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Keith Moon’s Drumkits: 1967–1968 ‘Pictures of Lily’ kit

1967–1968 ‘Pictures of Lily’ kit details

1967–1969 “Pictures of Lily” Set
1967–1968 “Pictures of Lily” Set. Click to view large version, courtesy whocollection.com.
1967–1968 “Pictures of Lily” Set

“Keith Moon, Patent British Exploding Drummer”

Likely Keith’s best known kit, for its unique look, Keith had Premier custom-build at least three of these kits to his specification. It was Moon’s idea to incorporate “Pictures of Lily” in the design.

Timeline

Likely first date used:
7 July 1967 – Malibu Beach and Shore Club, Lido Beach, New York, USA
Likely last date used:
November or mid-December 1968

Whereabouts

Portions currently owned by Brad Rodgers: A 16″x16″ floor tom is on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and a 16″x18″ floor tom. See whocollection.com for more information.

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London owns three tom toms.

The bass drums are unaccounted for and may have been discarded.

Specification

Used Gretsch fittings, Rogers Swiv-O-Matics tom holders. Three of these kits were manufactured, as well as a gloss-black version. [more likely at least four — sparkle chrome kit used late 1968–early 1970 was same configuration; gloss black versions used early 1970–1973]

  • The art was pasted on to the shell and then clear-coated. Bonding the finish to the shells had to be done by hand.
  • The two bass drums were joined with Gretch fittings.
  • The tom holders were Rogers Swiv-o-Matics.
  • Three/four kits were made, plus a black gloss version.

Drums:

Premier Custom Built (in birch)

  1. Two 22″ bass drum
  2. Three 16″ floor toms (two 16″x18″; one 16″x16″)
  3. Three 14″ x 8″ mounted toms
  4. 14″ x 5½″ snare drum

Cymbals:

Various Manufacturers

  1. One 20″ ride
  2. Two 18″ crash
  3. 14″ hi-hats (usually not used on stage)
Keith Moon: Patent British Exploding Drummer

Stands:

Premier LokFast. All three stands are the boom type but still flush base.

Bass Pedals:

Premier 250 pedal

Bass drum fitments

The fitments that hold the bass drums together are the same on the red sparkle kits as on the Pictures of Lily kits: the old type Premier tom holders (possibly called “disappearing tom holders”).

Tom holders

Click to view larger version. Rogers Swiv-o-matic catalogue excerpt, courtesy Tam Rankin.

Click to view larger version. Rogers Swiv-o-matic catalogue excerpt, courtesy Tam Rankin.

The tom holders are Rogers Swiv-o-matic — they are not Premier parts.

Roger Swiv-o-matic holders were the best during the ’60; Ringo Starr, Brian Bennett and Ginger Baker (to name only three) used this mount on their Ludwig drums.

Drum heads

Premier Extra heads on tom toms, floor toms and bass drums.

Note:

September 19, 1968: IBC Studios, Anyway Anyhow Anywhere references that, “Having exhausted Premier’s tolerance, Keith used a new double kit belonging to roadie Tony Haslam.”

Selected quotes

All quotes and references are copyright their original owners and are included for reference only.

Beat Instrumental, August 1967, essay by Keith

At first I wondered what to talk about, but then I realised that the obvious subject was my new drum kit. I don’t have it at the moment; it’s down at the Bristol Siddeley factory having its engines fitted. No, I’m serious. This kit has to be seen to be believed. It’s going to be called “The Keith Moon Patent British Exploding Drum Kit.” I’m having the shells strengthened and made more resonant but the drums will still be basically Premier.

The drums are covered in gaudy designs painted in “Dayglo” and on stage they’ll light up larger than life. I’d like to say a bit more about the engine and what it will do but I think I’d prefer you to see the kit in action. I can promise you that it will be really worth seeing. It will give this effect of exploding, hence the name. I’m not sure what the situation is regarding copies of the new kit, but I dare say there will be a version for sale, although I can’t see everyone wanting Keith Moon designs.

Go magazine, 1967: ‘Keith Moon to take $5000 op art drum kit on Who tour’

Read the full article, courtesy Martin Forsbom.

