Beatles drum head is Jim Irsay's latest purchase
Colts owner Jim Irsay didn't add a fourth Beatles guitar to his collection this weekend, but he did pick up an iconic piece of Fab Four history. Irsay paid $2.125 million for the bass drum head used by Ringo Starr during the Beatles' 1964 performances in the United States -- including appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and two concerts at the Indiana State Fair. The band's Feb. 9, 1964, visit to Sullivan's program launched the "British Invasion" of rock music and introduced U.S. viewers to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Starr.
"Mr. Irsay is thrilled to be able to bring this special piece of music history to Indianapolis," said Chris McKinney, curator of Irsay's rare guitars and collectibles "One of the largest television audiences ever watched the lads for the first time and had that logo etched into their minds forever."
The "drop-T" logo drum head, a 20-inch model made by Remo and originally attached to Starr's Ludwig kit, was auctioned Saturday by Julien's in Los Angeles. Before the auction, experts predicted a bid in the neighborhood of $1 million would secure the drum head.
The auction also featured John Lennon's 1962 J-160E Gibson acoustic guitar, which sold for $2.41 million to an anonymous bidder.
McKinney said Irsay, who owns three guitars from Beatles history, placed a greater emphasis on the drum head when he sent McKinney to be his representative at the auction.
By: David Lindquist
Source: Indy Star
