Conversation starter - Ringo with WMP

[Marty Black]

While cleaning out some old Beatles books in my storage shed, I found the attached photo. It's well known among Ringo buffs, but maybe it'll start a VDF conversation.

If I remember correctly (and that is doubtful!), this photo was taken during a dress rehearsal for a Beatles appearance in the US, but Ringo's OBP drums hadn't arrived yet.

The local music store supplied a used set, which appears to be 20/13/16. Note the double bass drum spurs and the odd bass drum anchor. It looks a bit like the handle on scissors, that was thrust into the drum riser!

Anyhow, as usual, Ringo is sitting very high on the stool, and has his mounted tom placed well forward of where most drummers position it. His snare drum is placed more to the side of the bass drum, rather than directly behind it. Another Ringo-ism.

I can't help but wonder what happened to that kit. Was it rented out again until being eventually sold? Did the buyer realize the provenance of that kit? Where is it now? Does anybody know?

Regards, MB

[idrum4fun]

Hi Marty!

I believe I read about this somewhere, just not sure where right now. And, yes, it was most likely a "place-holder" kit until Ringo's OBP kit arrived. The bass drum anchor was a W&A and actually screwed into the flooring! Almost looked like a large corkscrew!

Really hard to say what became of the kit. It could have just gone back into stock, awaiting another gig or sold, with or without documentation that Ringo used it! I'd be interested to find out more about it!

-Mark

[thin shell]

When The Beatles came to the US for the first time Ringo ordered a new OBP downbeat kit to be delivered to the Ed Sullivan Theater for their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Ringo brought his cymbals and his first OBP snare. The new kit wasn't ready yet so the WMP pearl kit was delivered for the first rehearsal. The red three ring anchor isn't a bass drum anchor. It is a stage screw anchor that was screwed into the riser. His Ludwig kit did have the W and A bass drum anchor but the stage screw was a little added insurance that it would be impossible for the bass drum to creep off the riser.

[Ludwigboy]

Gary Astridge has done a lot of research on Ringo's sets and also on the WMP set.
Here is a link for information on the WMP kit
https://www.ringosbeatlekits.com/home

As for the second drum anchor, Gary also mentions this stage anchor bolt here.
https://www.ringosbeatlekits.com/1964-ludwig-downbeat

[Ludwigboy]

I was lucky that a friend found an identical stage anchor bolt for me...it is seen below... you can still see flecks of red paint on it.

[Marty Black]

Great info, thanks! MB

[jda]

He doesn't look happy... He doesn't look happy at all..LOLol..

[idrum4fun]

Originally Posted by thin shell

When The Beatles came to the US for the first time Ringo ordered a new OBP downbeat kit to be delivered to the Ed Sullivan Theater for their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Ringo brought his cymbals and his first OBP snare. The new kit wasn't ready yet so the WMP pearl kit was delivered for the first rehearsal. The red three ring anchor isn't a bass drum anchor. It is a stage screw anchor that was screwed into the riser. His Ludwig kit did have the W and A bass drum anchor but the stage screw was a little added insurance that it would be impossible for the bass drum to creep off the riser.

thin shell!

Thanks for that information!

-Mark

[Drummer21]

Blasphemy,ringo,wmp, whaaaaaaat!

[O-Lugs]

Well...I guess the value of WMP just went up several notches!