“I’ve brought my new fab $5000 drum kit with me for the Herman tour,” said Who drummer Keith Moon.

“It took six months to do the whole job and five people worked on the kit. Each drum has designs on it and they all light up under black light.

“Of course, there’s a picture of Lily and also an op art design that says, ‘Keith Moon’s Patent – Britain’s exploding drummer’. I’m very excited with the way it turned out.”

Beat Instrumental, November 1967: ‘The Keith Moon Column’

“Oh yes, I’ve just got a set of timps. You know, those huge drums people like Eric Delaney use. They’re made by Premier and give a tremendous “lift” to songs. I won’t use them in many numbers, that would spoil the effect. I haven’t tred them on record yet, but the time will come”.

Pictures of Lily kit drumskin, courtesy Brad Rodgers (www.whocollection.com)

Pictures of Lily kit drumskin. Courtesy Brad Rodgers (www.whocollection.com).

Ca. 1967, U.S. tour, with rear view of kit and 16x16 floor tom visible at left, among three 16x18 floor toms.

Ca. 1967, U.S. tour, with rear view of kit and 16x16 floor tom visible at left, among three 16x18 floor toms.

Ca. August 1968, rear view of Pictures of Lily kit. Courtesy whocollection.com.

Ca. August 1968, rear view of Pictures of Lily kit. Courtesy whocollection.com.

Ca. 1968, side view showing left floor tom employed as stick and drink holder.

Ca. 1968, side view showing left floor tom employed as stick and drink holder.

Keith at Premier reviewing the panel designs.

Keith discusses the artwork with Jeffrey Hurst, creative director of Premier’s advertising agency.

Mr. Fred Della-Porta, Chairman and Co-Founder of Premier dropped in for a preview of the finished outfit and spent some time chatting with Keith.

Clip courtesy Martin Forsbom. Original caption:
Mr. Fred Della-Porta, Chairman and Co-Founder of Premier dropped in for a preview of the finished outfit and spent some time chatting with Keith.

Keith discusses a point with Phil Franklin, Premier’s Promotion Manager, during the final phase. In the background Bob Keith’s Road manager, adds a deft touch.

Clip courtesy Martin Forsbom and Tam Rankin at vintprem.moonfruit.com. Caption:
Keith discusses a point with Phil Franklin, Premier’s Promotion Manager, during the final phase. In the background Bob [Pridden], Keith’s Road Manager, adds a deft touch.

Keith posing with timpani.

Ca. October 1967, Keith posing with timpani.

Two floor toms from the Pictures of Lily kit, owned by Brad Rodgers. Courtesy whocollection.com.

Two floor toms from the Pictures of Lily kit, owned by Brad Rodgers. Courtesy whocollection.com. For more photos of these drums, see whocollection.com.

Two floor toms from the Pictures of Lily kit, owned by Brad Rodgers. Courtesy whocollection.com.

Click to view larger version. 16x8 tom tom from the Pictures of Lily kit, owned by Brad Rodgers. Courtesy whocollection.com. For more photos of these drums, see whocollection.com.

Go Magazine August 1967 clip on Keith’s kit. Clip courtesy Martin Forsbom.

Click to view larger version (1mb). Go Magazine August 1967 clip on Keith’s kit. Clip courtesy Martin Forsbom. Original caption:

Keith Moon … Britain’s Patent … Exploding Drummer

Direct from Britain, exclusive to GO, is this picture series of the wildest drum kit around. Above, Keith Moon of the Who selects the final artwork with the help of Jeffrey Hurst, creative directory of Premier Drums’ advertising agency.

The kit is almost finished, but Keith is there to make sure everything is exactly the way he wants it. Listening to Keith’s comments is Phil Franklin, Premier’s promotion manager.

The psychedelic outfit is finished, and Keith sits proudly in the driver’s seat. the $5000 kit is creating a lot of comment during the Who’s current tour of the States.

Resources and Information

Contributors:

Many thanks to the following, who have made this page possible:

Additional information:

Bibliography:

  • Drums & Drumming magazine, Oct/Nov 1989.
  • Modern Drummer, September 2003.
  • Moon, the Life and Death of a Rock Legend, by Tony Fletcher. 1999.

Manufacturers’ sites