An iconic piece of rock and roll history is to be offered at Bonhams this December. One of Keith Moon’s earliest drum kits, a 1964 Ludwig Super Classic, carries an estimate of £15,000-20,000 and is a highlight of the forthcoming Entertainment Memorabilia Sale to be held on December 10th in Bonhams Knightsbridge salerooms.
Moon first used this kit in 1964 in a fledgling band called the High Numbers, later central London on 22nd July 1964 where Moon used this kit; the last known date of use was 23rd May 1965, for The Who’s recorded appearance on ABC TV’s popular show, ‘Thank Your Lucky Stars’. This was Moon’s second kit whilst with The Who, replacing the blue Premier kit he had used from 1961.
Indisputably one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, Keith Moon’s legacy endures not only because of his uniquely brilliant drumming style, but also his wild, often self-destructive behaviour. Not long into his career with The Who, Moon developed a reputation for smashing his kit on stage and destroying hotel rooms on tour. He was fascinated by blowing up toilets with cherry bombs or dynamite, and by destroying television sets. A hyperactive personality, only happy when touring and socialising, he quickly became one of the most notorious characters in the music scene.
The sale also includes a number of items from the Punk era, the highlight being a unique piece of art created during The Clash’s Radio Clash tour in October 1981. Playing at London’s Lyceum Ballroom, the band had pioneering graffiti artist Futura 2000 spray-paint a large stage backdrop, on stage while the band performed throughout their seven night residency.
Signed by the artist, the work depicts an urban scene with various statements such as Police & Thieves, Can We Get The World To Listen, Know Your Rights, Clash as well as their forthcoming single Radio Clash and the month October, culminating in a large slogan at the bottom Escape From London. The huge 10.5 x 4.5 meter piece is estimated at £25,000-30,000.
Another exciting lot for Clash fans is a bespoke black cotton biker jacket with multi zip detail, worn by Joe Strummer during the period of 1977-1979, and whilst on the 1977 White Riot tour. Estimated at £4,000-6,000, this much loved and worn jacket was custom made for Strummer at the beginning of his time with The Clash.
It was created by designers Krystyna Kolowska and Alex Michon, who had been discovered by the Clash’s manager Bernard Rhodes at a party in December 1976. According to Kolowska he hired them to create ‘something tough’ for the group to wear, as he predicted ‘there was going to be fighting in the streets.’ Strummer himself even added an image of a running policeman on the back of the jacket, an image taken from the 1976 Notting Hill riots.
Also included in the ‘Punk’ section are items including concert posters, vintage gig tickets, and vinyl albums, relating to such bands as the Sex Pistols, the Buzzcocks, and The Jam.
Entertainment Memorabilia 10 Dec 2014, starting at 12:00 GMT. London, Knightsbridge