1965 Rogers Buddy Rich Celebrity's

[Tommyp]

Many of you guys have seen these in the past as they are my main gigging set.. but .. I thought it would be nice to post these up again because...

I played a "Sinatra Show" gig a couple weeks back in a beautiful venue for a major client with tickets being $500.00 per couple. That alone is unbelieveable given this economy.. and .. they had over 500 in attendence! There was a photographer present and he was knocked out with the drums, and so much so that he took a bunch of pics. I gave him my card and said I would love to see them. He just sent this one over. The quality of the photography is top shelf, which is why I thought I might post it up. So... the particulars are:

14X24 bass drum w/original front head
9X13
16X16
16X16
5X14 WMP Dynasonic

They play/sound fabulous too! Hopefully you will enjoy!

Tommyp

[james]

Tommy - I could never get bored of looking at those beauties! Thanks for posting that picture! Sounds like it was a great show too!

James

[bunnyman]

I am happy that your kit is now on top!!!!

[Stallwart]

Great looking kit! I'm betting they sound terrific, too.

[Tommyp]

James!... THANKS!!, and glad you like 'em. I enjoy looking at ALL the kits that are posted here too!

bunnyman!... But Bunny!, your kit is still up top too!!!! As a matter of fact, the two of them are "side by each" as the Canadian French say!

Stallwart!... Yes, they do indeed play/sound fabulous. I have owned this set for quite some time actually and they have been my MAIN gigging drums. Only time I don't bring 'em out is for some of the smaller venues or where I know space is going to be an issue. Course it's still Rogers though, as I then play my little Rogers "bop" set. It's all good!!

Here's another shot that the photographer sent through. Didn't even know he took this one.. ( probably during sound check I suspect ) .. Please pardon my hideous mug, but do enjoy the side view which shows the 5X14 Dynasonic snare drum to excellent advantage!

Tommyp

[bunnyman]

Yours deserves top billing!!! After all, yours is original. Mine's a barn-fresh orphan kit!!!

Seriously- yours is EXQUISITE!!!

[Purdie Shuffle]

-That- is a spectacular set of drums, Tommy! 1-up, 2-down, that's my fav set-up too, so that kit looks 'just like home' to me.

Do you use the second tom as a place to hang your jacket like, Buddy? LOL

Great (classic) set of drums. Kudos to the photographer! Catalog worthy.

John

[Tommyp]

Purdie Shuffle! Nah... no jacket or towel... I actually PLAY the 2nd 16X16! If you look closely you can see the stick marks on the batter head. LOL!! Gotta tell ya,

Buddy used his 2nd 16X16 a lot up until his Slingerland endorsement which started in LATE 1967 and lasted until 1976. During his early WFL/Ludwig days and through his entire Rogers endorsement up through Trixon/Vox and Fibes... he used that drum! When he went over to Slingerland, he pretty much stopped using it. And yes... it was a fine holder for his towel! LOL!!!!!

I have to agree with your "catalog worthy" assessment of that picture. The quality is magazine like. That's why I posted it up truth be told. I have showed this set on the forum many times over the years, but this picture was just outstanding, so I though it was worth a redux, so to speak. THANKS for the comments!!

Tommyp

[kellyj]

Gorgeous Tommy!
No wonder the Cleveland era Buddy Rich kit with the matching Dynasonic is the holy grail of kits. I could look at it all night and not get tired of it.

-kellyj

[Purdie Shuffle]

> I have to agree with your "catalog worthy" assessment of that picture.

22 years in the printing/graphic art/lithography business in New York. I know from, 'catalog worthy' or not. Excellent photograph; composition, color, contrast, the whole nine yards. I wish I could get him to come over and shoot some of my kits! Thanks for sharing the shots.

John

[Bharrington]

Good to see a shot from that gig, Tommy! Hope things are going well. As always, fantastic drums.

[vintage drum bug]

Im speechless...so I can only write! what a sweet set of tubes and pies!!!!!!

