lavish party at his Park Avenue apartment, Eliot Sexton, a Manhattan writer and percussionist, finds his friend and former U.S. Diplomat murdered and “THE” iconic drum set, worshiped by millions, stolen from his office – and his 70 party guests see nothing.
Mr. Gabriele leads the reader on an unforgettable journey through Manhattan in search of the killer, the thief, the drums, and answers to questions that have unpredictable and volatile consequences. New York is never what it appears to be.
The seemingly effortless blend of drum and percussion details with modern writing is superb, to say the least, and aficionados from the Not So Modern Drummer community will truly appreciate the style in which Mr. Gabriele presents classic instruments, drum shops, and legendary drummers – from Baby Dodds, Chick Webb and Gene Krupa to Joe Morello and Ringo Starr. As a drummer and reader you are instantly transported to the time and place, and the memories that made drumming history – and the many reasons each of us are drumming today. We were equally impressed with the subtle weaving of rhythmic patterns in the writing – and it had us tapping them out as we followed along, slowly becoming one with the characters.
Mr. Gabriele has presented a can’t-put-down thriller, and is well worth the read. The drum addict within us all will appreciate the attention to detail – thanks to Mr. Gabriele’s seven years of researching and writing – conveying knowledge from drum collectors, historians and experts from around the world – including the Ludwig family themselves.
“Not since Dashiell Hammett’s Maltese Falcon has an object of desire caused so much trouble.” – Craigie Zildjian
Dangerous Illusions will be released in hardcover on February 9, 2014 – the 50th anniversary of Ringo and the rest of the Fab Four making their debut in America on the Ed Sullivan Show. It is currently available as an e-book at all major online retailers. For more information, visit: www.dangerousillusions.com.