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[LennonStarrFan]

By Paul Bedard , Alex Kingsbury

Posted: June 25, 2010

The State Department has declared a snare drum owned by Beatle Ringo Starr to be a "culturally significant object," ahead of a special exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art opening early next month. The legal distinction is bestowed on about 90 visiting museum
 exhibits every year to protect them from potential seizure in any court proceedings, says one State Department lawyer. There's nothing controversial about this drum; it is standard procedure for high-profile exhibits.

The drum, a gold-plated snare given to Starr by the Ludwig Drum Company after the group appeared on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, is part of a one-item display honoring Starr's 70th birthday on July 7. He is slated to perform that night at Radio City Music Hall. The drum will stay at the Met until December.

Source: http://politics.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/06/25/ringo-starrs-gold-snare-drum-gets-a-cultural-boost

[LennonStarrFan]

Ringo Starr's Gold Drum on View at Met Museum As Of 7/7

June 29, 2010 by BWW News Desk

"This special presentation drum-made for the most influential drummer of a generation and representing the highest-end production of the most important drum manufacturer of the 20th century-holds iconic stature," stated Jayson Kerr Dobney, Associate Curator in the Metropolitan Museum's Department of Musical Instruments. "We are so pleased to be able to display in our galleries this spectacular loan from Ringo himself, who has owned it since it was first presented to him in September 1964, for thousands of visitors to see during this landmark birthday year."

Following the appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in early 1964, on which Ringo Starr appeared playing a Ludwig oyster black pearl drum set with the name "Ludwig" prominently displayed, the manufacturer experienced an enormous surge in sales and had to schedule round-the-clock production to accommodate orders. That September, The Beatles performed their first concert in Chicago, home to the Ludwig Drum Company. To thank Ringo for using their instruments, company president William F. Ludwig, Jr., presented him with the specially made, one-of-a-kind gold snare drum ("Super-Sensitive" model) before the concert. It bears a plaque reading: "Ringo Starr, The Beatles." At the presentation, Mr. Ludwig said, "I have never known a drummer more widely acclaimed and publicized than you, Ringo Starr. Your millions of fans have honored you and the other members of The Beatles by their overwhelming acceptance of your recordings and concert appearances. On behalf of the employees and management of the Ludwig Drum Company, I would like to thank you for choosing our instruments and for the major role you are playing in the music world today."

Full Article: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ringo_Starrs_Gold_Drum_on_View_at_Met_Museum_As_Of_77_20100629

[LennonStarrFan]

Courtesy Ludwig Industries and the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ringo Starr accepts his golden drum from William F. Ludwig, Jr. (second from left) while the othe Beatles look on.