[Mike T]

The Rogers small style of WMP just photographs awesome something about it Well Tommy you certainly have a awesome kit and I know for a fact how it sounds... :)

[kellyj]

There is a special look to an "outfit" (to use the era specific vernacular) that has the cymbals positioned perpendicular to the floor. It's just plain classy!

The 90 degree, perpendicular positioning of the cymbals was used by all the great big band drummers, Belson, Krupa, Rich. When did that change?
Was it with the dawn of rock that cymbals began to be placed on stands at an angle toward the drummer?

I know personally the flatter cymbals are placed the easier they are to crash or strike from the bottom. Striking from the bottom up to create sound is a lost art. The great swing, jazz and big band drummers used this technique extensively to great visual and sound effect.

-kellyj

[Tommyp]

Bharrington!... THANKS!! I know you are also a fan of BR and his drums. Appreciate the comment!!

vintage drum bug!... THANKS!! Glad you liked, and I hope your speech returns! LOL!!

Mike T!... Yeah, you know all about Rogers Mike! Course your Ludwigs.. ( most recent aquisition ) .. are killer too. Buddy would have LOVED to play those, especially with that 26" bass drum!

kellyj!... Gotta tell ya, you are square on here. Admittedly, I have been a BR freak since 1967, thus ALL my sets/snares are BR models, irrespective of company, as he was with 6 total, including return endorsements with two of them: Ludwig and Slingerland. For me though, it was 1967 and my dad bought me the "Swingin' New Big Band" album with Buddy and his GORGEOUS WMP Rogers Celebrity's right on the cover in full color. Game over right there. Buddy was IT for me... as were the Rogers. But nope!... my first set was Ludwig as my folks didn't want to pay the EXTRA for the Rogers at the time. I was still happy of course, but I knew I HAD to get those Rogers BR Celebrity's eventually... and I did! Regarding the cymbals/positioning:

I .. ( like so many others too! ) .. ripped off Buddy and Sonny Payne who were IMHO, masters at catching cymbals from underneath, and the perpandicular positioning makes that all the easier! I use that technique quite a bit actually. It's more "show than go", but it does add a nice visual aspect to the casual viewer. The technique also works very effectively with brushes. It IS a lost art, but I'm doing my part to keep it alive! LOL!! It doesn't hurt that the "Sinatra Show" gig is PERFECT for ALL of this stuff. The material, stylistically, is all swingin'. THANKS for the comments kellyj!

Tommyp

[The Ploughman]

I love the look of those. A very classy outfit.

[idrum4fun]

Tommyp! As always, beautiful drums! My girlfriend and I were at the Pantages Theater a few weeks back to see Sinatra's "Come Fly Away" show. What we enjoyed most was the live on-stage band. They were great! I can only imagine that you played most of the same songs. Would love to hear you live!

[Tommyp]

Ploughman!... Always appreciate your fellowship regarding Rogers drums! And yeah, there's just "something" about Rogers WMP!

Mark!.. ( idrum4fun ) .. THANKS!!! There is no doubt that we did play pretty much the same book Mark! We do an hour and a half length show and it encompasses ALL his hits, and some that are always requested. There is one "drum feature" which gives "Frank" a break. The band does that great Neal Hefti/Count Basie gem, "Cute". I attempt to channel my best Sonny Payne sprinkled with a little BR for this one. LOL! There is an extended solo on this contingent on the gig/venue. It's a GREAT gig, although it's a reading gig. Everything is charted out using Sinatra's original big band arrangements. LOTS of horn/vocal lines to support with a lot of the horns/drums being concerted. Here's an interesting side bit:

The "Sinatra Show" is doing a performance/video recording on the 28th of December which will be edited down to a bunch of "clips" for the agency website. This will be the way to hear this LIVE. I will certainly let you know! By the way, "Come Fly With Me" is one of my favorites! That one swings hard!


Tommyp

[fishwaltz]

Oh man...

Class is just drippin' off that kit... That kit is pure, it just does not get better.

And, cymbal placement! I looked at an ancient pix of me on my Crown kit when I was a kid. Horizontal cymbals... I couldn't tell you when or why I tilted them. I always mount splash cymbals horizontal, but tilt the rest.

[Tommyp]

fishwaltz!... THANKS for the nice comments!! These drums almost always invite comment in every venue I play, and the word "Classy" comes up often. Truly! Regarding this style cymbal positioning:

Because I was a Buddy geek originally.. ( started at the ripe age of 12! ) .. I copied his set-up for YEARS!, as a lot of us did back then. I deviated in the 80's for about 6/7 years as I got heavy into fusion/funk.. ( which I stll love to this day ) .. and my cymbal set-up changed as did all the angles of the crashes and the ride. In 1986 I went back to the BR set-up, including drums and cymbals, and have been that way since. I work with other groups besides the "Sinatra Show", but I always play the same set-up/cymbals. I work with a Contemporary Jazz Quartet fronted by an alto sax player, and the first time he saw my drums/cymbals he said to me: Kind of dated, isn't it? You know, the Buddy/Gene/Sonny set-up and FLAT cymbals, in WMP to boot! LOL!! But it was the playing/sound, not how "vintage" they looked that he ended up liking, and I have been working with him for 19 years now!

Tommyp

[tamadrm]

Just stunning.They look to be in museum quality condition.You must truly love them to keep them in that condition if the're your giging kit.I'm sure the sound as good as they look.Cool1

Steve B

[kellyj]

"If it aint broke don't fix it"... a la flat cymbals...

-kellyj

[Tommyp]

tamadrm!.. ( Steve B ) ..

I do indeed take very good care of my drums/cymbals... and I've noticed that for the most part, drummers are pretty obsessive about these things. There are always going to be exceptions of course, but most guys, ESPECIALLY the guys playing/gigging with vintage drums, are that way too! The thing for me is.. ( and I'm very fortunate/blessed in this regard ) .. that I play pretty much upper end venues/gigs. I cart/set-up my own drums, and take them down. There is most always production at a lot of these venues, so they mike everything up.. but .. they always take GREAT CARE when they see the condition of my drums and how they are kept. A plus!! :-)

I have two other Rogers sets, but the BR Celebrity's are my main set. I bring out the small Rogers "jazz kit" for certain gigs/venues, and/or if I know ahead of time that space will be at a premium. But that set is also CLEAN! LOL!!! I'll attach a couple from a gig a bit back where I opted for the small Rogers set. Same configuration though!, although minus the 2nd floor tom for this particular gig. THANKS for the kind words Steve! Glad you liked 'em!

Tommyp

[idrum4fun]

The "Sinatra Show" is doing a performance/video recording on the 28th of December which will be edited down to a bunch of "clips" for the agency website. This will be the way to hear this LIVE. I will certainly let you know! By the way, "Come Fly With Me" is one of my favorites! That one swings hard!


Tommyp

Tommyp! I can just imagine you swinging a band playing Sinatra's hits! It was a great show and the sound system at the Pantages did justice to the recorded tracks. And, yes, let me know when those clips become available.

In regards to cymbals and placement, I also emulated the BR and GK style with horizontal cymbal placement. Too much fun to come up from underneath for some fancy cymbal work!

I've attached one of the only few remaining pictures of my Rogers Celebrity kit from the early 70's. As you can see, I did have the cymbals tilted a bit at this time, but went back and forth from this to a horizontal position. And, yes, those are Slingerland stands! I already had these when I purchased the Celebrity kit and couldn't afford all the Rogers stands!

[Super B]

I always love Tommy P's collection on this site. Thank you. Can we get a funny Buddy Rich type picture of a towell on the second floor tom?

[Tommyp]

Super B!...

THANKS! Glad you enjoyed!

Regarding the ... "funny Buddy Rich type picture of a towel on the second floor tom?" See post #8 . Not a picture in that post, but an explanation! You know what though? I'll do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next time I'll have to remember to place a towel on the 2nd floor tom... but then also remember to remove said towel as my sticks do find their way onto that drum! LOL!!!

Tommyp

[OldSchool]

THANKS for sharing, TommyP! The only thing more stunning than the quality of the photography is the kit itself! It doesn't get any better than that. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

[Tommyp]

OldSchool!... ALWAYS a pleasure to hear from you! And THANKS as always for the very kind words! I realize I have posted these up in the past, but the photography just blew me away here.. plus .. they haven't been up in a while and I thought some of the newer guys might enjoy seeing them too. I've been playing them with the dual 16X16's instead of the 14X14 and 16X16. I like it! The back 16X16 is a little de-tuned and man does it have some "throat", yet still retains plenty of response. Nice! THANKS Gary!, and the same to you!

Tommyp

[Tommyp]

Here's another view that he just sent to me. Figured what the heck, it's a different angle then one might usually see. Hope you enjoy!

Tommyp

[Purdie Shuffle]

Here's another view that he just sent to me. Figured what the heck, it's a different angle then one might usually see. Hope you enjoy!

Tommyp

Tommy, this guy ought to send copies of these shots to guys like Maxwell and companies like Ludwig etc. it could be a whole new source of work/income for him. Photos of that quality would help sell drums!

Classic shot of some classic drums...

John

[wflkurt]

Great shots Tommy! Those drums look great and I'll bet it was a fun gig!

[Tommyp]

THANKS Kurt!... and it was indeed! ( a great gig ) Have to say that the "Sinatra Show" booked well for the agency this year. We did 20 nights in a 6 week period this summer. Not too shabby given this economy. THANKS again... and glad you liked!!

Tommyp

[mchair303]

So... the particulars are:

14X24 bass drum w/original front head
9X13
16X16
16X16
5X14 WMP Dynasonic

They play/sound fabulous too! Hopefully you will enjoy!

Tommyp


Tommy,

Amazing set!! Made even more beautiful by the inclusion of all the correct swan-leg hardware!
My Rogers WMP is 22-12-16-14COB Dynasonic. My question to you is how tall are you? The reason I ask is I recently acquired a Rogers 24-13-20 Fullerton set , and I find that the 13" mounted on the 24" bass is just too high to play comfortabley, even adjusted as low as the swivo hardware will allow (I'm only 5'8"). The shot of you behind your BR set looks like you're towering over that 24/13 setup. Guess I'll have to stick with the 22".

Thanks for posting those beautiful, professional shots.

Mike C

[fungus amungus]

Trade you a set of custom built VaughnCraft single ply Maples, built to your specs for them. I know you're not going to go for this, but a brother has gotta try! LOL!

[Tommyp]

A couple replies are in order!

mchair303!...

THANKS, and glad you enjoyed! Oddly enough, I have always felt that the actual hardware was part of the whole vintage experience too!... and probably especially so with Rogers Swivo hardware. Perfectly and beautifully made/function, and have NEVER had a problem with it of any kind. Can't see behind the set, but the bass drum pedal is also a Rogers Swivomatic... of course! That's been my pedal of choice for a long time actually. Regarding my height:

Interesting question actually, and poignant given the tallness of a 14X24 bass drum with relation to the 9X13. I am 6'1" which certainly helps a bit!.. and .. this may be of more consideration actually: I sit at 21" off the floor which is "moderately" low, relatively speaking. Thanks for the comments and question!

fungus amungus!...

And try you did! LOL! Hmmmm... I'll have to pass at this juncture, but your offer has been duly noted and shall be taken under consideration. You will be the first to know! LOL!

Tommyp

[jaghog]

Tommy i swear that wmp is so pretty what a wonderful life(kit)oh well still in xmas spirit so sweet